Kaylee van Dijk

Background

When my dog was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease as rare as winning the lottery, it directed my attention toward the fine balance between regulation or disfunction immune responses. The search to understand this balance remains a central focus of my research till this day.

My interest in comparative immunology and vaccine design was further shaped at Wageningen University and Research (The Netherlands). I was drawn to hands-on experimentation, completing four lab-based thesis projects during my BSc Animal science and my double MSc degree in Biology and Animal science, followed by a short employment as research assistant prior to starting my PhD. I gained a broad experience working with: I) whole organisms such as zebrafish and carp; II) tissue or blood samples from carp, tilapia, chickens, and cows; III) mammalian and fish-derived cell lines/organoids, and;  IV) pathogens, including trypanosomes, trypanoplasma and RNA viruses. During my PhD, my research focused on the roles of TNF homologues, Tnfa and Tnfb in zebrafish during infection and inflammation, with a special focus on innate immune cell activation. This research has involved a combination of state-of-the-art molecular techniques (e.g: CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing) and high-end microscopy. Before then taking me to my current role of Core Scientist in the Comparative Immunology Group headed by Maria Forlenza. Where I’m now incorporating my knowledge and skillset to familiar and new fish species. The more I learn about fish, the more they continue to amaze me!

Favourite aquaculture species

Zebrafish win because you can literally see immune responses and host-pathogen interactions live in action.

Interests, hopes and dreams

I am interested in science communication, especially through writing to for the broader public and generation of engaging images. I am happy to explore the beautiful Scottish nature.