Current Students

Katy Alden, B.S. - University of Puget Sound

Year: Med 2

Research:

Pain Signaling Pathways in Endometriosis Using Patient Tissue Samples

Maya Anand, B.S. - Columbia University

Adviser: Christopher Seplaki, Ph.D. & Allison Magnuson, D.O. | Seplaki Lab

PhD Degree Program: EPI - Year: Grad 4

Research:

Effects of instrumental social support on treatment tolerability for older adults with cancer

Catherine Beamish, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Matthew Rand, Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: TOX - Year: Med 3

Research:

Muscle-Specific Targets of Developmental Methylmercury Exposure

Adib Behrouzi, B.S. - Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Year: Med 2

John Bennett, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Rudi Fasan, Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: Chem - Year: Med 4

Research:

Chemoenzymatic Scaffold Diversification of Natural Products via Cytochrome P450-Catalyzed C-H Oxyfunctionalization

Shinelle Black, B.A. - University of Chicago

Year: First Year / Med 1

Research:

Return on investment from co‐locating tax assistance for low‐income persons at clinical sites

Heather Breidenbach, B.S. - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Year: First Year / Med 1

Research:

Analysis and modelling of local field potentials

Hayley Chang, B.S. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Kuan Hong Wang, Ph.D. & John Foxe, Ph.D. | Wang Lab | Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Grad 3

Research:

Exploring the neurophysiologic and neuropathologic basis of photophobia in a rare lysosomal storage disorder. 

Shu Yi Chen, B.A. - Swarthmore College

Year: First Year / Med 1

Siddharth Chittaranjan, B.S. - University of California, Berkeley

Adviser: Nathan Smith, Ph.D. & Nathan Smith, Ph.D. | Smith Lab

PhD Degree Program: NBA - Year: Grad 2

Zachary Christensen, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Edward Freedman, Ph.D. & John Foxe, Ph.D. | Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory

PhD Degree Program: TBS - Year: Med 3

Research:

Identifying brain imaging biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its neurocognitive correlates

Ankit Dahal, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Minsoo Kim, Ph.D. | Minsoo Kim Lab

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Med 3

Research:

Mechanism of Cancer Induced Neutrophil Differentiation

Carol Deaton, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Gail Johnson, Ph.D | Gail Johnson Lab

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Med 3

Research:

 Investigating the Role of Presenilin Proteins and BAG3 in Vacuolar Function and Tau Dynamics

Thomas Delgado, M.S. - University of Florida

Adviser: Gail Johnson, Ph.D | Gail Johnson Lab

PhD Degree Program: NSC - Year: Grad 4

Research:

The role of transglutaminase 2 in mediating the response of astrocytes to injury and their ability to support neuron survival and neurite outgrowth

Michelle Duan, B.S. - Wellesley College

Adviser: Lisa DeLouise, Ph.D., M.P.D. | DeLouise Lab

PhD Degree Program: BME - Year: Med 2 / Grad 2

Research:

Development of a Microphysiological System for Modeling Retinal Degeneration in CLN3 Batten Disease

Alan Finkelstein, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Giovanni Schifitto, M.D. & Jianhui Zhong, Ph.D. | Zhong Lab

PhD Degree Program: BME - Year: Med 3

Research:

Model-Based Reconstructions for Multiparametric Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Gary Ge, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Kevin Parker, Ph.D. & Jannick Rolland-Thompson, Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: OPT - Year: Med 4

Research:

Reverberant Elastography and Speckle Analysis for Brain Characterization

Adam Geber, B.S. - Columbia University

Adviser: Kristin Scheible, M.D. & David Topham, Ph.D. | Topham Lab | Program for Advanced Immune Bioimaging

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Grad 5

Research:

Characterizing Innate-like CD8+ T Cells in Early Life

Jithin George, B.S. - University of Scranton

Adviser: Marissa Sobolewski-Terry, Ph.D. | Sobolewski Lab

PhD Degree Program: TOX - Year: Grad 1

Research:

The role of inhaled iron in neurodegenerative disease processes

Jonathan Gigas, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Vera Gorbunova, Ph.D. | Gorbunova & Seluanov Lab

PhD Degree Program: BIO - Year: Med 3

Research:

Natural Variation Reveals the SIRT6 C-terminus as a Key Regulator of Pro-Longevity Activity.

