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Trainees

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Post-Doctoral Associates/Fellows and Graduate Students

Alaa Ahmed,
Alaa Ahmed

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Graduate Student
Dewhurst Lab

Research Interest:

Improving LAIV Efficacy and Understanding Methods Underlying HIV Silencing in Astrocytes

Shahad Ahmed,
Shahad Ahmed

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Graduate Student
Serra-Moreno Lab

Haley Aull,
Haley Aull

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Graduate Student
Serra-Moreno Lab

Carl Berggren,
Carl Berggren

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Graduate Student
Rossmann Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating the role of transcriptional pause-release factors in metabolically regulating cell lineage differentiation

Zachary Boodoo,
Zachary Boodoo

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Graduate Student
Meera Singh Lab

Sebastian Bosch,
Sebastian Bosch

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Graduate Student
Dewhurst Lab

Research Interest:

Understanding the Interaction of HIV With Human Microglial Cells, and its Relevance to HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND)

Justin Brennan,
Justin Brennan

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Graduate Student
Sun Lab

Research Interest:

Generation mechanisms and functions of respiratory syncytial virus copy-back defective viral genomes

Emily Britt,
Emily Britt

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Graduate Student
Gill Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating the influence of gut microbiome-derived polyamines on host-pathogen interactions and immune responses in the context of Staphylococcus aureus bone infection

Binghong Cai,
Binghong Cai

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Graduate Student
Sant Lab

Darline Castro-Melendez,
Darline Castro-Melendez

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Graduate Student
Sheible Lab
Lawrence Lab

Research Interest:

Single-cell methodologies, high dimensional analysis, and statistical modeling to understand the functional and phenotypic changes in the infant immune system as a function of antenatal and early life exposures to Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

Kiana Chen,
Kiana Chen

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Graduate Student
Schwarz Lab
Rahimi Lab

Research Interest:

The mechanism behind sexual dimorphism in TNF-induced erosive inflammatory arthritis

Yuexuan Chen,
Yuexuan Chen

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Graduate Student
Serra-Moreno Lab

Yongjun Choi, PhD
Yongjun Choi, PhD

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Minsoo Kim Lab

Maggie Connolly, MD
Maggie Connolly, MD

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Georas Lab

Heather Curtsinger,
Heather Curtsinger

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Graduate Student
Lopatkin Lab

Ankit Dahal, Ph.D.
Ankit Dahal, Ph.D.

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Graduate Student
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest:

Mechanism of Cancer Induced Neutrophil Differentiation

Patrick Donohue, MD
Patrick Donohue, MD

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Georas Lab

Sarah Eckl,
Sarah Eckl

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Graduate Student
Gerber Lab

Sophia Eliseeva,
Sophia Eliseeva

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Graduate Student
Yarovinsky Lab

Research Interest:

T. gondii-induced peripheral tissue reprogramming

Katherine Escalera-Rivera,
Katherine Escalera-Rivera

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Graduate Student
Anolik Lab
Jonason Lab

Research Interest:

Inflammatory processes involved in the onset and development of Osteoarthritis

Wyatt Fales,
Wyatt Fales

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Graduate Student
Munger Lab

Kristina Fenner, PhD
Kristina Fenner, PhD

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Postdoctoral Associate
Lawrence Lab

Research Interest:

Studying the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells during viral infection 

Aimee Fuji,
Aimee Fuji

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Graduate Student
Dunman Lab

Adam Geber, B.S.
Adam Geber, B.S.

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Graduate Student
Topham Lab
Program for Advanced Immune Bioimaging

Research Interest:

Characterizing Innate-like CD8+ T Cells in Early Life

Vijay Gondil, PhD
Vijay Gondil, PhD

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Postdoctoral Associate
Dunman Lab

Research Interest:

mRNA degradosomes, tRNA processing and penicillin binding proteins-4 as targets to develop novel classes of  antibacterial drugs.

Gary Hannon, PhD
Gary Hannon, PhD

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Postdoctoral Associate
Gerber Lab

Wenqin (Abby) He,
Wenqin (Abby) He

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Graduate Student
First Year

Alicia Healey, PhD
Alicia Healey, PhD

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Graduate Student
Lawrence Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating how AHR activation modulates neutrophil recruitment to the lung during viral infection

Thomas Henson,
Thomas Henson

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Graduate Student
Hammes Lab

Taylor Jones,
Taylor Jones

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Graduate Student
Topham Lab

Zareef Kamal,
Zareef Kamal

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Graduate Student
Pavelka Lab

Amal Khan,
Amal Khan

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Graduate Student
Frisch Lab

Amelia Knudsen-Clark, PhD
Amelia Knudsen-Clark, PhD

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Graduate Student
Altman Lab

Research Interest:

Modulation of the cell-autonomous molecular clock by metabolic stress, and its role in the anti-tumor immune response. 

