Elisabeth DeMarco
Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University
Research: While working with Dr. Estuardo Robles, my undergraduate research characterized the
normal development of dendritic spines in vivo using a transgenic zebrafish line and
explored the use of this tool to model spine development in mutant models.
Reagan McGuffee
Undergraduate Institution: Millsaps College
Research: My undergraduate research was conducted in the lab of Dr. Wolfgang Kramer. The goal
of the research was to synthesize photoactivatable N-alkoxy-substituted heteroaromatic
compounds which could serve as both novel DNA-cleaving reagents and as photodynamic
therapy (PDT) drug candidates to combat cancer. I am planning for a rotation in Dr.
David Ford's lab this summer in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
at SLU.
Lindsay Vinarcsik
Undergraduate Institution: Cornell University
Research: My undergraduate research took multiple forms but remained centered on Alzheimer’s
disease. My research began in Cornell University’s Schaffer-Nishimura lab with an
Alzheimer’s disease drug development project (results published in the Nature Neuroscience
article entitled, “Neutrophil adhesion in brain capillaries reduces cortical blood
flow and impairs memory function in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models”). After the
project’s completion I changed the lens through which I researched Alzheimer’s disease
and began to re-evaluate the work I had done in the lab with Professors from various
interdisciplinary fields (Dr. Courtney Roby in Classics, Dr. Stacey Langwick in Medical
Anthropology, and Dr. Malte Ziewitz in Science and Technology Studies). This re-evaluation
led to an honors thesis that critically analyzed the ways in which biomedical care
and citizen science can shape the way that patients and families conceptualize lived
experiences of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alexander Piening
Undergraduate Institution: Rockhurst University
Research: My undergraduate research focused on examining the efficacy of monoclonal antibody
glycosylation profile mapping techniques when applied to cancer and autoimmune immunotherapy
drugs. In addition, I have just completed a rotation in Dr. Daniela Salvemini’s lab
where I was helping to research neuropathic pain pathways related to chronic constriction
injury (CCI) and spared nerve injury (SNI) pain models in mice.
Stella Hoft
Undergraduate Institution: Pitzer College
Research: Most of my previous research experience is in various realms of infectious disease.
In the past, at Saint Louis University, I worked on drug development for Herpes Simplex
Virus under Dr. Lynda Morrison. Before matriculating into SLU’s MD/PhD program I completed
a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Disease under Dr. Daniel Barber, where we worked toward understanding the pulmonary
CD4 T cell response toMycobacterium tuberculosis in mouse, non-human primate, and
human models. For my first lab rotation at SLU I worked with Drs. James Brien and
Amelia Pinto to identify the progression of the B cell response to ZIKV infection
in a specified mouse model. I currently hope to complete my PhD in the Molecular,
Microbiology, and Immunology department, focusing on the immune response to globally
relevant infectious diseases.
Robert Kousnetsov
Undergraduate Institution: Santa Clara University
Research: My undergraduate research took place in the lab of Dr. Leilani Miller, where I investigated
the properties of a transcription factor that is part of a gene regulatory circuit
controlling vulval cell fate execution in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.
For my first summer at SLU, I rotated in the lab of Dr. Daniel Hawiger, where I studied
the interactions between dendritic cells and T cells in the context of immune tolerance.
While pursuing a PhD in the department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, I
wish to explore the dynamics of the immune system with respect to cancer (in the service
of immunotherapy).
Monica Goodland
Undergraduate Institution: Missouri State University in Springfield
Graduate Department: Pharmacology and Physiology
Research Mentor: Susan Farr, Ph.D.
Research Interests: In our lab, we use the SAMP8 mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease to study the effects
of various drugs on behavior and cognition with hopes to identify novel therapies
for the debilitating disease. We also study traumatic brain injuries, chemotherapy
induced cognitive impairment, and fronto-temporal lobar dementias in collaboration
with other labs.
Research: My previous master's thesis research focused on a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
and characterizing their oxygen consumption at rest and during physical activity;
this work was primarily exercise physiology based, focusing on metabolic differences
between these mice and similarly aged matched control mice. My education background
is in cell and molecular biology with extensive teaching experience in human anatomy
at the undergraduate and graduate levels. I am currently in a summer rotation with
Dr. Ayala's group and I am interested in neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's
disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. During this rotation, I am using fluorescent
tagged antibodies to examine where the TDP protein (affected in ALS) with different
point mutations localizes in this cell line under normal and stressful conditions.
