Current Students

First Year (Pathways of Human Disease Cluster)

Eugene Chang
I am very interested in studying cancer biology. I’ve had previous experience in researching prostate cancer at the University of Rochester.
Hometown: Pittsford, NY
B.A., Biological Science, University of Chicago

Mahendra Colonne
Hometown: Devalegama, Sri Lanka
M.S., Chemistry, New Mexico State University

Benjamin Frisch
After I graduated from the University of Rochester I went to work as a lab technician in Dr. Laura Calvi's lab, researching the hematopoietic stem cell niche. I enjoy performing translational research with the potential for far-reaching clinical applications.
Hometown: Nunda, NY
B.S., Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Rochester

Nikesha Haynes
I am interested in human disease research opportunities in cancer.
Hometown: San Fernando, Trinidad
B.S., Biology, Lincoln University

Chiung-Kuei Huang (CK)
I am very interested in the androgen receptor’s role in human disease. Presently my major work is to clarify AR role in osteoblast mineralization.
Hometown: Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Biology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC

Chiu-Chun Lin (Cho)
I am interested in the relationship between androgen receptor and proliferation of prostate cancer. I hope my research can provide a new direction for clinical therapy.
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Microbiology and Immunology, Chang Gung University

Tzu-Hua Lin (Dennis)
My interest is in cellular response under stress or any other abnormal conditions, and the determination of cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and related events.
Hometown: Ban-Ciao City, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Immunology and Microbiology, National Chen-Kong University

Rebecca Porter
My scientific interests are in hematopoiesis and cancer biology. Currently, my research focuses on the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the support and regulation of hematopoietic stem cells.
Hometown: Chittenango, NY
B.S., Biochemistry, University of Rochester
Mentor: Laura Calvi
M.D./Ph.D. Program

Chung-Hsuan Shih (Richard)
I am interested in endocrine-related diseases.
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Biochemistry, Chang Gung University

Mercedes Szpunar
Research Statement: I am interested in research focused on women's health. My current project involves evaluating breast cancer growth in response to increased stress, particularly by means of the adrenergic nervous system.
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Degree: B.S., Biology, Loyola University Chicago
Mentor: Edward Brown
M.D./Ph.D. Program

Second Year (Ph.D. Program in Pathology)

Robert D. Bell
My research interests involve studying the role of neurovascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. I hope that my progress in the laboratory will have direct clinical applications.
Hometown: Rochester, NY
B.S., Psychology, St. Bonaventure University
Mentor: Berislav Zlokovic

Chun-Wei Chen (David)
My current research focuses on discovering the physiological function of phopholipid scramblase (PLSCR) using cell line models, embryonic stem cells, and transgenic mice.
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Bioindustrial Chemistry, National Taiwan University
Mentor: Peter Sims

Deborah Dao
My current research in the Center for Musculoskeletal Research is focused on the role of sclerostin, a protein produced by osteocytes that inhibits osteoblast maturation, in fracture healing and in the activity of lead-exposed osteoblasts. The major techniques used in my research include Real-time PCR, Western Blotting, and histological studies.
Hometown: Cypress, CA
M.A., Psychology, University of Southern California
Mentor: Regis O'Keefe
M.D./Ph.D. Program

Lin Gao
My research is focused on the role of TGF-ß superfamily members in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Molecular approaches as well as transgenic mice model are utilized to reveal the interdependent relationship between classic and non classic pathways, and further explore novel therapeutic targets for this devastating disease.
Hometown: Changchun, People's Republic of China
M.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, PRC
Mentor: Regis O'Keefe

Jeffrey M. Harder
Hometown: Rochester, NY
B.S., Computer Science, Penn State
Mentor: Richard Libby

Iawen Hsu
Hometown: Taichung County, Taiwan, ROC
B.S., Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, ROC

