Alumni

Mechanisms of Host Adaptation of Influenza A Virus through Polymerase PA Mutations

Advisor: Toru Takimoto, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Advisor: Stephen Hammes, M.D., Ph.D.

Effects of Dietary and Environmental Exposures on Infant Immune Development

Advisor: Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.

Advisor: David Topham, Ph.D.

Investigating the Role of Mycobacterial DD-carboxypeptidases in the Synthesis of 3-3 Crosslinks

Advisor: Martin Pavelka, Ph.D.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulation of T follicular helper cell differentiation and function during respiratory viral infection

Advisor: B. Paige Lawrence, Ph.D.

Harnessing CD4 T cell localization and functional potential to enhance protective immunity to influenza virus

IFN-γ-Mediated Death of Metabolically Altered Paneth Cells

Advisor: Felix Yarovinsky, M.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Texas at Austin

Characterizing and Targeting the Pancreatic Tumor Draining Lymph Node to Enhance Antitumor Responses in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Advisor: David Linehan, M.D. & Scott Gerber, Ph.D.

The roles of Innate-like T cells and macrophages during Mycobacterium marinum infection in Xenopus laevis

Advisor: Jacques Robert, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at NIH/NIAID

Discovery of macrophage hypophagia as a critical regulator of antibody mediated cellular cytotoxicity

Advisor: Michael Elliott, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Virginia

Characterization of Two Disparate Modes by which Viruses Exploit Host factors to Promote their own Dissemination and Replication

Advisor: Sanjay Maggirwar, Ph.D. & Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Rochester

Epithelial protein kinase D is a novel regulator of anti-viral immunity

Advisor: Steve Georas, M.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated is required for response to influenza A virus infection

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D. & Michael O'Reilly, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Investigating the Role of Tetherin in Monocyte Derived Microparticle Regulation during HIV Infection

Advisor: Sanjay Maggirwar, Ph.D. & Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Instructor of Biological Sciences at Fort Hays State University

Developmental Activation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Results in Durable Changes to the Responsive Capacity and Epigenetic Landscape of CD4+ T Cells

Advisor: B. Paige Lawrence, Ph.D.

Now: Integrated Product Development Associate at Rho, Inc.

Characterization of Staphylococccus aureus RnpA and approaches for antibacterial discovery

Advisor: Paul Dunman, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at Emory University

Human Platelet Dysregulation by Antiretroviral Drugs and Cigarette Smoke In Vitro

Advisor: Craig Morrell, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Now: ORISE Postdoctoral Fellow at Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

An Insight Into Human Cytomegalovirus Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming

Advisor: Joshua Munger, Ph.D.

Now: Scientist at Oncorus, Inc.

Rational Alterations to the Influenza A Polymerase Have Ramifications for Both Therapeutic Intervention and Pandemic Preparedness

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Medical School, URMC

Early Detection and Chronic Management of Sepsis

Advisor: Minsoo Kim, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Uncovering the Role of TNF-alpha in the Genesis of Inflammatory Interstitial Lung Disease in the TNF-Transgenic Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Advisor: Edward Schwarz, Ph.D.

Now: Medical School, URMC

Elucidating the Role of Cholesterol in Respiratory RNA Virus Infection and Transmission

Advisor: Toru Takimoto, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Exploring the evolutionary relevance of MHC class 1-like molecules and innate-like Tcells in Xenopus tumor immunity

Advisor: Jacques Robert, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Colorado

Effects of Total-Body vs. Localized Radiation Exposure on the Immune System

Advisor: Edith Lord, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center

Investigation into the roles of vaccinia virus protein F13 and its molluscum contagiosum virus homolog MC021

Advisor: Brian Ward, Ph.D.

Mechanistic Analysis of Influenza A Virus Assembly and Host Gene Regulation

Advisor: Toru Takimoto, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Now: Instructor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

The Dichotomy of Curaxin Compounds in HIV-1 Latency

Advisor: Jian Zhu, Ph.D.

Now: Resident, Neurology at University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital

Defining Functional Roles for the Rhamnose-glucose Polysaccharides of Streptococcus mutans

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Research Microbiologist at Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Effects of P2Y2 Signaling on Regulation of Efferocytosis and CXCR4 Internalization

Advisor: Michael Elliott, Ph.D.

Now: Science Educator at Derryfield School

Impact of tumor hypoxia on immune response: implication for radiotherapy and anti-tumor immunity

Advisor: Edith Lord, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral fellow at University of Pennsylvania

Efficient Germinal Center Support Requires Tfh Expression of Alpha V Integrins

Advisor: Deborah Fowell, Ph.D.

