2012-2013 PhD Recipients Thesis Titles

2017-2018 PhD Thesis Titles 2016-2017 PhD Thesis Titles 2015-2016 PhD Thesis Titles

2013-2014 PhD Thesis Titles  2011-2012 PhD Thesis Titles 2010-2011 PhD Thesis Titles

October 12, 2012

Danielle Alcena, B.S. Voorhees College 2004; M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Role of Autoreactivity in the Neutralization of HIV-1 Infection

Melissa Badding, B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology 2007; M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Toxicology

Thesis: Cytoplasmic Factors that Impact Intracellular Plasmid Trafficking During Gene Transfer

Paul Black, B.S. College of William and Mary 2007; M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biophysics

Thesis: Distribution and Evolution of Free Radicals in DNA and Protein Powders: Multiple-Track Radiation Chemistry

Youngsun Cho, B.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2005; M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Defining Limbic Subsystems: Examining a Functional Reward Network and Cortico-Amygdala-Striatal Anatomic Circuits

Jennifer DeAngelis, B.S. Connecticut College 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Biochemistry

Thesis: The Mechanisms for Catalytic Inactivation of FVIIIa by APC and Factor Xa

Adam Derr, B.S. University of Wisconsin 2002, M.S. University of Rochester 2008; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: NADH oxidase and stress responses in Streptococcus mutans: a phenotypical and regulatory characterization

Lin Fan, B.S. Fudan University 2003, M.S. Fudan University 2006, Health Services and Research Policy

Thesis: Rural Urban Disparity in the Use of Preventive Care: What Can We Learn from Colorectal Cancer Screening?

Rozzy Finn, B.A. Bard College at Simon’s Rock 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Biochemistry

Thesis: The Role of Glutamate Receptors in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Lin Gao, B.S. Jilin University 2000, M.S. Jinlin University 2003, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Pathology

Thesis: The role of TAK1 mediated signaling in cartilage development and diseases

Jason Gloor, B.S. University of Colorado 1994, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Characterizing the Interaction and Function of Proteins in Eukaryotic Lagging Strand DNA Replication

Kaisha Gonzalez, B.S. Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-San German 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: DNA Base Excision Repair: A Network of Defense, Mutagenesis and Tolerance in Streptococcus Mutans

Yu-Hui Huang, B.S. National Taiwan University 2001, M.S. National Yang-Ming University 2003; M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Regulatory t Cell Control of CD4 T Cell Signaling

Dae Sung Hwangbo, B.S. Kyungpook National University 1999, M.S. Brown University 2002, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Genetics

Thesis: Regulation of Apoptosis, Innate Immunity, and Longevity by dWDR40 in Drosophila melanogaste

Athena Kantartzis, B.S. Geneva College 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Biochemistry

Thesis: Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Genome Maintenance

Nir Maimon, B.S. ORT Braude Academic College of Engineering 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2008; Pharmacology

Thesis: The Mechanisms that Mediate Skeletal Muscle Arteriolar Dilatory Response to Adenosine: Novel Pre-Exposure Effect via PKA Activation

Jessica McArdle, B.S. Nazareth College 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Uncovering the Mechanisms by Which Human Cytomegalovirus Mediates Glycolytic Activation

Safiehkhatoon Moshkani, B.S. University of Tehran 1987, M.S. Tarbiat Modares University 1997, M.S. California State University- Los Angeles 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: B Cells in Inflamed Lymph Nodes: A Link Between Inflammation and Autoimmunity

Hristina Nedelkovska, B.S. SUNY Fredonia 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2008; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Nonclassical MHC class Ib molecules: Critical players in tumor immune surveillance and potential immunotherapy targets

Wei Pan, B.S. Northeast Normal University 1999, M.S. Chinese Academy of Agriculture 2002, M.S. University of Florida 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Genetics

Thesis: Function of Notch Signaling in the Development of Sensory Progenitors in the Mouse Inner Ear

Yilin Qi, B.S. Beijing Normal University 2002, M.S. Beijing Normal University 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: The Expression and Regulation of Amphiregulin in Human T Cells and Basophils