Hopefully this will bring more insight into which mutations of this protein are harmful
and which are beneficial.
Di (Andy) Wu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Department: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Research Mentor: Rajeev Aurora, Ph.D.
Research: My work in Dr. Rajeev Aurora’s lab focuses on osteoimmunology, which is the interplay
between the skeletal and immune system. Ovariectomized (OVX) mice is a well characterized
mice model for post-menopausal osteoporosis. Previous work in the lab has shown that
osteoclasts (OC) can induced CD8+ regulatory T-cells (Tcreg), which has a bone anabolic
effect in OVX mice. I am interested in how inflammation affects osteoblasts (OB) and
how this contributes to bone loss in OVX mice. The goal is to identify cellular pathways
that can be potential targets for new therapeutics.
Emily Cybulla
Undergraduate Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Research Mentor: Alessandro Vindigni, Ph.D.
Graduate Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research: Mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer an increased
lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Clinically, BRCA-mutated cancers are
susceptible to PolyADP-Ribose Polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) and platinum-based agents,
but emerging PARPi resistance has become a critical challenge for treating these tumors.
The Vindigni Lab is focused on characterizing DNA replication stress response and
repair pathways that are activated by cancer cells upon treatment with DNA-damaging
agents, with the ultimate goal of targeting these responses to improve chemotherapeutic
efficacy. Our lab is also generally interested in topics encompassed by the fields
of DNA replication and repair, genome stability, cancer biology, and precision cancer
medicine. My specific work centers on elucidating the replication stress response
mechanisms utilized by BRCA1-deficient breast and ovarian cancers. Moreover, I aim
to determine whether targeting these pathways can improve chemoresponse in BRCA1-mutated
cancers.
Zachary Grese
Undergraduate Institution: Marquette University
Graduate Department: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Research Mentor: Yuna Ayala, PhD.
Research Interests: Our research is focused on the RNA-binding protein TDP-43. TDP-43 forms cellular
aggregates in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTD. Using both
in vitro and cellular models, I am investigating the role that RNA plays in maintaining
the solubility of TDP-43. We hope to use insights from what we learn to help develop
therapeutics for currently-incurable neurological disorders.
Jessica Bourque
Undergraduate Institution: Stevens Institute of Technology
Graduate Department: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Research Mentor: Daniel Hawiger, M.D., Ph.D.
Research: My research in the Hawiger lab focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms by
which various dendritic cell (DC) subsets influence T cell responses. Previous work
in our lab has shown how a particular subset of tolerogenic DCs promotes the differentiation
of peripheral regulatory T (pTreg) cells that are protective against autoimmunity.
I am interested in identifying and characterizing additional pathways utilized by
specific populations of DCs and T cells that may potentially be targeted for the development
of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, autoimmunity, and infection.
Valerio Rasi
Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Graduate Department: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Research Mentor: Dan Hoft, M.D., Ph.D.
Research: After taking a graduate level course in Immunology, I developed an interest in this
subject. When I joined the M.D./Ph.D. program at Saint Louis University, I decided
to look for a mentor in Immunology, who also had clinical expertise in this field.
For my summer rotation, I have worked in Dr. Daniel Hoft's laboratory. Dr. Hoft conducts
research on gamma delta T cells and their immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Dr. Hoft has previously shown that Granzyme A induces this immunity. My rotation's
project was to purify this protein first, and then inspect the pathway in which Granzyme
A induces macrophage activation and Mycobacterium tuberculosis clearance.
Stephen Grote
Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University
Graduate Department: Pharmacology and Physiology
Research Mentor: Gina Yosten, Ph.D.
Research: I am investigating the role of C-peptide in the health and metabolism of the retinal
pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE is integral to the retina and its pathology may
be important to the development of diabetic retinopathy. C-peptide is cleaved from
the proinsulin molecule and released with insulin from the β cell, but its biological
function is poorly understood. With the identification of a putative C-peptide receptor
GPR146) in our lab, I am also looking to determine the interactions and function C-peptide
has with its responsive tissues, in particular RPE cells.
