Amanda Watkins

Molecular and Translational Medicine

BS – Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008

Rifkin Laboratory

I am currently working in Dr. Ian Rifkin’s laboratory.  I am studying the role of interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF5) in lupus and lupus associated atherosclerosis.  IRF5 is a transcription factor that acts downstream of Toll-like receptors and promotes lupus pathogenesis.  My overall research interests lie in determining how IRF5 contributes to disease progression in mouse models of lupus-associated atherosclerosis as well as at the molecular level.