Dr. Ramesh Rijal

Assistant Professor

Bio

The Rijal Lab investigates how pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) survive inside human immune cells, such as lung macrophages, which typically engulf and kill bacteria. Mtb and other bacterial pathogens secrete a phosphate polymer called polyphosphate (polyP) that inhibits macrophage killing processes and protects bacteria from antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. The Rijal Lab’s research focuses on understanding polyP’s impact on macrophage functions that enable bacterial survival, as well as polyP’s role in bacterial stress adaptation, cell structure formation, and biofilm development. By targeting polyP pathways in both macrophages and bacteria, we aim to enhance immune and treatment responses against these infections. The Rijal Lab welcomes motivated undergraduates to join our team and contribute to impactful research addressing antibiotic tolerance and immune evasion in bacterial pathogens.

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