Daniel Pike
Undergraduate Institution: Saint Louis University
Graduate Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research Mentor: David Ford, Ph.D.
Research: I have just joined the Biochemistry Department in Dr. Ford’s lab. My initial research
will involve investigating the link between the production of chlorinated lipids during
the respiratory burst of the immune system in response to systemic infection and the
sepsis phenotype, including, but not limited to, changes to the microvasculature and
organ dysfunction.
Nickolas Steinauer
Undergraduate Institution: Saint Louis University
Graduate Department: Pharmacology and Physiology
Research Mentor: Jinsong Zhang, Ph.D.
Research: Our lab is interested in the mechanisms by which leukemia fusion proteins alter the
transcriptome of hematopoietic cells to induce a leukemic state. Of particular interest
to us is the t(8;21) translocation and the aberrant transcription factor produced
by this translocation, AML1-ETO. By studying the transcriptional corepressors, coactivators,
and epigenetic modulators that bind to AML1-ETO and allow it to both activate and
repress specific genes, we hope to uncover potential interactions for targeted therapy.
Meghan Murray
Undergraduate Institution: Saint Louis University
Department: Pharmacology and Physiology
Mentor: Tom Burris, Ph.D.
Research: The Burris lab is focused on using chemical biology approaches to characterize the
physiological roles of nuclear receptors. The lab also develops drugs targeting nuclear
receptors for the treatment of diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
cancer, liver diseases, muscular dystrophy, autism, Alzheimer's disease, and more.
One particular area of concentration is identifying the ligands for a group of these
nuclear receptors known as orphans. The “hormones” that bind to these orphan receptors
have yet to be discovered.
Michelle Bach
Undergraduate Institution: Agnes Scott College
Graduate Department: Health Care Ethics
Mentor: Jeffery Bishop, M.D., Ph.D.
Research: My work focuses on using insights from philosophy of science, feminist bioethics,
and theology to explore topics in psychiatric ethics such as personality disorders
and violence.
Kevin Bockerstett
Undergraduate Institution: Spring Hill College
Graduate Department: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Research Mentor: Rich DiPaolo, Ph.D.
Research: Gastric cancer is the 5 th most common cancer and 3 rd leading cause of cancer-related
death in the world. While chronic inflammation is strongly associated with the development
of gastric cancer, the mechanism of this relationship is poorly understood. My goal
is to define how cytokines produced by the immune system during the inflammatory response,
such as interferon gamma and interleukin 17A, influence carcinogenesis. To date, I
have found that the gastric epithelium expresses the receptors for certain immune
cytokines that these cytokines are critical for cancer development in vivo, suggesting
an unexplored direct effect of the immune system on the gastric epithelium that potentiates cancer
development. It is my hope that a better understanding of this interaction between
the immune system and the stomach will provide new insight into gastric cancer development
and create new areas of investigation for diagnosis and therapies.
Catherine Cai
Undergraduate Institution: Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Graduate Department: Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
Research Mentor: Daniel Hoft, M.D., Ph.D.
Research: My research seeks to understand the factors that drive protective immunity versus
immunopathology during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Chronic T. cruzi infection results
in Chagas disease, a major infectious cause of heart failure. We recently discovered
that CD4+ Th17 cells are highly protective against T. cruzi infection and characterized
the mechanisms of protection. Ongoing work involves studying the role of Th17 cells
in T. cruzi-related cardiac pathology. Broadly speaking, my research interests lie
in immunology, infectious diseases, global public health and vaccine development.
Ananthi Rajamoorthi
Undergraduate Institution: Temple University
Graduate Department: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Research Mentor: Ángel Baldán, Ph.D.
Research: Our lab is interested in the molecular mechanisms that regulate whole-body
lipid homeostasis. We are currently studying the role of hepatic CIDEC/Fsp27, a lipid-droplet
associated protein, in diet-induced steatohepatitis, VLDL secretion, and the progression
of atherosclerosis. Our long-term goals are to characterize the functional consequences
of hepatic CIDEC/Fsp27 in the clinically relevant setting of metabolic syndrome.