Education / Immunology Training Grant / Trainees / Past Trainees Past Trainees Trainees 2021 - 2023 Mary Moran, MS Education: B.S. College of the Holy Cross, M.S. Univ. Rochester, MPH Univ. Rochester Lab: Lisa Beck T32 association: Trainee since 2021 Research Interests: My research project is focused on identifying S. aureus virulence factors that alter epithelial skin cells to make them more susceptible to viral infection and aims at understanding the mechanisms behind this action. This is an important question in the context of atopic dermatitis, in which patients are highly colonized with S. aureus and are uniquely susceptible to serious viral skin infections. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: My favorite immune factor is the complement system. Even though I have never done any research related to complement I loved learning about it as an undergrad and it was the first lesson that made me really interested in immunology. Fun fact: I love sailing on Lake George with my family and our dog. Cooper Sailer, MS Education: B.S. University of Buffalo, M.A. University of Buffalo, M.S. University of Rochester Lab: Minsoo Kim T32 association: Trainee since 2021 Research Interests: I am interested in better understanding the factors that limit the success of adoptive cell therapies, such as CAR T cell therapy, for solid tumors. My main research interest is investigating both the CAR T cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that constrain their migration to distal tumor sites. I am currently studying how the development of T cell exhaustion in the CAR T infusion product affects their migratory properties both in vitro and in vivo using a HER2 CAR T cell model targeting HER2-positive breast cancer and melanoma. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: CAR+ CD8 T cell Fun fact: I am a huge Buffalo sports fan, a golf enthusiast, and video-gamer. Alicia Healey, MS Education: B.S. Simmons University, M.S. University of Rochester Lab: B. Paige Lawrence T32 association: Trainee since 2022 Research Interests: My research project is centered around understanding the impact of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation on monocytic lineage cells during respiratory viral infection. While many studies indicate that AHR activation modifies adaptive immune responses to respiratory viral infection, less is known about the impact of AHR activation on monocytic cell responses to infection. Yet, the dysregulation of monocytic lineage cells contributes to poorer clinical outcomes in coronavirus and influenza A virus infections. Gaining a detailed understanding of how AHR activation influences monocytic cell responses to respiratory viral infection will provide key insight into how environmental exposures modify immune responses and inform new approaches aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of respiratory viruses. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: Monocytes! Fun fact: I went scuba diving in the Bermuda triangle! Trainees 2020 - 2022 Taylor Uccello, MS Education: B.S. Stonehill College, M.S. University of Rochester Lab: Scott Gerber T32 association: Trainee since 2020 Research Interests: I am interested in exploring factors that mediate the anti-tumor immune response against colorectal cancer. Specifically, my project has two main aspects. We aim to elucidate why a subset of cancer patients treated with radiotherapy respond to treatment while others do not, by utilizing an orthotopic murine model of rectal cancer and a clinically relevant Short Course Radiation Therapy treatment. The second aim is to determine what effect radiation therapy plays on intratumoral nerves as these sympathetic nerves have been shown to be immunosuppressive. Further understanding how radiation therapy mediates the anti-tumor immune response may contribute to how physicians treat patients with rectal cancer in the clinic. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: CD8+ T cells Fun fact: I spent a semester in Copenhagen, Denmark studying biotechnology and drug design. Chantelle Lehone White, BS Education: B.S. University of Rochester Lab: Andrea Sant T32 association: Trainee since September 2020 Research Interests: I am interested in the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic pathogen associated factors on the development of subsequent CD4 T cell mediated immune responses to vaccination and infection. Using both seasonal and pandemic influenza and coronaviruses, I am currently studying the impact of viral replication, antigenic burden, variable viral virulence factors and post-translational antigen modifications upon the subsequent activation, composition and functional potential of the CD4 T cell compartment. