Current Graduate Students in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences
PhD students in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences (CMB) are engaged in research in biomedical sciences at the intersection of animal and human health. Our students study infectious and zoonotic diseases, genetics and genomics, molecular mechanisms of health and disease, virology and bacteriology, among other areas of research.
Ahmed, Shamim
Arnold, Susan
Arnold, Susan
Susan Arnold
Advisor
Dr. Liz Pluhar
Research
My general area of research is in immunotherapy-based cures for primary brain tumors. I focus
on high grade gliomas in dogs, which share many important features with glioblastoma in
people. Our goal is to optimize multimodal immunotherapy-based treatment, consisting of tumor
lysate vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibition, in dogs so that this work can be translated
into human clinical trials. My thesis project is focused on determining why French bulldogs with
high grade gliomas have a uniformly poor response to immunotherapy, which will help to
optimize the treatment and predict outcome in people with similar tumor features.
Asmus, Aaron
Baker, Julia
Baggar, Hanen
Baggar, Hanen
Hanen Baggar
Degrees
MS, Veterinary Science , Washingston State University
BS, Microbiology, King Abdul Aziz University
Advisor
Dr. Rob O'Connor
Blanco, Cristina
Blanco, Cristina
Cristina Blanco
B.S., Biology, Unviersity of South Flordia
Adviser
Currently completing requirements of the DVM program
Research
I am a DVM/PhD student interested in ecosystem health sciences, zoonoses, and infectious disease ecology.
Bohm, Ellie
Cain, Michaela
Coffey, Emily
Coffey, Emily
Emily Coffey
Advisor
Dr. Eva Furrow
Research
The urobiome refers to the diverse array of microorganisms that inhabit the urinary tract, which has substantial implications for the host in both health and disease. The urobiome of dogs and cats remains largely unexplored. My research investigates the microbial populations of the urinary tract in dogs and cats, both in health and in the context of various disease states.
Publications (selected)
- Coffey EL, Little K, Seelig DM, Rendahl AK, Granick JL. Comparison of immediate versus delayed streak plate inoculation on urine bacterial culture and susceptibility testing in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2020; 1–7.
- Moore AR, Medrano E, Coffey E, Powers B. Clinicopathological Correlation and Prevalence of Increased Copper in Canine Hepatic Cytology. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019; 55(1): 8-13.
- Moore AR, Coffey E, Leavell SE, Krafsur G, Duncan C, Dowers K, Santangelo KS. Canine bicavitary carcinomatosis with transient needle tract metastasis diagnosed by multiplex immunocytochemistry. Vet Clin Pathol. 2016 Sep; 45(3): 495-500.
Honors/Awards
- College of Veterinary Medicine student representative, University 3-Minute Thesis competition, 2022
- College of Veterinary Medicine student representative, St. Paul Campus Science in Seconds, 2022
- Scholarship for Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Disease, 2020
- NIH NIDDK Urobiome Travel Award, 2020
- UMN Council of Graduate Students Career Development Award, 2019
- Comparative and Molecular Biosciences Graduate Student Travel Award, 2019
- NIH T32 Research Training Grant in Comparative Medicine and Pathology, 2019-2021 ACVIM Advanced Research Training Fellowship Grant, 2018-2019
- ISCAID-IDEXX Research Award, ACVIM Forum, 2018
- Education Research Committee ACVIM Forum Travel Award, 2018
- Resident Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, 2018
Demos-Davies, Kimberly
Demos-Davies, Kimberly
Kimberly Demos-Davies
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum
Degree
D.V.M., University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
B.A., Biological Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder
Advisor
Dr. Davis Seelig
Research
Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy cause deficits in cancer patients years after treatment is completed. In particular, I am interested in the mechanism behind cognitive deficits including memory loss and impairment of concentration in cancer patients post non brain directed radiation treatment. I am working through a mouse model to explore cognitive and neuroinflammatory effects of target radiation exposure
Awards
CVM Resident & Graduate Student Research Grant, 2020
MVMA Academy Pomeroy DVM/PhD Scholarship, 2020
NIH T32 Fellowship in Comparative Medicine and Pathology, 2020-present
UMN CVM Class of 1961 Scholarship, 2019
UMN CVM Marcella Melby Scholarship, 2018
Publications
Blakeslee, W.W., Demos-Davies K.M., Lemon, D.D., Lutter, K.M., Cavasin, M.A., Payne, S., Long, C.S., McKinsey, T.A., and Miyamoto, S.D. Histone Deacetylase Adaptation in Single Ventricle Heart Disease and a Young Animal Model of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy. Pediatric Res. 82(4): doi:10.1038/pr.2017.126, 2017.
