Dr. Wong obtained her PhD from the University of Melbourne, Australia. There, she focused on effector proteins that are secreted by gastrointestinal pathogens and how they interfere with host cell signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell death to establish infection. Following the completion of her PhD in 2016, she joined the laboratory of Professor Alice Prince at Columbia University where she continued to investigate the interaction between the host and bacterial pathogens, particularly those that are multidrug-resistant. She has gained experience with various mouse models of pulmonary and skin infection. A major focus of her research, for which she was awarded a K99/R00 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is the host-pathogen metabolic interplay, which shapes the infection outcome. She is interested in understanding how opportunistic pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus subvert the host metabolic response and how this in turn dictates the immune response. In addition, she aims to manipulate the immunometabolic response to promote bacterial clearance via dietary intervention and changes in the microbiota. Dr. Wong joined the Center for Immunity and Inflammation at Rutgers Health New Jersey Medical School as an Assistant Professor and Chancellor Scholar in the Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics in April 2024.
Faculty Profile