The Schroeder Scholar program is focused on training the next generation of highly qualified scientists to make meaningful discoveries in basic and translational allergy research.
The Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute (SAIRI) is developing a pathway for students to access other training opportunities or jobs where they can have an impact in allergy.
In the SAIRI’s first year, two trainees completed their doctoral degrees and moved into high-impact roles:
- Dr. Kelly Bruton secured a prestigious postdoctoral research position at Stanford University
- Dr. Joshua Koenig, who played a central role in establishing the institute, was appointed as a research associate within McMaster’s Department of Medicine, transitioning to faculty in 2023. Dr. Koenig continues working with SAIRI to advance its mandate.
The institute also awards Schroeder Scholarships to talented trainees.
Current Schroeder Scholars include:
- Allyssa Phelps (PhD student)
- Danielle Della Libera (MSc student)
- Sara Fortier (MSc student)
- Saven Denha (MSc student)
- George Song (MSc student)
Past Schroeder Scholars include:
- Joshua Koenig, PhD (assistant professor, McMaster University)
- Kelly Bruton, PhD (postdoctoral fellow, Stanford University)
- Emily Grydziuszko, MSc (junior scientist, Kallyope)
Finally, SAIRI also supports undergraduate training in immunology and allergy. Institute members provide guest lectures focused on allergy in immunology courses that span all undergraduate years, including a course instructed by SAIRI research associate Dr. Joshua Koenig, using Schroeder Scholars as teaching assistants, with dedicated content on cutting-edge allergy research.
Expandable List
My doctoral research centered on uncovering how lifelong food allergies are perpetuated by the immune system. With research funds from SAIRI, I had the privilege of using cutting-edge technology to sequence the whole genome of immune cells implicated in food allergy.
These projects culminated in two top-tier scientific manuscripts. We anticipate these discoveries will help to overcome the long-lasting plateau in the development of disease-transformative treatments for food allergy.
SAIRI support was truly imperative for the completion of my PhD in March 2022 and my transition to a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University.
– Dr. Kelly Bruton, Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
The Schroeder Scholar program has allowed me to pursue my PhD in the Jordana-Waserman lab. My main research project focuses on the development of SAIRI’s allergen tetramer platform. As I move forward in my degree, I will use these unique tools to investigate how peanut-specific B cells change during oral allergen immunotherapy. This knowledge will help us improve the efficacy of future immunotherapies in food allergy.
SAIRI support has allowed our laboratory to develop the tools for not only our research, but also to collaborate with other labs and provide tetramers to target the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2.
Through this work, I was able to engage in disciplines beyond my own, enriching my learning as a graduate student. I am eager to continue developing these tools and to use them to do the very best research in food allergy.
– Alyssa Phelps, PhD Candidate, Jordana-Waserman Lab
As a Schroeder Scholar pursuing my master of medical sciences in the Jordana-Waserman lab, I am primarily investigating how immune cells, called T cells, cause food allergy and maintain persistent food allergies. SAIRI support has greatly influenced the success of this project and directly influenced my own success, allowing me to present my research at a top international immunology conference in Hannover, Germany.
With SAIRI’s continued support, we aim to publish our original research on T cells in food allergy in a top-tier scientific journal within the next year.
– Emily Grydziuszko, MSc Candidate, Jordana-Waserman Lab
Throughout my undergraduate career, I was fascinated with the mechanisms and development of immunological diseases. In my fourth year, I was introduced to research on the development and persistence of allergic diseases, driven by SAIRI. Learning how little is known about the development of such a common disease, combined with my passion for immunology, I knew I wanted to pursue these topics as a graduate student.
In September 2022, I started as a master’s student and was awarded a Schroeder Scholarship. I am extremely grateful to the Schroeder Institute for giving me the opportunity to study a topic I am so passionate about, and I am looking forward to more research to come!
– Danielle Della Libera, MSc Candidate, Jordana-Waserman Lab
The generosity of the Schroeder family in supporting SAIRI has been a spark for allergy research at McMaster. It is such an exciting time and place to start my career as an independent scientist.
The Schroeder gift has provided me the stability to dream and innovate at a new level. I have had the opportunity to build new tools and generate unique connections which will transform allergy research and lead to incredible discovery and therapeutic development.
The future of allergy research is fascinating, and I hope to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible over my career as a scientist at McMaster.
– Dr. Joshua Koenig, Assistant Professor, SAIRI