Jeniffer Hernandez, PhD
Areas of Expertise
Immunology, Immunometabolism, T cell biology, Multiple Sclerosis, Infectious Disease
Featured Links
Dr. Hernandez earned her B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she conducted research in Dr. Judith Lengyel’s laboratory. She then obtained her Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine, conducting research in Dr. Craig Walsh’s lab. During her doctoral training, Dr. Hernandez discovered the mechanism of autoimmune resistance in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis with a deletion of the kinase DRAK2. As a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Marc Montminy’s laboratory at the Salk Institute, she uncovered a novel role for the metabolic sensor CREB in regulating Th17 cells.
Dr. Hernandez is also passionate about teaching and mentoring. In addition to instructing students in both classroom and laboratory settings, she leads the STEMwise program, which introduces K-12 students to STEM fields and healthcare careers. The program aims to expand access to higher education for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Dr. Jeniffer Hernandez joined KGI in August 2015 and is an immunologist specializing in immunometabolism and autoimmune disorders. Her research focuses on a subset of CD4+ T cells known as Th17 cells, which play a key role in organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Hernandez and her team have identified several G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are uniquely expressed on Th17 cells compared to other CD4+ T cell subsets. Their recent studies indicate that modulating GPR65 alters cellular metabolism, leading to a reduction in Th17 cells. Furthermore, in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, they have demonstrated that a small-molecule GPR65 antagonist effectively reduces disease symptoms.
Current therapies for autoimmune disorders often compromise the immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections. By specifically targeting Th17 cells, Dr. Hernandez’s research aims to preserve overall immune function while alleviating symptoms of Th17-driven autoimmune diseases, offering a more precise and safer therapeutic approach.