Iliyan Iliev is an Immunologist and an Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine and the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in IBD at Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York. He earned his PhD from the European School of Molecular Medicine and the University of Milan and was previously associated with the Tohoku University in Japan, LB Bulgaricum Plc., Meiji Co., Ltd and the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
His pioneering research on the gut mycobiota defined the role of commensal fungi in innate mucosal and protective humoral immunity, and provided the first evidence for mycobiota involvement in the pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The laboratory develops and applies translational, experimental and computational approaches to study the role of immunity and mycobiota early and later in life, upon therapeutic interventions and during conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, allergy, gastrointestinal cancers and immunodeficiencies, where fungi contribute to pathologies. Current effort in the laboratory, focused on the gut-bran axis and cancer, explores the unique neuro-modulatory and cancer-immunity modulating properties of fungi.
Education and Training
- Ph.D., University of Milan (Italy) 2009
- M.Sc. Master of Science, Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" (Bulgaria) 2000
- B.Sc., Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" (Bulgaria) 1998
View Recent Publications
Grants awarded
- GASTROINTESTINAL FUNGAL INFECTIONS: WHAT SHOULD THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WATCH FOR? awarded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund Principal Investigator 2020 - 2025
- Mononuclear phagocyte networks in mycobiota regulation and antifungal immunity. awarded by National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases Principal Investigator 2020 - 2025
- Exploring immunity to fungal microbiota in IBD awarded by Crohn''s & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. Principal Investigator 2019 - 2021
- Targeting the mycobiome in Crohn''s Disease: development of targeting strategy and biomarkers for prospective clinical trial awarded by Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, The Principal Investigator 2019 - 2021
- Investigation of commensal bacteria-produced metabolites with activity towards mycobiota. awarded by National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases Principal Investigator 2019 - 2021
- Regulation of the mycobiota and intestinal inflammation via production of antifungal metabolites by commensal bacteria awarded by National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases Key Personnel 2019 - 2022
- Impact of commensal fungi on the response to immunosuppressive therapy in intestinal diseases Impact of commensal fungi on the response to immunosuppressive therapy in intestinal diseases. awarded by Charles H. Revson Foundation Inc. Key Personnel 2019 - 2021
- Commensal Fungal Communities in the Regulation of Immunity and Intestinal Inflammation Principal Investigator 2017 -
- Kenneth Rainin Synergy Award Principal Investigator 2017 -
- Commensal Fungal Communities in the Regulation of Immunity and Intestinal Inflammation awarded by National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases Principal Investigator 2017 - 2022
- Kenneth Rainin Innovator Award Principal Investigator 2016 -