Recent Graduates
2020201920182017
2020
Brandon J. Berry, Ph.D.Optogenetic Control of Mitochondria Alters Cellular Energy Sensing and Hypoxia Resistance
Advisor: Andrew Wojtovich, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at University of Rochester
2019
Chen Lagrissi Braun, Ph.D.Chronic PKCβII Activation Inhibits IKs Channel Membrane Localization via Phosphatidylinositol
4-phosphate: Implications for Long-QT1 Treatment
Advisor: Coeli Lopes, Ph.D.
Isaac J. Fisher, Ph.D.Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of G-protein subunit βγ Activation of Downstream Effectors
Advisor: Alan Smrcka, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Researcher at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Emma Grygotis, Ph.D.Development of Acoustically-Modified Collagen-Based Biomaterials for
Regenerative Medicine Applications
Advisor: Denise Hocking, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Manisha Taya, Ph.D.Neutrophil Elastase and GPNMB as Novel Potential Therapeutic Targets in a Tsc2-null Mouse Model for
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Tumor Growth
Advisor: Stephen Hammes, M.D., Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at UT Southwestern, Dallas TX
Kevin M. Tylock, Ph.D.Biophysical and Molecular Mechanisms for QRS- and QTc-Interval Prolongation
in Mice with Cardiac Expression of Expanded CUG repeat RNA
Advisor: Robert Dirksen, Ph.D.
Now: J.D. Candidate at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, Concord, NH
2018
Rafael H. Gil de Rubio, Ph.D.The Role of PLC-Dependent Hydrolysis of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate in Signaling and Disease
Advisor: Alan Smrcka, Ph.D.
Now: Scientist at Riparian Pharmaceuticals, Watertown, MA
Jesi Lee Anne To, Ph.D.The Importance of G Protein Signaling in Immune Cell Function: A Novel Role for Active G Protein in Cell Adhesion and Migration and the Therapeutic Potential of Targeting G in Inflammation
Advisor: Alan Smrcka, Ph.D.
Now: Medical Writer at INVIVO Communications, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Xiaowen (Cindy) Wang, Ph.D.Targeting the c-Cbl Tumor Suppressor Protein as a Novel Therapeutic Approach in Overcoming Acquired Tamoxifen Resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer
Advisor: Mark Noble, Ph.D.
Now: Assistant Director of Scientific Communication and Medical Education at Bayer Corporation, Whippany, NJ
Liwei Wang, Ph.D.Region-specific Proteolysis Differentially Regulates Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate Receptor Activity
Advisor: David Yule, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at New York University, New York, NY
Jimmy Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.Mitochondrial Metabolism in Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Advisor: Paul Brookes, Ph.D.
Now: Resident, Internal Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
2017
Joseph A. Bisson, Ph.D.The Role of Non-canonical Wnt Signaling in Heart Development and Repair
Advisor: Ethan Cohen, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University, New York, NY
Corey Hoffman, Ph.D.The Bone Microenvironment in the Setting of Acute Injury and Aging
Advisor: Laura Calvi, M.D.
Now: Biologist at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC
Alina M. Monteagudo-Cabellero, Ph.D.Transglutaminase 2 Role in Neurological Disease and Injury: Alterations in Proliferation, Migration, and Metabolism
Advisor: Gail Johnson, Ph.D
Now: Research Scientist at AZTherapies, Cambridge, MA
Makaia M. Papasergi-Scott, Ph.D.Phosphorylation Regulates Molecular Chaperoning and GEF Functions of Ric-8A in Heterotrimeric G-protein Signaling
Advisor: Robert Freeman, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Research Associate at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Michael A. Trembley, Ph.D.Linking the cytoskeleton to transcription: A role for myocardin-related transcription factors in heart development and disease
Advisor: Eric Small, Ph.D.
Now: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA