Education / Graduate Education / Statistics and Facts / 2019/2020 PhD Recipients Thesis Titles

2019/2020 PhD Recipients Thesis Titles

Edward Ayoub, B.S. Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus, M.S. University of Rochester; Pharmacology

Thesis: The Role of EVI1 in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation and Leukemia

Elizabeth Belcher, B.S. University of Pittsburgh; Translational Biomedical Science

Thesis: Cranial irradiation leads to acute and long-lasting deficits in proliferating cell populations in the adult brain

Advisor: Dr. Kerry O’Banion and Dr. John A. Olschowka

Richard Bell, B.S. University of North Carolina Greensboro, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: Elucidating the Role of the Synovial Lymphatic Systems in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Advisor: Dr. Edward Schwarz

Michael-John Beltejar, B.A. University of California-Berkeley, B.S. SUNY College at Brockport; Genetics

Thesis: Understanding the Genetic Basis for Bone-Matrix Quality

Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Ackert-Bicknell

Chen Braun, B.S. Braude College, M.S. University of Rochester; Pharmacology

Thesis: Chronic PKCβII activation inhibits IKs channel membrane localization via phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate: Implications for Long-QT1 treatment

Advisor: Dr. Coeli Lopes

Catherine Burke, B.S. SUNY Geneseo, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Developmental activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor results in durable changes to the responsive capacity and epigenetic landscape of CD4+ T cells

Advisor: Dr. Paige Lawrence

Xi Cen, B.S. Xiamen University, M.A. San Franscisco State University, M.S. Xiamen University; Health Services Research and Policy

Thesis: The Effect of Medicare Bundled Payments on Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Hospital Readmissions

Advisor: Dr. Yue Li

Meemanage De Zoysa, B.S. University of Colombo, M.S. University of Rochester; Biochemistry

Thesis: The Mechanism and Function of RNA-Guided RNA Pseudouridylation

Advisor: Dr. Yi-Tao Yu

Dawling Dionisio-Santos, B.S. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, M.D. University of Rochester, M.S. University of Rochester; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Ameliorating Alzheimer’s Disease tau pathology through immunomodulation: A novel role for interleukin 4 and glatiramer acetate

Advisor: Dr. Kerry O’Banion

Madison Doolittle, B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: Dissecting the Genetic Influences on Osteoporosis Reveals Zbtb40 as a Novel Regulator of Osteoblast Function

Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Ackert-Bicknell

Debapratim Dutta, B.S. Heritage Institute of Technology, M.S. University of Rochester; Biophysics

Thesis: Relating Riboswitch Structure to Gene Regulation in Live Cells

Advisor: Dr. Joseph Wedekind

Lacey Favazzo, B.S. University of Wyoming, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: The nor-nos axis contributes to virulence and metabolism in Staphylococcus aureus

Advisor: Dr. Steven Gill

Isaac Fisher, B.S. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, M.S. University of Rochester; Pharmacology

Thesis: Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of G-protein subunit βγ Activation of Downstream Effectors

Advisor: Dr. Alan Smrcka and Dr. David Yule

Sierra Fox, B.S. Syracuse University, M.S. University of Rochester; Biochemistry

Thesis: Investigating the Function of Hyperacetylated Chromatin Domain-Forming Enhancers

Advisor: Dr. Michael Bulger

Scott Friedland, B.S. University of Rochester, M.S. University of Rochester; Genetics

Thesis: Arid1a, a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is a barrier to KrasG12D-driven tumorigenesis.

Advisor: Dr. Aram Hezel

Dalia Ghoneim, B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology, M.S. University of Rochester; Genetics

Thesis: New functions for RNA elucidated by evolutionary conservation

Advisor: Dr. David Mathews

Christopher Goodwin, B.S. Ursinus College, M.S. University of Rochester; Biochemistry

Thesis: The intersection of Human Cytomegalovirus infection and innate immune signaling

Advisor: Dr. Joshua Munger

Kelly Hanson, B.S. York College of Pennsylvania, M.S. University of Rochester; Toxicology

Thesis: Contribution of Toll-like receptor 4 signaling to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis: Origins of fibroblast apoptosis resistance

Advisor: Dr. Jacob Finkelstein

Zachary Hilt, B.S. Saint John Fisher College; Translational Biomedical Science

Thesis: Platelet Derived Beta-2 Microglobulin and Transforming Growth Factor Beta Polarize Monocytes Towards Divergent Phenotypes

Advisor: Dr. Craig Morrell

Robert Hoff, B.S. SUNY at Stony Brook, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: Signal dependent activation of CnC, the Drosophila homolog of mammalian Nrf1 and Nrf2 is repressed by age and neurodegenerative factors

Advisor: Dr. Dirk Bohmann

Jessica Hogestyn, B.S. University of Rochester, M.S. University of Rochester; Neuroscience

