Ready to Apply?
The following is a list of potential faculty mentors that have previously mentored students or who are interested in doing so.
| Last Name | First Name | Affiliation | Areas of Research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abreu | Maria Teresa | MIC | Role of TLR4 and the microbiome in colitis-associated neoplasia; Translational research training in gastroenterology and hepatology. |
| Akiyama | Tasuku | HGG NEU | Our research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of itch and pain. Our laboratory develops and uses multiple mouse models of chronic itch, including atopic dermatitis, psoriatic itch, and post-burn itch; Warmth enhancement of itch via TRPV4; The neuronal circuits of affective itch. |
| Arora | Himanshu |
HGG |
Our lab is focused on (1) understanding the link between development, malignant conversion, and progression of Prostate cancer; (2) identifying the molecular mechanisms that lead to the loss of normal differentiation and affect the prostate tumor microenvironment, and (3) work in an interdisciplinary manner to apply this knowledge in order to revolutionize the way prostate cancer is treated. In these projects, our lab uses wet lab (Lab techniques, in-vivo, and in-vitro models) and dry lab (Regular Bioinformatics pipelines, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, etc.) techniques to understand the genetic and immunological processes underlying the questions we are interested in addressing. Additionally, we are actively involved in Active Surveillance Clinical Trials in Prostate Cancer Patients, being conducted by the Department of Urology and Department of Radiation Oncology. Moreover, our lab focuses on translational research projects on Leydig stem cells and their ability to produce Androgens (Testosterone). Currently, we are trying to understand the significance of the Testicular microenvironment in modulating androgen production and how it is affected differently with respect to the patient's BMI. |
| Atkins | Coleen | NEU | The overall research objective of our laboratory is to determine how the cellular signaling mechanisms that underlie learning and memory become dysfunctional after TBI and develop new treatment strategies to reverse these chronic learning impairments. Currently, we are exploring the potential of selective PDE4B and 4D inhibitors to elevate cAMP signaling and improve chronic learning and memory deficits after TBI. We are also testing pharmacological strategies targeting the cholinergic system to restore theta rhythm in the chronic recovery period of TBI. Rehabilitation Strategies for Memory Dysfunction after Traumatic Brain Injury. |
| Barber | Glen | CAB MDB MIC | Host defense, cancer, immunology, viruses, interferon, STING. The Role of STING in Innate Immunity; Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) Replication in Malignant Cells. |
| Barrientos | Antonio | BMB MCP NEU | Mechanisms governing biogenesis of mitochondrial protein complexes in health, disease, and aging. Specifically, we are interested in the mitochondrial translation machinery, respiratory chain, and oxidative phosphorylation system components; Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Health and Disease. |
| Barro-Soria | Rene | PHS | I study physical principles underlying ion channel function within both physiological and pathophysiological contexts. My research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ion channel defects in excitable cells cause disorders such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain as well as designing small molecules for treating these diseases. I use single-molecule fluorescence approaches, functional imaging, electrophysiology, and optogenetics. Molecular Mechanisms of Epilepsy-Causing Mutations in IKM channels. |
| Bayik | Defne | MCP | Immunosuppressive myeloid cells contribute to the aggressiveness of brain tumors. We aim to identify molecular mechanisms driving accumulation of myeloid cells, identify basis of sex differences in myeloid cell activity and define immunotherapy targets. |
| Dominguez Bendala | Juan |
MDB |
Pancreatic islet stem cells. |
