In graduate school at the University of Virginia as part of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Aaron developed an interest in innate immunology and how it plays important roles to maintain homeostasis. He completed his thesis work in the laboratory of Kodi Ravichandran studying the clearance of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) by macrophages, specifically focusing on how macrophages avoid becoming overloaded with cholesterol despite absorbing the cholesterol content of an apoptotic cell (or multiple apoptotic cells). 

Since receiving his PhD in Microbiology (with a focus on immunology) in 2015, Aaron completed medical school at the University of Virginia in 2017 where he developed an interest in gastroenterology and sought residency that provided opportunities for research with a focus on GI disease. In July 2017 he joined the Physician-Scientist Training Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, completing Internal Medicine residency “fast track” in 2019 and starting clinical fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in July 2019.  

Within his research fellowship, Aaron worked with Drs. Bruce Beutler and Emre Turer in the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense. Mainly focused on the role of LRMDA in intestinal inflammation, however also investigating other genes discovered to play a role in the Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) mouse model of colitis.

Aaron will be completing his fellowship in December and afterwards will be joining the MedStar family in Maryland where he will practice clinical Gastroenterology.