Jenny Alexander
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Targeted Gene Therapy of Murine Stem Cells
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Porteus
email jenny.alexander@utsouthwestern.edu
Gina Aloisio
Ohio State University
Medical Student - First Year
email gina.aloisio@utsouthwestern.edu
John Astle
University of Utah
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Rapid Identification of Antigen Mimics from Millions of Synthetic Molecules through Coupled Bead Library Screening & Microarray Analysis
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Kodadek (Scripps Florida Research Institute, Jupiter, FL)
Medical Student - Third Year
email john.astle@utsouthwestern.edu
Stan Atkin
Oregon State University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Central nervous system control of appetite, food intake, and peripheral metabolism.
Mentor: Drs. David Mangelsdorf and Steven Kliewer
email stan.atkin@utsouthwestern.edu
Alexander Augustyn
University of Chicago
Medical Student - First Year
email alex.augustyn@utsouthwestern.edu
Salman Banani
University of California, Berkeley
Medical Student - Second Year
email salman.banani@utsouthwestern.edu
David Barnett
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Medical Student - First Year
email david.barnett1@utsouthwestern.edu
Ethan Baughman
Kansas State University
Immunology Graduate Program
Research Interest: CD8 T cells in multiple sclerosis.
Mentor: Dr. Nitin Karandikar
email ethan.baughman@utsouthwestern.edu
David Benavides
St. Mary's University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: The Role of Cdk5 in the Regulation of Dopamine Neurotransmission, Neuronal Excitability, and Reward-Related Behavior
Mentor: Dr. James Bibb
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email david.benavides@utsouthwestern.edu
Jamaal Benjamin
Morehouse College
Graduate Years Student
email jamaal.benjamin@utsouthwestern.edu
Elizabeth Keohane Bhoj
The College of New Jersey
Genetics & Development Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Using Balance Translocation to Discover Novel Disease Causing Genes: Potential Involvement of Basonuclin 2 in Congenital Heart Disease and Palmitoyalted Membrane Protein 7 in Mature-Onset Diabetes of the Young
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Zinn
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email elizabeth.keohane@utsouthwestern.edu
Vijay Bhoj
The College of New Jersey
Immunology Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Mentor: Dr. Zhijian (James) Chen
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email vijay.bhoj@utsouthwestern.edu
Xin Cai
Harvard University
Medical Student - First Year
email xin.cai@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Cano
University of Texas, Pan American
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Mentor: Dr. Christine Garcia
email christopher.cano@utsouthwestern.edu
Bethany Cartwright
Vanderbilt University
Medical Student - Second Year
email bethany.cartwright@utsouthwestern.edu
Vincent Chau
Cornell University
Graduate Years Student
email vincent.chau@utsouthwestern.edu
Angela Collins
Austin College
Immunology Graduate Program
Research Interest: The development of a new platform for identifying β cell epitope mimetics in the form of synthetic peptides, called peptoids.
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Vitetta
email angela.collins@utsouthwestern.edu
Koriand'r Conyers
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Investigating the mechanistic origin of rhabomyosarcoma and how PAX/FKHR/FOXO1A cell signaling contributes to this process.
Mentor: Dr. Rene Galindo
email koriandr.conyers@utsouthwestern.edu
Angela Desmond
University of Pennsylvania
Immunology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Application of a novel vaccine platform against West Nile virus.
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Vitetta
email: angela.desmond@utsouthwestern.edu
Mariam El Ashmawy
Arizona State University
Medical Student - First Year
email mariam.elashmawy@utsouthwestern.edu
Mark Etherton
Pennsylvania State University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: Investigating the role of synaptic cell adhesion molecules in autism spectrum disorders.
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Sudhof, Stanford University
email mark.etherton@utsouthwestern.edu
Bret Evers
Texas A&M University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Role of Insig-Mediated Cholesterol Homeostasis in the Development of the Palate and Hair Follicles in Mice
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown & Joseph Goldstein
Medical Student - Second Year
email bret.evers@utsouthwestern.edu
Midhat Farooqi
Texas A&M University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: The effects of aberrant cholesterol biosynthesis on mouse development.
