Ann Marshak-Rothstein, PhD

In this month’s Chair’s Spotlight, we highlight the work of Ann Marshak-Rothstein, Ph.D.  

Dr. Marshak-Rothstein’s research primarily focuses on the activation of autoreactive B cells, nucleic acid sensors in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, and FasL regulation of ocular disorders. Her lab was the first group to demonstrate that members of the Toll-like receptor family can detect mammalian nucleic acids, and not just microbial nucleic acids. She has also collaborated with Dr. Kate Fitzgerald on studying the role of endosomal and cytosolic nucleic acid sensors in the context of two models of autoinflammation. Another focus of her research involves proapoptotic and proinflammatory activity of FasL. Her lab has shown that FasL can be regulated by cleavage of the extracellular domain and the release of a soluble fragment (sFasL) that opposes the activity of membrane-bound FasL; in the eye, sFasL prevent the development of glaucoma and other ocular disorders caused by membrane-bound FasL.  

Dr. Marshak-Rothstein is an outstanding mentor who has dedicated herself to the training and mentorship of the next generation of scientists throughout her career. She has boundless energy and enthusiasm about her science and that of her trainees and colleagues, and also extends deep gratitude to her mentors, collaborators and all those who have contributed to her work. She has received numerous honors and awards including the Distinguished Innovator and Lupus Insight Awards from the Lupus Research Alliance in 2012 and 2016, respectively, the Distinguished Fellow award from the American Association of Immunologists in 2021, an NIH Merit Award in 2022, and most recently she was selected as the winner of the Women in Science and Health Achievements Award by the Women’s Faculty Committee at UMass Chan. “I am really honored to be recognized by this group of amazing colleagues for whom I have so much respect!”, said Dr. Marshak-Rothstein on receiving this award.  

Dr. Marshak-Rothstein is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, under the mentorship of Dr. Malcolm Gefter. Following her post-doc, she went on to a faculty position at Boston University Medical School, and in 2009, she joined the faculty at UMass Chan Medical School. 

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Marshak-Rothstein for her leadership, mentorship, and contributions to our department, UMass Chan, and the field!  

Learn more about Dr. Marshak-Rothstein’s research.