Daniel Dwyer, Ph.D.
Associate Immunologist - Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Assistant Professor - Harvard Medical School
Dr. Dwyer’s path-forging research delves into the intricate biology of mast cells, long-lived inflammatory immunes cell residing in peripheral tissues that are quickly activated by allergens through surface-bound IgE and are central drivers of anaphylaxis. Dr. Dwyer’s lab has masterfully revealed how the tissue environment dictates the development and activation of different mast cells in humans, underscoring how mast cells are not created equally, but are dynamic responders to their environment. Understanding how environmental signals associated with different locations, such as the skin, airway, or digestive tissue shape a cell’s behavior is crucial, as learning what these cues are and how these subsets differentially respond to inhibitory signals opens up possibilities for therapeutic strategies to modulate mast cell activity. As FASI pushes the boundaries of food allergy research and intervention, Dr. Dwyer’s expertise in unraveling the diversity and specific functions of mast cells will be instrumental in accelerating our collaborative research efforts and bringing us closer to transformative solutions.