Nora Gilliam, B.S. - Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

PhD Degree Program: TBS - Year: Med 2 / Grad 2

Research:

Generation and Functional Analysis of Defective Viral Genomes during SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Daniel Han, B.A. - University of California, Berkeley

Adviser: Eric Small, Ph.D. | Small Lab

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Grad 1

Research:

The role of desmosomal protein PKP2 on the alteration of nuclear envelope integrity and genomic organization in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Andrew Hong, B.S. - University of California, Berkeley

Adviser: Rudi Fasan, Ph.D. | Fasan Lab

PhD Degree Program: Chem - Year: Grad 3

Research:

Macrocyclic peptide discovery via genetic code expansion

Emily Isenstein, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: John Foxe, Ph.D. & Duje Tadin, Ph.D. | Tadin Lab

PhD Degree Program: BCS - Year: Med 3

Research:

A Multimodal Approach to Studying Visual-Somatosensory Integration in Autism

George Kassis, B.S. - University of Rochester

Year: Med 2

Research:

Discrete-state models identify pathway specific B cell states across diseases and infections at single-cell resolution

Jeehyun Kim, MS - University of California, Berkeley

Adviser: Edward Freedman, Ph.D. & John Foxe, Ph.D. & Edward Freedman, Ph.D. & John Foxe, Ph.D. | Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory

PhD Degree Program: NSC - Year: Grad 3

Research:

Studying neurophysiological underpinnings of cognitive and motor symptoms of movement disorders and further modulation by deep brain stimulation

Anna Kolstad, B.S. - Princeton University

Adviser: Kenneth Henry, Ph.D. & Krishnan Padmanabhan, Ph.D. | Neural Circuits and Computation Laboratory

PhD Degree Program: BME - Year: Grad 2

Research:

Characterizing olfactory responses in ventral CA1 region of the hippocampus

Marlene Lawston, B.S. - Colgate University

Year: Grad 3

Research:

Neural development and developmental/neuropsychiatric disorders using human iPSC models in 2-D and 3-D culture

Herman Li, B.S. - University of Rochester

Year: Med 2

Research:

Alison Livada, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Craig Morrell, D.V.M., Ph.D. | Morrell Lab

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Med 3

Research:

Lung megakaryocytes are long-lived, arise from Flt3-negative bone marrow cells and contribute to platelet recovery in thrombocytopenia

Caleb Mahlen, B.S. - Regis University

PhD Degree Program: NGP - Year: Grad 1

Research:

Using psychophysics and fMRI to explore how the brain encodes pain

Madalayne "Mattie" Martin-Olenski, B.A. - University of Rochester

Year: First Year / Med 1

Research:

The Lasting Consequences of the Transsexual Conception of Transgender Identity: A Historical Approach to Healthcare Inequity

Margaux Masten, B.S. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Marissa Sobolewski-Terry, Ph.D. & Marissa Sobolewski-Terry, Ph.D. | Sobolewski Lab

PhD Degree Program: NBA - Year: Grad 3

Research:

Understanding the impact of late gestational air pollution exposure on the developing brain

Jordan McMurry, B.S. - Trinity University

Year: Med 2

Research:

MAdCAM-1 costimulation in the presence of retinoic acid and TGF-β promotes HIV infection and differentiation of CD4+ T cells into CCR5+ TRM-like cells

Michael Meadow, B.S. - University of California, Los Angeles

Adviser: Andrei Seluanov, Ph.D. & Sina Ghaemmaghami, Ph.D. & Vera Gorbunova, Ph.D. | Gorbunova & Seluanov Lab

PhD Degree Program: BIO - Year: Grad 4

Research:

Understanding and exploiting mechanisms of protein degradation in the context of aging/longevity

Briaunna Minor, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Stephen Hammes, M.D., Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Med 4

Research:

Implications for Targeting Tumor Associated Neutrophils to Attenuate Estrogen Mediated Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Progression

Duy Nguyen, B.S. - Amherst College

Adviser: Patrick Murphy, Ph.D. | Patrick Murphy Lab

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Med 2 / Grad 3

Research:

The role of repetitive elements in zygotic genome activation.

