Lab News

Dr. Onyinye Iweala recently presented on the clinical management of alpha-gal syndrome at the National Medical Association Annual Convention** in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 25, 2026. She joined a distinguished panel that included Dr. Thomas Scott, an expert in the management of complex asthma and airway disease; Dr. Cherna Cherefrere, a hospital medicine physician; and Dr. Witzard Seide, a pediatrician and Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service at Walter Reed.

The session was attended by several leaders in the field of allergy and immunology, including Dr. Cherie Zachary, President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and Dr. Carla Davis, President of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Iweala was honored to share insights on the clinical management of alpha-gal syndrome alongside such esteemed colleagues and to contribute to ongoing discussions advancing patient care and allergy research.

Patient recruitment for the Telios TL-895 clinical trial is currently paused in the United States. As a result, UNC is not enrolling new participants at this time.

The study continues to recruit eligible participants in Europe. We appreciate the interest and support of our patients and community and will share updates if recruitment resumes in the United States or if new research opportunities become available.

In March 2026, she received the Rheumatology Research Foundation Medical and Graduate Student Preceptorship Award. As part of this program, she will collaborate with Dr. Iweala and Dr. Nicole Orzechowski (UNC Rheumatology) on a research project titled, "Co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses in patients with hypermobile EDS and symptoms of mast cell activation."

Dr. Yinghui Wang, who was invited to present at the prestigious Gordon Research Seminar on Food Allergy in Ventura, California, in January 2026. Her presentation, “Tick Bites Expand Intermediate Monocytes and Dermal Dendritic Cells Linked to Type 2-Skewing in Alpha-Gal Syndrome,” was very well received and highlighted important insights into the immunologic mechanisms of Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Jada Suber, an alumna of the Iweala Lab, is featured in the Food Allergy Science Initiative (FASI)’s “Personal Stories Behind FASI” video series, where she shares her journey and experiences in food allergy research. Her story highlights the impact of scientific discovery and personal advocacy in advancing the field.