Jigar Desai
About Jigar Desai
Jigar Desai is a Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, specializing in tissue-specific regulation of antifungal immune responses. He holds a PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and has extensive experience in advanced imaging and immunological techniques.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Jigar Desai currently serves as a Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, a position he has held since 2019. His work focuses on advanced immunological research, specifically the tissue-specific regulation of antifungal immune responses. Desai employs a range of sophisticated techniques, including multiparameter flow cytometry, to analyze immune responses. His research involves working with primary human and murine cells, as well as cell lines, to gain insights into immune mechanisms.
Education and Expertise
Jigar Desai earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied under Dr. Aaron P. Mitchell and Dr. Frederick Lanni from 2010 to 2014. Prior to this, he obtained a Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University, working in the lab of Dr. Martin K. Safo from 2008 to 2010. Desai's educational background equips him with extensive knowledge in biological sciences and pharmaceutical research.
Background
Before his current role at the NIH, Jigar Desai worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institutes of Health from 2014 to 2019. He also served as a Graduate Research Assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2009 to 2010. His research experience spans several years and includes significant contributions to the understanding of immune responses, particularly in the context of antifungal defenses.
Research Techniques and Methodologies
Desai utilizes advanced research techniques in his investigations, including intravital microscopy and whole-organ volumetric imaging. He applies cell type-specific conditional knockout mice to study immune responses in detail. His research also incorporates spatial, single-cell, and bulk transcriptomics, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of cellular behavior and interactions. Additionally, he employs reporter mice and fungi in his experimental setups to enhance the understanding of immune mechanisms.