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown & Joseph Goldstein
email midhat.farooqi@utsouthwestern.edu
Analysa Gallegos
Florida State University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Dysregulation of neurogenesis in schizophrenia
Mentor: Dr. Carol Tamminga
email analysa.gallegos@utsouthwestern.edu
Ryan Golden
Mercer University
Medical Student - Firsty Year
email ryan.golden@utsouthwestern.edu
Edward Haws
Brigham Young University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: The Role of Presynaptic RIM1a-dependent mossy fiber LTP in Learning and Memory
Mentor: Dr. Craig Powell
email: michael.haws@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Hensley
Rice University
Medical Student - First Year
email chris.hensley@utsouthwestern.edu
Rodney Infante
University of Florida
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Unraveling Niemann-Pick: A Disease of Cholesterol Transport
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein
Medical Student - Second Year
email rodney.infante@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Inra
Brown University
Medical Student - First Year
email chris.inra@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Javadi
University of Texas, Austin
Mentor: Dr. Joel Elmquist
email chris.javadi@utsouthwestern.edu
Ryan Jones
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Medical Student - Second Year
email ryan.jones@utsouthwestern.edu
Eric Kildebeck
University of Texas, Dallas
Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Using Zinc-Finger Nucleases to study the DNA Damage Repair process and to correct mutations causing Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Porteus
email eric.kildebeck@utsouthwestern.edu
Mark Kittisopikul
University of Chicago
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Student
Mentor: Dr. Gurol Suel
email: mark.kittisopikul@utsouthwestern.edu
Vaishnav 'Kris' Krishnan
New York University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Vulnerability and Resilience to Social Defeat: The Role of Neuroplasticity Within the Mesolimbic Dopamine Circuit
Mentor: Dr. Eric Nestler, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email vaishnav.krishnan@utsouthwestern.edu
Jaswinder Kumar
Georgia Institute of Technology
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: The role of circadian rhythm abnormalities in mood disorders.
Mentor: Dr. Colleen McClung
email jaswinder.kumar@utsouthwestern.edu
Courtney Lane
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Medical Student - First Year
email courtney.lane@utsouthwestern.edu
Ivan Lee
University of Texas, Arlington
Graduate Years Student
email ivan.lee@utsouthwestern.edu
James Lee
University of California, Los Angeles
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Structural Insights into Bacterial Sporulation
Mentor: Dr. Kevin Gardner
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email james.lee@utsouthwestern.edu
Robert Li
California Institute of Technology
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Appetite control by the hypothalamus.
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown & Joseph Goldstein
email robert.li@utsouthwestern.edu
Angie Lin
Wesleyan University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Role of cholesterol metabolism in learning and memory.
Mentor: Dr. David Russell
email angie.lin@utsouthwestern.edu
Albert Linden
University of California at Berkeley
Medical Student - First Year
email albert.linden@utsouthwestern.edu
Matthew McFarlane
Harvard University
Medical Student - First Year
email matthew.mcfarlane@utsouthwestern.edu
William McKean
University of Utah
Graduate Years Student
email william.mckean@utsouthwestern.edu
Mark McNutt
Oral Roberts University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Characterization of the Non-Proteolytic Mechanism and Cellular Site of Action of PCSK9 Mediated Degradation of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor
Mentor: Dr. Jay Horton
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email markey.mcnutt@utsouthwestern.edu
David Meredith
University of Tulsa
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Elucidation of novel PTF1 targets in the developing nervous system.
Mentor: Dr. Jane Johnson
email david.meredith@utsouthwestern.edu
Imran Mohiuddin
University of Florida
Immunology Graduate Program
Research Interest: CD4 Regulatory T cells and their role in Multiple Sclerosis.
Mentor: Dr. Nitin Karandikar
email imran.mohiuddin@utsouthwestern.edu
Abigail Nash
Bryn Mawr College
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Research Interest: Biophysical characterization of light-induced structural changes leading to interdomain communication and photocycling in a PAS domain protein.
Mentor: Dr. Kevin Gardner
Medical Student - Third Year
email abigail.nash@utsouthwestern.edu
Suong Nguyen
University of Tulsa
Mentor: Dr. Meg Phillips
email: suong.nguyen@utsouthwestern.edu
Jacob Orme
Brigham Young University
Medical Student - First Year
email jacob.orme@utsouthwestern.edu
Anthony Orvedahl
University of Colorado
Molecular Microbiology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Autophagy as an innate defense against pathogens.