Mohammed Rahman, B.S.C. Gauhati University 1998, M.S.C. Tezpur University 2000, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Genetics

Thesis: The Role of the Nrf2 Dimerization Partner Maf-S in Drosophila Gene Regulation, Stress Response and Aging

Brendaliz Santiago, B.S. University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Role of Aminotransferases in Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism: Acid Tolerance and Fatty Acid Synthesis in Streptococcus mutans

Katherine Selzler, B.S. Bucknell University 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation and Basal Ganglia Circuits: Dissociable Neurophysiological and Behavioral Effects

Jyoti Shankar, M.M.B.S. Maulana Azad Medical College 2003; Epidemiology

Thesis: Breast Cancer Heterogeneity: Race, Reproductive and Hormonal Factors

Jie Shen, B.S. Nanjing University 2006, M.S. Nanjing University 2008, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Genetics

Thesis: Loss of TGF-beta Signaling Leads to Up-Regulation of Mmp13 and Adamts5 and the Development of Osteoarthritis

Wen Shen, B.S. Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Factors that Promote Strand Transfer Recombination during HIV-1 Reverse Transcription

Mercedes Szpunar, B.S. Loyola University Chicago 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pathology

Thesis: Evidence for Sympathetic Nervous System Regulation of Breast Cancer Progression

Ethan Winkler, B.A. University of Southern California 2009, M.S. University of Rochester 2012; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration

Matthew Wojtesta, B.A. University of Rochester 2004; Health Services and Research Policy

Thesis: A Mechanistic Explanation for Physician Responses to Patient Requests

March 15, 2013

Prahnesh Akshayalingam Venkataraman, B.S. Anna University 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2007; Biophysics

Thesis: Biophysical Characterization of the Oxalate Transporter Ox1T

Margaret Casazza, B.S. University of Rochester 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Genetics

Thesis: guk-1, a Conserved Soluble Guanylate Kinase, is Required for Both Development and Neural Signaling in C. elegans

Zhen Chen, B.S. Dalian University of Technology 2004, M.A. University of Rochester 2008; Statistics

Thesis: A Flexible Copula Model for Bivariate Survival Data

Whitney Christian, B.S. Davidson College 2001, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Toxicology

Thesis: Identification of Residues Required for Functional Interaction of the Two Subunits of the Organic Solute Transporter, OSTα-OSTβ

Punsiri Mahendra Colonne, B.S.C. University of Colombo- Sri Lanka 2002, M.S. New Mexico Military Institute 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pathology

Thesis: Interferon-β-mediated Innate Host Defense in Rickettsia conorii-infected Human Endothelium

Maria Diehl, B.S. Emory University 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Neuroscience

Thesis: Neuronal Activity and Connections of Face and Vocalization Processing Regions of the Primate Prefrontal Cortex

Pranabananda Dutta, B.S. University of Calcutta 1999, M.S. University of Calcutta 2001, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Genetics

Thesis: The Role of Drosophila taranis in Polycomb mediated transcriptional silencing and in maintenance of germline stem cell niche

Meital Gabay, B.S. ORT Braude College 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Pharmacology

Thesis: Ric-8 Proteins Are Molecular Chaperones that Direct Nascent G Protein Subunit Membrane Association

Chenguang Gong, B.S. Nanjing University 2002, M.S. Nanjing University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Biochemistry

Thesis: Staufen1-Mediated mRNA Decay in Mammalian Cells

Jeffrey Harder, B.S. Penn State University 2001, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Pathology

Thesis: The Role of Bcl-2 Family Members in Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

Roni Kobrosly, B.A. Rice University 2006; Epidemiology

Thesis: An Epidemiologic Investigation into the Relationship between Stress, Allostatic Load, and Depressive Disorder Among Older Adults

Shin-Jen Lin, B.S. National Taiwan University 2002, M.S. Georgetown University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Pathology

Thesis: The Protective Role of TR4 in Prostate Cancer

Tzu Hua Lin, B.S. National Taiwan University2003, M.S. National Cheng Kung University 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pathology

Thesis: Differential Androgen Deprivation Therapies Lead to Promote or Suppress Prostate Cancer Metastasis

