Jessica Ables
Southwestern University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Adult Mammalian Hippocampal Neurogenesis and the Effects of Antidepressants on Neurogenesis
Mentor: Dr. Amelia Eisch
email jessica.ables@utsouthwestern.edu
Jenny Alexander
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Porteus
email jenny.alexander@utsouthwestern.edu
John Astle
University of Utah
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Characterizing the potential of peptoids as modulators of the immune system.
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Kodadek
email john.astle@utsouthwestern.edu
Stan Atkin
Oregon State University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. David Mangelsdorf
email stan.atkin@utsouthwestern.edu
Salman Banani
University of California, Berkeley
Medical Student - First Year
email salman.banani@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
Research Interest: Role of Cdk5 in neuronal plasticity and drug abuse.
Mentor: Dr. James Bibb
Medical Student - Third Year
email david.benavides@utsouthwestern.edu
Jamaal Benjamin
Morehouse College
Medical Student - Second Year
email jamaal.benjamin@utsouthwestern.edu
Elizabeth Keohane Bhoj
The College of New Jersey
Genetics & Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Investigations into the phenotypic effects of novel translocations and gene copy number changes.
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Zinn
Medical Student - Third Year
email elizabeth.keohane@utsouthwestern.edu
Vijay Bhoj
The College of New Jersey
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Antiviral Innate Immunity
Mentor: Dr. Zhijian (James) Chen
Medical Student - Third Year
email vijay.bhoj@utsouthwestern.edu
Brian Bodemann
University of Arkansas
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: MAPK scaffolding proteins in signal propagation from receptor tyrosine kinases.
Mentor: Dr. Michael White
email brian.bodemann@utsouthestern.edu
Bethany Cartwright
Vanderbilt University
Medical Student - First Year
email bethany.cartwright@utsouthwestern.edu
Vincent Chau
Cornell University
Medical Student - Second Year
email vincent.chau@utsouthwestern.edu
Angela Collins
Austin College
Immunology Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Vitetta
email angela.collins@utsouthwestern.edu
Koriand'r Conyers
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hammes
email koriandr.conyers@utsouthwestern.edu
Angela Desmond
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor:
email: angela.desmond@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
Research Interest: Insig-mediated regulation of cholesterol homeostasis and craniofacial development.
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown & Joseph Goldstein
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:
Mentor: Dr. Rene Galindo
email analysa.gallegos@utsouthwestern.edu
Christian Gocke
Vanderbilt University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Regulation of CoREST transcriptional co-repressor complex by sumoylation.
Mentor: Dr. Hongtao Yu
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email christian.gocke@utsouthwestern.edu
Rebekkah Halford
Baylor University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: Cholesterol Metabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease
Mentor: Dr. David Russell
Medical Student - Second Year
email rebekkah.halford@utsouthwestern.edu
Ammar Hawasli
Washington University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: Studying the role of Cdk5 in learning and memory: characterizing conditional Cdk5 knock-out mice via biochemistry, histology, electrophysiology, and behavior.
Mentor: Dr. James Bibb
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email ammar.hawasli@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
Rodney Infante
University of Florida
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Sterol specificity and localization of Niemann Pick Type C1 Disease Protein Sterol Binding Domain.
Mentor: Drs. Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein
Leave of Absence - Research
email rodney.infante@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Javadi
University of Texas, Austin
Medical Student - Second Year
email chris.javadi@utsouthwestern.edu
Cynthia Johnson
Texas Tech University
Molecular Microbiology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Hepatitis C virus and the host interferon response.
Mentor: Dr. Michael Gale, University of Washington
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email cindy.johnson@utsouthwestern.edu
Ryan Jones
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Medical Student - First Year
email ryan.jones@utsouthwestern.edu
Brian Keller
Kansas State University
Molecular Microbiology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Characterization of the host response to West Nile Virus.
Mentor: Dr. Michael Gale, University of Washington
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email brian.keller@utsouthwestern.edu
Eric Kildebeck
University of Texas, Dallas
Genetics and Development Graduate Program (Cancer Track)
Research Interest: Development of Ultra-Sensitive MRI Contrast Agents for the Early Detection of Cancer.
