Current Students

Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University

Research Mentor: Tim Richardson, PhD and Bruce Lamb, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on using genetic variants that modulate risk to Alzheimer's Disease to help guide the design of novel therapeutics. Specifically, I am investigating how protective and risk variants associated with the protein PLCG2 change the function of microglia. This work then guides the endpoints measured during the development of novel therapeutics intended to treat Alzhiemer's Disease.

Undergraduate Institution: Marian University

Research Mentor: Brian J. DeBosch, MD, PhD

Research Focus: My research is focused on discovering and using hepatic fasting mechanisms to identify possible treatments for obesity and metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease. Specifically, I am investigating the use of the glucose transport protein inhibitor, trehalose, to identify the downstream effects associated with fasting and glucose absence. I use genetic mouse models, multi-omics approaches, indirect calorimetry, and many more methods to answer a wide range of metabolic questions

Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University - Columbus

Research Mentor: Tasneem Sharma, PhD

Research Focus: My research interests include Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome and other forms of ocular neurodegeneration.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Research Mentor: Elizabeth Yeh, PhD

Research Focus: My research is focused on developing new treatments for breast cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, I am investigating the potential of Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) agonists 1) in reducing breast cancer metastasis and 2) polarizing macrophage (a type of immune cell) toward a tumor suppressive phenotype. RXR is a type of nuclear receptor. Binding of agonist to this receptor can influence gene expression and cellular behavior. We are using breast cancer mouse models to test the effectiveness of RXR agonists in vivo. The models allow us to study the interactions within the tumor microenvironment and observe the impact on tumor growth and metastasis. By targeting the tumor microenvironment and modulating macrophage behavior, we hope to develop more effective treatments for breast cancer that can prevent metastasis and improve patient outcomes.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa

Research Mentor: Timothy Richardson, PhD and Adrian Oblak, PhD

Research Focus: My research under Dr. Richardson and Dr. Oblak is focused on investigating novel SHIP1 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). SH2 domain-containing inositol phosphatase 1, or SHIP1 is a key regulator of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. I am interested in uncovering mechanisms of action of small molecule drugs and gaining more insight into how SHIP1 works in modulating immune response. As a part of TREAT-AD and MODEL-AD, I aim to utilize both novel small molecules and the next generation of AD animal models to advance disease understanding and treatment.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia

Research Mentor: Benjamin Gaston, MD

Research Focus: My dissertation project focuses on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of respiratory illness in the pediatric population. RSV predominately enters human airway epithelial cells in a pH-dependent mechanism of entry called endocytosis. Our laboratory has developed a drug called Optate, which is an inhaled buffer that increases airway pH and downregulates endosomal trafficking genes. My project aims to elucidate Optate as a novel therapy for RSV in vitro and to determine how pH modulation elicits antiviral effects against RSV infection. My pursuit in virology gives me hope that I will continue to contribute to discovering novel therapeutics for viral airway pathogens in the future

Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University

Research Mentor: Jonathan Flak, PhD

Research Focus: My research is focused on Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity, specifically investigating the neural circuits that dynamically balance energy expenditure with intake to maintain bodyweight. Additionally, I am interested in understanding how these circuits sense changes in nutrient status through gut to brain signaling. Understanding the mechanisms by which these circuits are regulated, and how they elicit their effects on energy balance, offer new opportunities to improve current therapeutics.

Undergraduate Institution: Missouri State University

Research Mentor: AJ Baucum, PhD

Research Focus: As an undergraduate, I studied engineered quantum dots' potential for treating cervical cancer using HeLa cells. I am currently working with Dr. Baucum to investigate spinophilin's role in regulating dopamine 2 receptor function. Spinophilin, a PP1 targeting scafolding protein, impairs locomotor output and has been found interacts with D2Rs. D2R is a key factor in striatal locomotor disorders like Parkinson's, ADHD, etc. Using spinophilin knockout mouse lines, biotinylation, and proteomics analysis, I will further explore the role of spinophilin mediating D2R function and interactome.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Notre Dame

Research Mentor: Patrick Sheets, PhD

Research Focus: My research interests lie in dissecting neural circuitry. My current research focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which pain affects the brain. I am investigating the effects of chronic neuropathic pain on the circuitry in the central nucleus of the amygdala, the “nociceptive” amygdala, and the signaling of the bioactive sphingolipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate. We use whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology in acute mouse brain slice to measure synaptic changes to provide greater insight into amygdalar pain processing, which is essential for improving the mechanistic understanding of how pain induces negative valence, disrupting cognition, mood and motivation.

