Scientist Spotlight: Derya Unutmaz, M.D.

[Cheshire]

Starting this month, we will be beginning a monthly spotlight series of “People in ME/CFS Research.” The first spotlight for January 2018 is on Derya Unutmaz, M.D. Derya is a Professor of Immunology and the Principal Investigator for The Jackson Laboratory ME/CFS Collaborative Research Center. His lab researches the mechanisms of the human immune system in the context of infectious or chronic diseases, cancer, and aging. Recently, I (Courtney) sat down with Derya to ask him some questions about his background and his involvement in ME/CFS – below are his candid responses.

https://jaxmecfs.com/2018/01/12/january-2018-spotlight-interview-with-derya-unutmaz/

Edit: this interview is on the Jackson laboratory MECFS blog. The interviewer, Courtney Gunter, is their program manager.

(They link to S4ME in their resources page!)

 

[Trish]

For those who find it too long to read, here are my highlights:

Derya Unutmaz has 20 years experience in immunology, mainly on HIV and cancer. Now working on ME.

3 areas of research in his ME study - immunology, microbiome, metabolites.

They have resources and experts to integrate and analyse the data.

Their study is longitudinal following a group of patients over 5 years.
Starting with patients less than 3 years ill with ME.

In the first year - aim - to recruit all the patients and start collecting data on them.

He enjoys communicating with patients and has had some good ideas from them that have been incorporated into the study.

 

[MeSci]

https://jaxmecfs.com/2018/01/12/january-2018-spotlight-interview-with-derya-unutmaz/v

Edit: this interview is on the Jackson laboratory MECFS blog. The interviewer, Courtney Gunter, is their program manager.

(They link to S4ME in their resources page!)

The link has an extra letter - should be https://jaxmecfs.com/2018/01/12/january-2018-spotlight-interview-with-derya-unutmaz/

 

[Andy]

(They link to S4ME in their resources page!)

Yeah, we've been in contact with them about some kind of interaction with us. They've said they'd get back in touch but did say they'd put a link to here on their site, nice to see it there.

 

[Hoopoe]

Dr Unutmaz is motivated to build a good relationship with the patient community.

 

[Andy]

Wanted to highlight this bit

The last comment I can make is that in the past several months, we have tried to engage the community through the opportunity of the center, both through social media as well as through the blog. We hope to increase these efforts. I have to say that the response and feedback I have gotten has been overwhelmingly positive, and we hope that the community continues to appreciate our efforts to provide insights into our scientific process and progress.

We also love the feedback we get – both the critical feedback as well as the ideas about the research. I have received several ideas from patients that we have actually decided to incorporate into our work. We learn from the patients and the community, so it is a very beneficial relationship for us as well that we hope we can cultivate.

 

[Allele]

Wanted to highlight this bit

Yes, a realistic and gracious example of what it's like to be a scientist in the field of ME.
(Looking at you, EC and SW )

 

[Skycloud]

We’re also thinking about how we can expand the patient population to include different groups – for example we’re discussing doing a study with a younger pediatric and teenage group locally through our colleagues at UConn Medical School.

Good!
I hope they do this

 

[Sunshine3]

All sounds good. It's great to get monthly updates..

 

[Subtropical Island]

For those who find it too long to read, here are my highlights:

Derya Unutmaz has 20 years experience in immunology, mainly on HIV and cancer. Now working on ME.

3 areas of research in his ME study - immunology, microbiome, metabolites.

They have resources and experts to integrate and analyse the data.

Their study is longitudinal following a group of patients over 5 years.
Starting with patients less than 3 years ill with ME.

On a personal note: ooo! Me me me me me!
... :/ always it’s research for other patient groups (oh, you’re not sick enough, young enough, living in Palmerston North already, unaware of the existence of ME/CFS...), now it’s me! But the other side of the world. Ah well. Will wait and see..

 

[Andy]