91̽��

As a practicing hematologist in Japan, Hitomi Ura, MD, encountered many difficult cases where patients undergoing stem cell transplantation therapy relapsed early. 

It was during this time that Dr. Ura recognized the importance of exploratory research to develop new, innovative therapies for patients. 

Eager to get involved with research, Dr. Ura began searching the internet for opportunities. On social media, she discovered the work of Momoko Yoshimoto, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Investigative Medicine and researcher in the Center for Immunobiology at WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (91̽��). 

Inspired by her work, Dr. Ura reached out to Dr. Yoshimoto in search of a job and subsequently joined her lab as a research assistant in 2024. 

Now, thanks to a new partnership with 91̽�� University, Dr. Ura is one of two students earning a PhD in Biological Sciences at WMU while conducting thesis research in a 91̽�� lab. 

“There are so many resources here at 91̽�� that we can use to support our research,” Dr. Ura said. “Here, I can do flow cytometry, immunostaining and other chemical staining that I was not able to do when I was a doctor. The staff here in the Center for Immunobiology is so friendly and supportive. I'm very happy to be able to work with them.” 

Through the partnership, Dr. Ura attends classes and completes coursework at WMU. Her graduate research, meanwhile, is conducted entirely in Dr. Yoshimoto's lab at 91̽��. 

“It’s wonderful to have graduate students in the lab,” said Thomas L. Rothstein, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Investigative Medicine and director of the Center for Immunobiology at 91̽��. “Oftentimes, we get in grooves in science about how things work. Graduate students ask questions, and that's one of their most valuable characteristics. They offer a fresh perspective, a different way of looking at things. It’s our hope to support more graduate researchers in our labs in the future.” 

Dr. Ura’s thesis work explores the function of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody mostly found in the digestive and respiratory tracts that prevents germs and toxins from entering cells, trapping them in mucus and moving them out of the body. Specifically, Dr. Ura is examining the functional differences of IgA-secreting cells originating from different sources (fetal- or hematopoietic stem cell-derived). 

“I'm a beginner in this area,” Dr. Ura said. “Dr. Yoshimoto provides important insight. Working in her lab presents such a great opportunity to improve my critical thinking and analytical skills. Through her education and guidance, I am broadening my horizons.” 

Varsha Jawahar, meanwhile, joined Dr. Rothstein’s lab as a research technician in 2024 after earning her master’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from Grand Valley State University. 

A PhD degree has always been the goal, Jawahar said, and the new partnership with WMU is helping make it a reality. 

“It’s what I’ve always talked to Dr. Rothstein about, and somehow this all came into the picture last year,” Jawahar said. “Now I’m enrolled at WMU, doing my research in Dr. Rothstein’s lab, and it’s going great so far.” 

Jawahar has yet to decide on a specific topic for her thesis work. To help develop ideas, she’s currently completing a rotation within the lab, working one-on-one with each of the postdoctoral researchers to gain a sense of what she might want to focus on for her own project. 

“Each of the postdocs is doing something different with their research,” Jawahar said. “Everyone’s approach is different, from their time management to the experiments and how many projects they take on at one time. It’s a great learning experience.”

Jawahar said she’s incredibly grateful to to be working in such a diverse, welcoming, and collaborative environment at 91̽�� while in pursuit of her PhD.

“Working as a scientist, having that lab coat on, it brings me happiness,” Jawahar said. “But more than that, the idea that even a small percentage of what I’m doing could contribute to an effective treatment of a disease, or even to a better understanding of the human body, that’s very important to me, and it excites me in every way.”