Current Students

Undergraduate Institution: University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India

Research Mentor: Jonathan N. Flak, PhD

Research Focus: For my PhD I am studying the components of the neural circuit originating in the ventromedial hypothalamus and controlling energy expenditure in order to characterize the therapeutic potential of specific neuronal populations in the ventromedial hypothalamus and preoptic area of the brain. My work has identified PACAP containing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus that signal through caudal preoptic area outputs to induce weight loss and promote energy expenditure. Along with this I have also identified novel subpopulations of neurons in the caudal preoptic area that mediates weight loss and improvement in body composition via increased brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and which can potentially be targeted to develop anti-obesity therapeutics

Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University

Research Mentor: Tim Richardson, PhD and Bruce Lamb, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on using genetic variants that modulate risk to Alzheimer's Disease to help guide the design of novel therapeutics. Specifically, I am investigating how protective and risk variants associated with the protein PLCG2 change the function of microglia. This work then guides the endpoints measured during the development of novel therapeutics intended to treat Alzhiemer's Disease.

Undergraduate Institution: Kettering University

Research Mentor: Sabrina Absalon, PhD

Research Focus: I am currently studying the cellular biology of the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of human malaria. In particular I am focusing on organelle fission and biogenesis and the proteins involved in these essential functions. Our lab has also been on the forefront of advanced microscopy techniques such as Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy and utilizing this to discover unknown facets of Plasmodium biology.

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 Chittagong, Bangladesh

Research Mentor: Karen Liby, PhD

Research Focus: My research is focused on developing new treatments for breast cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, I am investigating the potential of Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) agonists 1) in reducing breast cancer metastasis and 2) polarizing macrophage (a type of immune cell) toward a tumor suppressive phenotype. RXR is a type of nuclear receptor. Binding of agonist to this receptor can influence gene expression and cellular behavior. We are using breast cancer mouse models to test the effectiveness of RXR agonists in vivo. The models allow us to study the interactions within the tumor microenvironment and observe the impact on tumor growth and metastasis. By targeting the tumor microenvironment and modulating macrophage behavior, we hope to develop more effective treatments for breast cancer that can prevent metastasis and improve patient outcomes.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia

Research Mentor: Benjamin Gaston, MD

Research Focus: My dissertation project focuses on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of respiratory illness in the pediatric population. RSV predominately enters human airway epithelial cells in a pH-dependent mechanism of entry called endocytosis. Our laboratory has developed a drug called Optate, which is an inhaled buffer that increases airway pH and downregulates endosomal trafficking genes. My project aims to elucidate Optate as a novel therapy for RSV in vitro and to determine how pH modulation elicits antiviral effects against RSV infection. My pursuit in virology gives me hope that I will continue to contribute to discovering novel therapeutics for viral airway pathogens in the future

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: Missouri State University

Research Mentor: AJ Baucum, PhD

Research Focus: As an undergraduate, I studied engineered quantum dots' potential for treating cervical cancer using HeLa cells. I am currently working with Dr. Baucum to investigate spinophilin's role in regulating dopamine 2 receptor function. Spinophilin, a PP1 targeting scafolding protein, impairs locomotor output and has been found interacts with D2Rs. D2R is a key factor in striatal locomotor disorders like Parkinson's, ADHD, etc. Using spinophilin knockout mouse lines, biotinylation, and proteomics analysis, I will further explore the role of spinophilin mediating D2R function and interactome.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Notre Dame

Research Mentor: Patrick Sheets, PhD

Research Focus: My research interests lie in dissecting neural circuitry. My current research focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which pain affects the brain. I am investigating the effects of chronic neuropathic pain on the circuitry in the central nucleus of the amygdala, the “nociceptive” amygdala, and the signaling of the bioactive sphingolipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate. We use whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology in acute mouse brain slice to measure synaptic changes to provide greater insight into amygdalar pain processing, which is essential for improving the mechanistic understanding of how pain induces negative valence, disrupting cognition, mood and motivation.

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: University of Minnesota

Research Mentor: Gustavo Arrizabalaga, PhD

Research Focus: As an undergraduate, I studied clinical samples of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae and methods for testing for infection in the clinic. Now as a graduate researcher, I study a novel plant-like kinase in the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii. My research aims to determine the function of this essential protein in parasite fitness and replication.

Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University

Research Mentor: Adrian Oblak, PhD

Research Focus: My project is focused on the characterizing the role of the protein Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) in the Lung-Brain Axis in response to the air pollutant ozone.

Undergraduate Institution: Ulster University, Ireland

Research Mentor: Steve Angus, PhD

Research Focus: My research project focuses on identifying potential therapeutic targets for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) by probing the molecular drivers and mechanisms underlying MPNST cellular lineage, identity, and proliferation.

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: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Research Mentor: Karen Pollock, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on targeting replication stress through BET inhibition combined with chemotherapeutic agents in osteosarcoma, utilizing both in vitro and in vivo models. In Dr. Pollok's lab, we develop various patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of novel combinatorial therapeutics for osteosarcoma. Additionally, we investigate the mechanisms of action of these drugs using various cellular and molecular techniques. In my project, I specifically examine replication stress, DNA damage, and replication fork dynamics following BET inhibition across different models, employing γH2AX evaluation, Comet assay, and DNA fiber assay

Undergraduate Institution: Towson University

Research Mentor: Salvatore Condello, PhD

Research Focus: The Condello lab group is focused on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that enable ovarian cancer to acquire resistance to traditional chemotherapies. My research project focuses on the influence of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on the stem cell properties commonly found during the advanced stages of ovarian cancer.

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.