Student Seminars and Defenses

Andrea Campbell - PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Graduate Program

Visual impairment affects over 2.2 billion people worldwide, with retinal diseases (RDs) like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) as significant contributors to this impairment. These diseases lead to the degeneration of photoreceptor cells, which lack a natural regenerative capacity in humans. Current treatments primarily aim to slow disease progression, underscoring a critical need for regenerative strategies focused on restoring vision. Photoreceptor precursor cells (PRPCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are promising candidates for cell replacement therapies. However, immune-mediated rejection and inflammation remain significant barriers to their success. To address these challenges without relying on prolonged immune suppression, this study evaluates two complementary strategies: (1) short-term systemic immune suppression and (2) co-transplantation of PRPCs with regulatory T cells (T-regs).

Aim 1 evaluates the efficacy of short-term immune suppression in promoting PRPC survival. Prolonged immune suppression increases risks such as infections and systemic toxicity. Inspired by transient protocols in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation, this study hypothesizes that a short-term immunosuppressive regimen can promote PRPC survival while minimizing adverse effects. Advanced adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) will facilitate non-invasive, longitudinal imaging of PRPC survival and host immune responses at cellular resolution.

Meeting ID: 944 0302 2429
Passcode: 903589

Aim 2 examines the co-transplantation of PRPCs with T-regs to locally modulate immune responses. T-regs play a key role in immune tolerance and may provide a localized, cellular alternative to pharmacological immune suppression. By dampening inflammation and inhibiting cytotoxic T-cell activity, T-regs could enhance PRPC survival. Using fluorescent reporters and high-resolution imaging, this study will track immune activity, T-reg function, and PRPC survival in real-time, assessing the potential of T-regs to mitigate rejection.

This research integrates cutting-edge imaging technologies, fluorescent reporters, and an NHP model that closely mimics human retinal anatomy, physiology, and immune responses. By leveraging these innovations, the study seeks to advance regenerative therapies for retinal diseases, providing insights into immune modulation and stem cell-based interventions. Success in these strategies could pave the way for safer and more effective treatments for RD patients, addressing an unmet medical need and establishing a framework for future cell-based therapies in ophthalmology.

 Jan 13, 2025 @ 11:00 a.m.
 Medical Center | K307 (3-6408)

Amelia Hines & Sid Chittaranjan - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Gail Johnson & Sarah McConnell

Student Moderator: Mark Osabutey

 Jan 27, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Aiesha Anchan & Erica Squire - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Hohui Xia & Gil Rivlis

Student Moderator: Leslie Gonzalez

 Feb 03, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Aishwarya Jayan & Aaron Huynh - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Madalina Tivarus & Lauren Hablitz

Student Moderator: Lia Calcinez Rodruiguez

 Feb 10, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Niki Lam & Leah Sheppard - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Margot Mayer-Proschel & Anne Luebke

Student Moderator: Thomas Delgado

 Feb 17, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Nicole Popp & Staci Rocco - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Nathan Smith & Jennetta Hammond

Student Moderator: Julia Granato

 Feb 24, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Stacey Pedraza & Gavin Magill - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Ed Freedman & Krystel Huxlin

Student Moderator: Catalina Guzman

 Mar 03, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Tom Scudder & Lelo Shamambo - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Doug Portman & Marissa Sobolewski

Student Moderator: Abigail Alpers

 Mar 17, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Sean Lydon & Estephanie Balb - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez & Samuel MacKenzie

Student Moderator: Dominic Bunn

 Mar 24, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Gueladouan Jean Setenet & Pavel Rjabtsenkov - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Thomas O'Connor & Amy Kiernan

Student Moderator: Andrea Campbell

 Mar 31, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Adam Roszczyk & Caleb Mahlen - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Manoela Fogaca & Andrew Wojtovich

Student Moderator: Tanique McDonald

 Apr 07, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Tracey Preko & Skylar DeWitt - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Samuel Norman-Haignere & Ania Busza

Student Moderator: Amelia Hines

 Apr 14, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Wen Li & Yunshan Cai - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Rick Libby & Ed Brown

Student Moderator: Mariah Marrero

 Apr 21, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Joanne Chiu & Emma Bryson - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Jean Bidlack & David Dodell-Feder

Student Moderator: Daulton Myers

 Apr 28, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K307

Alesandra Martin & Emma Strawderman - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Michael Telias & Frank Garcea

Student Moderator: Jeeyun Kim

 May 05, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K207

Alex Solorzano & Alexis Feidl - PhD Candidates

Titles: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: John Olschowka & Debroah Cory-Slechta

Student Moderator: Margaux Masten

 May 12, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K207

Catalina Guzman - PhD Candidate

Title: TBD

Faculty Evaluators: Ania Majewska & Loisa Bennetto

Student Moderator: Gavin Magill

 May 19, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
 Medical Center | K207