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Thursday May 15, 2025

Congratulations to Haressh Sajiir
2024 ASI Postgraduate Career Advancement Awardee

We warmly congratulate
Haressh Sajiir
winner of the 2024 ASI Postgraduate Career Advancement Award

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Recognising and further advancing the research of student members of ASI at a critical point in their career

I am honoured to have received the ASI Postgraduate Career Advancement Award, which has significantly supported my transition into the next phase of my academic career. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Queensland, where I am deeply invested in understanding the complex interactions within the immune system, specifically focusing on IL-22 signaling in metabolic tissues. I have been successful in securing a fellowship at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK, NIH) in Bethesda, commencing in September this year.

My research journey began with a PhD in immunology, which I successfully completed on February 23rd, 2024. During my doctoral studies, I explored the role of endogenous IL-22 signaling in metabolic tissues such as the pancreas and liver. Currently, my work is centred on extending findings from my PhD into diseases such as pancreatitis and gestational diabetes. Additionally, I have the privilege of teaching undergraduate courses on immunology and physiology, which allows me to share my passion for this field with the next generation of scientists.

The ASI award has been instrumental in providing the necessary support to bridge the gap between my PhD and postdoctoral research. This funding has enabled me to finalize several important projects and prepare them for publication. One of the key achievements during this period was the completion of a paper published in Nature Communications, which stemmed from my doctoral work on the role of IL-22 signaling in pancreatic islets. Our findings revealed that beta cell IL-22 signaling is a crucial modulator of systemic glucose homeostasis, providing new insights into the regulatory functions of IL-22 in pancreatic islets.

Furthermore, the award has facilitated my ongoing research on the role of beta cell IL-22 signaling in pancreatitis. This study aims to investigate how IL-22 impacts beta cell function and its implications for the development and progression of pancreatitis. The support from the ASI award has been vital in advancing this research, which could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for managing pancreatitis and improving pancreatic health.

Additionally, I have been invited to write a review for Trends in Molecular Medicine, focusing on the role of IL-22 in metabolism. This review will consolidate current knowledge and propose new perspectives on how IL-22 signaling pathways contribute to metabolic regulation and disease. The ASI award has provided the time and resources needed to undertake these significant projects and disseminate my findings to the broader scientific community.

Looking ahead, I am excited to join the Liver and Energy Metabolism Section at the NIH, where I will delve into understanding the pathophysiology of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). The support from the ASI award has been pivotal in preparing me for this next step in my career, and I am eager to build on the foundation laid during my post-PhD gap period. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making further contributions to the field of immunology and metabolic research.

Group photo with the Hasnain Lab after annual teambuilding activity at Mount Tamborine.

Author: Haressh Sajiir

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASI