Dr. Aaron Whiteley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. His laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms and evolution of immune signaling pathways. Dr. Whiteley’s research contributions include tracing the origins of proteins from the human innate immune system to bacteria, where they evolved for defense against phage. His lab is currently focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of antiviral signaling in bacteria, exploring other ways bacteria defend themselves against threats, and investigating homologous innate immune proteins in humans and bacteria.