Dawn L. Lee
My current research interest focuses on the developing mammalian brain and the observations that postnatal iron supplementation fail to eradicate the associated effects. Iron deficiency has a broad range of impact on normal brain development that may result in altered cognitive brain functions. Although iron deficiency-associated CNS abnormalities are prevalent in our society, there is very little known about the underlying mechanisms. Studies in our lab are aimed at deciphering the irreversible effects of gestational iron deficiency that occur during key developmental windows. I hope that my progress in lab will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of iron deficiency on various cellular populations during embryonic CNS development.
Hometown: Carlstadt, NJ
M.S., Neuroscience, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
Mentor: Margot Mayer-Proschel

Shin-Jen Lin (Sean)
Prostate cancer has the highest cancer incidence and is the second cancer that causes death in males in the United States. With the progression of prostate cancer, we found TR4 expression also increased dramatically. By investigating the relationship between TR4 and prostate cancer, we hope to provide more insight into and possibly a new approach to study prostate cancer.
Hometown: Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China
M.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgetown University
Mentor: Chawnshang Chang and Yi-Fen Lee

Jeffrey Malik
My research focuses on elucidating the role(s) of erythropoietin (Epo) during primitive erythropoiesis. Specifically, I will examine the function of Epo in the proliferation, differentiation, and/or survival of primitive erythroblasts during development.
Hometown: Middle Island, NY
B.S., Biology, State University of New York Geneseo
Mentor: James Palis

Third Year

Jong-Wei Hsu (Gus)
My current study focus on establishing a prostate cancer model which is induced by sex hormones and studying the mechanisms which are involved in this cancer model.
Hometown: Changhua County, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Animal Science, National Taiwan University
Mentors: Chawnshang Chang and Yi-Fen Lee

Kuo-Pao Lai (Jimmy)
My research interests focus on the role of androgen receptor (AR) in T-lymphocyte development and prostate stromal development using AR knock-out mice.
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Life Science, National Tsing-Hua University
Mentor: Chawnshang Chang

Diana Metz-Estrella
My main interest is bone biology and pathology. My current project is to determine the role of a protein named TRIP (TGF-beta receptor interacting protein) in the BMP and TGF-beta signaling pathways in osteoblast differentiation and proliferation. Novel proteins such as TRIP may lead to further insight on the causes and treatment of skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis.
Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico
B.S., Biology, University of Puerto Rico
Mentor: J. Edward Puzas

Amish Naik
Bone undergoes regenerative repair and remodeling as opposed to fibrosis in response to traumatic injury. I will examine how aging specifically affects fracture healing and explore potential therapeutic interventions to that end. As an M.D. Ph.D. student (MSTP), my long term interests are focused on translational research and patient care.
Hometown: Reading, PA
B.A., Biological Basis of Behavior, University of Pennsylvania
Mentor: Regis O'Keefe

Mustimbo Roberts
Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune epithelitis with described lymphocytic infiltrates in to the lacrimal glands, and to a larger extent the salivary glands. The focus of my project is to characterize the local autoimmune response in the salivary glands of SS patients by describing the antigenic specificity of potentially novel SS specific human monoclonal autoantibodies generated from the memory b-lymphocyte component of the infiltrate.
Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas
B.S., Biochemistry, Oakwood College
Mentor: Ignacio Sanz

Joanna Touger
I am interested in immunology research, especially autoimmunity. I hope to take on research with direct clinical relevance that will help bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic.
Hometown: New York, NY
B.A., Biology, Williams College
M.D./Ph.D. Program

Meina Wang
My research interest is in understanding the regulation of the Smurf2 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets TGF-ß signaling molecules for degradation) gene in Osteoarthritis.
Hometown: Qitai, People's Republic of China
M.S., Materials Science, Norfolk State University
Mentor: Michael Zuscik

