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Microbiology & Immunology

URMC / Microbiology & Immunology / People / Trainees

 

Trainees

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Post-Doctoral Fellows and Graduate Students

Andrea Amitrano, M.S.
Andrea Amitrano, M.S.

Graduate Student
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest: T cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment

Shringkhala Bajimaya, Ph.D.
Shringkhala Bajimaya, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Takimoto Lab


Research Interest: Host-virus interaction of parainfluenza viruses
Hannah Bell, M.S.
Hannah Bell, M.S.

Graduate Student
Dziejman Lab

Research Interest: Determining the function of a T3SS effector protein, VopZZ, in colonization and the disease process.

Lauren Benoodt, M.S.
Lauren Benoodt, M.S.

Graduate Student
Thakar Lab

Research Interest: Extending Pathways for Mechanistic Predictions from Large Scale Data

Sara Blick-Nitko, M.S.
Sara Blick-Nitko, M.S.

Graduate Student
Morrell Lab

Research Interest: The Multifactorial Roles of Platelets in Malaria Infection

Tina Bui,
Tina Bui

Graduate Student
Gill Lab


Research Interest: Chronic inflammation in obesity/type 2 diabetes exacerbate S. aureus osteomyelitis. By examining gut microbiota-associated mechanism(s) which can restore immune homeostasis in obese/type 2 diabetics, we can identify potential therapeutics and prognosis markers to improve infection outcomes.
Kiana Chen,
Kiana Chen

Graduate Student
Schwarz Lab
Rahimi Lab


Research Interest: The mechanism behind sexual dimorphism in TNF-induced erosive inflammatory arthritis
Jessica Ciesla,
Jessica Ciesla

Graduate Student
Munger Lab


Research Interest: TNFα Induces Metabolic Reprogramming that is Essential for its Anti-Viral Activity
Adam Cornwell, M.S.
Adam Cornwell, M.S.

Graduate Student
Samuelson Lab
Thakar Lab


Research Interest: Leveraging genetic tools in model systems alongside computational tools to explore mechanisms of aging, toward understanding how we might promote healthier aging in humans.
Megan Dunagan, M.S.
Megan Dunagan, M.S.

Graduate Student
Takimoto Lab

Research Interest: Mechanism of host shutoff induced by influenza virus

Diana Dunn, Ph.D.
Diana Dunn, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Munger Lab


Abdul Embong,
Abdul Embong

Graduate Student
Topham Lab

Research Interest: Analysis of Human Memory B Cell Expansion After Influenza Vaccination: Assessing The Vaccine Efficacy of Licensed Flu Vaccines in the United States and the Influence of Original Antigenic Sin in Mounting Humoral Immunological Response

Katherine Escalera-Rivera,
Katherine Escalera-Rivera

Graduate Student
Anolik Lab
Jonason Lab


Research Interest: Inflammatory processes involved in the onset and development of Osteoarthritis
Kristina Fenner ,
Kristina  Fenner

Graduate Student
Lawrence Lab

Research Interest: Studying the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells during viral infection

Adam Geber,
Adam Geber

Graduate Student
Topham Lab

Christie Gilbert ,
Christie  Gilbert

Graduate Student
Gill Lab
Jin Xiao Lab


Research Interest: Understanding the ecological shifts within the oral microbiome of infants/pregnant women, and how that plays a role in the development of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). With this information, we aim to identify new diagnostics or preventative methods for ECC.
Shilpi Giri, Ph.D.
Shilpi Giri, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
Yarovinsky Lab

Research Interest: Role of IFN-gamma in host resistance to T. gondii and IFN-gamma mediated pathology in the intestine

Alicia Healey,
Alicia Healey

Graduate Student
Lawrence Lab


Research Interest: Investigating how AHR activation modulates neutrophil recruitment to the lung during viral infection
Thomas Henson,
Thomas Henson

Graduate Student
Sant Lab


Yeonsun Hong, Ph.D.
Yeonsun Hong, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest: Identification of key factors for immune cell activity (ex. T cell migration and MDSC differentiation) using the CRISPR-CAS9 system

Cassandra Houser, M.S.
Cassandra Houser, M.S.

Graduate Student
Lawrence Lab


Research Interest: Exposure to environmental factors that bind the AHR regulates the differentiation and function of T follicular helper cells: a CD4+ T cell subset that is essential for the antibody response.
Howard "Mark" Kenney, M.S.
Howard "Mark" Kenney, M.S.

Graduate Student
Schwarz Lab

Research Interest: Lymphatic dysfunction, inflammatory arthritis

Adil Khan, Ph.D.
Adil Khan, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Robert Lab


Ma Rie Kim,
Ma Rie Kim

Graduate Student
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest: Role of the blood microbiota in systemic inflammation

Ashwin Kumar,
Ashwin Kumar

Graduate Student
Topham Lab
Program for Advanced Immune Bioimaging


Research Interest: Biological factors and genetic programs that drive differentiation and maintenance of Lung CD8+ Tissue Resident Memory cells
Raj Kumar Mongre,
Raj Kumar Mongre

Postdoctoral Associate
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest: Host inflammatory responses that regulate sepsis prognosis

