Current Students

Undergraduate Institution: Marian University

Research Mentor: Brian J. DeBosch, MD, PhD

Research Focus: My research is focused on discovering and using hepatic fasting mechanisms to identify possible treatments for obesity and metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease. Specifically, I am investigating the use of the glucose transport protein inhibitor, trehalose, to identify the downstream effects associated with fasting and glucose absence. I use genetic mouse models, multi-omics approaches, indirect calorimetry, and many more methods to answer a wide range of metabolic questions

Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University - Columbus

Research Mentor: Tasneem Sharma, PhD

Research Focus: My research interests include Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome and other forms of ocular neurodegeneration.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa

Research Mentor: Timothy Richardson, PhD and Adrian Oblak, PhD

Research Focus: My research under Dr. Richardson and Dr. Oblak is focused on investigating novel SHIP1 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). SH2 domain-containing inositol phosphatase 1, or SHIP1 is a key regulator of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. I am interested in uncovering mechanisms of action of small molecule drugs and gaining more insight into how SHIP1 works in modulating immune response. As a part of TREAT-AD and MODEL-AD, I aim to utilize both novel small molecules and the next generation of AD animal models to advance disease understanding and treatment.

Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University

Research Mentor: Jonathan Flak, PhD

Research Focus: My research is focused on Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity, specifically investigating the neural circuits that dynamically balance energy expenditure with intake to maintain bodyweight. Additionally, I am interested in understanding how these circuits sense changes in nutrient status through gut to brain signaling. Understanding the mechanisms by which these circuits are regulated, and how they elicit their effects on energy balance, offer new opportunities to improve current therapeutics.

Undergraduate Institution: IUPUI

Research Mentor: Sabrina Absolon, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on the mechanisms underlying apicoplast fission in Plasmodium falciparum, with a central interest in the newly characterized protein PfAnchor. PfAnchor localizes to the apicoplast during the asexual blood stage, and conditional depletion leads to parasite death. Immunoprecipitation has revealed a link between PfAnchor's main interactor, PfDyn2, and an AAA-ATPase that plays a role in mitochondrial fission in yeast. My current work focuses on PfAnchor's functional domains, its role in gametogenesis, and the function of this AAA-ATPase. To address these questions, I combine genetic manipulation of the malaria parasite, in vitro and in vivo biochemistry assays, proteomics analyses, and ultrastructure expansion microscopy with immunofluorescence staining.

Undergraduate Institution: Case Western Reserve University

Research Mentor: Elizabeth Yeh, PhD

Research Focus: I am working with Dr. Liz Yeh to understand the role of HUNK (Hormonally Upregulated Neu-associated Kinase) in triple-negative breast cancer. HUNK is a relatively newly discovered kinase that has been shown to promote breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis in mouse models. Using spatial transcriptomics and proteomics on sections of mouse tumors, I will further explore the role of HUNK in triple negative breast cancer and its interaction with the immune system and tumor microenvironment.

Undergraduate Institution: Harbin Medical University (China)

Research Mentor: Mateusz Opyrchal

Research Focus: My research focuses on improving the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatment by reducing chemotherapy-associated toxicities. I am particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-induced damage to normal tissues and developing strategies to selectively protect healthy cells without compromising antitumor efficacy. Ultimately, my goal is to improve the therapeutic index of chemotherapy and enhance the quality of life of patients with cancer.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Portland

Research Mentor: Braulio Munoz, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on the corticostriatal neurocircuitry regulating motivation and habit formation, particularly its role in alcohol consumption. By studying the impact of alcohol on inhibitory corticostriatal transmission, I hope to better understand neural mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorders that may lead to novel intervention and treatment strategies.

Undergraduate Institution: Ulster University, Ireland

Research Mentor: Patrick Sheets, PhD

Research Focus: I am interested in cortical circuit pathways. I aim to understand the mechanisms by which neuropathic, surgical and inflammatory pain alter circuits in a pathway specific manner with a particular focus on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The mPFC and related subnetworks are critical in emotional processing and behavioural control. Additionally, mPFC circuit disruption is associated with depression and anxiety, which are prevalent co-morbidities of neuropathic pain. Dynorphin (Dyn) is the endogenous opioid peptide that binds with high affinity to kappa opioid receptors (KORs), which play a role in mediating the aversive component of pain. Chronic and neuropathic pain increases transcription of Dyn in the mPFC. However, it is unknown how mPFC neurons expressing dynorphin (mPFCDyn+) circuit dynamics respond differentially to acute vs chronic pain models. The focus here is elucidating mechanisms for how mPFCDyn+ neurons play a functional role in pain processing and affective behaviors. This will allow for the development of safer therapeutic strategies and pharmacological intervention.

Undergraduate Institution: Towson University

Research Mentor: Sara Quinney, PharmD, PhD

Research Focus: 90% of pregnant women report taking a medication to manage a preexisting or acute gestational medical condition such as hypertension. However, for most drugs there are no guidelines for their use during pregnancy. My project focuses on maternal physiological changes in pregnancy and their impact on drug exposure and therapeutic response using computational modeling. The goal of my research is to improve current models to inform the much-needed guidelines. 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University

Research Mentor: Elizabeth Yeh, PhD

Research Focus: As a graduate student in Dr. Yeh's lab, I will be examining the role of Hormonally Up-regulated Neu-associated Kinase (HUNK) in Alzheimer's disease. HUNK has been shown to play a role in HER2+ breast cancer and triple negative breast cancer by promoting tumor growth. Using pharmacokinetic studies, I will determine what role HUNK plays in Alzheimer's disease and determine its effectiveness as a novel pharmaceutical target.

Undergraduate Institution: IU Indianapolis

Faculty Mentor: Braulio Muñoz, PhD

Research Focus: I am interested in dissecting the role of glycine receptors in the basal ganglia, a critical brain structure involved in movement, in Parkinson's disease (PD). By better understanding the function of glycine receptors in PD, I aim to explore their potential to mitigate disease progression or alleviate symptoms.

Undergraduate Institution: Butler University

Faculty Mentors: Timothy Richardson, PhD and Adrian Oblak, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on developing novel siRNA therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Specifically, I am investigating how to better deliver siRNA to target tissues through the use of targeting antibodies and ligands. I am interested in leveraging our understanding of physiology and cellular biology to enable patient-centered drug design.