Thesis: Human herpesvirus 6A latency gene U94A impairs motility and maturation in glial cells and neurons: Implications for neurodegenerative disease

Advisor: Dr. Margot Mayer-Proschel

Katrina Jew, B.S. University of California Davis, M.S. University of Rochester; Toxicology

Thesis: Effects of Ambient Ultrafine Particulate Matter Air Pollution on Learning and Memory in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model

Advisor: Dr. Alison Elder

Wan-Jung Lai, B.S. National Taiwan University, M.S. National Taiwan University, M.S. University of Rochester; Biochemistry

Thesis: The Role of the Intrinsic Closeness of mRNA Ends in Translation

Advisor: Dr. Dmitri Ermolenko

Jinbo Li, B.S. Shanghai Jiaotong University, M.S. Nanjing Medical University, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: TGFB-Induced Degradation of TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 (TRAF3) in Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Causes Age-Related Osteoporosis

Advisor: Dr. Brendan Boyce

Xi Lin, B.S. Central South University, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: The Effects of Macrophages on the Synovial Lymphatic System in Mice with Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis

Advisor: Dr. Lianping Xing

Shannon Loelius, B.S. Rutgers University, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Human Platelet Dysregulation by Antiretroviral Drugs and Cigarette Smoke In Vitro

Advisor: Dr. Craig Morrell

Xiang Lu, B.S. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, M.A. University of Rochester; Statistics

Thesis: Model Selection and Variable Selection for Mixtures of Factor Analyzers

Advisor: Dr. Tanzy Love

Shiyang Ma, B.S. Sichuan University, M.A. University of Rochester; Statistics

Thesis: Methods for Improving Efficiency in Clinical Trials

Advisor: Dr. David Oakes

Hayley Martin, B.S. SUNY Geneseo; Epidemiology

Thesis: Assessing the Impact of Group Prenatal Care on Breastfeeding Behavior and Motivation

Advisor: Dr. Edwin van Wijngaarden

Robert Maynard, B.S. Saint John Fisher College, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: Establishing the Functional Role of Cped1 in the Genetic Regulation of the Osteoblast

Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Ackert-Bicknell

Molly McCann, B.S. SUNY Stoney Brook, M.S. University of Albany; Epidemiology

Thesis: Degree of Bystander-Patient Relationship and Prehospital and Emergency Department Care for Opiod Overdose

Advisor: Dr. Todd Jusko

Marhiah Montoya, B.S. Baylor University; Translational Biomedical Science

Thesis: A Translational Approach to Improve Clinical Outcomes of Invasive Fungal Infections through Disease Surveillance and Antifungal Drug Discovery

Advisor: Dr. Damian Krysan

Aimee Morris, B.A. University of Rochester, M.S. University of Rochester; Neuroscience

Thesis: Functional Brain Network Structure in Focal Embouchure Dystonia and Related Disorders

Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Mink

Emma Norris, B.S. Earlham College, M.S. University of Rochester; Pharmacology

Thesis: Development of acoustically-modified collagen-based biomaterials for regenerative medicine applications

Advisor: Dr. Denise Hocking

Marina Oktapodas, B.S. University of Buffalo, M.S. University of Buffalo; Epidemiology

Thesis: The Role of Environmental Lead Exposure on Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection in Children Three Years Old and Younger

Advisor: Dr. Todd Jusko

Brian Palmer, B.S. Saint Lawrence University, M.S. University of Rochester; Toxicology

Thesis: The dermal toxicity and immunomodulatory effects of topically applied engineered nanomaterials in a model of allergic contact dermatitis

Advisor: Dr. Lisa DeLouise

José Pérez-Ramos, B.S. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras, M.P.H University of Rochester; Translational Biomedical Science

Thesis: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Generation of Collective Action in Health: A Mixed Methods mHealth Intervention in the Latin American and Caribbean Ecological Context

Advisor: Dr. Tim Dye

Christina Post, University of Massachusetts-Boston, M.S. University of Rochester; Toxicology

Thesis: Mechanisms of CD8+ T cell dysfunction caused by developmental activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)

Advisor: Dr. Paige Lawrence

Kun Hyoe Rhoo, B.S. SUNY Geneseo, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: The roles of MHC ClassI-like and innate-like T cells in response to Mycobacterium marinum in Xenopus laevis

Advisor: Dr. Jacques Robert

Irene Rodriguez Sanchez, B.S. Francisco deVitoria University, M.S. Francisco deVitoria University, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: An insight into Human Cytomegalovirus Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming

Advisor: Dr. Joshua Munger

Elizabeth Saionz, B.A. University of Pennsylvania, M.S. University of Rochester; Translational Biomedical Science

