Dr Samuel Lara Reyna

Profile

I began my medical training at the Faculty of Medicine at UJED in Mexico, where my interest in immunology first developed. I then pursued a BSc in Biology with Highest Honours and International Distinction at the University of Texas at San Antonio, focusing on immunology and microbiology. During my time in Texas, I gained crucial research experience molecular biology.

In 2015, I was awarded a CONACyT scholarship and moved to Birmingham, UK, where I obtained an MSc in Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham. There, I further developed my interest in innate immunity under the mentorship of Professor Andy Clark, completing my MSc research project on the effects of glucocorticoids on macrophage function at the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing.

Following my MSc, I was granted the prestigious CONACyT/Leeds Graduate Fellowship to pursue my doctoral studies in Medicine at the University of Leeds. My PhD research focused on understanding the dysregulated molecular mechanisms of macrophages in autoinflammatory disorders, with an emphasis on cystic fibrosis. I investigated the pathways affecting macrophages in this disease, particularly concerning inflammation, ER stress, and cellular metabolism.

I then came back to Birmingham as a postdoctoral research fellow working with Dr. Eva Frickel at the Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI) at the University of Birmingham. My research was dedicated to understanding IFN-γ-driven innate immune responses in macrophages. I explored the role of guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) in macrophages and their function in defending immune cells against various pathogens.

I am currently a research fellow funded by The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research at the University of Leeds, working as part of Professor Sinisa Savic's group. My focus is to investigate the role of new somatic mutations in the pathogenesis of various autoinflammatory disorders, with an emphasis on immunometabolism and inflammation.

Research interests

My research interests lie in the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory disorders, primarily driven by innate immune cells. I have a particular interest in macrophage biology and inflammatory pathways, including immunometabolism. Additionally, I am interested in energetic pathways such as glycolysis and the TCA cycle and their link with inflammation. My research also focuses on innate immune defences, particularly the inflammasome, and understanding the pathogenesis of rare disorders impacting inflammatory and metabolic pathways, including immune-mediated inflammatory disorders and other genetic conditions. I am particularly interested in cystic fibrosis and disorders involving the NLRP3, NLRC4, pyrin, and other inflammasomes.

Qualifications

• PhD (University of Leeds)
• PGCHE (University of Birmingham)
• MSc Immunology and Immunotherapy (University of Birmingham)
• BSc Molecular Biology (University of Texas at SA)

Professional memberships

• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
• Member of the British society for immunology

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine