High-resolution photo available.
Dr. Jennifer A. Maynard
Assistant Professor
Chemical Engineering
Phone: (512) 471-9188
Email:
maynard@che.utexas.edu
Web page:
Dr. Maynard's Website
Dr. Jennifer Maynard joined the University of Texas
at Austin in 2007 after earning her Ph.D. in chemical engineering here
in 2002 following a postdoctoral fellowship researching microbiology and
immunology at Stanford University.
Dr. Maynard’s research has focused on designing and
analyzing genetically engineered proteins to strengthen immune system
functions in the face of disease, namely bacterial toxin-neutralizing
antibodies, pathogenic T-cell receptors and engineered antigens for
subunit vaccines. This work resulted in developing a high-affinity
anthrax toxin antibody, demonstrated to protect animals against toxin
and bacterial challenges, which was submitted for FDA approval in 2004
by licensee, Elusys. High-resolution crystal structures of this antibody
as well as an auto-reactive T cell receptor-peptide-MHC complex have
provided insights into their mechanisms of action. The goal of Dr.
Maynard’s research program is to apply protein engineering and related
technologies to address issues in infection and immunity.
Several specific projects include:
- Control of cellular immunity through manipulation of T cell receptor interactions
- Reverse-engineer pathogenic strategies used by bacterial pathogens for biotechnological applications
- Apply protein engineering approaches to issues in structural biology