Biography

Dr. LaKeisha Batts completed her Ph.D. in Immunology from The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in August 2009. She obtained a B.A. in Biology from Rice University in Houston, TX in 2002. Her dissertation research focuses on microRNAs that regulate the development of T cells and their role in the asthmatic response. Her previous experiences include: observing health outcomes in a rural health clinic (Carterville Family Practice Clinic, Carterville, IL), investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of Candida albicans (yeast) in immune compromised individuals (Rice University, Houston, TX) and evaluating mechanisms of T cell death in African-Americans and Caucasians (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX). She is particularly interested in using her biomedical research background to investigate the influence of the immune system on breast tumor development in African-American and Caucasian women. She hopes to identify biomarkers that can be used as tools for diagnosis and therapeutic treatments. LaKeisha is at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center site in the Center for Research on Minority Health/Health Disparities Research, Education and Training Consortium.