Dr. Joanna Schaenman

Biography

Dr. Joanna Schaenman is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine specializing in Infectious Diseases at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Her research primarily focuses on immune control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, which pose significant morbidity and mortality risks in transplantation settings, particularly within the growing population of elderly patients and those facing immunosuppression. Dr. Schaenman explores the immunologic exhaustion and senescence that accompany these infections, vital for understanding increased infectious complications in these patients. Apart from the direct cytopathic effects of CMV, her studies also consider how such viral infections affect clinical outcomes and influence immune reconstitution, as well as the development of graft-versus-host disease in solid organ transplantations. Her notable publications include research on the antifungal effects of immunosuppressive drugs and studies on B-cell alloimmunity during transplantation. She has had extensive training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, including fellowships and internships at Stanford University, contributing significantly to her expertise in these domains.

Research Interests

Experience