Overview

The Tirouvanziam laboratory focuses on mechanisms of innate immunity in humans and their relations to chronic human disease. In recent years, these efforts have led us to conduct phase 1 and 2 interventional trials in CF (with CF Foundation and FDA support) and in autism, along with prospective studies in allergy and asthma.
Our group maintains active projects in other diseases and conditions affecting the respiratory system (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung transplant), immune system (allergy, fungal colonization, malaria, Fanconi anemia) and central nervous system (autism, schizophrenia). We have fruitful collaborations with groups at several academic institutions, including Emory University, Georgia Tech, Stanford University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Montpellier (France) and University of Lausanne (Switzerland).
Our approach emphasizes sample collection from patients and direct, high-content analyses by flow and image cytometry (to characterize metabolic and activation markers reflecting adaptation in immune cells) and mass spectrometry (to characterize small molecule signals exchanged by mucosal cells, viruses / bacteria / fungi and immune cells).
From an engineering standpoint, we are interested in identifying better in vivo targets and in developing adequate measurement methods to enable better immuno-inflammatory monitoring at the clinic and at home.

Academic Appointment

• Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University

Education

Research