Graduate Students
Daniel Apicco
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Benjamin Wolozin, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology
Research Summary: Dan’s research aims to understand the intersecting biology of tau and RNA binding proteins associated with stress granules in Alzheimer’s disease and other taupathies. Currently, he is working on elucidating specific stress signaling pathways involved in pathological tau aggregation.
Amanda Bolgioni
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Neil J. Ganem, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Amanda is currently examining how the Hippo pathway acts to maintain genome stability. In particular, she is examining the regulation of YAP/TAZ during mitosis.
Joon Y. Boon
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Benjamin Wolozin, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology
Research Summary: Joon’s current research is focused on the role of LRRK2 in neurodegeneration.
Casey Carmichael
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Richard D. Wainford, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Research Summary: Casey’s research is aimed at understanding central neural aspects of blood pressure regulation to identify the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic treatments for hypertension.
Meaghan Cogswell
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Shelley J. Russek, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Meaghan’s research investigates polymorphisms in the GABRA4 and GABRB1 subunit genes that occur in autistic patients and how these mutations may alter their transcriptional regulation during brain development.
Kimberly Coughlan
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Neil Ruderman, M.D./D.Phil., Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics
Research Summary: Kim’s research is focused on investigating novel aspects of insulin signaling and the development of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.
Kelli Cox
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Rachel Litman Flynn, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology & Medicine
Research Summary: Kelli’s work focuses on the telomere maintenance mechanisms employed by cancers to maintain an unlimited proliferative potential. Specifically, she’s working on further elucidating the alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism by defining the role of SMARCAL1 in cancers that upregulate this mechanism.
Iriny Ekladious
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Mark W. Grinstaff, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemistry
Research Summary: Iriny’s work involves synthesizing, characterizing, and assessing the efficacy of polymeric nanoparticles for the local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.
Larissa Estrada
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Douglas Rosene, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Research Summary: Larissa’s research is investigating myelin damage and remyelination in the aging brain.
Jonathan Freedman
Program: M.D./Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Mark W. Grinstaff, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemistry
Research Summary: Jonathan synthesizes novel CT contrast agents to image cartilage morphology and pathology in osteoarthritis.
Lisa Goldberg
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Camron D. Bryant, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry
Research Summary: Lisa’s work focuses on understanding the genetic underpinnings of behavioral traits associated with substance abuse by combining gene mapping with behavioral assays such as conditioned place preference. Currently, she is focusing on differentiating the opposing regulatory roles of the delta and epsilon isoforms of casein kinase 1 in sensitivity to drugs of abuse.
Trevor Grant
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Anurag Singh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Trevor’s research aims to characterize novel therapeutic targets found in the aberrantly functioning signaling pathways of KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer.
Julia Guzova
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: J. Perry Hall, Ph.D.
Research Summary: Research focus will be on understanding the mechanism of action and identifying the pathway(s) responsible for skin rash caused by a broad spectrum of marketed kinase inhibitors in a non-target tissue/cell type such as primary human keratonocytes. The goal will be development of a predictive in vitro cutaneous cytotoxicity model for characterizing future kinase inhibitors.
Nicholas Harrison
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: David H. Farb, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Pharmacology
Currently a first year student in laboratory rotations.
Kathryn Hixson
Program: Ph.D. Neuroscience/ Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Shelley J. Russek, Professor of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Kathryn’s research is focused on understanding the dynamic gene regulation of inhibitory neurotransmission and how it is altered in neurological diseases, such as epilepsy. Her current focus includes looking at the results of permanently increased BDNF levels in the brain after seizures and how it affects the GABA-A receptor.
Kristen Hokenson
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Shelley J. Russek, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Kristen’s research is focused on the role of cell cycle proteins in the etiology of neurological diseases.
Kevin Hua
Program: M.D./Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Anurag Singh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Characterization of the KRAS-miRNA signaling network of KRAS dependent cancers and its functional role in modulating cancer cell plasticity and drug resistance.
Leah Huiting
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Hui Feng, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Exploiting transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell intravasation and screen for small molecules that block the intravasation of triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Natasha Khatri
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Hengye Man, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology and Pharmacology
Research Summary: Natasha is studying an E3 ubiquitin ligase implicated in autism and its role in neuronal morphology. She is researching the molecular pathways by which this protein can lead to dysregulated dendrite and synapse formation during neuronal development. She is also studying novel E3 ligases involved in AMPA receptor trafficking.
Kendra Kobrin
Program: M.D./Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Gary B. Kaplan M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology
Research Summary: Kendra is studying drug addiction, learning, and its effects on synaptic plasticity.
