Skip to main content

Joy Ogbechi

Lecturer

University of North Texas

Department of Biological Sciences

Email: Joy.Ogbechi@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, University of Surrey - United Kingdom, 2017
    Major: Microbial and Cellular Sciences
  • Diploma (International), University of Surrey, 2013
    Major: Drug Discovery

Professional Positions

    Academic - Post-Secondary

  • Versus Arthritis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow/Senior Researcher, University of Oxford. University of Oxford. (2017 - 2022).
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Surrey. University of Surrey. (2016 - 2017).

    • Professional

  • Senior Scientist, Adaptimmune Limited. Adaptimmune Limited. (2022 - 2024).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • BIOL 1710 - Biology for Science Majors I, 1 course.
  • BIOL 4005 - Contemporary Topics in Biology, 1 course.
  • BIOL 4201 - Immunology, 2 courses.

Teaching at Other Institutions

  • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, Advanced Immunology, 2021.
  • Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, Immunology, 2019.

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Journal Article

  • Swart, M., Redpath, A.N., Ogbechi, J., Cardenas, R., Topping, L., Compeer, E.B., Goddard, M., Chanalaris, A., Williams, R., Brewer, D.S., Smart, N., Monaco, C., Troeberg, L. (2024). The extracellular heparan sulfatase SULF2 limits myeloid IFNβ signaling and Th17 responses in inflammatory arthritis. Other. 81 (1) Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-024-05333-w
  • Ogbechi, J., Wright, H.L., Balint, S., Topping, L.M., Kristina, Z., Huang, Y., Pantazi, E., Swart, M., Windell, D., Marin, E., Wempe, M.F., Endou, H., Thomas, A.M., Filer, A., Stone, T.W., Clarke, A.J., Dustin, M.L., Williams, R.O. (2023). LAT1 enables T cell activation under inflammatory conditions: a new therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Autoimmunity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103031
  • Ogbechi, J., Huang, Y., Clanchy, F.I., Pantazi, E., Topping, L.M., Darlington, L.G., Williams, R.O., Stone, T.W. (2022). Modulation of immune cell function, IDO expression and kynurenine production by the quorum sensor 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone (PQS). Other. 13 Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1001956
  • Clanchy, F.I., Huang, Y., Ogbechi, J., Darlington, L.G., Williams, R.O., Stone, T.W. (2022). Induction of IDO1 and Kynurenine by Serine Proteases Subtilisin, Prostate Specific Antigen, CD26 and HtrA: A New Form of Immunosuppression?. Other. 13 Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.832989
  • Hsieh, L.T., Dos Santos, S.J., Hall, B.S., Ogbechi, J., Loglo, A.D., Salguero, F.J., Ruf, M., Pluschke, G., Simmonds, R.E., Hawn, T.R. (2022). Aberrant stromal tissue factor localisation and mycolactone-driven vascular dysfunction, exacerbated by IL-1β, are linked to fibrin formation in Buruli ulcer lesions. Other. 18 (1) e1010280. Public Library of Science (PLoS). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1010280
  • Bhadra, P., Dos Santos, S., Gamayun, I., Pick, T., Neumann, C., Ogbechi, J., Hall, B.S., Zimmermann, R., Helms, V., Simmonds, R.E., Cavalié, A. (2021). Mycolactone enhances the Ca2+ leak from endoplasmic reticulum by trapping Sec61 translocons in a Ca2+ permeable state. Biochemical Journal. 478 (22) 4005-4024. Portland Press Ltd.. https://doi.org/10.1042/bcj20210345
  • Huang, Y., Tseng, W., Clanchy, F.I., Topping, L.M., Ogbechi, J., McNamee, K., Perocheau, D., Chiang, N., Ericsson, P., Sundstedt, A., Xue, Z., Salford, L.G., Sjögren, H., Stone, T.W., Lin, H., Luo, S., Williams, R.O. (2021). Pharmacological modulation of T cell immunity results in long-term remission of autoimmune arthritis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 118 (19) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2100939118
  • Ogbechi, J., Clanchy, F.I., Huang, Y., Topping, L.M., Stone, T.W., Williams, R.O. (2020). IDO activation, inflammation and musculoskeletal disease. Other. 131 110820. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2019.110820
  • Huang, Y., Ogbechi, J., Clanchy, F.I., Williams, R.O., Stone, T.W. (2020). IDO and Kynurenine Metabolites in Peripheral and CNS Disorders. Other. 11 Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00388
  • Tseng, W., Huang, Y., Clanchy, F., McNamee, K., Perocheau, D., Ogbechi, J., Luo, S., Feldmann, M., McCann, F.E., Williams, R.O. (2019). TNF receptor 2 signaling prevents DNA methylation at the Foxp3 promoter and prevents pathogenic conversion of regulatory T cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 116 (43) 21666-21672. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1909687116
  • Kawalkowska, J.Z., Ogbechi, J., Venables, P.J., Williams, R.O. (2019). cIAP1/2 inhibition synergizes with TNF inhibition in autoimmunity by down-regulating IL-17A and inducing T regs. Science Advances. 5 (5) American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaw5422
  • Ogbechi, J., Hall, B.S., Sbarrato, T., Taunton, J., Willis, A.E., Wek, R.C., Simmonds, R.E. (2018). Inhibition of Sec61-dependent translocation by mycolactone uncouples the integrated stress response from ER stress, driving cytotoxicity via translational activation of ATF4. Other. 9 (3) Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-018-0427-y
  • Ogbechi, J., Ruf, M., Hall, B.S., Bodman-Smith, K., Vogel, M., Wu, H., Stainer, A., Esmon, C.T., Ahnström, J., Pluschke, G., Simmonds, R.E., Behr, M.A. (2015). Mycolactone-Dependent Depletion of Endothelial Cell Thrombomodulin Is Strongly Associated with Fibrin Deposition in Buruli Ulcer Lesions. Other. 11 (7) e1005011. Public Library of Science (PLoS). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005011
  • Hall, B.S., Hill, K., McKenna, M., Ogbechi, J., High, S., Willis, A.E., Simmonds, R.E., Deretic, V. (2014). The Pathogenic Mechanism of the Mycobacterium ulcerans Virulence Factor, Mycolactone, Depends on Blockade of Protein Translocation into the ER. Other. 10 (4) e1004061. Public Library of Science (PLoS). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1004061

Service

University Service

  • Attendee, Meeting, School of Mathematics and Science Foundations Working Group. (2025 - Present).
  • Faculty Advisor, Life Sciences Resource Center. (2025 - 2025).