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: Th1 and Tfh cells Fun fact: I am a huge musical theatre enthusiast and part time wedding singer. Andrew Martin, MS Education: B.S. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, M.S. University of Rochester Lab: Felix Yarovinsky T32 association: Trainee since September 2020 Research Interests: I’m interested in the role of the cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-g) in mediating myeloid cell immunity to intracellular pathogens. I am currently studying the interplay between IFN-g and tissue resident macrophages during infections with the model intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: I’m a Myeloid maniac and Interferon Gamma groupie Fun fact: I have a vast collection of “Hawaiian shirts” which I wear daily Trainees 2019 - 2021 Cassandra Houser, M.S. Education: B.S. Loyola University Maryland, M.S. University of Rochester Lab: Paige Lawrence T32 association: Trainee since October 2020 Research Interests: I am interested in deciphering how exposure to environmental contaminants that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) impacts humoral immunity to respiratory viruses, such as influenza. My project focuses of a special type of CD4+ T cell, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, and aims to determine how AhR activation effects Tfh cells on the cellular and molecular level. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: CD4+ T cells Fun fact: I have walked The Great Wall of China and have seen The Terracotta Army. Andrea Amitrano, M.S. Education: B.S. SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY Lab: Minsoo Kim T32 association: Trainee since October 2019 Research Interests: I am interested in investigating novel techniques to improve cancer immunotherapy treatments for solid malignancies. CAR-T cell therapies have worked well for hematological malignancies, however there has been very limited success with solid malignancies. The tumor microenvironment presents significant metabolic challenges to infiltrated CD8+ T cells. My project utilizes an optogenetic approach to increase CD8+ T cell mitochondrial ATP production, with the goal of increasing anti-tumor activity of CAR-T cells in solid tumors. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: CD8+ T cells Fun fact: I have played the clarinet for 16 years. Briaunna Minor - Hammes lab Education: B.S. Xavier University of Louisiana. Lab: Stephen Hammes T32 association: Trainee since October 2019 Research Interests: I have a unique opportunity to study estrogen augmentation of myeloid cells in the microenvironment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) tumors. The aim of my project is to delineate the role of estrogen signaling in granulopoeisis, granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cell (G-MDSC) recruitment, and suppressor functions in the context of LAM tumor progression. Interestingly, LAM tumors are estrogen sensitive, thus my research interest are essential to determining the relative contributions of estrogen stimulation directly on tumor cell and in the infiltrating stroma to promote LAM tumor growth. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: Neutrophils Fun fact: I volunteered at an exotic feline conservation center and worked with rare and endangered feline species including black-footed cats, snow leopards, and tigers. Beyond the lab: I once traveled to Italy just for Lemonade. Karli Norville - Frelinger lab Education: B.S. University of California, Santa Barbara Lab: John Frelinger T32 association: Trainee since 2018 Research Interests: I’m interested in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how inflammatory cytokines can alter the TME and initiate robust anti-tumor responses. We focus mainly on the cytokines IL-2, IL-12, and IL-18, and their potential synergies within a tumor. We are engineering cytokine fusion proteins which target the activity of the cytokines to the TME, while maintaining limited systemic toxicities. Understanding the mechanisms of cytokine-driven anti-tumor responses and improving the safety of systemic delivery of cytokines will allow us to develop better cytokine anti-cancer therapeutics for use in the clinic. