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Mother Child W Physician
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Khyati Girdhar, PhD

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics (Endocrinology)

Locations

  • TBRC/CRI
  • 2nd Floor, C2570
    8701 Watertown Plank Rd,
    Milwaukee, WI 53226

Contact Information

Honors and Awards

2024, Diabetes Research Connection Award
2022, D-challenge Award

Research Interests

My lab research focused on understanding the environmental factors which play a fundamental role in shaping immune responses and influencing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) progression. Our research program is dedicated to understanding how the gut microbiome interacts with the immune system, identifying key microbial players that either protect against or promote autoimmunity.

In my lab, we determine:

  • Why and which microbes are specifically interacting with the immune system by utilizing new sequencing techniques?
  • How do these gut microbes and immune interactions evolve as disease progresses to help us identify new Biomarkers?
  • How the functional molecules e.g. proteins, metabolites, and exosomes secreted by microbiota influence immune cell behavior during T1D development

Beyond identifying microbial triggers, our research work also focuses on translating these findings into therapeutic strategies. One of our primary research areas is the development of new probiotics and also engineering probiotic therapies to induce immune tolerance or reduce inflammation, slow disease progression, and reduce complications in T1D patients.

We believe our research will help in predicting, preventing, and managing T1D: 1) By identifying Early Detection & Biomarkers. 2) by utilizing microbial-based therapies to restore immune balance and 3) by determining individual variations in microbiome-immune interactions to develop personalized treatment strategies.

Get Involved

For Researchers & Clinicians: Collaborate with us to advance microbiome-based immunotherapies.

For Students & Trainees: Explore research opportunities and contribute to T1D Research.

For Patients & Public: Stay informed – Follow us on Social Media (LinkedIn | X: @GirdharKhyati) for updates

Publications