Current Ph.D. Students

  • Michelle Cohen

  • Rayan Murtada

  • McKayla Marrin

  • David Shi

  • Manyuan Liu

  • Mingxuan Zhang

    • Mingxuan develops probabilistic learning models for multi-omics data that decode cancer dynamics under molecular therapies with molecular regulation networks. He also analyzes high throughput sequencing data to offer quantitative perspectives on systems.

    Mingxuan is a member of the Dr. Andrea Califano laboratory. 

  • Carlos Angel

    • Carlos' research interests lay in developing computational methods to understand how mutations and disease alter genome topology and epigenetic patterns.

    Carlos Angel is a member of the Dr. Chao Lu and Dr. Gamze Gürsoy Labs. 

  • Ross Giglio

    • Ross plans to rotate in labs studying novel cancer mechanisms and therapeutics through genetic, epigenetic, and immunology lenses.

    Ross Giglio is a member of the Dr. Jose McFaline-Figueroa Lab

  • Emily Cambre

    • Emily is working on a translational rodent model of SSRI resistance to understand mechanistic differences between antidepressant pharmacotherapies and determine their unique neurophysiological and behavioral impacts on reward processing.

    Emily Cambre is a member of the Dr. Sarah Canetta Lab. 

    Highlights: first-authorship publication in Current Protocols, “Measuring Motivation Using the Progressive Ratio Task in Adolescent Mice;” awarded a TL1 Training grant in June 2023

    Emily Cambre

  • Tarik Zahr

    • Tarik studies the effects of antibody deposition in metabolically active tissues on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and NASH.

    Tarik Zahr is a member of the Dr. Li Qiang Lab.

    Highlights: first authorship publication in ATVB, "PPARγ (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ) Deacetylation Suppresses Aging-Associated Atherosclerosis and Hypercholesterolemia"

    Tarik Zahr

  • Jennifer Green

    • Jennifer is interested in studying the involvement of the immune system in neurodegenerative disorders and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

    Jennifer Green is a member of the Dr. Elizabeth Bradshaw Lab. 

    Highlights: Moderating a session on Target Therapies at the 2021 Alzheimer's Association APOE and Immunity virtual conference; Presenting a poster entitled "Inhibition of CD33-sialic binding in Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease" 

    Jennifer Green

  • Alec Kittredge

    • Alec studies the structure-function relationships of a family of calcium-activated chloride channels called Bestrophins, which are expressed in the eyes and can cause a genetically inherited form of macular degeneration.

    Alec Kittredge is a member of the Dr. Tingting Yang Lab. 

    Highlights: First-authorship publication in Methods in Enzymology, "Evaluating BEST1 mutations in pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells" and publication in eLife "Distinct expression requirements and rescue strategies for BEST1 loss- and gain-of-function mutations"

    Alec Kittredge

  • Daniel Ross

    • Daniel's research approach centers on investigating synthetic lethal approaches to treat pancreatic cancer by targeting cysteine metabolism and inducing ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death.

    Daniel Ross is a member of the Dr. Ken Olive Lab. 

    Highlights: Publication in Cell during his rotation in the Mancia Lab, "Structural Basis of WLS/Evi-Mediated Wnt Transport and Secretion"; NSF Honorable Mention

  • Xiangyi (Sherry) Ke

    • Sherry's research interest is in the developmental signaling of lung formation and pulmonary diseases.

    Sherry Ke is a member of the Dr. Wellington Cardoso Lab.

    Highlights: Currently using single-cell RNA sequencing and combinatorial computational approach to elucidate how specific gene regulatory networks control the formation of the lung primordium, airway branching, and differentiation, and ultimately of lung regeneration and injury repair.

    Xiangyi (Sherry) Ke

  • Urszula Wasko

    • Urszula's current thesis project involves researching a two drug combination as a potential treatment approach for pancreatic cancer. In her research, Urszula uses a variety of genetically engineered mouse models, xenograft models and 2D cultures.

    Urszula Wasko is a member of the Dr. Ken Olive Lab. 

    Urszula Wasko

  • Ariana Gavin

    • Ariana studies the molecular physiology of cardiac regulation. She focuses on the Rad protein, trying to further understand the mechanism of its inhibitory action on Cav1.2.

    Ariana Gavin is a member of the Dr. Henry Colecraft Lab.

    Ariana Gavin

  • Cory Langreck

    • Cory's research is focused on interactions between the mu opioid and NMDA receptors, and how these interactions may influence behavior in the contexts of stress and antidepressant treatment.

    Cory Langreck is a member of the Dr. Jonathan Javitch Lab. 

    Highlights: Publications in ACS Central Science, "7-Hydroxymitragynine Is an Active Metabolite of Mitragynine and a Key Mediator of Its Analgesic Effects" and Neuropsychopharmacology, "Mu Opioid Receptors on Hippocampal GABAergic Interneurons are Critical for the Antidepressant Effects of Tianeptine"

    Cory Langreck

  • Caroline Rauffenbart

    • Caroline is interested in understanding how dopamine receptor signaling gives rise to reward processes and motivated behaviors.

    Caroline Rauffenbart is a member of the Dr. Jonathan Javitch Lab. 

    Highlights: Recipient of the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)

    Caroline Rauffenbart