Mentor: Dr. Beth Levine
email anthony.orvedahl@utsouthwestern.edu
David Owen
Texas A&M University
Molecular Microbiology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Innate immune response to hepatitis C virus.
Mentor: Dr. Michael Gale, University of Washington
Medical Student - Third Year
email david.owen@utsouthwestern.edu
Joshua Owen
Texas A&M University
Medical Student - Second Year
email joshua.owen@utsouthwestern.edu
Joseph Park
Pomona College
Genetics & Development Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Characterization of factors controlling germline stem cell maintenance in Drosophila melanogaster
Mentor: Dr. Dennis McKearin, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (Chevy Chase, MD)
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email joseph.park@utsouthwestern.edu
Anna Patrick
University of Pennsylvania
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Research Interest: Examining the co-translational folding of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.
Mentor: Dr. Philip Thomas
email anna.patrick@utsouthwestern.edu
David Patrick
Trinity University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: MicroRNA-21 Regulates the Cardiac Hypertrophic Response
Mentor: Dr. Eric Olson
email david.patrick@utsouthwestern.edu
Vera Paulson
Texas A&M University
Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: The role of Hox proteins in cancer.
Mentor: Dr. Scott Cameron
email vera.paulson@utsouthwestern.edu
Nam Pham
Stanford University
Graduate Years Student
email nam.pham@utsouthwestern.edu
Alan Poole
Wake Forest University
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Research Interest: Investigating the mechanisms of energetic and evolutionary coupling of
residues in proteins.
Mentor: Dr. Rama Ranganathan
Medical Student - Third Year
email alan.poole@utsouthwestern.edu
David Pyle
Texas A&M University
Graduate Years Student
email david.pyle@utsouthwestern.edu
Daniel Quiat
University of Texas, Austin
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: The role of microRNAs in cardiac pathophysiology.
Mentor: Dr. Eric Olson
email daniel.quiat@utsouthwestern.edu
Kartik Rajagopalan
University of Texas, Austin
Graduate Years Student
email kartik.rajagopalan@utsouthwestern.edu
Arjun Raman
University of Chicago
Medical Student - Second Year
email arjun.raman@utsouthwestern.edu
David Reading
University of Tulsa
Medical Student - Second Year
email david.reading@utsouthwestern.edu
Nora Edwards Renthal
University of Texas, Austin
Genetics & Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Investigation of non-classical MHC class I antigens at the maternal-fetal interface.
Mentor: Dr. Carole Mendelson
email nora.edwards@utsouthwestern.edu
William Renthal
University of Texas, Austin
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Epigenetic Mechanisms in Drug Addiction
Mentor: Dr. Eric Nestler, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Medical Student - Third Year
email william.renthal@utsouthwestern.edu
Oktay Rifki
North Carolina State University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Molecular mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Hill
email oktay.rifki@utsouthwestern.edu
Ameen Salahudeen
Tulane University
Biological Chemistry Graduate Program (Chemistry Track)
Dissertation Topic: FBXL5: Sensor and Regulator of Mammalian Iron Homeostasis
Mentor: Dr. Richard Bruick
Medical Student - Third Year
email ameen.salahudeen@utsouthwestern.edu
Victor Salinas
Harvard University
Medical Student - Second Year
email victor.salinas@utsouthwestern.edu
Nathaniel Schaffer
Washington University
Graduate Years Student
email nathaniel.schaffer@utsouthwestern.edu
Daniel Schmidt
University of Texas, Arlington
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Investigating the role of the bile acid receptor in colon cancer.
Mentor: Drs. David Mangelsdorf and Steven Kliewer
Medical Student - Third Year
email daniel.schmidt@utsouthwestern.edu
Jeremy Semeiks
State University of New York, Albany
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
email jeremy.semeiks@utsouthwestern.edu
Benjamin Shields
Rice University
Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Mentor: Dr. Mike White
email benjamin.shields@utsouthwestern.edu
Brian Skaug
Ouachita Baptist University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Negative regulation of NF-kB activation by inflammatory stimuli
Mentor: Dr. Zhijian (James) Chen
email brian.skaug@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Smith
Oklahoma State University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: The role of PDGFR signaling in epicardial cell migration and differentiation.
