Arion Kennedy
Bio
Research Program Overview
Obesity remains an ongoing health issue in industrial societies and a major risk factor for metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation is a hallmark characteristic of these obesity-associated metabolic diseases. The Kennedy lab aims to determine the impact of the innate and adaptive immune system on obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Specifically, identification of antigens that drive T cell activation in obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, we are interested in understanding the impact that lipids and carbohydrates have on immune cell activation and function by investigating nutrient utilization, metabolic flux and molecular mechanisms.
Goodnight Early Career Innovator
Education
B.S. Chemistry Florida A&M University 2001
M.S. Chemistry Florida A&M University 2003
Ph.D. Nutrition University of North Carolina at Greensboro 2009
Post-Doctoral Immuno Metabolism Vanderbilt University 2014