Jonathan Weber
After college I worked at the University of Rochester as a technician studying parathyroid hormone and its effects on bone with Dr. Laura Calvi. This research implicates osteoblasts as a niche for hematopoietic stem cells. I like that the basic research I have done has the potential for large clinical applications.
Hometown: Penfield, NY
B.A., Biology with Environmental Science, Colby College
Mentor: Laura Calvi

Fourth Year

Alayna Loiselle
I work in the center for musculoskeletal research. The focus of my project is to understand the temporal and spatial gene expression patterns in the healing tendon, and to investigate mechanisms to aid in tendon healing.
Home town: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
B.S., Biology, Niagara University
Mentor: Regis O'Keefe

Pramodh Seneviratne
My interests include research into infectious diseases at the molecular level, especially viral diseases.
Home town: Colombo, Sri Lanka
B.S., Botany, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Mentor: Alan Smrcka

Jing Wang
My interest is to explore effective strategies for prevention and treatment of human diseases, especially in the fields of molecular medicine and genetic engineering.
Home town: Beijing, People's Republic of China
M.D., Beijing Medical University, PRC
Mentors: Bradford Berk and Chen Yan

Fifth Year and Above

Matthew Cannon
Research interests include the mitochondrial basis of disease and the use of transmitochondrial animal models to look at the interplay of mitochondrea and the respiratory chain in pathogenesis.
Home town: Akron, Ohio
B.S., Biology, University of Akron
Mentor: Carl Pinkert

Ming Chen
Research Direction: Functional Characterization of ERAP75/TSP as an Estrogen Receptor Coactivator
Home town: Hubei, People's Republic of China
M.S., Zoology, East China Normal University
Mentor: Shuyuan Yeh

Shang-Yi Chiu
Axam is a SUMO protease which is involved in the Wnt signaling pathway in vitro. We have found that deletion of this gene in the mouse is embryonic lethal. Investigating the role of Axam in mouse embryogenesis is the goal of my thesis work.
Home town: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
B.S., Botany, National Taiwan University
Mentor: Wei Hsu

Christine Clark
My research examines the role of Prostaglandin E2 during endochondral bone formation. Specifically, I am looking into the effect of PGE2 on the genes involved in chondrogenesis.
Home town: Staunton, Illinois
B.S., Genetic Engineering, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Mentor: Regis O'Keefe

Alicia Clementi
Increased central obesity can cause insulin resistance and type II diabetes in adults as well as children. It is known that increased levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as, TNF and IL-6) can also cause insulin resistance. My research is directed toward defining the link(s) between inflammation, obesity, and the development of insulin resistance in the liver.
Home town: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
B.S., Biology, Delaware Valley College
Mentor: Robert Mooney

David Dunn
My current interest lies in phenotypic characterization of transmitochondrial mice. For further information see:
Development and Initial Characterization of Xenomitochondrial Mice. (2004). Trounce I, McKenzie M, Cassar C, Lerner C, Dunn D, Donegan C, Takeda K, Pogozelski W, Howell R, and Pinkert C. JOBB. 36, 421-427.
Home town: Bluffdale, Utah
M.S., Animal Science, Brigham Young University
Mentor: Carl Pinkert

Lea Gunnell
My thesis research involves studying the role of ATF-2 in cartilage development, maintenance, and fracture healing. Through the use of murine models, I will be looking at its affects on both normal development and maintainence, as well as its potential involvement in osteoarthritis.
Home town: Davison, Michigan
B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University
Ph.D. and M.D. programs

Aimee Johnson
Currently, men are 3 times more likely to contract bladder cancer than women. A better understanding of what causes this difference is essential in developing and improving therapy for bladder cancer patients. We are studying how changes in steroid hormone (androgen and estrogen) levels affect proliferation and apoptosis in bladder cancer cell lines and the incidence and growth of bladder cancer in mice genetically engineered to get bladder cancer.
Home town: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
B.S., Psychology, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Mentor: Jay Reeder

