Personal profile

Short presentation

My research has focused on understanding the development of different inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and vitiligo, and the role of keratinocytes and microRNAs in this. The prevalence of inflammatory skin diseases is increasing therefore it is crucial to understand how these diseases develop and what cells and molecular pathways are involved in this. In greater detail, I have mainly worked on projects focusing on the role of miRNAs in psoriasis and AD and how miRNAs regulate the immune responses and proliferation of keratinocytes. In my previous work leading to three first-author publications, I demonstrated that miR-146a/b and miR-10a inhibit inflammation and proliferation of keratinocytes by regulating the activity of the NF-κB pathway.

In recent years my interest has shifted to the role of T cells in inflammatory skin diseases as I have always found the field of immunology and the role of T cells in immunological responses fascinating. My current work focuses on different epidermal T-cell subsets in response to different contact allergens however this is in line with my main research interest which is microRNAs in the development of skin diseases, however now I intend to determine their role in tissue-resident memory cells in the context of allergic contact dermatitis.

Education/Academic qualification

Medicine, PhD, University of Tartu

31 Aug 201519 Nov 2020

Award Date: 19 Nov 2020

Biomedicine, MSc (cum laude), University of Tartu

2 Sep 201317 Jun 2015

Award Date: 17 Jun 2015

Genetechnology, BSc, University of Tartu

30 Aug 201017 Jun 2013

Award Date: 17 Jun 2013

External positions

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Tartu

1 Jan 202131 Dec 2021

Co-lecturer for molecular biology practical course for medical students, University of Tartu

1 Sep 201831 Dec 2021

Specialist for the Clinical Research Centre, Tartu University Hospital

1 Feb 201830 Sep 2020

Junior Research Fellow in Biomedicine and Translational Medicine , University of Tartu

1 Sep 201731 Aug 2019

Keywords

  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
  • Skin
  • microRNA
  • Psoriasis
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • T cells

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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