| Bernal-Mizrachi | Ernesto | MCP | AKT/mTOR signaling and regulation of cell cycle in B-cells; Nutrient signals and programming of pancreas development |
| Beurel Lab | Eleonore | BMB NEU | Inflammation, depression, T cells, cytokines, glycogen synthase kinase-3, nanoparticles. Th17 cells as a new therapeutic target for depression. The microbiota; a possible link between Th17 cells and depression. |
| Bhattacharya | Sanjoy |
BMB |
Neuroproteomics, posttranslational modification of diminution, local protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites |
| Bianchi | Laura | NEU PHS | The role of glial ion channels and transporters in mediating the functional interaction between glia and neurons. The role of ion channels of the DEG/ENaC family in synaptic remodeling during development. Molecular mechanisms of neuronal death in ischemic models. |
| Brambilla | Roberta | NEU | Neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, remyelination, neuroimmune disease, cytokines, neurodegenerative disorders. Molecular mechanisms of the protective function of oligodendroglial TNFR2: a new therapeutic target in neuro-immune disease. |
| Briegel | Karoline | CAB | Stem cells, developmental biology, breast cancer, transcription factors, WNT signaling. |
| Buchwald | Peter | MCP | Drug discovery, small molecules, costimulatory blockade, TNF superfamily, Smad7 modulation, pancreatic islets. |
| Burnstein | Kerry | CAB MCP | Androgen receptors, castration-resistant prostate cancer, experimental therapeutics, repurposing drugs |
| Caicedo-Viekant | Alejandro | MDB NEU | Cellular mechanisms lead to the highly orchestrated secretion of insulin and glucagon by human pancreatic islets. |
| Chen | Zhibin | CAB MIC | autoimmunity, diabetes, cancer, inflammation, tolerance, regeneration |
| Collins | Kevin | NEU PHS |
Our lab uses the nematode worm, C. elegans, to understand how neuromodulators like serotonin drive changes in neural circuit activity that underlie distinct behavior states. We use a combination of molecular and optogenetic techniques along with calcium imaging in behaving animals to understand the mechanisms regulating synaptic transmission. |
| Daunert | Sylvia | BMB | Bioluminescent Proteins, Targeted Imaging, Targeted Delivery, Biosensors, Nanocarriers, Microbiome and Quorum Sensing, Breath Sensors |
| Deo | Sapna | BMB | bionanotechnology, biochemistry, drug delivery |
| Dhar | Shanta | BMB CAB |
Mitochondrial Nanomedicine, Targeted Cancer Therapy, Nanotherapeutics for Viral Diseases, Nanotherapeutics for CNS Diseases, Nanomedicine for Heart Diseases |
| Fontanesi | Flavia | BMB | Mitochondrial function and biogenesis. |
| Fornoni | Alessia | BMB MCP | Kidney disease and transplantation, diabetes and cell metabolism, molecular and translational medicine, proteinuria and podocytes, reverse cholesterol transport, renal pathology and in vivo imaging, insulin signaling. |
| Ganzer | Patrick |
BME |
Dr. Patrick Ganzer’s lab researches and develops neurotechnology, focused on the following areas: 1) in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology (e.g., assessments in neuronal cell cultures or cardiac electrophysiology in rats); 2) advanced machine learning for decoding complex physiological signals (e.g., non-linear support vector machines or deep learning); 3) reactive vagus nerve stimulation (e.g., for closed-loop control of brain or organ physiology). |
| George | Sophia | CAB | My laboratory studies the biological determinants of high-grade serous ovarian cancer tumorigenesis in women at high risk and the effects of inherited genetic mutations on the fallopian tube and their involvement in high-grade serous and cancer development. |
| Gilboa | Eli | CAB MIC | Enhancing Immunological Memory Using Aptamertargeted siRNA Delivery to T Cells. Enhancing Immunological Memory Using Aptamertargeted siRNA Delivery to T Cells. Reversing HIV T cell dysfunction by aptamer targeting of therapeutic siRNAs. |
| Griswold | Anthony | HGG | Dr. Griswold is a molecular geneticist with expertise in bioinformatics. He is interested in the application of high throughput genomic technologies to unraveling the genetics of complex diseases including Alzheimer's disease using genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic techniques.
