Jared Simmons
Biomedical Sciences
- Profile
Profile
Jared Simmons is studying the involvement of dermal fibroblasts in skin inflammation and bacterial defense. He discovered a dramatic antimicrobial and proinflammatory response of fibroblasts to keratinocyte-derived interleukin 1 which drives recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes to the skin. His work is contributing to a greater appreciation for the role fibroblasts play in immunity, especially in response to physical or UV injury, Staphylococcus aureus infection, and inflammatory diseases such as acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. Jared recently published a review in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology which explores the many intercellular networks through which keratinocytes coordinate immunity, and he is preparing two first author publications which will discuss the importance of fibroblast recognition of interleukin 1 to host defense and inflammation. Jared’s work has already been recognized with presentations at the Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin in Gleneden Beach, OR, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting in Dallas, TX, and his work is funded by a T32 Pre-Doctoral Award for Investigation of Rheumatic Diseases. Jared has a history of service and leadership, from becoming an Eagle Scout as a teenager, to tutoring students in organic chemistry during college, and now mentoring new members of the Gallo Lab. Jared continues to seek opportunities to uplift the community and advance his field of research, and he is excited to be a part of the ARCS Foundation.