URMC / Labs / Gail Johnson Lab / Lab Members Lab Members Principal InvestigatorGail V. W. Johnson, Ph.DMCPhone: (585) 276-3740Email GailResearch Interest: Molecular mechanisms of NeurodegenerationFacultyHeng (Henry) Lin, D.D.S., Ph.D.Research Assistant ProfessorEmail Heng (Henry)Research Interest: The molecular mechanisms of tau clearance by autophagy and endocytosis using mammalian model sytems (primary neurons and mice)Postdoctoral ScholarsUpasana Ganguly, Ph.D.Postdoctoral FellowResearch Interest: Using pharmaco-genetics, fluorescent biosensor imaging, and proximity labeling to unravel the molecular mechanism through which pTau impairs mitophagyMichael Isei, Ph.D.Postdoctoral FellowResearch Interest: The molecular mechanisms of pathological tau-induced mitochondrial dysfunctionResearch StaffDylan PfendlerResearch TechnicianJoel Rodwell-BullockTechnical AssociateGraduate StudentsDominic BunnNSC - Neuroscience Ph.D. ProgramResearch Interest: The effects of pathological tau uptake by astrocytes on mitochondrial function and the impact on their ability to support neuron healthTrae CarrollPWD - PhD Program in Pathology - Cell Biology of DiseaseResearch Interest: Tau Post-Translational Modifications mediate cellular dysfunctions in Alzheimer’s Disease Carol Deaton, Ph.D.MD - Medical Education (M.D.)MSTP - Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D., Ph.D.)Research Interest: Investigating the Role of Presenilin Proteins and BAG3 in Vacuolar Function and Tau DynamicsThomas Delgado, M.S.MSTP - Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D., Ph.D.)MD - Medical Education (M.D.)NSC - Neuroscience Ph.D. ProgramResearch Interest: The role of transglutaminase 2 in mediating the response of astrocytes to injury and their ability to support neuron survival and neurite outgrowthPeter GirardiPWD - PhD Program in Pathology - Cell Biology of DiseaseResearch Interest: The effect of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress on tau pathology.Joseph IrvinResearch Interest: The relationship between tau pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction as regulated by BAG3Research AssistantsEmily ChenUndergraduate StudentMeredith CrockettUndergraduate StudentMatthew HongUndergraduate StudentKevin HuUndergraduate StudentSofia KaplanUndergraduate StudentDarron KingUndergraduate StudentSudarshan RamananUndergraduate StudentRyunosuke WajimaUndergraduate Student