My past research has centred around host-pathogen interaction focussing on the response of primitive macrophages to infection using the zebrafish model. In the McGovern lab, we are interested in the primitive fetal macrophages that reside within the placenta, termed Hofbauer cells. The placenta is a crucial barrier that exists between mother and fetus and the breach of this barrier by pathogens can have fatal consequences on pregnancy outcome. My research focusses on elucidating the response of macrophages residing within the placenta across gestation and their role in pathogen control during infection.
