People

Program affiliation
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Molecular and genetic mechanisms of airway epithelial cell differentiation and ciliogenesis

Key words
cilia, development, epithelium, lung, transcription

Program: Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology

Current advisor: Natalie M. Niemi, PhD

Undergraduate university: Ball State University, 2024

Program: Immunology

Graduation Year: 2001

Thesis Advisor: Michael M. Dustin

Thesis Title: Molecular Interactions in Immunological Synapse Formation and T Cell Activation

Program: Immunology

Graduation Year: 1991

Thesis Advisor: David D. Chaplin

Thesis Title: Cloning of the Human Major Histocompatibility Complex in Yeast Artificial Chromosomes

Program affiliation
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
We focus on the intersection of metabolism and stress responses in human health and disease. We use basic and translational approaches to identify and investigate key metabolic regulators in both physiologic and pathophysiologic contexts including obesity and diabetes.

Key words
Metabolism, skeletal muscle, ER stress, calcium, mitochondria, SREBP, obesity, diabetes

Program: Molecular Cell Biology

Graduation Year: 2009

Thesis Advisor: Jean E. Schaffer

Thesis Title: The non-coding RNA gadd7 is a feed-forward regulator of oxidative stress.

Program: Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Graduation Year: 2003

Thesis Advisor: Barbara N. Kunkel

Thesis Title: Characterization of the Effect of the Pseudomonas Syringae Virulence Factor Coronatine during Pathogenesis of Arabidopsis Thaliana

Program: Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Graduation Year: 2014

Thesis Advisor: Robi D. Mitra

Thesis Title: Transcriptional Analysis of Reciprocal Tumor: Microenvironment Interaction in Glioblastoma

Program: Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Graduation Year: 2007

Thesis Advisor: William E. Goldman

Thesis Title: The characterization of a novel aspect of sulfur metabolism in histoplasma capsulatum

Program affiliation
Cancer Biology

Research summary
We are interested in the neurodevelopmental and environmental factors that affect the risk of brain tumor development and cognitive impairment in children.

Key words
pediatric, glioma, obesity, neurofibromatosis, neurodevelopment