Anukriti Mathur, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow University of Massachusetts Medical School Area of Research: All Cancers Anukriti Mathur, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, where she investigates how innate immune pathways regulate inflammatory diseases and cancer. Her research focuses on the NLRP10 inflammasome, a key component of the immune system’s defense mechanisms, and its role in shaping skin immunity and anti-tumor activity. Specifically, Dr. Mathur is studying a fungal metabolite that triggers inflammation and cell death in human skin cells—a discovery made by her mentor, Katherine Fitzgerald, PhD. By uncovering how this metabolite is recognized by the immune system, her work aims to advance new therapeutic strategies for melanoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of skin cancer. Dr. Mathur has an extensive background in immunology, having identified three novel activators of the NLRP3 inflammasome during her doctoral research at the Australian National University. Her work has led to key discoveries on the role of guanylate-binding proteins in inflammasome activation and bacterial immunity, as well as the contributions of immune sensors like Ku70 and NLRC4 to cancer resistance. With over 12 peer-reviewed publications, numerous prestigious awards, and leadership roles in scientific organizations, she is a rising expert in the field. «Understanding how the innate immune system detects and responds to external threats is key to developing novel treatments for both infectious diseases and cancer,» says Dr. Mathur. «By targeting inflammasome pathways, we can potentially harness the immune system’s natural defenses to fight melanoma more effectively.» Dr. Mathur’s research bridges fundamental immunology with translational applications, offering new insights into the interplay between innate immunity and cancer. By targeting inflammasome pathways, her work holds the potential to enhance immune-based therapies for melanoma and other inflammatory diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Projects and Grants A Novel Activator of the NLRP10 Inflammasome Shapes Skin Immunity and Anti-tumor Activity University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School | All Cancers | 2025 | Katherine Fitzgerald, PhD
