When Kaitlyn Grando, a PhD student in the Biomedical Sciences, Infectious Disease and Immunity program first stepped into the world of microbiology, she didn’t expect to find herself unraveling the intricate connections between bacterial biofilms and autoimmune diseases. Yet, their research at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine Center for Microbiology and Immunology has done just that—shedding light on how bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli may contribute to conditions such as lupus.
Under the mentorship of Çagla Tükel, PhD, Director and Associate Professor, Center for Microbiology and Immunology, and Associate Professor, Microbiology, Immunology and Inflammation, Grando has been investigating the role of curli, a protein that strengthens bacterial biofilms but may also trigger harmful immune responses. Grando’s latest study, which recently earned them the Mark Shirtliff Memorial Award for Excellence in Biofilm Research at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting, explores how curli may induce antibodies against complement protein C1q—antibodies that are linked to lupus nephritis. This discovery could offer a new perspective on how bacterial infections influence autoimmune disease progression.
For Grando, this award is more than just recognition—it’s a tribute to a respected researcher she never had the chance to meet. “Mark Shirtliff was a beloved figure in the biofilm research community,” they shared. “His work on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and vaccine development continues to shape the field. To have my research recognized in his honor is incredibly humbling.”
Like many scientists, Grando’s journey was filled with unexpected twists. “For the first three years of my PhD, I had so many hypotheses that turned out to be wrong. It was disheartening,” she admitted. But rather than seeing setbacks as failures, they used them as opportunities to think outside the box. “I learned to approach problems creatively and consider possibilities I might have overlooked if things had worked out on the first try.”
Looking ahead, Grando hopes their work adds to the larger puzzle of how biofilms influence complex diseases. “It often feels like pinning up pieces of evidence and connecting red strings on a metaphorical conspiracy board,” they joked. “But every new connection brings us closer to identifying treatment and prevention strategies.”
For students considering a research path, Grando emphasizes the importance of curiosity and interdisciplinary thinking. “Read as much as you can, go to seminars, and don’t be afraid to look outside your specialty. You never know where inspiration will come from—our work, for example, was influenced by research on Alzheimer’s disease.”
Beyond the lab, she is passionate about advocating for the future of scientific research. “It’s a stressful time in biomedical science. I encourage everyone to talk to friends, family, and policymakers about how proposed funding changes could impact research. And no matter what happens, let’s support each other. Science moves forward through collaboration, not competition.”
With their relentless curiosity and commitment to discovery, Grando is not just making strides in microbiology—they’re shaping the future of biomedical research.