Mentor: Dr. Jinming Gao
email eric.kildebeck@utsouthwestern.edu
Mark Kittisopikul
University of Chicago
Medical Student - Second Year
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 - Third Year
email vaishnav.krishnan@utsouthwestern.edu
Jaswinder Kumar
Georgia Institute of Technology
Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor:
email: jaswinder.kumar@utsouthwestern.edu
Quincey LaPlant
University of Texas, Austin
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. Eric Nestler, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
email quincey.laplant@utsouthwestern.edu
Christopher Larson
University of Houston
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Dissertation Topic: Evolutionary Constraints Specifying Protein Folding and Function
Mentor: Dr. Rama Ranganathan
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email christopher.larson@utsouthwestern.edu
Ivan Lee
University of Texas, Arlington
Medical Student - Second Year
email ivan.lee@utsouthwestern.edu
James Lee
University of California, Los Angeles
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Research Interest: 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
Medical Student - Second Year
email angie.lin@utsouthwestern.edu
Leilani Marty-Santos
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Medical Student - First Year
email leilani.martysantos@utsouthwestern.edu
William McKean
University of Utah
Medical Student - Second Year
email william.mckean@utsouthwestern.edu
Mark McNutt
Oral Roberts University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Regulation of plasma LDL cholesterol by the protease PCSK9.
Mentor: Dr. Jay Horton
email markey.mcnutt@utsouthwestern.edu
Amy Mellgren
Wellesley College
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Characterizing the role of the PDGFRbeta in coronary vascular smooth
muscle cell development.
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Tallquist
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email amy.mellgren@utsouthwestern.edu
Alexis Melton
University of Colorado
Biological Chemistry Graduate Program
Research Interest: Identification of upsteam signaling molecules regulatating the alternative splicing of CD 45 following T cell activation.
Mentor: Dr. Kristen Lynch
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email alexis.melton@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
Prashant Mishra
Harvard University
Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
Research Interest: Signal Transduction in the Drosophila photoreceptor.
Mentor: Dr. Rama Ranganathan
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email prashant.mishra@utsouthwestern.edu
Imran Mohiuddin
University of Florida
Immunology Graduate Program
Research Interest:
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
email abigail.nash@utsouthwestern.edu
Baochan Nguyen
University of Oklahoma
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: Role of inhibitor-1 in drug addiction.
Mentor: Dr. James Bibb
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email baochan.nguyen@utsouthwestern.edu
Suong Nguyen
University of Tulsa
Leave of Absence
email: suong.nguyen@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
email david.owen@utsouthwestern.edu
Joshua Owen
Texas A&M University
Medical Student - First Year
email joshua.owen@utsouthwestern.edu
Joseph Park
Pomona College
Genetics & Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Germ cell differentiation and stem cell biology in Drosophila.
Mentor: Dr. Dennis McKearin
Medical Student - Third Year
email joseph.park@utsouthwestern.edu
Anna Patrick
University of Pennsylvania
Molecular Biology 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
Genetics and Development Graduate Program (Cancer Track)
Research Interest: The role of Hox proteins in cancer.
Mentor: Dr. Scott Cameron
email vera.paulson@utsouthwestern.edu
Nam Pham
Stanford University
Medical Student - Second Year
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
email alan.poole@utsouthwestern.edu
Brent Presley
Duke University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Exploring the molecular signaling mechanisms involved in cytokine resistance in rat insoloma cell lines as an immunoprotective model for b-islet cell transplantation in type I diabetes.
Mentor: Dr. Chris Newgard, Duke University Medical Center
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email brent.presley@utsouthwestern.edu
David Pyle
Texas A&M University
Medical Student - Second Year
email david.pyle@utsouthwestern.edu
Daniel Quiat
University of Texas, Austin
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. Eric Olson
email daniel.quiat@utsouthwestern.edu
Arjun Raman
University of Chicago
Medical Student - First Year
email arjun.raman@utsouthwestern.edu
David Reading
University of Tulsa
Medical Student - First Year
email david.reading@utsouthwestern.edu
Nora Edwards Renthal
University of Texas, Austin
Immunology 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
Research Interest: Investigation of chromatin remodeling in the pathogenesis and maintenance of chronic psychiatric disorders.
