Third Year (Ph.D. Program in Pathology)

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

Mentor: Jun-Ichi Abe

Mahendra Colonne

My research interests are mainly focused on studying the endothelial cell responses to intracellular obligate human pathogen Rickettsia and the mechanisms of pathogen clearance in the host.
Home town: Devalegama, Sri Lanka
M.S., Chemistry, New Mexico State University

Mentor: Sanjeev Sahni

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.
Home town: Nunda, NY
B.S., Cell & Developmental Biology

University of Rochester

Mentor: Laura Calvi

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

Mentor: William Ricke

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.
Home town: Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
M.S., Biology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Mentor: Chawnshang Chang

Tzu-Hua Lin (Dennis)
My research interest is mainly focused on the expression of androgen receptor and its functions in different types or different differentiated stages of cells, and their roles in the tissue micro-environment, such as prostate cancer.
Home town: Ban-Ciao City, Taiwan
M.S., Immunology & Microbiology, National Chen-Kong University

Mentor: Chawnshang Chang

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.
Home town: Chittenango, NY
B.S., Biochemistry, University of Rochester
Mentor: Laura Calvi
M.D./Ph.D. Program

Chung-Hsuan Shih (Richard)
My current project focus on generating glial cells from human ESC as a therapeutic tool for spinal cord injury.
Home town: Taipei, Taiwan
M.S., Biochemistry, Chang Gung University

Mentor: Christoph Proschel

Mercedes Szpunar
I am interested in women's health research. My current project focuses on breast tumor augmentation as the result of chronic stress.
Home town: Chicago, IL
Degree: B.S., Biology, Loyola University Chicago
Mentor: Edward Brown
M.D./Ph.D. Program