2025
Lily Cisco, Ph.D.Treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Mouse Models with Calcium Channel Blockers and Anti-myotonics
Advisor: John Lueck, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Rochester, Rochester NY
David Delemos, Ph.D.Electroporation-mediated Gene Delivery of CFTR Plasmids as a Novel Approach to Treat Cystic Fibrosis in vivo
Advisor: David Dean, Ph.D.
Wenqi Fu, Ph.D.Functional Role of Orphan G Protein-coupled Receptor GPRC5B in Retinoic Acid Induced Depressive-like Behaviors and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Advisor: Cesare Orlandi, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Martin Garcia, M.S.Characterization of KCNE6 and KCNE7: Novel Regulators of Cardiac Repolarization Channels KCNQ1 and hERG
Advisor: Douglas Anderson, Ph.D.
Chen Li, M.S.Immune Regulatory Role of Platelets: Platelets Maintain Monocyte Immune Homeostasis
Advisor: Craig Morrell, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Now: Scientist II at Nona Bioscience, Natick, MA
Yunzhi Lin, M.S.Platelet Regulation of Monocyte and Macrophage Activation Status
Advisor: Craig Morrell, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Now: Research Technician II at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Jing Luan, M.S.Histidine in the pH Modulatory Activity of the Principal Enamel Protein Amelogenin
Zahra Mahamed, M.S.Impact of Oxidative Stress on Inflammation and Pain Hypersensitivity in Localized Provoked Vulvodynia
Advisor: Megan Falsetta, Ph.D.
Emily Sorensen, M.S.Development of ACE-tRNAs as a Platform Therapeutic for Cystic Fibrosis
Advisor: John Lueck, Ph.D.
Brooke Wise, M.S.Efferocytosis of Apoptotic Neutrophils by Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells
Advisor: Roman Eliseev, M.D., Ph.D.
Now: Pharmacy Technician at Wegmans, Rochester, NY
Nan Zhao, Ph.D.Alteration of Muscle Contractility, Mitochondrial Function, and Calcium Handling in a novel Orai1 Tubular Aggregate Myopathy Mouse Model and the Restorative Impact of Endurance Exercise
Advisor: Robert Dirksen, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Davis Health, Davis, CA
2024
Rana Alabdali, Ph.D.Molecular Mechanisms Regulating G Protein Signaling Bias
Advisor: Cesare Orlandi, Ph.D.
Now: Assistant Professor at Taif University, Ta’if Saudi Arabia
Kai-Ting Huang, Ph.D.Dysregulated Ca2+ Signaling, Fluid Secretion, and Mitochondrial Function in a Mouse Model of Early Sjögren’s Syndrome
Advisor: David Yule, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Xingyu Jing, M.S.Exercise-induced Piezo1 and Piezo2 Upregulation and Chondroprotection Against Mechanical Injury
Advisor: Whasil Lee, Ph.D.
Now: Predoctoral Student at Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Program at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Wooree Ko, Ph.D.Anticodon Engineered Transfer RNA as a Potential Therapeutic for Nonsense Mutation-Associated Cystic Fibrosis
Advisor: John Lueck, Ph.D.
Now: Research Specialist at Integrated Pharmacology, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA
Katherine Lupia, M.S.An Optimized Method for the Development of a Synthetic Yeast Displayed Nanobody Library
Advisor: John Lueck, Ph.D.
Now: Research Specialist II at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Nidhi Shah, M.S.Inhibition of Kmt5a in C2C12 Cells Leads to Dysregulation of Iron Metabolism, Causing Cell Death through Ferroptosis
Advisor: Robert Dirksen, Ph.D.
Now: Predoctoral Student at Pathology at Cell Biology of Disease Program at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Matthew Sipple, Ph.D.Isolating the Role of Myotonia in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Pathogenesis Through a Novel Myotonia Resistant Mouse Model
Advisor: John Lueck, Ph.D.
Now: Medical Scientist Training Program at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
2023
Esraa Furati, Ph.D.Insights into Roles of Aging and Chemokine Signaling During Neuromuscular Regeneration
Advisor: Joe Chakkalakal, Ph.D.
Amanda Wahl, Ph.D.Redefining the Function of Salivary Duct Cell Populations Utilizing a Structural, Functional, and Computational Approach
Advisor: David Yule, Ph.D.
Now: Technical Specialist at Troutman Pepper Law Firm, Rochester, NY
Anya Wang, M.S.Investigating Hydrogen Sulfide as a Regulator of Mitochondrial Complex II Reversal in Cardiac Ischemia
Advisor: Paul Brookes, Ph.D.
2022
Maura Connorton, M.S.The Future is Female: A Look at Fracture Therapeutics for Female Athletes
Now: Medical Student at Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
Tyler Couch, Ph.D.Topography and Motion of the Acid-sensing Ion Channel 1 Intracellular Domains”
Advisor: David MacLean, Ph.D.
Autumn Helland-Hauser, M.S.Genetic Mutations of ECM Components Resulting in Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders
Jing Liu, Ph.D.Electroporation Mediated Gene Delivery to Rescue the Alveolar Capillary Barrier Function for ARDS Treatment
Advisor: David MacLean, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Tyler W. McCullock, Ph.D.A Comprehensive Overview of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Dimer Signaling
Advisor: Paul Kammermeier, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Alexander S. Milliken, Ph.D.Investigating Succinate and pH Dynamics in Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Advisor: Paul Brookes, Ph.D.
Now: Scientific Communications Manager at AlphaGroup Medical Communications, Rochester NY
Nicholas Nobiletti, Ph.D.KRIT1-mediated regulation of the cellular response to inflammation
Advisor: Angela Glading, Ph.D.
Now: Senior Scientist at Frontage Laboratories, Inc., Downington, PA
Matthew Rook, Ph.D.Optical Interrogation of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel Gating Mechanisms
Advisor: David MacLean, Ph.D.
Now: Scientist at Atalanta Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA
Bryce West, M.S.Methamphetamine abuse and the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Advisor: Gail Johnson, Ph.D
Now: MSTP Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth, Houston TX
2021
Miriam E. Barnett, Ph.D.Differential Regulation of Opioid Receptor Signaling via Gα Proteins
Advisor: Jean Bidlack, Ph.D.
Now: Clinical Scientist at Myeloid Therapeutics at Biogen, Cambridge, MA
Si (Vivian) Chen, Ph.D.Regulation, Function and Mechanism of Phosphodiesterase 10A in Pathological Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction
Advisor: Chen Yan, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Louben Dorval, Ph.D.FGF21 Reduced Morphine Preference and the Development of Acute Antinociceptive Tolerance and Physical Dependence
Advisor: Jean Bidlack, Ph.D.
Now: Preclinical Scientist at Akero Therapeutics Inc., Boston, MA
Harsha Swamy, Ph.D.Advisor: Angela Glading, Ph.D.
Now: Research Scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA
Lara E. Terry, Ph.D.Functional Analysis of Disease-associated Mutations in the Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor
Advisor: David Yule, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral IRTA Trainee (Intramural Research Training Award) at NIH-NIDCR, Bethseda, MA
Chongyang Zhang, Ph.D.Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Jarreau Harrison, Ph.D.