Chen Li,
Chen Li

Graduate Student
Morrell Lab

Research Interest: The role of platelets in immune system

Alison Livada,
Alison Livada

Graduate Student
Morrell Lab

Research Interest: Megakaryocytes and platelets roles' in immunity

Vania Lopez-Ruiz ,
Vania  Lopez-Ruiz

Graduate Student
Robert Lab


Research Interest: Investigating ligand presentation by XNC4, a non-polymorphic MHC class I-like molecule that confers resistance to infections by non-TB mycobacteria in Xenopus
Michael Lutz,
Michael Lutz

Graduate Student
Takimoto Lab

Research Interest: Host adaptation of influenza virus

Andrew Martin,
Andrew Martin

Graduate Student
Yarovinsky Lab

Research Interest: The effect of IFN-gamma on monocyte’s ability to eliminate Toxoplasma

Preeti Maurya, Ph.D.
Preeti Maurya, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
Morrell Lab

Connor McGuire,
Connor McGuire

Graduate Student
Robert Lab

Research Interest: Studying the ways in which mixtures of thyroid hormone disrupting chemicals alter the development of the immune system in Xenopus laevis.

Bryan Meyer,
Bryan Meyer

Graduate Student
Dunman Lab


John Miller,
John Miller

Graduate Student
Ciucci Lab

Isreal Moreno, M.S.
Isreal Moreno, M.S.

Graduate Student
Munger Lab


Research Interest: The Role of Enolase 2 During Human Cytomegalovirus Infection
Savannah Moritzky,
Savannah Moritzky

Graduate Student
Sant Lab


Research Interest: Exploring the importance of CD4+ T cells during the immune response and memory to influenza vaccine.
Joseph Murphy,
Joseph Murphy

Graduate Student
Gerber Lab

Janiret Narvaez Miranda ,
Janiret  Narvaez Miranda

Graduate Student
Monaco Lab

Research Interest: Contribution of enteric virome to the development of allergies in urban Rochester communities and rural Old Order Mennonites.

Sean Nelson, M.S.
Sean Nelson, M.S.

Graduate Student
Sant Lab

Research Interest: Investigating intranasal vaccination and its ability to potentiate influenza-specific lung-resident CD4 T cells

Raven Osborn,
Raven Osborn

Graduate Student
Dewhurst Lab
Thakar Lab

Research Interest: High-throughput approach to profiling the differences in antigen presentation between young and older adults to define drug repurposing targets for improving vaccine efficacy.

Matthieu Paiola, Ph.D.
Matthieu Paiola, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Robert Lab


Research Interest: The role of T cells and innate-like T cells in the host resistance against Mycobacteria infection
Mukta Palshikar,
Mukta Palshikar

Graduate Student
Thakar Lab

Research Interest: Executable models of pathways built using single-cell RNA-seq data reveal atherosclerosis-associated signaling dysregulations

Catherine Pizzarello,
Catherine Pizzarello

Graduate Student
Järvinen-Seppo Lab

Research Interest: The role of human milk oligosaccharides in the regulation of intestinal epithelial cell cytokine expression

Christina Post, Ph.D.
Christina Post, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Lawrence Lab


Research Interest: Effects of exposure to perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) on antiviral immunity
Zahira Quinones Tavarez,
Zahira Quinones Tavarez

Graduate Student
Gill Lab
Ossip Lab

Research Interest: Effects of electronic cigarette flavorings on the interplay between the respiratory microbiome and innate immunity, and how that translates into health and disease.

Herbey Quirarte, Ph.D.
Herbey Quirarte, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow
Sant Lab


Research Interest: How does human confrontation with influenza virus throughout life shapes CD4 T cell phenotype, specificity and function
Matthew Raymonda,
Matthew Raymonda

Graduate Student
Munger Lab

Research Interest: Identifying vulnerabilities of β-coronaviruses using high-throughput drug screening

Alexandra Safronova, Ph.D.
Alexandra Safronova, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
Yarovinsky Lab


Research Interest: Gut microbiota, host defense and immunity: analysis with integrative omics approach
Cooper Sailer, M.S.
Cooper Sailer, M.S.

Graduate Student
Minsoo Kim Lab

Research Interest: Using optogenetics to explore chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell effector function in solid tumors

Timothy Smyth, M.S.
Timothy Smyth, M.S.

Graduate Student
Georas Lab

Research Interest: Investigating the effects of diesel exhaust particles on epithelial barrier integrity in the lung.

Michael Sportiello,
Michael Sportiello

Graduate Student
Topham Lab


Research Interest: Resident memory T cells, influenza immune response, influenza vaccine development, applied bioinformatic methods
Katharine Tomberlin,
Katharine Tomberlin

Graduate Student
Dziejman Lab

Research Interest: Identifying the minimal genetic elements carried within the V. cholerae T3SS island that are required for colonization.

Megan Ulbrich,
Megan Ulbrich

Graduate Student
Dziejman Lab

Research Interest: Using multidisciplinary approaches to uncover novel effector protein (VopX) functions.

Keegan Vaughan, M.S.
Keegan Vaughan, M.S.

Graduate Student
Lawrence Lab


Research Interest: Role of AHR in modulating hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis and influencing lineage-biased hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Tara Vrooman,
Tara Vrooman

Graduate Student
Gerber Lab

Chantelle White ,
Chantelle White

Graduate Student
Sant Lab


Research Interest: Investigating the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic viral factors on the development of CD4 T cell mediated immune responses to infection