Our research group is examining various aspects of inflammation regulation.  We are interested in mechanisms that direct white blood cells (leukocytes) to sites of inflammation and that regulate their effector activities. A key leukocyte involved in the early inflammatory response is the neutrophil, which is the most abundant leukocyte in the blood and at sites of acute inflammation. Various inflammatory modulators expressed by neutrophils are regulated by a process referred to as ectodomain shedding. Among other lines of research, my lab is actively involved in understanding the function and regulation of this proteolytic process in order to manipulate inflammation and bolster innate immunity or diminish damaging inflammation.