|
| Hackam | Abigail | HGG MCP NEU |
Cellular mechanism of photoreceptor degeneration, the role of inflammation in photoreceptor survival, signaling and neuronal-glial interactions, and ocular tumor stem cells. |
| Hao | Shuanglin | NEU | Neuropathic mechanisms and gene therapy on opioid dependence. A new pathway of spinal neurons in neuropathic pain induced by HIV with opioids. |
| Hare | Joshua | BMB HGG MCP |
Cardioprotective Effect of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone. Cell-Based Therapy for Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Nitric Oxide and sex differences in cardiac repair. |
| Isom | Daniel | CAB MCP |
Structural informatics, cancer informatics, pH sensors, drug design, high throughput screening. |
| Ivanov | Dmitry | MIC | Mechanisms of toll-like receptor-mediated neurotoxicity in the ischemic retina. |
| Jain | Chaitanya | BMB | RNA regulation, Prokaryotes, DEAD-box proteins, Ribonucleases, Ribosome Assembly. |
| Jurecic | Roland | CAB MDB MIC | Responses of the hematopoietic system and hematopoietic stem cells to infections, cancers, and cancer therapy. Functional heterogeneity and clonal evolution of stem cells under stress and in diseases. Therapy for bone marrow failure syndromes and immune-mediated aplastic anemia. |
| Kurtenbach | Stefan |
CAB |
Uveal Melanoma, Epigenetics, Cancer Biology, Metastasis, Genetics
|
| Landgraf | Ralf | BMB CAB | Receptor signaling, membrane gangliosides, protein quality control, fluorescent probes, aptamers, drug resistance. |
| Landgren | Ola | CAB | Myeloma, MGUS, Genomics, MRD, Precursor Disease |
| Lee | Jae | NEU | Targeting lipid clearance pathways to promote repair after SCI. |
| Lee | Richard | NEU | My lab focuses on the molecular, cellular, proteomic, and neurophysiologic basis of glaucoma in experimental and human models. Using cutting-edge experimental techniques and technologies, my lab is identifying pathways important for the development of glaucoma and retinal nerve cell death. These molecular pathways represent important new targets for the development of neuroprotective strategies to prevent blindness associated with glaucoma. |
| Lee | Stephen | BMB CAB | Tumor microenvironment adaptation, cancer cell dormancy, long noncoding RNA, protein mobility, hypoxic translation, drug discovery. |
| Lim | Diane | CAB | Lung cancer, translational science, mouse model, immunometabolism, cyclical intermittent hypoxia |
| Lindau | Manfred | PHS | The molecular machine, which releases neurotransmitters and hormones in the body opens a pore allowing their release from tiny storage compartments, the secretory vesicles. We characterize this mechanism using patch-clamp and microfabricated devices, combined with computer simulations that visualize the molecular mechanics. BoTox modifies this machine and thereby reduces transmitter release. |
| Lossos | Izidore | CAB MCP | Dr. Lossos is a national and international expert in lymphoma. His laboratory is investigating the pathogenesis of several subtypes of lymphoma. The studies include pathogenesis of lymphoma, intracellular signaling, micro, and long noncoding RNAs, DNA repair as a new mechanism of targeting lymphoma, lymphoma immunology, studies of specific genes (LMO2 and HGAL), and development of new therapeutic approaches. With more than 250 publications in very prestigious journals and the majority of previous students doing postdoc fellowships in top US universities (Harvard, Stanford, and others) – the students may consider rotation in the laboratory. |
| Malek | Thomas | MIC | Regulatory T cells, T cell memory, interleukin-2, autoimmunity, type 1 diabetes, tumor immunotherapy. |
| Maura | Francisco | CAB | Whole Genome Sequencing, Genomics, Translational Medicine, Hematological Cancers, Multiple Myeloma |
| Merchant | Nipun | CAB | Pancreatic cancer; tumor-stromal interactions; immune microenvironment; cell signaling; genetic mouse models; stem cells. |
| Meng | Zhipeng | MCP | Roles of small GTPases and protein kinases in tissue growth and regeneration, mechanotransduction, the Hippo pathway, tumor microenvironments (i.e., liver and breast cancer) |
| Morey | Lluis | CAB HGG NEU | Epigenomics. Polycomb-Group proteins. Embryonic stem cells |