Leah Kressin
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Karen N. Allen, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry
Research Summary: Leah’s research aims to understand the biochemical and structural basis of interactions between PGC-1a, PPARa, and Lipin-1a leading to transcriptional co-activation of triglyceride and phospholipid metabolism-linked genes.
Zhuting Li
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Shelley J. Russek, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Zhuting’s work centers around the role of stress on the developing brain and susceptibility to epilepsy. He is currently studying the regulation of GABA-A receptors by transcription factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis.
Sanghee Lim
Program: M.D./Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Neil J. Ganem, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Sanghee’s research currently focuses on elucidating the mechanisms underlying genomic instability as a downstream effect of oncogene expression through non-canonical pathways in models of melanoma.
Amy Lin
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Angela Ho, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Research Summary: Amy studies the role of Mint2, a neuronal adaptor protein in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
Emily Lough
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Tyrone Porter, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Research Summary: Emily is developing a targeted nanoparticle to co-deliver cisplatin and paclitaxel to ovarian cancer cells.
Brandon Maziuk
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: David H. Farb, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Currently a first year student completing laboratory rotations.
Melissa McLoed
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Christopher V. Gabel, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
Research Summary: Melissa studies the time- and space-dependent role of calcium on neural cell regeneration in laser ablated axons.
Cari Meisel
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Joyce Wong, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research Summary: Cari’s work involves development and characterization of a targeted iron oxide nanoparticle capable of aiding in early detection of calcific aortic valve disease.
Jessica Min-Debartolo
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Pfizer
Advisor: Robert Martinez, Ph.D.
Research Summary: Jessica examines innate immune signaling and its role in inflammatory pathogenesis of renal injury.
Cassie Moore
Program: Ph.D. Neuroscience/ Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Pietro Cottone, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry
Research Summary: Cassie is studying the neurobiological substrates of addiction and motivated behaviors, such as compulsive eating and palatable food dependence.
Christine Nykyforchyn
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Anurag Singh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Christine uses lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver miRNAs to KRAS mutant cancers in order to modulate the cancer state and “chemosensitize” the tumor to therapeutics.
Lissa Riley
Program: Ph.D. Graduate Program for Neuroscience/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Irina V. Zhdanova, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy & Neurology
Research Summary: Elizabeth is interested in neural development, and is currently studying the genetics of pathways that may lead to psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia.
Angel Rubio
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: David H. Farb, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Currently a first year student completing laboratory rotations.
Elizabeth Shenk
Program: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Neil J. Ganem, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Research Summary: Elizabeth’s research is focused on looking at the effects of chromosome instability and miRNAs on tetraploid cells and their implications for cancer.
Mariel Seiglie
Program: Ph.D. Neuroscience/ Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Valentina Sabino, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry
Research Summary: Mariel’s research is focused on elucidating the neurobiological substrates underlying stress systems associated with anxiety and withdrawal.
Kavitha Sugunan
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: David H. Farb, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Kavitha’s current research is focused on studying the endogenous modulatory effects of pregnenolone sulfate on neurotransmission and its role in mediating synaptic plasticity.
Michael St. Andre
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Pfizer
Advisor: Peter E. Bialek, Ph.D.
Research Summary: Understanding SMAD regulation during muscle fibrosis formation in muscular dystrophy
Margarita Tararina
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: David H. Farb, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Pharmacology
Research Summary: Currently a first year student completing laboratory rotations.
Tara Vanderweyde
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Benjamin Wolozin, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology
Research Summary: Tara is working with cells, mice, and human tissue investigating the role of stress granules in normal aging as well as in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Megan Varnum
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Tsuneya Ikezu, M.D./Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology
Research Summary: Megan is focusing on the role of CD200 in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Kathryn Walsh
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Richard D. Wainford, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Research Summary: Kathryn is examining the role of norepinephrine and salt intake in renal sodium homeostasis in salt-sensitive hypertension with the goal of developing an exosomal sodium transporter profile for targeted diuretic therapy
Maya Woodbury
Program: Ph.D. Graduate Program for Neuroscience/Biomolecular Pharmacology
Advisor: Tsuneya Ikezu, M.D./Ph.D., Professor Pharmacology and Neurology
Research Summary: Maya is studying the molecular characterization of growth factors and glia-derived cytokines and their effect on neuroregeneration.
Neema Yazdani
Program: Ph.D. Biomolecular Pharmacology/Biomedical Neuroscience
Advisor: Camron D. Bryant, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry
Research Summary: Neema’s work is aimed at studying the genetic basis of methamphetamine addiction. Currently, he is working to identify and characterize which one of four candidate genes is responsible for the differences in methamphetamine sensitivity among mouse strains.