Pu-Yeh Kan
My research is about studying histone protein interactions in chromatin structures. I use an in vitro reconstituted model oligonucleosomal array for my experiments. Chromatin structures are very hard to study. There are many different interactions between proteins and DNA in chromatin. So, our lab uses an in vitro model to simulate real chromatin structures and to study the links between those interactions and chromatin conformational changes.
Hometown: Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Microbiology, National Taiwan University
Mentor: Jeffrey J. Hayes

Jiann-Jyh Lai (J.J.)
My research mainly focuses on using an EAE (Experimental Autoimmune
Encephalitis) and wound healing animal model to study the role of androgen receptor in autoimmune disease and inflammation.
Home town: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Immunology, National Taiwan University
Mentor: Chawnshang Chang

Ting-Hein Lee (Albert)
I have always been fascinated with the application of transgenic mice to study human diseases. Although this is my main interest, I remain curious about different ideas or other new methods.
Home town: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Anatomy, National Taiwan University
Mentor: Joseph Miano

Ning-Chun Liu (Benson)
My current research focuses on TR4 orphan nuclear receptor, and studying the physiological function of TR4 in glucose metabolism by using TR4KO mice.
Home town: Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Microbiology, National Taiwan University
Mentor: Chawnshang Chang

Su Liu
My current project focuses on premature aging in TR4 KO mice and the molecular mechanism behind this. TR4 is an orphan nuclear receptor. Although we don’t know the whole picture yet, TR4 must play an important role in cellular and physiological function regulation judged by the phenotype of TR4 KO mice.
Home town: Xiamen, People's Republic of China
M.S., Cell Biology, Xiamen University
Mentors: Chawnshang Chang and Yi-Fen Lee

Wen-Lung Ma (Maverick)
I am very interested in the cytosolic aggreome function and its linkage to Androgenic signaling. It’s an exciting project. I use many novel techniques and new methodologies, approach things from different angles, and hope to see something interesting, exciting and significant. My research work also includes liver cancer, hepatitis, prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Home town: Feng Shang, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
M.S., Physiology, National Cheng-Kung University, Taiwan, ROC
Mentor: Chawnshang Chang

Rachel Mroczek
My research in the musculoskeletal and orthopedics department involves working with bone formation processes. I am currently studying BMP signaling in osteoblast differentiation processes and exploring the possible role novel proteins, such as TRIP (TGF-beta receptor interacting protein), play within this signaling pathway.
Home town: Rochester, New York
B.S., Biology, Elon University
Mentor: J. Edward Puzas

W. W. Shanaka I. Rodrigo
My research focuses on “the characterization of the relative roles of human Fcγ receptors and dengue viral epitopes in pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS)”. This has broad implications in understanding mechanisms of pathogenesis and infectivity of viruses belonging to many viral families, diagnosis and in vaccine development. My long term interests include clinical and translational research involving Emerging infectious disease, Molecular Flavivirology, and Vaccinology.
Home town: Colombo, Sri Lanka
B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Mentor: Robert Rose

Jessica Spahn
The liver is a site where tolerance is favored over immune reaction. There is evidence that Kupffer cells, the resident liver macrophage, plays an important role in this process. I am looking at the different mechanisms by which Kupffer cells might have this effect.
While tolerance is favorable in most cases, in the liver it can be detrimental. One such example is Hepatitis C virus infection in which the majority of the patients develop chronic infection. Our models aim to mimic such an infection and to determine the role of Kupffer cells in causing the infection to become persistent.
Home town: St. Louis, Missouri
B.S., Biology, Loyola University of Chicago
Mentor: I. Nicholas Crispe

Yu Zhang (Robin)
During bone formation and joint diseases, the chondrocytes play a critical role. My project mainly focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind differentiation and maturation of chondrocytes. Both a transgenic mouse model and in vitro cell model are used in my research.
Home town: Beijing, People's Republic of China
M.D., Beijing Medical University
Mentor: Regis O'Keefe
Ph.D. and M.B.A. programs