| Munson | George | MIC | Perforin-2, innate immunity, multidrug-resistant Klebsiella and Acinetobacter, enterotoxigenic E. coli. |
| Noga | Brian | NEU | Gait ignition after SCI. |
| Pahwa | Savita | MIC | Immune dysfunction in HIV infected pediatric and adult patients. |
| Pearse | Damien | NEU | (1) Promoting neuroprotection and regeneration in the injured nervous system using self-repair with autologous cell therapies (2) Understanding the role of protein modifications in cell responses to injury (protein phosphorylation, arginylation, and transamidation) (3) Employing engineered exosomes as a therapeutic delivery vehicle for gene therapy (4) Assessing biomaterials for the application of cells and other therapeutics in CNS repair |
| Pelaez | Daniel | CAB | Optic and Retinal Neuropathies, Progenitor Cell Neurogenesis, Axonal Guidance; Corneal/Ocular Surface Stem Cells; Orbital Tumors and Cancer. |
| Perez-Pinzon | Miguel | NEU | Mechanisms of neuroprotection by ischemic preconditioning (IPC) against cerebral ischemia. Specifically, we study pathways based on protein kinase C-epsilon or on NAD+-dependent class III histone deacetylase SIRT1. Synaptic plasticity, mitochondrial function, and epigenetics in ischemic tolerance. |
| Porciatti | Vittorio | NEU | Retinal ganglion cells, glaucoma, optic neuropathy, electrophysiology |
| Pugliese | Alberto | MIC | Serum miRNA Biomarkers of Islet Autoimmunity. Low-dose IL-2 in Established T1D. Research Project 3 Galectin-1-glycan interactions: Novel regulatory checkpoints linking immunosuppression and angiogenesis in virally induced cancers. |
| Rai | Priyamvada | CAB MCP | Lung cancer, prostate cancer, oxidative stress, senescence, oncogenic RAS, DNA damage. |
| Rieger | Sandra | NEU | The research project is related to the identification of mechanisms of Paclitaxel-induced peripheral small fiber neuropathy using zebrafish as a model. We found that Paclitaxel treatment induces the expression of the matrix-degrading enzyme, MMP-13 in the basal epidermis and we are interested in the role of MMP-13 in axon degeneration. Our model predicts that MMP-13 increases matrix degradation in the epidermis, which in combination with mechanical stress promotes axon degeneration. The prospective student would use in vivo time-lapse imaging with biophysical methodologies to look at the mechanical properties of the skin in the presence and absence of paclitaxel. For example, we have designed a zebrafish stretching device to assess the mechanical properties of the skin due to stretch. Another approach would be to measure fluorocarbon oil droplet distortion in the Paclitaxel-damaged skin. The project would further involve the analysis of cell adhesion in the skin and how it is affected by paclitaxel treatment. We also have an MMP-13 mutant line that can be used to study the specific involvement of MMP-13. |
| Roy | Sabita | BMB CAB MIC NEU | Opioids, GUT-Immune Brain axis, Microbiome, Co-morbidities associated with substance abuse, HIV, opportunistic infection, other drugs of abuse including cocaine, methamphetamine, medicinal marijuana, IBD, cancer, peripheral neuropathy. |
| Saporta | Mario | NEU | The Saporta lab focuses on the study of human genetic neurodegenerative disorders with a special interest in inherited axonopathies. We use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and iPSC-derived motor neurons as our main model to study mechanisms involved in axonal degeneration and as a platform for therapy development. Axonal degeneration, induced pluripotent stem cells, motor neurons, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. |
| Schesser | Kurt | BMB MIC | Host-pathogen interactions in the liver and placenta; characterizing cellular host factors and processes that limit pathogen activities. |
| Shelton | Delia | NEU | My research is centered on understanding 1) neural and genetic mechanisms that underlie contaminant-induced behavioral disorders, 2) transgenerational effects of contaminant toxicity, 3) effects of structural racism on human and environmental health, and 4) developing commercializable tools to translate our research for practical applications. |