Now: IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow at NIH – NHLBI

Chemokine Independent CD8+ T cell Migration

Advisor: Minsoo Kim, Ph.D.

Now: Scientist – Flow Cytometry at Champions Oncology, Inc.

Specificity determinants of homologous VapBC toxin-antitoxin systems

Advisor: Scott Butler, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at NIH

The Effect of Memory B cells on Influenza Vaccination, Immune Focusing, and Implications on Vaccine Design

Advisor: David Topham, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral fellow at University of Rochester

The Role of Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Advisor: Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D. & Deborah Fowell, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca

The Effects that Antigen Density and Composition of Nanoparticles has on the Immune Response

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Rochester

Targeting the radiotherapy-induced immune response leads to increased efficacy and survival in preclinical tumor models

Advisor: Scott Gerber, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University

Investigating PSGL-1 Dysregulation During HIV-1 Infection

Advisor: Sanjay Maggirwar, Ph.D.

Insights into CD4 T Cell-Mediated Immunity to Influenza Viruses

Advisor: Andrea Sant, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist at Moderna

Spontaneous Immune Dysregulation in the Skin in the Absence of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein

Advisor: Deborah Fowell, Ph.D.

Now: Intern/Resident, Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPMs) as Potential Therapeutics for Asthma by Regulating Human B-cell Antibody Production

Advisor: Richard Phipps, Ph.D.

Now: Toxicologist at Covance

Analysis of the capacity of Salmonella Typhimurium to infect the human placenta

Advisor: Shawn Murphy, Ph.D.

Now: Medical Writer at AlphaBioCom

Staphylococcus aureus Pathoadaptation and Development of Resistance to Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation

Advisor: Steven Gill, Ph.D.

Now: Scientist at Cytovance Biologics

Characterization of the LFR Genomic Islet in Staphylococcus aureus CC30

Advisor: Steven Gill, Ph.D.

Now: Director of Infection Control at Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY

Acid and Oxidative Stress Responses in Streptococcus mutans

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Staff Scientist at J. Craig Venter Institute

New Therapeutic Methods to Treat Infections Caused by The ESKAPE Pathogens

Advisor: Paul Dunman, Ph.D.

Now: Medical Student at SUNY Upstate

LFA-1 in T cell activation and migration

Increasing the safety of the Live Attenuated Influenza Virus Vaccine

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: House Officer at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center

Mechanisms of CD4+ T cell motility in the inflamed dermal interstitium

Advisor: Deborah Fowell, Ph.D.

Now: Resident Physician at UPMC

Effects of inflammation on tissue-resident macrophage efferocytosis responses and population dynamics

Advisor: Michael Elliott, Ph.D.

Now: Research Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh

Coordinated Regulation of Virulence, Motility, Biofilm and Stress Response Phenotypes in Type Three Secretion System Positive Vibrio cholerae

Advisor: Michelle Dziejman, Ph.D.

Now: Associate Producer at NPR

The Packaging Signals of Influenza A and B Viruses Contribute to Their Speciation and Can Be Manipulated for Novel Vaccine Development

Advisor: Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Characterizing the effects of developmental activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor on CD4+ T cell responses later in life

Advisor: B. Paige Lawrence, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Medical Writer at Medtronic

Development of Live-Attenuated Arenavirus Vaccines

Advisor: Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Consultant at Navigant

Modeling HIV-1 Induced Blood-Brain Barrier in Mice

Advisor: Sanjay Maggirwar, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoctoral Scholar Scientist at Duke University

Discovery of New Molecules that Regulate Platelet Function

Advisor: Richard Phipps, Ph.D.

Now: Study Director Manager at Covance

Examination of the Roles of the Endopeptidase RipA and the Penicillin Binding Protein PonA2 in Mycobacterial Cell Wall Maintenance

Advisor: Martin Pavelka, Ph.D.

Now: Technical Application Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Chemokine signaling to guild T cell migration via integrin activation and redistribution

Role of ß-Phosphoglucomutase in Carbon Metabolism and Stress Responsiveness of Streptococcus mutans

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Cancer Research Scientist at UNC School of Pharmacy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Analysis of Cellular Signaling Within the Human Placenta: Implications for Vascular Development and Trophoblast Cell Function

Advisor: Shawn Murphy, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist, Team Leader at BioNTech SE

Coordinated Regulation of Pathogenic Phenotypes and Host Response by the Vibrio cholerae Type Three Secretion System

Advisor: Michelle Dziejman, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist, Cell and Molecular Biology at Syros Pharmaceuticals

Regulation and Function of Vibrio cholerae Type Three Secretion System Island Encoded Gene Products

Advisor: Michelle Dziejman, Ph.D.

