The University of Findlay’s College of Sciences will host guest speaker and alumnus Vijay Bindingnavile, who will present “Xenotransplantation: Bringing the Bacon to the Bedside” at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in the Davis Street building, Room 102. UF students, faculty and staff are welcome, as well as community members.

Bindingnavile received a master of science degree in environmental safety and health management from UF in 2007. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in dental sciences and is pursuing a doctorate in biomedical sciences with an emphasis in infection, immunity and transplantation at the University of Toledo.

In his research summary, Bindingnavile states that organ transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage organ failure, such as liver and kidney. “However, due to the shortage of human organs, many individuals are deprived of this treatment and succumb to their illness. Pigs are a potential source for a limitless supply of organs, but a major barrier to this is the human immune system. Our lab is focused on understanding the role played by macrophages in xenotransplantation rejection.”

The presentation is sponsored by the College of Sciences faculty chair. For more information, contact Betsy Baier, administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Sciences, at 419-434-4869.