We interviewed Dr Karin Santoni - a new Research Associate in the Frankel Lab who joined us in March.

Can you tell me a little about your background? 

I was born in Barcelona, Spain, where I did all my high school studies in the French school. Then, I moved to the south of France, in Toulouse, where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Cell biology and Physiopathology and a Master’s degree in Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Following my Master, I did a PhD, in Toulouse also, in the team of Etienne Meunier at the Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (IPBS), working on the immune detection and elimination of pathogens.  

Can you tell us a bit about your study prior to now?  

In my previous lab I was working on host pathogen interactions and more precisely in the role of inflammasomes in controlling infections. We were able to describe for the first time the inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis, mediated by the inflammasome response, in neutrophils and its role in controlling Pseudmonas aeruginosa infection. 

What is your new role at Imperial? 

My new role at Imperial remains working in the field of host pathogen interactions but this time not focusing only in the inflammasome response but more globally in the host, through in vivo experiments.  

What motivated you to work in this area? 

I have always loved working in the field of host pathogen interactions, understating how pathogens evolved to evade their recognition by the immune system is something that really passionate me. 

What attracted you to working in Life Sciences at Imperial?  

What attracted me is the variety of subjects and the facility to work within different departments and teams.