Khalida Perveen

Dr Perveen has a Master of Philosophy (2012 in molecular/medical microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan) and PhD (2023, in Immunology, the University of Adelaide), supervised by Prof. Antonio Ferrante in the Department of Immunopathology, SA Pathology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Her research activity, which continues from her PhD studies, is focused on the characterization of early development of the newborn’s immune system. The work has led to the discovery that a signaling protein called protein Kinase C zeta (PKCζ) regulates the development and maturation of T cells with a potential to be stimulated towards either a Th1 or Th2 cytokine profile. The work has identified that a significant number of babies are born with low levels of PKCζ which predisposes them to a high risk of developing allergic diseases. Consistent with development towards a Th2 cytokine propensity. Interestingly, this low PKCζ has a short transient period and the present research results suggest that it is amenable to regulation with nutrients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil). Current research focuses on the characterisation of the window of opportunity of the low PKCζ and implements strategies for intervention to tackle the allergy epidemic facing our community today.