Anjelica Gonzalez

Anjelica Gonzalez

  • Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine, Computational Biology
  • B.S., Utah State University, Biological Engineering

INTERESTS

Anjelica Gonzalez’ appointment in Biomedical Engineering in association with the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program has provided a supportive and convenient platform for her research, focused on the development of biomaterials for use as investigational tools, particularly for the investigation of immunological responses to inflammatory signals from endogenous and exogenous sources.

 Anjelica has a dedicated interest in training the next generation of scientists to think interdisciplinary and approach problems form a scientifically global perspective.  With a multi-disciplinary approach, the Gonzalez lab combines organic chemistry, molecular biology, mathematics, computational modeling and image analysis to develop and use biomedically engineering scaffolds to dissect the chemo-mechanics of immunological processes.  This work has special significance to an array of diseases and disorders, including atherosclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and sepsis. 

Research projects in the Gonzalez lab include the development of biomaterials for investigating the influence of outside-in mediated signaling through adhesion molecules on cellular architecture and subsequent signaling pathways.  These activities are investigated in neutrophils, leukocytes and pericytes.  Additionally, in collaboration with Yale School of Medicine Dept. of Dermatology, Dr. Gonzalez is elucidating the mechanism of the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treatment known as transimmunization therapy.  This treatment, in which cells are extracted, treated with drugs, and then reintroduced into the patient, is effective, though poorly understood. Research in the Gonzalez lab has made headway toward understanding signaling pathways driving monocytes down the dentritic cell lineage.

AWARDS & HONORS

  • Keynote Address UCONN Summer Science Undergraduate Research Programs Closing Ceremonies (2009)
  • NIH/LRP Award Renewal from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Pediatrics Program (2009)
  • NIH/LRP Award Renewal from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Pediatrics Program (2007)
  • Gordon Research Conference on Basement Membranes Carl Storm Fellowship Award (2006)
  • American Physiological Society/NIDDK Fellowship (2006)
  • American Society for Investigative Pathology FASEB MARC Program Oral Presentation Award (2006)
  • Minority Physician Research Training Program “Acres of Diamonds” National Abstract and Oral Presentation Award (2005)
  • American Physiological Society/NIDDK Fellowship (2005)
  • American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Young Scientist Travel Award (2005)
  • Keystone Symposia Scholarship Awardee (2005)
  • FOCIS Centers of Excellence (FCE) Trainee Satellite Symposium (TSS) Travel Grant (2005)
  • American Physiological Society/ NIDDK Fellowship (2004)
  • NIH Institutional NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship – NHLBI/Texas Children’s Hospital (2004)
  • NIH/LRP Award from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Pediatrics Program (2004)