Now: Scientist at Glycosyn, LLC

Characterization of the Spx global regulator in Streptococcus mutans

Advisor: Jose Lemos, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Rochester

Platelet-derived microparticles as transcellular messengers

Advisor: Richard Phipps, Ph.D.

Now: Adjunct Lecturer at Cornell University

Genetic characterization and mechanism of cross-talk between the cAMP/PKA and RAM pathways during Candida albicans hyphal morphogenesis

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor at SUNY Brockport

Replication of HIV in macrophages: Effects of SAMHD1 on dNTP levels, viral mutagenesis, and antiviral efficacy

Advisor: Robert Bambara, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at Cornell University

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

Advisor: Terry Wright, Ph.D.

Now: Regulatory Affairs Leader and Strategist at UCB

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

Advisor: Toru Takimoto, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Now: Scientific Reviewer at FDA

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

Advisor: Edith Lord, Ph.D.

Now: Associate Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca

SAMHD1-mediated dNTP Pool Regulation in Macrophage: Effect on HIV-1 Reverse Transcription Kinetics and Fidelity

Advisor: Baek Kim, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

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

Advisor: Sanjay Maggirwar, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Medical Writer at Medtronic

Diversity of cytokine expression patterns in the Th1-dominated human anti-influenza CD4 T cell response is due to both stochastic expression of Th1 cytokines, and a minor population of uncommitted Thpp cells

Advisor: Tim Mosmann, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at University of Rochester Medical Center (Biostatistics)

Optimizing Antigen Delivery Approaches for HIV Immunization

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Research Scientist at Bausch and Lomb

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

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Associate Scientific Director at Moderna

The Physiological Significance of (p)ppGpp in Enterococcus faeccalis

Advisor: Jose Lemos, Ph.D.

Now: Research Scientist at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Role of Interferons and Immunotherapy in Enhancing Radiation Treatment of Cancer

Advisor: Edith Lord, Ph.D.

Now: Senor Scientist at Codiak BioSciences

HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase: Dissociation During Strand Transfer and Effects of Efavirenz on RNase H Activity

Advisor: Robert Bambara, Ph.D.

Now: Ag. Dean at Faculty of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, Meru, Kenya

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

Advisor: Baek Kim, Ph.D.

Now: Subject Matter Expert at Freedom Learning Corp

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

Advisor: Terry Wright, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at University of Rochester Medical Center (Dermatology)

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

Advisor: Richard Phipps, Ph.D.

Now: Director, External Engagement, Strategy and Portfolio Global Immuno-Oncology Franchise at AstraZeneca

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

Advisor: Edith Lord, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at University of Pittsburgh

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

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Physician at The Hospital of Central Connecticut

The regulation of CD4 T cells during adaptive immune responses in determining immunodominance

Advisor: Andrea Sant, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist at PureTech Health

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

Advisor: Baek Kim, Ph.D.

Now: Data Scientist at Digital First Media

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

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Microbiologist at the FDA

Insight into Influenza Manipulation of its Target Cell and the countermeasures Taken by the Host to Limit Infection

Advisor: Toru Takimoto, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Now: Associate Professor at Le Moyne College

Novel Targeting Strategies for Adenovirus Vectors: Investigating the Rad51 Promoter and Inducible Elements

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor of Clinical Endocrinologist at UC Health

DNA Base Excision Repair: a Network of Defense, Mutagenesis, and Tolerance in Streptococcus mutans

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist, Scientific Affairs at DiaSorin Molecular LLC

Macrophage Nucleotide Pools Uniquely Promote rNMP and dUMP Incorporation into HIV-1 DNA during Reverse Transcription: Affecting Viral Mutagenesis, Viability, and Potential Therapeutic Regimes

Advisor: Baek Kim, Ph.D.

Now: Director, Molecular Virology at Oncorus

The Non-Antibody Producing Role of B Cells in Inflammatory-Erosive Arthritis

Advisor: Edward Schwarz, Ph.D.

Now: Scientist, Translational Medicine at AnaptysBio

B cells in inflamed lymph nodes: a link between inflammation and autoimmunity

Advisor: Andrea Bottaro, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at Albany Medical College

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

Advisor: Jacques Robert, Ph.D.

