Affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine

Dr. Koehler graduated in 2013 with a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) where she conducted the research characterizing and validating traditional botanical medicines used in immune stimulation and anti-microbial applications. She then completed her PhD in molecular and cellular biology at Arizona State University using poxviruses to study viral host interactions. Here, her thesis work focused on characterizing the function of a viral Z-DNA binding protein. Her work demonstrated that the viral Z-DNA binding protein blocks virus-induced necroptosis in vaccinia virus-infected cells by restricting sensing by the nucleic acid sensor known as DAI/ZBP1. This demonstrated a novel mechanism of inhibition of virally induced necroptosis mediated by blocking the pathogen recognition system. She then began a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in the Emory Vaccine Center and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. During her fellowship, she demonstrated that the ZBP1:E3 axis was in competition for Z-RNA specific sensing, thereby identifying a novel PAMP. Thorough my postdoctoral training, she broadened her perspective by shifting the focus of her research to the host by studying the function of ZBP1 that plays a role in regulating the innate immune system both at a tonic level as well as in response to viral infections. Most recently, she has transitioned to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences. Here, she will study how Z-RNA serves as a specialized PAMP to activate the immune system.