About Us: Our Faculty

Yaw Bediako, Assistant Professor, Biology

Yaw Bediako 616-526-7619
tbedia64@calvin.edu
Office: DeVries Hall 127

Weekly Schedule
(Portal login required)

Education

B.S. in Biology, Calvin College
Ph.D. in Immunology, Northwestern University

Research / Professional Interests

My research focuses on CD8+ T cell responses to intracellular bacterial infection, with particular emphasis on the role played by non-classical MHC I (MHC Ib) molecules. MHC I molecules are a group of antigen presenting molecules that present peptide antigens to CD8+ T cells and are invaluable to the adaptive immune response. While research for many years focused almost entirely on the immunodominant but highly polymorphic MHC Ia molecules, the low polymorphism exhibited by MHC Ib molecules makes them attractive targets for the development of novel vaccine strategies. Though a basic scientist, I am keen for my research to be influenced by public health concerns, and as an African, I am particularly sensitive to the needs of the developing world. Of particular interest to me are the often neglected infectious diseases that are responsible for high mortality in many parts of Africa. With these interests in mind, I am interested in the MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and malaria infection.

Research Experience

06/2008-02/2012
PhD thesis research with Chyung-Ru Wang, PhD
Department of Microbiology/ Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Studying the role of non-classical MHC I molecules in the immune response to intracellular microbial infection:

Investigating the unique kinetics of MHC Ib-restricted T cells in the early response to intracellular bacterial infection
Determining what factors are responsible for the development and unique functional characteristics of MHC-Ib-restricted T cells
Determining the utility of MHC class Ib molecules as novel vaccine targets for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Assessing the protective capacity of MHC-Ib-restricted T cells in the context of Mtb infection

07/2006-05/2008
Graduate student research with Kasturi Haldar, PhD
Departments of Pathology and Microbiology/ Immunology
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Studied the role of Rifin proteins in transport of fatty acids into the
Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocyte

04/2006-06/2006
Rotation Student with Susan Winandy, PhD
Depatment of Microbiology/Immunology
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Immunological research on Notch signaling

01/2006-03/2006
Rotation Student with David Engman, PhD
Department of Pathology
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Parasitology research on Trypanosoma cruzi

09/2005-12/2005
Rotation Student with Kasturi Haldar, PhD
Departments of Pathology and Microbiology/Immunology
Northwestern University, Chicago IL
Molecular parasitology research on Plasmodium falciparum

06/2004-06/2005
Van Andel Cancer Research Institute: Grand Rapids, MI
Assistant Research Technician
Worked in the lab of Bin Teh, MD/PhD, investigating the genetic basis of kidney cancer
Used PCR-based techniques to search for mutations and polymorphisms associated with disease Immunohistochemical analysis of patient tissue

01/2004
Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine: Mampong, Ghana
Student researcher testing the efficacy and safety of anti-malarial
herbal preparations (Month long rotation)

06/2003-09/2003
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
Summer Research Fellow
Worked with Kieren Marr, MD examining neutrophil mediated defense against Aspergilli

06/2001-09/2002
Biology Department, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

Conducted research with David DeHeer, PhD examining effects of hyaluronic acid on macrophage proliferation.
Also conducted research with Joy Bonnema, PhD examining the roles of Syk and

PKC in macrophage phagocytosis of latex particles.

Teaching Experience

02/12-present
Department of Biology, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Assistant Professor

09/2011-01/2012
Department of Biology, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Instructor (Lecturer)

09/2010-12/2010
CLIMB program Northwestern University: Chicago, IL
Study Group Facilitator
Lead weekly study sessions with first-year graduate students as part of the
Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences (CLIMB)
program. Providing some instruction and mentoring as students adjust to graduate
level classes.

03/2007-06/2007
Integrated Graduate Program Northwestern University Chicago, IL
Teaching Assistant- Introduction to Life Sciences

09/2004-12/2004
Calvin College: Grand Rapids, MI
Instructor Cell Biology and Genetics Lab

Responsible for teaching a freshman Biology laboratory class in molecular biology, cell biology and genetics. Laboratory was meant to provide practical applications of concepts taught in lecture portion of the course.
This course presented the structures, functions, and evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells at the molecular, sub cellular, and cellular level.

09/2002-06/2004
Calvin College: Grand Rapids, MI
Teaching Assistant and Grader Biology Department
Assisted with instruction in a number of Biology classes as well as responsible
for grading of lab reports and homework assignments.

ACADEMIC AND PROFFESSIONAL HONORS

Summer Undergraduate Fellowship, Calvin College
Frances Karsten Scholarship in Biology, Calvin College
Dean’s list, Calvin College
Graduated with full honors, Calvin College

See a partial list of Yaw Bediako's publications