Now: Lecturer at SUNY Geneseo

Dissecting the Multifunctional Arenavirus Nucleoprotein

Advisor: Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D.

Now: Medical Science Liaison Cardiopulmonary at Bayer

Role of Aminotransferases in branched-chain amino acid metabolism: acid tolerance and fatty acid synthesis in Streptococcus mutans

Advisor: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor at Rollins College

Syndecans Mediate Dengue Viral Infection of Endothelial Cells In Vitro

Advisor: Xia Jin, B.Med., Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) – Florida

Identification and Characterization of Polymerase Mutations that Contribute to Influenza Adaptation to Mammalian Hosts

Advisor: Toru Takimoto, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Now: Consultant at Deloitte

Alterations that influence dNTP substrate utilization by the adenovirus type 5 DNA polymerase result in selective modification of adenovirus replication

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Research Scientist at Battelle

Investigating the Function of Vaccinia Virus Protein A33 during Morphogenesis, Egress, and Infectivity

Advisor: Brian Ward, Ph.D.

Now: Director, Virus Research at DNAtrix, Inc.

SEVI, A Natural Enhancer of HIV Infection, as a Novel Target to Prevent HIV Transmission

Advisor: Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR

The Role of Transglutaminase 2 in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Advisor: Patricia Sime, M.D.

Now: Dermatologist at Private Practice

Development and Characterization of Attenuated IL-2 Fusion Proteins that can be Activated by Tumor-Expressed Proteases

Advisor: John Frelinger, Ph.D.

Now: Scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center

Investigation of the Intrinsic Antibody Dependent Enhancement Hypothesis

Advisor: Xia Jin, B.Med., Ph.D.

Now: Director, Research and Development Automation at Oxford Immunotec

The use of recombinant hemagglutinin proteins in the study of vaccination against emergent influenza viruses

Advisor: Andrea Sant, Ph.D. & David Topham, Ph.D.

Now: Research and Development Scientist at Radix BioSolutions

Development of a High Throughput Approach for the Identification of T Cell Epitopes in the Genomic Era: Application to Francisella tularensis

Advisor: John Frelinger, Ph.D.

Now: Scientific Director, Companion Diagnostics at Exosome Diagnostics

Vibrio cholerae Type Three Secretion System Regulators and Effectors: Identification and Role in Pathogenesis

Advisor: Michelle Dziejman, Ph.D.

Now: Assistant Professor at Emory University

Evaluation of Dengue Envelope Glycoprotein Domain III as a Subunit Vaccine Candidate for Prophylaxis of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Shock Syndrome

Advisor: Robert Rose, Ph.D.

Now: Patent Agent at Troutman Pepper

The Regulation of GATA-3 Expression and Function During Th2 Differentiation

Advisor: Jim Miller, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist at Amgen

Investigating the Role of Vaccinia Virus Protein A34 in Viral Morphogenesis and its Interaction with B5 and A33

Advisor: Brian Ward, Ph.D.

Now: Postdoc at University of Rochester Medical Center (Pathology)

Evolution and Immune Functions of Nonclassical MHC Class lb Genes in the Clawed Frogs Xenopus laevis and Silurana tropicalis

Advisor: Jacques Robert, Ph.D.

Now: Director of Immunology and Hematotoxicology at Janssen

Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of NsrR, a Nitric Oxide-Responsive Repressor in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Advisor: Virgina Clark, Ph.D.

Now: Director, Head of Microbial Physiology at Synlogic, Inc.

The Regulation of GATA-3 Expression and Function During Th2 Differentiation

Advisor: Sanjay Maggirwar, Ph.D.

Now: Research Assistant Professor at University of Rochester Medical Center (Microbiology & Immunology)

Genetic Manipulation of the Biological Threat Agent Francisella tularensis

Advisor: Martin Pavelka, Ph.D.

Now: Research Associate at US Department of Agriculture

Characterization of human anergic naïve B cells with decreased expression of surface IgM

Advisor: Ignacio Sanz, M.D.

Now: Instructor at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

A Study of the Molecular Characteristics of 9G4+ Autoantibodies and of B cell Tolerance in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Advisor: Ignacio Sanz, M.D.

Now: Assistant Professor at University of Rochester

Mechanisms of Intratumoral Vascular and Immune Alteration via Local Cytokine Treatment of Melanoma

Advisor: Edith Lord, Ph.D.

Now: Senior Scientist at Epizyme