Mentor: Dr. Eric Nestler, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Medical Student - Second Year
email william.renthal@utsouthwestern.edu
Anne Reuter
University of Houston
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Transcriptional regulation of the orphan nuclear hormone receptor SF-1.
Mentor: Dr. Keith Parker
email anne.reuter@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)
Research Interest: Mammalian Iron Homeostasis: Molecular Control of Iron Regulatory Protein 2
Mentor: Dr. Richard Bruick
email ameen.salahudeen@utsouthwestern.edu
Nathaniel Schaffer
Washington University
Medical Student - Second Year
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: Dr. David Mangelsdorf
email daniel.schmidt@utsouthwestern.edu
Jeremy Semeiks
State University of New York, Albany
Medical Student - Second Year
email jeremy.semeiks@utsouthwestern.edu
Benjamin Shields
Rice University
Medical Student - Second Year
email benjamin.shields@utsouthwestern.edu
Brian Skaug
Ouachita Baptist University
Cell Regulation/Cell Signaling 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:
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Tallquist-Seidel
email christopher.smith@utsouthwestern.edu
Varun Sondhi
Colgate University
Cell Regulation/Cell Signaling Graduate Program
Research Interest: Intestinal regulation of cholesterol metabolism by a Novel LXR ligand
Mentor: Dr. David Mangelsdorf
email varun.sondhi@utsouthwestern.edu
Caroline Sung
University of California, Los Angeles
Medical Student - Second Year
email caroline.sung@utsouthwestern.edu
Paul Tannous
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Cardiomyocyte Autophagy as an Adaptive Response to Intracellular Protein Aggregation.
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Hill
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email paul.tannous@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
Medical Student - Second Year
email andrew.tyler@utsouthwestern.edu
Swalpa Udit
University of Texas at Arlington
Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor:
email swalpa.udit@utsouthwestern.edu
Mark Valasek
Texas A&M University
Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Research Interest: Regulation of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism by nuclear hormone receptors.
Mentor: Dr. Joyce Repa
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email mark.valasek@utsouthwestern.edu
Richard Voit
University of Texas, Dallas
Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor:
email richard.voit@utsouthwestern.edu
Jamie Walker
University of California, San Diego
Biological Chemistry 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
Research Interest:
Mentor: Drs. Ward Wakeland and Chandra Mohan
email: andrew.wang@utsouthwestern.edu
Michael Wang
Wheaton College
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
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 - Third Year
email maggie.waung@utsouthwestern.edu
Jadon Webb
Texas A&M University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interest: Molecular mechanisms of slow inactivation in the sodium channel.
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Cannon
Medical Student - Fourth Year
email jadon.webb@utsouthwestern.edu
Kyle Wedin
University of Texas, Austin
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Characterization of the physiologic role of the WNK kinases, a new protein kinase family.
Mentor: Dr. Melanie Cobb
Medical Student - Third Year
email kyle.wedin@utsouthwestern.edu
Matthew Wilkinson
University of South Carolina, Columbia
Graduate Program
Research Interest:
Mentor: Dr. Eric Nestler
email matthew.wilkinson@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 - Third Year
email nathan.york@utsouthwestern.edu
Bryan Young
Southern Nazarene University
Genetics and Development Graduate Program
Research Interest: Transcriptional regulation and signaling pathways controlling cardiac development and stress response.
Mentor: Dr. Eric Olson
Medical Student - Third Year
email bryan.young@utsouthwestern.edu
Melissa Rasar Young
Willamette University
Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Research Interest: Exploring the potential role of androgen receptors in non-transcriptional events in oocyte maturation.
Mentor: Dr. Steven Hammes
Leave of Absence - Research
email melissa.rasar@utsouthwestern.edu
Dongbo Yu
Harvard University
Medical Student - Second Year
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
Amy Zhou
University of British Columbia
Medical Student - Second Year
email amy.zhou@utsouthwestern.edu