Yueqi "Edward" Niu, B.S. - University of Maryland - College Park

Year: First Year / Med 1

Research:

HIF-1α accumulation in response to transient hypoglycemia may worsen diabetic eye disease

Gavin Piester, B.S. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Ania Majewska, Ph.D. | Majewska Lab

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Grad 4

Research:

The effects of modulating Sigma-1 receptor signaling on pathogenic activities of astrocytes in Parkinson's Disease

Catherine "Cathy" Pizzarello, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Med 4

Research:

Effects of Dietary and Environmental Exposures on Infant Immune Development

Emily Przysinda, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Edmund Lalor, Ph.D. & David Dodell-Feder, Ph.D. | Lalor Lab

PhD Degree Program: NSC - Year: Med 3

Research:

Social processing and underlying language deficits in schizophrenia during naturalistic video viewing

Bryan Redmond, M.S. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Krystel Huxlin, Ph.D. | Huxlin Lab

PhD Degree Program: NSC - Year: Grad 5

Research:

Vision‐related quality of life after unilateral occipital stroke

David Richardson, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Edward Freedman, Ph.D. & John Foxe, Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Med 3

Research:

Probing Cognitive-Motor Interactions During Proactive and Reactive Control Using Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI)

Noah Salama, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Laura Calvi, M.D. & Minsoo Kim, Ph.D. | Calvi Lab

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Med 3

Research:

Bone Marrow Macrophage Metabolic Dysfunction in MDS Associated IDH2 Mutation

Sarah Sandkuhler, B.S. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Samuel MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D. | Mitochondrial Research and Innovation Group

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Grad 3

Research:

Mechanisms underlying TANGO2 Deficiency Disorder in a C. elegans model.

Corey Schultz, B.S. - University of Pittsburgh

Year: Med 2

Research:

The History of Government Benefits Programs in the Late 20th Century U.S.

Lucas Sears, B.S. - University of Wisconsin - Madison

Year: First Year / Med 1

Research:

Essential neural anatomy for creating a clinically translatable osseointegrated neural interface for prosthetic control in sheep

Matthew Sipple, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: John Lueck, Ph.D. | Lueck Lab

PhD Degree Program: CMPP - Year: Med 3

Research:

Isolating the Role of Myotonia in Myotonic Dystrophy Pathogenesis

Levy Sominsky, B.A. - Vanderbilt University

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Grad 1

Research:

Optimization of an in vitro model of Staphylococcal abscess communities to study bactericidal mechanisms

Michael Sportiello, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: David Topham, Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Med 4

Research:

Investigating CD8 T cell tissue resident memory phenotype, function, metabolic activity, and differentiation

Emma Strawderman, B.S. - University of Rochester

PhD Degree Program: NGP - Year: Grad 1

Research:

The effect of gliomas and their treatments (e.g., neurosurgery, radiation) on neural connectivity and associated cognitive deficits.

Mohammed "Usman" Syed, B.S. - Tufts University

PhD Degree Program: PWD - Year: Grad 1

Research:

Role of the cGAS-STING Pathway in Cytoplasmic Trafficking of Plasmids”

Karolina Szenkiel, B.A. - Barnard College

Year: First Year / Med 1

Research:

Sub-inhibitory antibiotic treatment selects for enhanced metabolic efficiency

Karol Szymula, B.S. - University of Pennsylvania

Adviser: Kenneth Henry, Ph.D. & Krishnan Padmanabhan, Ph.D. | Neural Circuits and Computation Laboratory

PhD Degree Program: BME - Year: Grad 3

Research:

Network structure influences the strength of learned neural representations

Julia "Julie" Thompson, B.A. - Cornell University

Year: First Year / Med 1

Sophie Troyer, B.S. - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Adviser: Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D. | Jarvinen-Seppo Lab

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Grad 2

Research:

The impact of the developing infant innate immune system on the development of allergic diseases

Adam Tyrlik, B.S. - University of Maryland - College Park

Adviser: Laura Calvi, M.D. | Calvi Lab

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Grad 2

Anika Varma, B.S. - University of California, Davis

Year: Med 2

Research:

Michael Vera, B.S. - Sacred Heart University

PhD Degree Program: IMV - Year: Grad 1

Research:

Elevated Lipemia Index in Dark-Brown Plasma from a Bronze Baby

Samuel Weisenthal, Ph.D. - University of Rochester

Adviser: Ashkan Ertefaie, Ph.D. & Sally Thurston, Ph.D.

PhD Degree Program: - Year: Med 4

Research:

Relative Sparsity and Optimality-based Reward Learning with Applications to Medical Decisions and Toxicology

Victor Zhang, B.S. - University of Rochester

Adviser: James McGrath, Ph.D. & Hani Awad, Ph.D. | Awad Lab | McGrath Lab

PhD Degree Program: BME - Year: Grad 4

Research:

"Tendon-on-a-chip" technologies for studying tendon fibrosis and scarring after injury