| Schürer | Stephan | HGG, MCP | The core research theme at the Schürer group is systems drug discovery. We integrate and model small molecule-protein interaction, systems biology ‘omics’, and chemistry data to improve the translation of disease models into novel functional small molecules. Using distributed and parallelized big data analytics, bio- and chemoinformatics tools we build sophisticated modeling pipelines to understand and predict drug mechanisms of action, promiscuity, and polypharmacology with a particular focus on kinases and epigenetic bromodomain reader proteins with application to cancer and other diseases. In several focused as well as larger-scale projects, we develop formal ontologies (e.g. BioAssay Ontology, Drug Target Ontology), data standards, and end-user multi-tier software applications. We have several drug discovery collaborations ranging from cancer to neurological disorders. To physically make and test the most promising small molecules, we are developing computationally optimized synthetic routes and we use parallel synthesis technologies to make small compound libraries. The combination of computational and chemistry methodologies accelerated lead optimization and the development of clinical compounds. |
| Serafini | Paolo | MIC | Serafini’s targeted immunology team studies the Tumor micro- and macro-environment with special emphasis on the role of myeloid cells and the pancreatic microenvironment during type 1 diabetes and develops targeted therapeutics to precisely modulate the immune system. Keywords: Cancer, Autoimmunity, Myeloid cells, Aptamers, RNA therapeutics, lipid nanoparticles, nanotechnology. |
| Shehadeh | Lina | MCP | microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and aptamers in Cardiovascular disease and stem cells. |
| Shestopalov | Valery | MDB NEU | Vision Research, cell biology, lens, retina, ganglion cells, astrocytes, pannexin1, purinergic signaling, danger signaling, systems biology of disease, glaucoma, ischemia, intraocular pressure, ocular microbiome, ocular microbial ecology. |
| Slepak | Vlad | MCP NEU | The Slepak laboratory has been focusing on studying G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways in various physiological systems. Currently, one project investigates mechanisms that link GPCRs to hormone secretion in the context of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. The research involves imaging, biosensors, and genetically modified mice. A new project is available to an interested student to study the role of a novel GPCR in cancerous cell death. This project entails a combination of wet lab cell biology experimentation done in our lab with collaborative efforts on high throughput drug screening and computational approaches to drug discovery. |
| Starke | Robert | NEU | Cerebral vascular disease, Cerebral aneurysms, Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell biology, Vascular inflammation, Clinical studies |
| Stelekati | Erietta | MIC | The role of non-coding RNAs in T cell differentiation and function; microRNAs as novel therapeutics for immunotherapy; the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of T cell reinvigoration upon immunotherapy. |
| Stevenson | Mario | MIC MDB | Research in the Stevenson lab is aimed at understanding how HIV-1 persists in the face of antiretroviral suppression. |
| Szczesna | Danuta | MCP | Striated Muscle Contraction, EC Coupling, Sarcomeric Proteins, Myosin, Genetic Cardiomyopathies, Transgenic Mice |
| Taylor | Justin | CAB | Dr. Taylor is a new faculty member at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Miller School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology. He is part of the Cancer Biology (CAB) graduate program. His research interest is in cancer biology and the genetics of blood cancers. He studies nuclear export, splicing, and therapeutic targeting of cancer-associated mutations. |
| Thomas | Emmanuel | CAB MDB MIC | Virology, cell biology, innate immunity, HIV, cancer, viral hepatitis, liver. |
| Toborek | Michal | BMB | HIV, blood-brain barrier, drug abuse, neuroinflammation, neuroscience, molecular biology. |
| Tomei | Alice | MIC |
Dr. Tomei combines expertise in bioengineering and immunology and uses her skills to the development of novel immunoengineering platforms to prevent rejection after islet transplantation and to promote antigen-specific tolerance for a cure of type-1 diabetes.
