Adam Fortais

Our immune response becomes less effective as we age and makes us more susceptible to infections. For instance, macrophages - white blood cells that eat up foreign pathogens - not only become slower and less effective at destroying these pathogens, but can also cause a chronic, pro-inflammatory state in the body. But, what are the mechanisms underlying poor macrophage function and susceptibility to lung infections in older adults? Kevin Zhao, a 1st year PhD student in the Department of Medicine, aims to understand these mechanisms and also examine potential drug candidates that can improve macrophage function, and thus protect against lung infections. Tune in to learn more about Kevin's research, the MD/PhD program at McMaster, and his interest in sci-fi! ​ If you have any questions about the MD/PhD program, please feel free to reach out to Kevin (kevin.zhao@medportal.ca) or Sawayra (owaiss3@mcmaster.ca)