Paola E. Peña Garcia, B.Sc.

Graduate Student

Advisor: Matthew Poynter, Ph.D.

Paola E. Pena Garcia
Alma mater(s)
  • University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus

BIO

I'm a PhD Candidate in the Poynter Lab where I study how obesity Influences asthma severity and the mechanisms by which asthma symptoms improve after weight loss. My research also focuses on evaluating methods that elicit the benefits of weight loss without the need for weight reduction. I utilize a cell-based system in which I study airway epithelial cell responses to different stimuli and evaluate inflammatory responses. Notably, I have found that post-bariatric surgery weight loss leads to reduced inflammatory responses in airway epithelial cells exposed to plasma from obese asthmatic and obese non-asthmatic patients, suggesting that weight loss has a direct and beneficial impact on the airway. Currently, I am investigating the therapeutic potential of the ketone body beta-hydroxybutryate in reducing inflammatory responses and enhancing anti-viral responses in airway epithelial cells. 

Area(s) of expertise

Airway Epithelial Inflammatory Responses in Obese Asthma

Bio

I'm a PhD Candidate in the Poynter Lab where I study how obesity Influences asthma severity and the mechanisms by which asthma symptoms improve after weight loss. My research also focuses on evaluating methods that elicit the benefits of weight loss without the need for weight reduction. I utilize a cell-based system in which I study airway epithelial cell responses to different stimuli and evaluate inflammatory responses. Notably, I have found that post-bariatric surgery weight loss leads to reduced inflammatory responses in airway epithelial cells exposed to plasma from obese asthmatic and obese non-asthmatic patients, suggesting that weight loss has a direct and beneficial impact on the airway. Currently, I am investigating the therapeutic potential of the ketone body beta-hydroxybutryate in reducing inflammatory responses and enhancing anti-viral responses in airway epithelial cells. 

Areas of Expertise

Airway Epithelial Inflammatory Responses in Obese Asthma