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: Natural Killer (NK) cells Fun fact: I volunteered at an exotic feline conservation center and worked with rare and endangered feline species including black-footed cats, snow leopards, and tigers. Beyond the lab: Rock climbing, hiking, painting Jonathan Pinney - Elliott lab Education: B.A. Hamilton College, US; M.S. University of Rochester Lab: Michael Rusty Elliott T32 association: Trainee since 2018 Research Interests: I’m interested in macrophage phagocytic capacity and the functional outcome of exhausting phagocytic capabilities. My research has largely utilized a live-cell real-time high content microscopy imaging method to quantify individual phagocytic events and their processing over the course of multiple hours. By identifying how phagocytic capacity is regulated and the extent of interconnectivity between different phagocytic pathways we hope to improve current cancer therapeutics where phagocytosis is a key effector mechanism as well as provide new insight for autoimmune diseases where aberrant phagocytosis is a key player in the pathology. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: Macrophages – the immune system’s biggest eaters Fun fact: After earning my undergraduate degree I went on a bicycling trip across the U.S. with my (then) future wife and her brother. The trip lasted 52 days and covered more than 3,500 miles. Beyond the lab: Running, basketball, ultimate frisbee, board games and video games (the more complicated the better) Booyeon Han - Gerber lab Education: A.B. Princeton University Lab: Scott A. Gerber T32 association: Trainee since 2019 Research Interests: I am very interested in investigating the role of the tumor-draining lymph node in generating the anti-tumor immune response. Using CyTOF and Luminex, I am exploring the immune microenvironments of the tumor and tumor-draining lymph nodes. I have focused my studies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as it is a highly aggressive and lethal disease that remains the third leading cause of cancer deaths. My studies will inform the therapeutic value of targeting the pancreatic lymph node to mobilize anti-tumor potential for enhanced tumor regression and improved host survival. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: CD4 T cells – the orchestrators of the immune response Fun fact: One of my all-time fun and exciting experiences was playing chamber music in cathedrals in Paris and Nice, France. Beyond the lab: Cooking with friends, watching sports (mostly basketball and football), and reading the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett Trainees 2018 - 2019 Catherine Burke - Lawrence Lab Education: B.S. SUNY Geneseo; M.S. and Ph.D. University of Rochester; Post-doc NIH/NIEHS (current) Lab/Mentor: B. Paige Lawrence T32 association: Trainee July 2017-July 2019 Research Interests: I’m interested in understanding how the environment influences the function of the immune system. Specifically, my thesis project focused on understand how exposure to environmental contaminants during early can shape the long-term health of an organism. By understanding which cell types and cellular functions are targeted by early life environmental exposures, we can devise better-targeted vaccine and treatment strategies for people at high risk of exposure. Favorite cell type: CD4+ T cells Beyond the lab: Running 5Ks with friends, exploring the Finger Lakes, and trying new breweries in Rochester! Nicholas Battaglia - Lord Lab Education: B.S. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; M.S. University of Rochester, Rochester, NY Lab: Edith Lord T32 association: Trainee, 2017-2019 Research Interests: My work studies the immune response elicited by radiotherapy. Specifically, how it can be improved through combination with immunotherapies and conversely how it can be affected by other currently used co-therapies, such as anti-inflammatory steroids. Favorite Factor: IFN-g Beyond the lab: Playing guitar and painting minis. Daphne Pariser - Morell Lab Education: B.A. Flagler College, M.A. University of Rochester, Ph.D. Candidate University of Rochester Lab: Craig Morrell T32 association: Trainee, 2017-2018 Research Interests: I am interested in megakaryocytes (Mks) in the lung and their function. My research focuses on how the lung and BM Mks are different. Lung Mks seem to have a more prominent role in antigen presentation then their BM counterparts. Best Immune cell/favorite factor: Lung Mks Fun fact: I almost got my phone stolen by a troop of monkeys in Kenya Beyond the lab: Hiking, reading, swimming, and rock climbing. Trainees 2017 - 2018 Lacey Favazzo - Gill Lab Maxime Jean - Zhu Lab Trainees 2016 - 2017 Margaret Barlow - Lord Lab Janelle Veazey - Georas Lab Brandon Walling - Kim Lab Kelli Connolly - Gerber Lab Trainees 2015 - 2016 Anthony DiPiazza - Sant Lab Dillon Schrock - Fowell Lab Trainees 2014 - 2015 Steven Baker - Martinez Lab Patrick Murphy - Elliott Lab Maureen Banach - Robert Lab Trainees 2013 - 2014 Kathleen Burke - Brown Lab Tara Capece-Balys - Kim Lab Alison Gaylo-Moynihan - Fowell Lab Trainees prior to 2013 Heidi Morales Diaz - Robert Lab James Moran - Lord Lab Shoshana Katzman - Fowell Lab Dorothy Sojka - Fowell Lab