Justin Leach,
Justin Leach

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Graduate Student
Dewhurst Lab

Research Interest:

Elucidating the Molecular Basis of the Temperature Sensitivity of the Live-Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV) and Using that Knowledge to Create a Safer and More Effective Influenza Vaccine

Maggie Lesch,
Maggie Lesch

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Graduate Student
Gerber Lab

Chen Li, M.S.
Chen Li, M.S.

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Graduate Student
Morrell Lab

Research Interest:

The role of platelets in immune system

Zhewen (Kevin) Li,
Zhewen (Kevin) Li

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Graduate Student
First Year

Yuchang Liu,
Yuchang Liu

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Graduate Student
First Year

Alison Livada, Ph.D.
Alison Livada, Ph.D.

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Graduate Student
Morrell Lab

Research Interest:

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

Adina Longyear,
Adina Longyear

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Graduate Student
Sant Lab

Vania Lopez-Ruiz,
Vania Lopez-Ruiz

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Graduate Student
Robert Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating ligand presentation by XNC4, a non-polymorphic MHC class I-like molecule that confers resistance to infections by non-TB mycobacteria in Xenopus

Michael Lutz,
Michael Lutz

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Graduate Student
Varble Lab

Research Interest: Host adaptation of influenza virus

Michael Malloy, M.S.
Michael Malloy, M.S.

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Graduate Student
Morrell Lab

Research Interest:

Myb regulation of megakaryocyte immune differentiation

Dexin Mao, Ph.D.
Dexin Mao, Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Yiping Zhu Lab

Research Interest:

The interactions between viruses and hosts

Lyvia Markle,
Lyvia Markle

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Graduate Student
Gill Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating the impact of gut microbiome-derived metabolites on obese/type-2 diabetic gut barrier integrity and immune modulation in response to systemic Staphylococcus aureus infection

Elysia Masters,
Elysia Masters

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Graduate Student
Awad Lab
Schwarz Lab

Zoe Matacchiera,
Zoe Matacchiera

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Graduate Student
First Year

Katya McDonald,
Katya McDonald

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Graduate Student
Muthukrishnan Lab

Himanshu Meghwani, Ph.D.
Himanshu Meghwani, Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Associate
Muthukrishnan Lab

Nancy Mehra, PhD
Nancy Mehra, PhD

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Postdoctoral Associate
Dunman Lab

Research Interest:

Targeting A. baumannii efflux pumps via small molecule inhibitors to improve existing antibiotic treatments' effectiveness and combat adaptive efflux-mediated drug resistance.

John Miller,
John Miller

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Graduate Student
Turner Lab

Research Interest:

Determining the mechanism of HE4-mediated immunosuppression in ovarian cancer

Nicholas Miller,
Nicholas Miller

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Graduate Student
Robert Lab

Sana Mir,
Sana Mir

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Graduate Student
Minsoo Kim Lab

Yugo Morita, M.D., Ph.D.
Yugo Morita, M.D., Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Schwarz Lab

Reagan Myers,
Reagan Myers

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Graduate Student
Hammes Lab

Janiret Narvaez Miranda ,
Janiret  Narvaez Miranda

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Graduate Student
Monaco Lab

Research Interest: Contribution of enteric virome to the development of allergies in urban Rochester communities and rural Old Order Mennonites.

Jennifer Nicholson,
Jennifer Nicholson

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Graduate Student
Anolik Lab

Molly Niska,
Molly Niska

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Graduate Student
Zand Lab

Raven Osborn,
Raven Osborn

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Dewhurst Lab

Research Interest:

Using Applications of Network Theory to Understand How SARS-CoV-2 Evades the Innate Immune System

Lauren Paddock,
Lauren Paddock

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Graduate Student
Gill Lab

Charkira Patrick,
Charkira Patrick

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Graduate Student
Woeller Lab

Yue Peng,
Yue Peng

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Graduate Student
Schwarz Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating Lymphatics in Inflammatory-Erosive Arthritis

Shelby Peres,
Shelby Peres

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Graduate Student
Pavelka Lab

Melanie Perkins, MS
Melanie Perkins, MS

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Graduate Student
Anolik Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating the role of B cells in autoimmune disease

An (Andy) Phan,
An (Andy) Phan

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Graduate Student
Yiping Zhu Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating the mechanisms by which human host factors restrict HIV-1 gene expression in order to provide insight into the regulation of viral DNA and latency

Traci Pressley, MS
Traci Pressley, MS

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Graduate Student
Georas Lab

Saloni Ramani,
Saloni Ramani

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Graduate Student
Mosmann Lab

Stephanie Renner,
Stephanie Renner

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Graduate Student
First Year

Research Interest:

Investigating the roles of host factors involved in the silencing of integrated HIV DNA in the heterochromatin region

Masih Rezaee, M.D.
Masih Rezaee, M.D.

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Postdoctoral Associate
Robert Lab

Allison Ryan,
Allison Ryan

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Graduate Student
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest:

Development of effective CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors

Alexandra Safronova, Ph.D.
Alexandra Safronova, Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Associate
Yarovinsky Lab

Research Interest: Gut microbiota, host defense and immunity: analysis with integrative omics approach

Motoo Saito, M.D., Ph.D.
Motoo Saito, M.D., Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Associate
Muthukrishnan Lab

Noah Salama, Ph.D.
Noah Salama, Ph.D.

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Graduate Student
Calvi Lab

Research Interest:

Bone Marrow Macrophage Metabolic Dysfunction in MDS Associated IDH2 Mutation

Tyler Scherzi, M.S.
Tyler Scherzi, M.S.

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Graduate Student
Jarvinen-Seppo Lab

Jordana Schmierer, PhD
Jordana Schmierer, PhD

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Graduate Student
Takimoto Lab

Research Interest:

Role of influenza PA on host adaptation

Catherine Seying,
Catherine Seying

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Graduate Student
Munger Lab

Thandolwethu (Thando) Shabangu,
Thandolwethu (Thando) Shabangu

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Graduate Student
First Year

Yuhang Shi, PhD
Yuhang Shi, PhD

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Serra-Moreno Lab

Lucas Simpson,
Lucas Simpson

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Graduate Student
Munger Lab

Research Interest:

High-throughput screening identifies EGLN prolyl hydroxylases as essential determinants of HCMV activation of mitochondrial metabolism

Rachel Simpson, M.D., Ph.D.
Rachel Simpson, M.D., Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Fellow
Thakar Lab

Research Interest:

Investigating monocyte heterogeneity in human population and their responses during HIV vaccine

Marissa Skulsky,
Marissa Skulsky

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Graduate Student
Lawrence Lab

Research Interest:

Studying the effects of exposure to perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) on immune system development and response to viral infection

Levy Sominsky, B.A.
Levy Sominsky, B.A.

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Graduate Student
Schwarz Lab

Research Interest:

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

Ian Stone,
Ian Stone

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Graduate Student
Diaz-Balzac Lab

Karli Sutton,
Karli Sutton

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Graduate Student
Meera Singh Lab

Sophie Troyer, B.S.
Sophie Troyer, B.S.

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Graduate Student
Jarvinen-Seppo Lab

Research Interest:

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

Adam Tyrlik, B.S.
Adam Tyrlik, B.S.

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Graduate Student
Calvi Lab

Natalie Vance,
Natalie Vance

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Graduate Student
Thakar Lab

Research Interest:

Characterizing the cellular heterogeneity of circulating innate and adaptive immune cells within the pediatric population to investigate changes in cellular composition throughout early life as well as differences in CD4+ T cell sup-populations between healthy and food allergic pediatric individuals

Shivali Vashisht,
Shivali Vashisht

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Graduate Student
Thakar Lab

Research Interest:

Characterizing monocyte and B cell populations during HIV-1 infection and vaccination in humans and non-human primates.

Tara Vrooman, PhD
Tara Vrooman, PhD

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Graduate Student
Gerber Lab

Nicole Waild,
Nicole Waild

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Graduate Student
Munger Lab

Research Interest:

Novel CRISPR Screening Pipeline identifies JUNB as an Inflammatory Anti-viral Factor

Chenghao Wang,
Chenghao Wang

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Graduate Student
Yarovinsky Lab

Ruoqiao Wang,
Ruoqiao Wang

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Graduate Student
Thakar Lab

Research Interest:

Evaluation of single-cell pathway scoring methods and characterization of monocytes in HIV-positive individuals with atherosclerosis.

Chantelle White ,
Chantelle White

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Graduate Student
Sant Lab

Research Interest: Investigating the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic viral factors on the development of CD4 T cell mediated immune responses to infection

Thomas Wilson,
Thomas Wilson

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Graduate Student
Ward Lab

Zirui Zhao,
Zirui Zhao

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Graduate Student
Dziejman Lab

Zhinian Zhou,
Zhinian Zhou

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Graduate Student
Sun Lab