Karen Laky
About Karen Laky
Karen Laky is a Staff Scientist at the National Institutes of Health, specializing in immunology and T cell fate decisions. She has a strong academic background, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut and extensive experience in research and laboratory management.
Current Role at National Institutes of Health
Karen Laky has served as a Staff Scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2008. In this role, she is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the Laboratory of Immunology. Her responsibilities include supervising and mentoring technicians, postdoctoral researchers, and postbaccalaureate trainees. She provides technical training and assists with experimental design and data interpretation, contributing to the advancement of immunological research.
Previous Experience at National Institutes of Health
Before her current position, Karen Laky worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the NIH from 2000 to 2008. During her eight years in the NIAID's Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, she initiated collaborations with both domestic and international government and academic laboratories. This role allowed her to expand her research network and enhance the scope of her scientific inquiries.
Education and Expertise
Karen Laky obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Immunology from The University of Connecticut Health Center, where she studied from 1994 to 1999. Prior to that, she earned a Master of Science (MS) in Biology from Adelphi University from 1992 to 1994. She completed her undergraduate studies at Binghamton University, receiving a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology from 1988 to 1992. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her research in immunology.
Research Focus and Contributions
Karen Laky's research focuses on understanding how T cell fate decisions are influenced by signals from the T cell receptor and costimulatory receptors. She manages a colony of genetically modified mice and develops new strains using speed congenic, transgenic, and conditional knock-out strategies. Additionally, she has developed murine models for studying various conditions, including bone marrow transplantation, infection, fibrosis, autoimmunity, and cancer. Her work contributes to the understanding of complex immunological processes.
Regulatory Responsibilities
As a custodian of controlled substances and select agents, Karen Laky is responsible for acquiring and maintaining certifications and managing inventories in compliance with NIH Safety and CDC regulations. This role ensures that her laboratory adheres to stringent safety and regulatory standards, which is essential for conducting research involving sensitive biological materials.