|
| Tuesta | Luis | CAB HGG MCP |
Epigenetics of addictive disorders; Neuropeptide regulation of drug satiety; Microglia and neuroinflammation; Microglial epigenetics and addiction; Microglial epigenetics in glioblastoma |
| Vazquez-Padron | Roberto | MCP | C-Kit, atherosclerosis, research/mechanistic, cardiovascular, animal models. |
| Verde | Fulvia | MDB | Control of cell morphogenesis, Cdc42 and Rho-family GTPase dynamics, control of cell growth and chronological lifespan, assembly of RNA-associated Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules. How do cells control their shape? The focus of my lab is the molecular and genetic mechanisms controlling cell morphogenesis, from fission yeast to human cells. In particular, we discovered that the key morphology control factor, Cdc42 GTPase, displays oscillatory dynamics, with important implications for the emergence of cell shape. Further, we uncovered a novel role for conserved NDR kinase in the control of polarized cell growth, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules assembly, chronological life-span, and cell aging. |
| Verdun | Ramiro | CAB | DNA repair, genomic instability, mechanisms of genotoxicity, telomeres, antibody class switching. |
| Villarino | Villarino Lab | MIC | Leveraging wet and dry (computational) experimental systems to discover new principles of cytokine signaling that can be applied towards a better understanding of the infectious, autoimmune, and metastatic disease, as well as rational design of cytokine-targeting therapeutics. Cytokines; Jak-STAT; T cells; innate lymphocytes; autoimmune disease; infectious disease; transcriptomics; systems immunology; Jak inhibitors; biologics. |
| Wahlestedt | Claes |
BMB |
At the Center for Therapeutic Innovation, we pursue drug discovery and translational work in a number of diseases. We also conduct basic research in genomics, transcriptomics and epigenetics. |
| Wang | Gaofeng |
HGG |
Our lab investigates how environmental factors affect the epigenome that is relevant to human health and disease. For instance, we study how vitamin C can be used to improve cancer drug responses by promoting DNA and histone demethylation, and how G-protein coupled receptors via labile Fe(II) regulate the epigenome. |
| Wang | Lily | HGG | The research in our lab focuses on using data sciences approaches to understand genomic and epigenomic changes in Alzheimer’s Disease and cancers, by developing and applying innovative analytical strategies and computational tools. |
| Welford | Scott | CAB | My lab is interested in the tumor microenvironment and how it controls tumor biology and response to radiotherapy. |
| Xu | “Mike” Xiang-Xi | CAB MDB | Embryonic stem cells, blastocyst, and early mammalian embryonic development with application in regenerative medicine Ovarian cancer, menopause, nuclear envelope, chromosomal instability, cancer therapy, and drug resistance. |
| Yu | Hong | MDB | Our research aims to investigate mechanisms of neuronal death and develop potential therapeutic strategies, with a focus on mitochondrial disease. |
| Zaika | Alexander | CAB | Cancer, cancer-inducing bacteria, tumorigenesis, p53, cancer therapy. |
| Zeier | Zane | MCP NEU | Neurological diseases are caused by repeat expansion mutations, primarily Fragile X syndrome, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). I use cellular reprogramming technology to create induced pluripotent stem cells and, subsequently, neurons and cerebral brain organoids. The model systems are used to investigate molecular mechanisms of disease and also for drug discovery. |
| Zhai | Grace | HGG MCP | Research in my lab focuses on the genetic and cellular basis of neural development, degeneration, and protection using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. We identify and characterize conserved gene functions and phenotypes highly relevant to human neurological diseases. |
| Zhang | Fangliang | CAB, MCP | Our lab is one of the less than ten labs in the world with demonstrated expertise working on post-translational protein arginylation. Our research focuses on the effects of arginylation on cellular behaviors including cell migration and adhesions, stress response, and programmed cell death. We have a strong interest in the relevancy of arginylation in cardiac development and cancer progression. Test models include bacteria, yeast, mammalian cell lines, mouse, and actual human samples. |
| Züchner | Stephan | HGG NEU | Dr. Züchner’s research interests are focused on identifying genetic variants associated with diseases. His lab has identified dozens of genes for Mendelian disorders, especially rare neurodegenerative diseases, such as peripheral neuropathies, spastic paraplegias, ataxias, etc. His lab is amongst the pioneering groups that have promoted genome sequencing methods for disease gene identification in humans, mice, and drosophila. He is currently pursuing large-scale exome and genome analysis in multiple Mendelian neurodegenerative disorders to map their complex genetic architecture. We are interested in the interface of molecular genetics and applied computational methods to achieve these goals. Students with an interest and skills in bioinformatics, programming, but also molecular genetic details are the best fit for the current lab projects. |