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Tallquist-Seidel
email christopher.smith@utsouthwestern.edu
Varun Sondhi
Colgate University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Intestinal regulation of cholesterol metabolism by a Novel LXR ligand
Mentor: Drs. David Mangelsdorf and Steven Kliewer
email varun.sondhi@utsouthwestern.edu
Caroline Sung
University of California, Los Angeles
Graduate Years Student
email caroline.sung@utsouthwestern.edu
Rachel Thomas
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Medical Student - First Year
email rachel.thomas1@utsouthwestern.edu
Jason Tuckerman
Ohio State University
Biological Chemistry Graduate Program
Research Interest: Oxygen Regulation of Bacterial Biofilm Production.
Mentor: Dr. Marie-Alda Gilles-Gonzalez
email jason.tuckerman@utsouthwestern.edu
Andrew Tyler
Harvard University
Graduate Years Student
email andrew.tyler@utsouthwestern.edu
Swalpa Udit
University of Texas at Arlington
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Neural Regulation of Metabolism
Mentor: Dr. Joel Elmquist
email swalpa.udit@utsouthwestern.edu
Richard Voit
University of Texas, Dallas
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Using targeted DNA double strand breaks and homologous recombination to correct genetic mutations.
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Porteus
email richard.voit@utsouthwestern.edu
Jamie Walker
University of California, San Diego
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Changes in gene expression and metabolism across the circadian cycle.
Mentor: Dr. Steve McKnight
email: jamie.walker@utsouthwestern.edu
Andrew Wang
Harvard University
Immunology Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: The Roles of Ly108, the Genetic Susceptibility Loci Sle3, and CXCR4/CXCL12 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Mentor: Drs. Ward Wakeland and Chandra Mohan
Medical Student - Third Year
email: andrew.wang@utsouthwestern.edu
Michael Wang
Wheaton College
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Understanding the roles of the proteins NPC1 and NPC2 in intracellular cholesterol trafficking.
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein
email michaell.wang@utsouthwestern.edu
Rebekkah Warren
Baylor University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Genetic Reduction of Cholesterol Synthesis in the Mouse Brain Does not Affect Amyloid Formation in an Alzheimer’s Disease Model, but Does Extend Lifespan
Mentor: Dr. David Russell
Medical Student - Third Year
email rebekkah.halford@utsouthwestern.edu
Maggie Waung
Wellesley College
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Rapid Protein Translation Governs Persistent Changes in Ampar Trafficking in a Form of Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity
Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Huber
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email maggie.waung@utsouthwestern.edu
Kyle Wedin
University of Texas, Austin
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Effect of WNK kinases on OSR1/SPAK and downstream regulation of membrane transporters
Mentor: Dr. Melanie Cobb
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email kyle.wedin@utsouthwestern.edu
Nathan York
Brigham Young University
Immunology Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: CNS-specific, Autoreactive CD8 T-cells Have a Regulatory Role in Autoimmune Demyelination
Mentor: Dr. Nitin Karandikar
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email nathan.york@utsouthwestern.edu
Bryan Young
Southern Nazarene University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Histone Deacetylase 7 in Cardiovascular Development and Transcriptional Regulatory Networks of the Vascular Endothelium
Mentor: Dr. Eric Olson
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email bryan.young@utsouthwestern.edu
Melissa Rasar Young
Willamette University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Paxillin is a Novel Regulator of Xenopus Oocyte Maturation
Mentor: Dr. Steven Hammes (University of Rochester Medical Center)
Special Research Fellow
email melissa.rasar@utsouthwestern.edu
Dongbo Yu
Harvard University
Graduate Years Student
email dongbo.yu@utsouthwestern.edu
Daniel Zeve
Texas A&M University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Cellular and biochemical characterization of the adipocyte lineage
Mentor: Dr. Jon Graff
email: daniel.zeve@utsouthwestern.edu
Yuanyuan Zhang
Cornell University
Medical Student - First Year
email yuanyuan.zhang@utsouthwestern.edu
Amy Zhou
University of British Columbia
Graduate Years Student
email amy.zhou@utsouthwestern.edu