Casey Manning, B.S. Central Michigan University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Toxicology

Thesis: Radiation effects on the pulmonary response to influenza A virus infection

Sarah McConnell, B.A. Oberlin College 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Methamphetamine-induced Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity: a role for Interleukin-1β

Adam Miller, B.A. Fort Hays State University 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Human Telomere DNA Damage by Oxidation and Direct Effect Ionizing Radiation and the Promotion of Telemere DNA Repair by Telemere Proteins

Emilio Javier Ortiz Riano, B.S. University of Chile- Santiago 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Dissecting the Multifunctional Arenavirus Nucleoprotein

Phillip Rappold, B.S. Cornell University 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2012; Neuroscience

Thesis: Pathogenic mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies in Parkinson's disease

Karyn Schmidt, B.S. University of Rochester 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Air Proteins Control Differential TRAMP Substrate Specificity for Nuclear RNA Surveillance

Chia Thach, B.S. University of Wisconsin- Madison 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Toxicology

Thesis: Modulation of Interleukin-8 Activity Upon Lipid Raft Disruption and particle exposure

Guowei Wu, B.S.C. Sun Yat-sen University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Biochemistry

Thesis: Constructive and inducible pseudouridylation of S. cerevisiae U2 snRNA

Michael Wu, B.S. Carnegie Mellon University 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Inhibition of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis by Sustained Interleukin-1β

Zhenjiang Xu, B.S. Beijing Normal University 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biophysics

Thesis: Non-Coding RNA: From Structure Prediction to Discovery in Genomes

Lianghui Zhang, B.S. Xinjiang Medical University 1995, M.S. Shandong University- School of Medicine 2000, M.D. Fudan University- Shanghai Medical College 2003, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pharmacology

Thesis: Mechanisms for Phospholipase Cє-Dependent Regulation of Cardiac Hypertrophy

May 18, 2013

Shilpa Aggarwal, B.S. Chaudhary Charan Singh University (Meerut University) 2004, M.S. Punjabi University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Biochemical Analysis of Enzyme Fidelity and Temperature-Dependent Activity of Influenza Virus RNA Polymerase Complex

Angela Aggrey, B.S. Ramapo College of New Jersey 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pathology

Thesis: A Novel Protective Role for Platelet-Mediated Immune Responses in Murine Experimental Cerebral Malaria

Eric Beier, B.S. University of Wisconsin- La Crosse 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Toxicology

Thesis: Lead Inhibits Skeletal Wnt Signaling and Manifests in Osteoporosis

Sheila Bello-Irizarry, B.S. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: MyD88-Dependent Signaling Pathways Contribute to both Host Defense and Immunopathogenesis during Pneumocystis Infection

Kristy Bialas, B.S. Gettysburg College 2008, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Identifying the Molecular Determinants of Influenza Virus Morphology and its Correlation with Efficiency of Viral Spread In Vitro

Hsing-Yu Chen, B.S. National Taiwan Normal University 2003, M.S. National Tsinghua University 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Pathology

Thesis: Identification of the mechanism of Tamoxifen resistance in basal-like breast cancers

Ryan Cummings, B.A. University of Delaware 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Investigation, In Situ, of the Cutaneous Dendritic Cell Response Following Ionizing Radiation Exposure

Donna Davidson, B.S. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Elucidating the Role of Soluble CD40 Ligand in the Pathogenesis of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND)

Kimberly Dean, B.S. St. Louis University 2002, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Selection, Identification, and Characterization of Codon Pairs that Inhibit Translation and the Development of the RNA-ID Method to Measure the Effects of Cis-Regulatory Elements

David Easterhoff, B.S. Marian University (Marian College of Fond du Lac) 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Characterization of Amyloid Fibrils in Seminal Fluid and Their Interaction with Pathogens

Veena Ganeshan, B.S.E. Wright State University- Dayton 2005, M.S.E. Wright State University- Dayton 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Neuroscience

Thesis: The Role of p75NTR and its signaling pathways in Fenretinide (4-hydroxyphenyl retinamide)-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells

Ia Wen Hsu, B.S. Tsinghua University 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Pathology

