Our Team
Michael Shiloh, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Michael Shiloh is an Associate Professor with a joint appointment in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology. He studies the interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the innate, mucosal and neuroimmune systems. He is a member of the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology training programs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences an Investigator in the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute.
Dr. Shiloh first developed an interest in biomedical research while studying chemistry and enzymology at Penn State University. As part of the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD program in New York City, he graduated from Cornell University with an M.D. and Ph.D. in Immunology with a focus on innate immunity. Dr. Shiloh continued his training at the University of California San Francisco, completing medical residency and infectious diseases fellowship. It was there that his interests in immunology merged with his interest in microbiology, and he applied his efforts towards understanding the global pandemic of tuberculosis, a research focus he continued when he joined the faculty at UT Southwestern.
Dr. Shiloh’s long-term goals are to improve our understanding of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis. For example, his team identified mucosal microfold cells as a portal of entry for M. tuberculosis and characterized the pathogen-host molecular interactions that mediate M. tuberculosis invasion into microfold cells. Within infected macrophages, his lab demonstrated an important role for the host enzyme heme oxygenase and its product carbon monoxide in M. tuberculosis pathogenesis and identified the mammalian proteins cGAS and Smurf1 as vital for the macrophage response and activation of autophagy in response to M. tuberculosis infection. Most recently, his lab described a mechanism for airway nociceptive neuron activation and cough induction by an M. tuberculosis lipid. Collectively, Dr. Shiloh’s research aims to generate a better understanding of the M. tuberculosis infectious cycle, from the role of bacterial-induced cough in mediating transmission, to microfold cell entry and finally intracellular survival.
In addition to his research, Dr. Shiloh is also an attending consulting physician in infectious diseases at UT Southwestern’s Clements University Hospital and Parkland Hospital.
Outside of work, Dr. Shiloh enjoys hiking, running, playing soccer, traveling, and cooking.
Samuel Alvarez Arguedas, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
I was born and raised in Spain where I obtained my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology. After that, I obtained my PhD from the University of Zaragoza based on the study of the in vivo transcriptome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the use of a new vaccine candidate as immunotherapy for bladder cancer. In 2018, I moved to Dallas where I started my postdoctoral research project. My current research is to study and characterize the role of microfold (M) cells in the development of mucosal immunity against airway pathogens. Outside of work, I love sports - especially basketball and running, spend time with my wife trying new restaurants, and making new friends while reading books.
Priscila Campos, Ph.D.
Assistant Instructor
I am a Brazilian biologist who has been working in the Shiloh lab since 2019. I hold a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Molecular Biology, both obtained from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, one of the best universities in Latin America. After joining UTSW as an assistant instructor in 2019, I proudly advanced to the position of instructor in 2021. Ever since the early stages of my career, I have been driven by a profound curiosity to unravel host-pathogen interactions, exploring a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, including Trypanosomatids and bacteria such as Brucella and Mycobacteria. I am outgoing and dedicated, and I am always eager to lend a helping hand to my fellow lab mates. Among my colleagues, I've earned legendary status for my ability to create the most tantalizing carrot cake and craft caipirinhas that are unparalleled in their deliciousness. Don't take my word for it though! Feel free to consult our PI, who will enthusiastically vouch for my culinary skills.
Victoria Eknitphong, M.S.
Research Associate
After graduating from Colorado State University (CSU) in 2014 with my Master’s in Microbiology, I joined Dr. Anne Lenaerts & Dr. Gregory Robertson’s research team at Colorado State University. During my time there, I engaged in several pre-clinical drug testing trials. We used diverse murine models that closely mimicked the active, chronic, and necrotic phases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. To further evaluate novel compounds and drug regimens for Mtb infections, I engaged in PK/PD analysis, MIC assays, and drug resistance studies. In 2019, I joined Dr. Michael Shiloh’s laboratory and have been developing a humanized in-vitro model of Mtb and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections using a microfluidic "lung-on-a-chip" device to assess the efficacy of novel host-directed treatments. Beyond my scientific pursuits, I enjoy gaming, producing music, hiking, camping, and watching reality TV shows.
