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    2022 MOSAIC Scholar: Sonya J. Wolf-Fortune, PhD

    Sonya J. Wolf-Fortune, PhD

    Project Title: Role of IFN Kappa in Psoriasis-Mediated Diabetes Development
    Position: Assistant Professor
    Institution: University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    Funding NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
    Grant ID: R00DK133828

    Sonya J. Wolf-Fortune grew up in Cypress, Texas. She developed a passion for research throughout college at Prairie View A&M University (PVU), working in a lab learning about the immune response of corneal epithelial cells following infection. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from PVU, she pursued a PhD in immunology from the University of Michigan (UM). During graduate school, she became fascinated with studying skin inflammation. Her postdoctoral work furthered this interest by focusing on elucidating the role and regulation of keratinocyte function in nonhealing diabetic wounds. She is currently an assistant professor of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan, where her lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms linking chronic skin inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis and metabolic dysfunction, with a particular interest in studying epigenetic regulation and structural-immune cell crosstalk. This work will provide new mechanistic insights for novel therapeutic intervention. Dr. Wolf-Fortune is passionate about increasing diversity in science. Her efforts have included mentoring and teaching at community colleges with diverse student populations to assist in exposing students to scientific careers. Additionally, she has worked with a nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering underrepresented students as they pursue higher education. She plans to continue her commitment to teaching, mentoring, and establishing diversity-focused science programs that can benefit generations and assist in creating an inclusive scientific community.