Thesis: The Roles of Estrogen Receptors in the Bladder Cancer Development

Anat Kohn, B.S. University of Rochester 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Genetics

Thesis: The role of RBPjk-Dependent Notch Signaling During Cartilage Development of the Limb Skeleton

I-Hsin Kuo, B.S. National Taiwan University 2004, M.S. National Taiwan University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pathology

Thesis: Activation of Epidermal Toll-like Receptor 2 Enhances Tight Junction Function: Implications for Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Barrier Repair

John Lapek, B.S. Penn State University 2005, M.S. University of Rochester 2012; Toxicology

Thesis: Histidine and Aspartic Acid Phosphorylation in a Human Prostate Cancer Progression Model

Denisse Licon, B.A. New Mexico State University 2003, M.P.H. New Mexico State University 2005; Epidemiology

Thesis: The Association between Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status and Cervical Cancer Screenings and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Monroe County

Geoffrey Lippa, B.S. Hobart and William Smith Colleges 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Thermodynamic Analysis and Characterization of Viral-Host Protein Interactions as a Preface to HIV Therapeutic Design

Jeffrey Malik, B.S. SUNY Geneseo 2001, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Pathology

Thesis: Erythropoietin Regulates Terminal Maturation of Mouse and Human Primitive Erythroid Cells

Daniel Marker, B.S. Clarkson University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Neuroscience

Thesis: URMC-099, A Novel Kinase Inhibitor with Drug-like Properties, is Neuroprotective in Models of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

David McMillan, B.E. Vanderbilt University 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Toxicology

Thesis: Attenuation of Inflammation by the NF-kB Member RelB

Sara Montgomery, B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology 2008, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Pathology

Thesis: Cell and Stage-specific Impact of TNF-alpha Receptor Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease

Erin Noble, B.S. University of Rochester 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Influenza A Virus Replication: Biochemical Characterization of Conserved RNA Promoter Structure and PA Subunit Endonuclease Activity

Shanshan Pei, B.S. University of Science and Technology 2004, M.S. University of Kentucky- Lexington 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Genetics

Thesis: Characterization of the Anti-leukemia Mechanism of Parthenolide

Sharon Pepenella, B.S. SUNY Geneseo 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Characterization of Intra- and Inter-nucleosomal Interactions of the Histone H4 Tail Domain and the Effects of H4 Acetylation on Chromatin Structure

Nelissa Perez-Nazario, B.S. University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2009; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Alveolar Epithelial Cell Activation of IKK2 during Pneumocystis Infection Regulates Immunity and Organism Clearance

Sesquile Ramon, B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: The Effects of Specialized Proresolving Lipid Mediators on B Lymphocyte Function: Implications for B Cell Differentiation and Antibody Production

Danny Rogers, B.S. Brigham Young University- Utah 2004, M.S. University of Rochester 2011; Neurobiology and Anatomy

Thesis: Novel Approaches for Targeting Undifferentiated Cells in Neuroblastoma

Abigail Sedlacek, B.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Enhancing T Cell and NK Cell Mediated anti-Tumor Immune Responses Through the use of Immunotherapy

Jharon Silva, B.A. Hunter College 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2012; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: Modeling the Effect of HIV-1 Induced Neuroinflammation on the Cerebral Vasculature: Acute Intracranial Exposure to HIV-1 Tat Leads to Dysregulation of Cerebrovascular Reactivity, While Chronic Tat Exposure Results in Reduced Vascular Density

Cody Spencer, B.S. SUNY Oswego 2006, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Biochemistry

Thesis: Fatty Acid Biosynthesis: Elucidating the Mechanisms Behind the Manipulation and Necessity of a Metabolic Pathway Critical for Viral and Cancer Pathogenesis

Oded Spindel, B.S.C. ORT Braude Academic College of Engineering 2008, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Pharmacology

Thesis: Characterization of Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein (TXNIP), an α-Arrestin Scaffold Protein, in Endothelial Signaling

Sarah Van Cor-Hosmer, B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology 2007, M.S. University of Rochester 2010; Microbiology and Immunology

Thesis: The Impact of dNTP Concentrations on the Early Stages of HIV-1 Transduction