News & Events | Harvard Immunology Researcher Appointed to Puget Sound Blood Center Staff

Research to focus on better understanding the human immune system's ability to fight disease

NOVEMBER 5, 2003, SEATTLE — Continuing to attract some of the best minds in research, Puget Sound Blood Center announced the appointment of Yvette Latchman, Ph.D., the most recent addition to its research team. A Harvard-trained immunologist, Dr. Latchman joins a program dedicated to a wide range of research in cord blood banking, stem cell gene therapy, islet cell studies, immunology, bleeding disorders, hemophilia and platelet transfusion and transplantation medicine.

Dr. Latchman’s laboratory will focus on better understanding the body’s immune system and the conditions that stimulate it. The primary objective is to ultimately help patients with autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma. Dr. Latchman’s research has the potential to improve the quality of life for thousands. In addition to her position at the Blood Center, Dr. Latchman is also a faculty member at the University of Washington Medical School, where she is an assistant professor in Hematology and an adjunct assistant professor in Immunology.

“The Blood Center has amassed a strong reputation internationally, is attracting tremendous scientific talent and, quite clearly, continues to develop a very promising research program,” said Dr. Latchman. “I am quite impressed with the synergy that exists here among the various researchers and look forward to expanding upon the extraordinary work that the Blood Center has accomplished thus far.”

Prior to accepting the position at the Blood Center, Dr. Latchman served as a Wellcome Travelling Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching hospital at the Harvard Medical School. During her three-and-a half years of post-doctoral study at Harvard, her work in the immunology division in the department of Pathology focused on the immune system’s T-cells, which are critical to fighting disease. A native of London, England, Dr. Latchman earned her Ph.D. in immunology at University College, University of London.

“We are committed to building a world-class research department here at Puget Sound Blood Center,” said Dr. Sherrill Slichter, executive vice president of research. “Naturally, we are quite pleased that someone with Dr. Latchman’s impressive credentials has joined the Blood Center. Her studies in immunology are a natural fit for the body of research being done by the organization and I’m confident that she will make significant contributions to our research here.”

About The Puget Sound Blood Center
Internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine, the nonprofit Puget Sound Blood Center is the resource for patients in Western Washington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The Blood Center, which serves patients in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties with blood services, provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.