Kurt Pruner
Kurt Pruner, Graduate Student, UW Department of Immunology
Year Joined: 2018
Email: kpruner@uw.edu
UW Box: 358059
Lab: Pepper Lab
Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RJQ98o4AAAAJ&hl=en
Why I chose UW Immunology
I was impressed with the quality and youthfulness of the faculty here at UW Immunology. I observed that the conversations between faculty and trainees were casual but highly intellectual, which seemed a fantastic setting for me to learn and grow in a welcoming and enjoyable scientific space.
Activities and Interests
I enjoy waking up early on weekends to watch European football and playing soccer here in Seattle! I also enjoy video games, grilling, hiking, fishing, reading nonfiction/history, and craft beer!
Advice from me
Seattle is a fantastic place to call home. I had no issues feeling comfortable and welcomed here in Seattle and in the department. Join clubs, join a climbing gym, ask people to go hiking. There is so much to do with others here in Seattle!
More about me
The Pepper Lab uses unique tools called tetramers to study antigen-specific immune memory responses to infection. Within this sphere, I am supremely interested in understanding the dynamics and properties of plasmodium-specific CD4 and CD8 T Cell responses to malaria in mice. By understanding the memory T Cells generated by natural infection, we can more effectively develop vaccines that are successful in endemic regions of malaria, a task that has been extremely difficult. I also am working to better understand the properties of memory T Cells in response to COVID-19 infection and mRNA vaccines.
