Michael D Howell
PhD
- Department of Pediatrics
- Assistant Professor
- Phone
- 303-398-1258
- Fax
- 303-398-1225
- Email
- howellm@njhealth.org
- Gender
- Male
Specialties
Research
Allergy, Atopic Dermatitis, Basic Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases, Inflammation, Skin Infections
Teaching & Professional Positions
2007 - Present: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, National Jewish Health
2005 - 2007: Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health
2002 - 2005: Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health (Mentor: Donald Y.M. Leung, MD, PhD)
1998 - 2002: Research Fellow, Agriculture and Immunotoxicology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Mentors: B. J. Meade, D.V.M, Ph.D. and A. E. Munson, Ph.D.)
Professional Memberships/Societies
Society of Toxicology
American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology
American Association of Immunology
Publications by This Author
Link to Faculty Publications
Research Interests
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects 17% of children and is characterized by recurrent bacterial and viral skin infections. In particular, my research focuses on understanding why atopic dermatitis patients develop systemic infections with herpes simplex virus and vaccinia virus that can potentially lead to the development of eczema herpeticum and eczema vaccinatum, respectively. In recent years, we have demonstrated that patients with atopic dermatitis are deficient in the production of several anti-microbial peptides, key components of the innate immune response in the skin. My current research focuses on the relationship between the anti-microbial peptides in the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and the susceptibility of these individuals to developing systemic viral infections.
Education & Training
Education
- West Virginia University
- PhD, Immunology, 2002
- Messiah College
- BS, Biology, 1997
Awards & Recognition
2007: Outstanding Research Published in JACI by a Developing Researcher, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
2006: ST*AR Award, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
2005: Young Investigator Travel Award, International Symposium on Atopic Dermatitis
2004: National Research Service Award (T32 AI 07365), National Institutes of Health
2003: National Research Service Award (T32 AI 07365), National Institutes of Health
2003: Fujisawa Allergic Skin Diseases Award, American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology
2002: Graduate Student Research Award, Van Liere Research Convocation, West Virginia University School of Medicine
Recent or Important Publications
Howell MD. 2007. The Role of Human Beta Defensins and Cathelicidins in Atopic Dermatitis. Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 7: 413-417.
Howell MD, Kim BE, Gao P, DeBenedetto A, Boguniewicz M, Beck LA, Barnes KC, Leung DYM. 2007. Acquired Filaggrin Defect in the Skin of Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 120: 150-155 (Epub May 23).
Albanesi C, Fairchild HR, Madonna S, Scarponi C, De Pita O, Leung DYM, Howell MD. 2007. IL-4 and IL-13 Negatively Regulate TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma Induced beta-Defensin Expression Through STAT-6, SOCS-1, and SOCS-3. Journal of Immunology, 179: 984-992.
Howell MD, Gallo RL, Boguniewicz M, Jones JF, Wong C, Streib JE, Leung DYM. 2006. Th2 Cytokines Subvert the Innate Immune Response of Atopic Dermatitis Skin to Vaccinia Virus. Immunity 24: 341-348
Howell MD, Wollenberg A, Gallo RL, Flaig M, Streib JE, Wong C, Pavicic T, Boguniewicz M, Leung DYM. 2006. Cathelicidin Deficiency Predisposes to Eczema Herpeticum. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 117:836-841.
