Associate professor
Max Rady College of Medicine
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Room 504 - 745 Bannatyne Ave.
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2
Lyle McKinnon, BSc, PhD
Cross-appointments
Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Research summary
Dr. Lyle McKinnon's research concentrates on understanding the transmission of HIV in human populations and the immune foundations of susceptibility and protection from infectious disease. His team is focused on exploring the epidemiology and biology of HIV transmission and acute infection in humans, particularly in the female genital and gastrointestinal tracts.
Their studies include identifying factors that affect the number and types of HIV target cells in different parts of the body, investigating the interaction between the microbiome and host at mucosal surfaces, and studying how immune regulation of inflammation may impact mucosal barrier integrity. The research is conducted in collaboration with female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and young women. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop more effective options for preventing HIV among those who are most at risk.
Research interests
- Cell-mediated immunity
- HIV and STI epidemiology
- HIV transmission
- Inflammation
- Microbiome research
- Mucosal immunology of the female genital, gastrointestinal, and nasal tracts
- Tolerance mechanisms
Research affiliations
Honorary senior scientist at the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) in Durban, South Africa
Honorary lecturer at the Department of Human Pathology at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya
Visiting scientist at the JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre of the Public Health Agency of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Biography
Dr. Lyle McKinnon is an associate professor in the departments of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, as well as community health sciences, at the University of Manitoba.
During his training, Dr. McKinnon spent approximately 10 years in Nairobi, Kenya conducting field research including epidemiological and immunological studies of high-risk men and women.
He then spent more than three years at CAPRISA in Durban, South Africa continuing his work in mucosal immunology in the context of HIV prevention trials in women.
Dr. McKinnon has published 91 peer-reviewed articles and has an H-index of 32.
He has received funding from various sources including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Manitoba, Manitoba Medical Services Foundation, and the University of Manitoba Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba (2009)
- Bachelor of Science in the Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg (2001)
Awards
Immunologist of the Month, https://www.immunopaedia.org.za (January 2019)
Finalist, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Manitoba's Future 40 (2018)
Merit Award in Research, Scholarly Work and Creative Activities, University of Manitoba / University of Manitoba Faculty Association, $3000 (2018)
The Ken Hughes Young Investigator Award for Medical Research, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, $1900 (2018)
Dr. Frank Plummer Researcher of the Year Award, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, $1000 (2017)
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) and the Canadian Association for HIV Researchers (CAHR) Excellence in Research Award, Basic Sciences track. (2017)
New Investigator Award, Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), $60,000 per year for five years (2016-2021)
Contact us
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Max Rady College of Medicine
Room 543 - 745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada
204-789-3299
204-789-3926