Mikki Tal, PhD, is a Principal Scientist at MIT's Department of Biological Engineering and Associate Scientific Director of the MIT Center for Gynepathology Research. She leads the Tal Research Group, focusing on host-pathogen interactions, immune responses to infections like Lyme disease, and the mechanisms behind chronic illnesses, particularly their disproportionate impact on women. She earned her PhD in Immunobiology from Yale University and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University's Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Tal was the recipient of our 2018 Bay Area Lyme Foundation Emerging Leader Award.