John Neff
Graduate Student
I received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Genetics at Texas A&M University, where I studied the ability of small molecule metabolites to compensate for the genetic loss of phospholipid synthesis in the mitochondria. Currently I am working towards a Ph. D in Molecular Microbiology at UT Southwestern. My work here is focused on identifying host factors essential to the pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis through the use of a reactive small molecule screening system. My research interests include infectious disease and antibiotic resistance. After I receive my doctorate, I hope to be involved in research on the treatment and prevention of human diseases with high mortality rates.
Katheryn Rahlwes, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
As a post-doctoral researcher, I focus on understanding the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome, specifically deubiquitinases, in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. I first started working with Mycobacteria during my graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts, and I am adding to that repertoire by focusing on host-pathogen interactions. In my free time, I enjoy taking nature walks, playing video games, and playing harp.
Beatriz Dias, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a cell biologist passionate about cell host-pathogen interaction, encompassing various aspects from cell biology to in vivo experiments. I completed my master's and Ph.D. training at the Gonçalo Moniz Institute/FIOCRUZ in Brazil. During this period, my research focused on investigating the mechanisms underlying the interaction between Leishmania parasites and macrophages, mainly focused on understanding the role of autophagy in Leishmania infection. To further develop my scientific skills, I decided to move to the USA in 2020 and joined the Shiloh lab as a postdoctoral fellow. Here, my goal is to unravel the role of the retromer complex component SNX5 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen presentation and anti-tuberculous host defense. Outside the lab, I like to practice yoga, read, travel, and watch tv shows.
Kubra Naqvi, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
As a postdoctoral researcher in the Shiloh lab, my project is focused on the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) lipids in cough reflex activation and transmission. I grew up in Northern Virginia but moved to New York to complete my undergraduate degree in biotechnology and molecular bioscience at the Rochester Institute of Technology. After undergrad, I came to Texas for my PhD training in experimental pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where I studied mechanisms of innate immune dysfunction during Mtb and HIV co-infection. Outside of lab I enjoy baking, painting, and catching up on reality tv!
Paola Parraga, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Shiloh at the Department of Internal Medicine of UT Southwestern Medical Center. In the Shiloh lab, my research revolves around unraveling the intricate mechanisms underlying the autophagy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. My research is specifically centered around comprehending the roles played by ion channels and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in this context. Born and raised in Ecuador, I pursued my undergraduate studies at Escuela de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, earning a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology engineering. Driven by my passion for scientific exploration, I further pursued a master’s degree in microbiology at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, supported by the Fulbright Program. Motivated by a strong desire to delve deeper into scientific research, I completed my Ph.D. in microbiology at the same institution, where my research revolved around exploring the impact of nutritional immunity on pathogens during infection and deciphering the adaptations developed by Staphylococcus aureus to counteract this host response. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and pups, gardening, and crafting.
Giaochau Nguyen
Graduate Student
I graduated from UT Austin with a B.S. in Microbiology where I studied the structure and function of a homologous recombination DNA repair complex, BTRR. I joined the molecular microbiology graduate program at UTSW in 2022, and my work focuses on identifying the neuronal mechanis of action of sulfolipid-1, a cough-inducing molecule secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In my free time, I love reading and crocheting.
Lois Warden
MSTP Student
I am an MSTP student from Bryan, Texas. I graduated from Trinity University with a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a minor in Spanish and started at UT Southwestern directly after completing my undergraduate studies. My project is to identify and characterize the molecular mechanisms by which Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes cough by focusing on the neuro-immunology and pharmacology of nociceptive agonists produced by M. tuberculosis. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, reading, and traveling.
Our team is a hardworking, collaborative group.
We're always looking for passionate researchers to contribute to our team. As we work to ultimately to develop new vaccines and treatments for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.