Undergraduate Institution: Case Western Reserve University

Research Mentor: Elizabeth Yeh, PhD

Research Focus: I am working with Dr. Liz Yeh to understand the role of HUNK (Hormonally Upregulated Neu-associated Kinase) in triple-negative breast cancer. HUNK is a relatively newly discovered kinase that has been shown to promote breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis in mouse models. Using spatial transcriptomics and proteomics on sections of mouse tumors, I will further explore the role of HUNK in triple negative breast cancer and its interaction with the immune system and tumor microenvironment.

Undergraduate Institution: Anna University (BIT Campus), India

Research Mentor: Mark R. Kelley, PhD and Melissa L. Fishel, PhD

Research Focus: I study how redox signaling contributes to cancer progression, with a focus on malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). Our lab develops small molecule inhibitors targeting the redox regulator Ref-1, and my work explores their therapeutic potential both alone and in combination with metabolic pathway modulators. By testing these drug strategies in preclinical models, we aim to identify effective treatments for MPNST. I am also investigating whether similar redox-driven drug sensitivities exist in pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers.

Undergraduate Institution: Ulster University, Ireland

Research Mentor: Steve Angus, PhD

Research Focus: My research project focuses on identifying potential therapeutic targets for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) by probing the molecular drivers and mechanisms underlying MPNST cellular lineage, identity, and proliferation.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Portland

Research Mentor: Braulio Munoz, PhD

Research Focus: My research focuses on the corticostriatal neurocircuitry regulating motivation and habit formation, particularly its role in alcohol consumption. By studying the impact of alcohol on inhibitory corticostriatal transmission, I hope to better understand neural mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorders that may lead to novel intervention and treatment strategies.

Undergraduate Institution: Ulster University, Ireland

Research Mentor: Patrick Sheets, PhD

Research Focus: I am interested in cortical circuit pathways. I aim to understand the mechanisms by which neuropathic, surgical and inflammatory pain alter circuits in a pathway specific manner with a particular focus on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The mPFC and related subnetworks are critical in emotional processing and behavioural control. Additionally, mPFC circuit disruption is associated with depression and anxiety, which are prevalent co-morbidities of neuropathic pain. Dynorphin (Dyn) is the endogenous opioid peptide that binds with high affinity to kappa opioid receptors (KORs), which play a role in mediating the aversive component of pain. Chronic and neuropathic pain increases transcription of Dyn in the mPFC. However, it is unknown how mPFC neurons expressing dynorphin (mPFCDyn+) circuit dynamics respond differentially to acute vs chronic pain models. The focus here is elucidating mechanisms for how mPFCDyn+ neurons play a functional role in pain processing and affective behaviors. This will allow for the development of safer therapeutic strategies and pharmacological intervention.

Undergraduate Institution: Towson University

Research Mentor: Sara Quinney, PharmD, PhD

Research Focus: 90% of pregnant women report taking a medication to manage a preexisting or acute gestational medical condition such as hypertension. However, for most drugs there are no guidelines for their use during pregnancy. My project focuses on maternal physiological changes in pregnancy and their impact on drug exposure and therapeutic response using computational modeling. The goal of my research is to improve current models to inform the much-needed guidelines. 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University

Research Mentor: Elizabeth Yeh, PhD

Research Focus: As a graduate student in Dr. Yeh's lab, I will be examining the role of Hormonally Up-regulated Neu-associated Kinase (HUNK) in Alzheimer's disease. HUNK has been shown to play a role in HER2+ breast cancer and triple negative breast cancer by promoting tumor growth. Using pharmacokinetic studies, I will determine what role HUNK plays in Alzheimer's disease and determine its effectiveness as a novel pharmaceutical target.

Undergraduate Institution: IU Indianapolis

Faculty Mentor: Braulio Muñoz, PhD

Research Focus: I am interested in dissecting the role of glycine receptors in the basal ganglia, a critical brain structure involved in movement, in Parkinson's disease (PD). By better understanding the function of glycine receptors in PD, I aim to explore their potential to mitigate disease progression or alleviate symptoms.