Thesis: Time is Vision: Properties of Vision Early after Occipital Stroke and Capacity for Recovery

Advisor: Dr. Krystel Huxlin

Letty Salas Estrada, B.S. Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, M.S. Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, M.S. University of Rochester; Biophysics

Thesis: Study of rhodopsin's conformational equilibrium and activation dynamics using multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations

Advisor: Dr. Alan Grossfield

Brianna Shares, B.S. SUNY Geneseo, M.S. University of Rochester; Pathology

Thesis: The Role of Mitochondria in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Osteogenic Function

Advisor: Dr. Roman Eliseev

Valeriia Sherina, B.S. Donetsk National Technical University, M.S. Donetsk National Technical University, M.S. Georgia Southern University, M.A. University of Rochester ; Statistics

Thesis: Statistical Methods for qPCR Data Near the Limit of Detection

Advisors: Dr. Matthew McCall and Dr. Tanzy Love

Kenneth Sims, B.S. Lehigh University, M.S. Drexel University College of Medicine; Translational Biomedical Science

Thesis: Enhancing pH-Responsive Nanoparticle Drug Delivery to Inhibit Oral Biofilm Formation

Advisor: Dr. Danielle Benoit

Andrew Smith, B.S. University of Rochester, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Rational Alterations to the Influenza A Polymerase Have Ramifications for Both Therapeutic Intervention and Pandemic Preparedness

Advisor: Dr. Stephen Dewhurst

Wei Song, B.S. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, M.S. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Health Services Research and Policy

Thesis: Nursing Home Primary Care and Resident Outcomes: An Application of Social Network Analysis

Advisor: Dr. Orna Intrator

Rianne Stowell, B.S. Moravian College, M.S. University of Rochester; Neuroscience

Thesis: Noradrenergic modulation of microglial dynamics and synaptic plasticity

Advisor: Dr. Ania Majewska

Hao Sun, B.S. Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, M.A. University of Rochester; Statistics

Thesis: Statistical Methods for Treatment Evaluation with Application to Longitudinal Studies

Advisor: Dr. Brent Johnson

Manisha Taya, B.S. University of Delhi-India, M.S. Georgetown University, M.S. University of Rochester; Pharmacology

Thesis: Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Neutrophil Elastase Promote TSC2-null Tumor Growth

Advisor: Dr. Stephen Hammes

Alissa Trzeciak, B.S. McGill University, M.S. New York University; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Early Detection and Chronic Management of Sepsis

Advisor: Dr. Minsoo Kim

Kevin Tylock, B.S. SUNY Brockport, M.S. University of Rochester; Pharmacology

Thesis: Biophysical and Molecular Mechanisms for QRS- and QTc-Interval Prolongation in Mice with Cardiac Expression of Expanded CUG repeat RNA

Advisor: Dr. Doug Anderson

Bokai Wang, B.S. Nankai University, M.S. Bowling Green State University, M.A. University of Rochester; Statistics

Thesis: A Novel Variable Selection Procedure in Biomedical Research

Advisor: Dr. Changyong Feng

Jiyu Wang, B.S. Nankai University, M.S. University of Rochester; Biochemistry

Thesis: Reading frame maintenance at translation stalls in yeast involves eukaryotic specific mechanisms

Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Grayhack

Meng Wang, B.S. Peking University Health Science Center, M.S. Peking University Health Science Center; Epidemiology

Thesis: The Influence of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators on Cardiac and Mental Health in Patients with Long QT Syndrome

Advisor: Dr. David Rich

Rachel Warren, B.S. Indiana University, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated is required for response to influenza A virus infection

Advisor: Dr. Michael O’Reilly and Dr. Stephen Dewhurst

Emily Wexler, B.S. The College at Brockport, M.S. University of Rochester; Genetics

Thesis: Mechanisms by which feeding state and sex are integrated to regulate chemosensory plasticity in C. elegans

Advisor: Dr. Douglas Portman

Emily Wu, B.S. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, M.S. University of Rochester; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Uncovering the Role of TNF-alpha in the Genesis of Inflammatory Interstitial Lung Disease in the TNF-Transgenic Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Advisor: Dr. Edward Schwarz

Huiwen Xu, B.S. China University of Political Science and Law, M.S. Beijing Normal University; Health Services Research and Policy

Thesis: Rural-Urban Disparities in Risk-adjusted Rates of Emergency Department Visits of Nursing Homes: Roles of Facility Characteristics, Market Factors, and State Policies

Advisor: Dr. Orna Intrator

Hong Zhu, B.S. Nankai University, M.S. University of Rochester; Biochemistry

Thesis: Use of Yeast Surface Display to Identify Variants of HIV Envelope Glycoprotein with Enhanced Affinity for Precursors to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies

Advisor: Dr. Mark Dumont