"Mimi" Sara Gaines, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Gaines studies how the dysbiotic gut microbiome contributes to uremic vascular toxicity and arteriovenous fistula failure in dialysis patients.
Team
Lab members
A growing group of investigators, trainees, staff, and collaborators working across vascular biology and translational therapeutics.
Principal Investigators
Program leadership
Sanjiv Hyoju, MD, PhD
Assistant Research Professor
Dr. Sanjiv Hyoju studies how the gut microbiome, diet, and antibiotics shape infection-related surgical complications, including wound infection, anastomotic leak, peritonitis, and sepsis. His work uses surgical mouse models and microbiome-informed therapeutics to reduce surgical morbidity and advance translational care.
Lavanya Visvabharathy, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Lavanya Visvabharathy studies how T cells respond to infection and how immune memory is shaped by viral and bacterial pathogens. Her laboratory combines human immunology, systems biology, and immunometabolism to understand how infections can produce lasting changes in immune function and contribute to chronic disease.
Members
Researchers and trainees
Chelsey Wood, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a general surgery resident at the University of Illinois Chicago, currently completing a dedicated two-year research block in the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Chicago. My research focuses on mechanisms of arteriovenous fistula failure in chronic kidney disease, specifically the potential role of gut microbiome-derived uremic toxins in endothelial dysfunction and neointimal hyperplasia. I also have a deep interest in the arts and spent my first career as a professor of painting.
Marc Wahab, BS
Research Technician
I am from New York City and graduated in 2025 from UChicago with a degree in environmental science. In my free time, I enjoy birdwatching, drinking whisky, and watching baseball. I am interested in pursuing an MD PhD with a focus on immunoengineering and T cell biology.
Daniel Carroll, BS
Research Technician
I am from New York City, and I majored in Biological Sciences with a specialization in endocrinology. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, visual arts, and skateboarding. I have a special interest in the intersection between reproductive health and T cell biology.
MS
Member Name
Medical Student
Research area or project role.
Tommy Elliott
Undergraduate Researcher
I am from Spokane, Washington and majoring in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Immunology. In my free time, I am a freelance writer, enjoy working out, and exploring the outdoors. I am interested in T cell biology and virology.
AL
Member Name
Alumni
Former lab members and next positions.