Katherine Wander (MA 2006, Washington)

Research Interests:
Growth and development, infectious disease; East Africa

"My research focus is infectious disease ecology, immune function, and immune system development. Using data collected among Rendille children in northern Kenya, my MPH thesis evaluates the relationship between iron status and infectious disease susceptibility. Because iron is crucial to pathogen proliferation, the iron withholding response protects against infection; by the same mechanism, dietary iron deficiency may also decrease susceptibility. Conversely, because iron is crucial to the functioning of cell-mediated immunity, iron deficiency can increase susceptibility to infection. Thus, the role of this vital micronutrient in overall health is complex, involving trade-offs between these effects on infectious disease susceptibility. Patterns of infectious disease among Rendille children suggest that replete iron status may not be optimal under conditions of substantial infectious disease risk.

My dissertation research will explore the role of infection in immune system development. The early life environment can affect the development of many organ systems, including the immune system, with potential implications for immunocompetence and chronic disease risk across the life course. Natural selection may have favored developmental plasticity in the immune system that tailored the immune response to locally prevalent infectious disease. In modern, “hygienic” environments, allergy and asthma seem to be by-products of this mechanism in immune system development. Early life infections may similarly affect immunocompetence, especially where infectious disease transmission is high. My dissertation research will explore patterns of allergy and immunocompetence among children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania."

Dissertation Project/Title:
Immunocompetence and the Hygiene Hypothesis

Curriculum Vita