Clinical Immunology

Terza Brostoff, DVM, PhD, DACVM

  • Assistant Professor
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology
  • School of Veterinary Medicine
Research Interests: The Brostoff laboratory develops novel diagnostic tests and vaccines and uses these tools both for clinical application as well as to better study host immune responses to disease. The disease models we are currently studying include feline coronavirus and canine osteosarcoma. We are currently using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning as a platform for novel high-throughput diagnostic test development.
5329 VM3A

Hannah Savage, DVM, PhD

  • Assistant Professor
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology
  • School of Veterinary Medicine
Research Interests: The Savage lab studies interactions between pathogens, the microbiota, and host. In particular, I currently focus on how the microbiota promotes a heathy colonocyte immunometabolism and how this interaction is altered during disease, putting the host at risk of infection with pathogens and pathobionts. My overall research goal is to understand the basis behind these host-microbiota interactions during health so that host health can be supported with therapeutics during microbial disruption to prevent a loss of colonization resistance.

Jan Nolta, PhD

  • Professor
  • Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy
  • School of Medicine
Research Interests: As a translational scientist, I work with MDs toward clinical trials of immunotherapy. I am scientific director of our Good Manufacturing Practice Facility and director of our cell and gene therapy program. our team works on CAR-T development, manufacturing and delivery in clinical trials.
2921 Stockton Blvd, Suite 1300, Sacramento

Maryam Afkarian, MD, PhD

  • Professor
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology
  • School of Medicine
Research Interests: Research Interests: mechanistic understanding of inflammation in chronic diseases; specifically understanding the innate and adaptive immune response in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and characterizing the role of the immune response on DKD pathogenesis. First group to identify an association between urine complement components and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
451 Health Sciences Drive (GBSF), Room 5404

Christine Toedebusch, DVM, PhD

  • Associate Professor
  • Department of Surgical & Radiological Sciences
  • School of Veterinary Medicine
Research Interests: Dr. Toedebusch is a veterinary neurologist and comparative neuro-oncologist dedicated to improving the lives of humans and dogs with brain tumors. She combines her clinical expertise and scientific training to 1) advance understanding of the translational relevance of spontaneously occurring high-grade glioma as a model for human disease and 2) Uncover the molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression in high-grade glioma. Dr. Toedebusch collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and physicians to develop and test innovative therapies through clinical trials in canine patients. Her ultimate goal is to discover new treatments for brain tumors that benefit both dogs and humans—advancing care and quality of life across species.

Robert Canter, MD

  • Professor and Chair of the Immunology Graduate Group
  • Department of Surgery
  • School of Medicine
Research Interests: Translational research in cross-species phenotype and function of NK cells and NK targeting of cancer stem cells.
4501 X Street, Suite 3010, Sacramento

Judy Van de Water, PhD

  • Professor
  • Department of Rheumatology
  • School of Medicine
Research Interests: My research is focused on clinical immunology, neuroimmunology and autoimmunity. The current projects include the immunobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and schizophrenia. We are also interested in the maternal gestational immune environment and how dysregulation of the maternal immune system impacts offspring development.
The MIND Institute & 6510 GBSF