Shalini Guleria: Breaking the Wall of Early Immunity

Maternal breastfeeding delivers essential nutrients and immune factors, like regulatory T cells (Tregs), to newborns, aiding in immune tolerance and reducing allergy and autoimmune disease risks. We aim to investigate how breast milk-transferred Tregs contribute to immune tolerance in babies, potentially identifying new Treg molecules for treating immunological issues and preventing future allergies and autoimmune disorders.

Shalini, a postdoctoral fellow at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, recently completed her PhD and returned to Aotearoa. She specialises in T cell immunology, particularly regulatory T cells, with a focus on autoimmune diseases. Her expertise extends to breast cancer immunology and cellular heterogeneity. She holds a PhD in Cancer Medicine from La Trobe University, Australia, and an MSc in Molecular Biology and a BE (Honours) in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Waikato.