Jeong, M.Y., Lin, T.H., Wennersten, S.A., Demos-Davies, K.M, Cavasin, M.A., Mahaffey, J.H., Monzani, V., Saripalli, C., Mascagni, P., Reece, T.B., Ambardecker, A.V., Granzier, H.L., Dinarello, C.A. and McKinsey, T.A. Histone Deacetylase Activity Governs Diastolic Dysfunction Through a Non- Genomic Mechanism. Science Transl Med. 10 (427): eaao0144, 2018
Draper, Garrett
Draper, Garrett
Garrett Draper
Degree
B.S., Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Advisor
Dr. David Largaespada
Research
The genetic tumor predisposition syndrome Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) results from the inheritance of a mutated copy of NF1, a Ras-GAP tumor suppressor gene. Subsequent loss of the remaining wild-type allele in Schwann lineage cells leads to hyperactive Ras signaling, cell proliferation, and the formation of benign plexiform neurofibromas. These benign tumors can progress to lethal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Although NF1 and other mutations have been associated with MPNST formation, their temporal dependence during Schwann cell development using a human cell model has not been studied. I aim to utilize a model of induced MPNSTs (iMPNSTs) for a better understanding of the timing at which these mutations occur during Schwann cell development to result in MPNSTs.
Feser, Colby
Feser, Colby
Colby Feser
CMB Council of Graduate Students Representative
Degree
B.S., Animal Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Advisor
Dr. Mark Osborn
Research
My area of interest is in manipulation of CRIPSR-Cas9 systems to drive targeted gene regulation. I am making use of the exceptional targeting ability of the CRIPSR nuclease to co-localize effector domains to target loci thereby modulating downstream gene expression. Collectively, this approach is structured to address unmet needs in the fields of cellular engineering, mammalian cell protein production, and genome editing.
Publications
McDonald-Hyman et al. (2018). The vimentin intermediate filament network restrains regulatory T cell suppression of graft-versus-host disease. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 128(10), 4604-4621. doi: 10.1172/JCI95713. Epub 2018 Aug 14.
Osborn et al. (2018). CRISPR/Cas9-Based Cellular Engineering for Targeted Gene Overexpression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences,19(4), 946. doi:10.3390/ijms19040946
Du et al. Invariant natural killer T cells ameliorate murine chronic GVHD by expanding donor regulatory T cells. Blood. 2017 Jun 8;129(23):3121-3125. doi: 10.1182/blood-2016-11-752444. Epub 2017 Apr 17. PMID: 28416503
Matta et al. Peri-alloHCT IL-33 administration expands recipient T-regulatory cells that protect mice against acute GVHD. Blood. 2016 Jul 21;128(3):427-39. doi: 10.1182/blood-2015-12-684142. Epub 2016 May 24. PMID: 27222477
Govindarajan Thangavelu et al. (2019). Dendritic Cell Expression of Retinal Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 Controls Graft-versus-Host Disease Lethality. J. Immunol., 202(9), 2795-2805. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800899. Epub 2019 Mar 18.
Paz et al. (2019). Targeting PI3Kδ Function for Amelioration of Murine Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease. American J. Transplant., 19(6):1820-1830. doi: 10.1111/ajt.15305. Epub 2019 Mar 19.
Saha et al. (2019) Donor and Host B7-H4 Expression Negatively Regulates Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Lethality. JCI Insight, 4(19) doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.127716.
Frank, Lexi
Fumuso, Fernanda
Garwood, Tyler
Garwood, Tyler
Tyler Garwood
Degrees
M.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Science, South Dakota State University
B.S., Wildlife Ecology & English, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Advisor
Dr. Tiffany Wolf
Research
To inform management strategies aimed at boosting moose populations, I am utilizing data from RADseq and ddPCR analyses to associate meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenius) transmission sites with landscape features. I also use metabarcoding techniques to identify immediate gastropod hosts of the meningeal worm. I collaborate extensively with the Grand Portage Indian Reservation biologist, where my samples are collected.
Hatfield, Jason
Jaeger, Anna
Jaeger, Anna
Anna Jaeger
Advisor
Dr. Matthew Aliota
Research
My research is broadly investigating determinants of arboviral emergence and pathogenesis. I am looking at this in terms of both host and virus genetic determinants. I have so far characterized an obscure flavivirus, Spondweni virus to determine its pathogenic potential using mouse models of pregnancy, mosquito transmission assays, and non-human primate models. We are now looking to identify flavivirus species specific host restriction factors using invitro cell culture models. To investigate viral genetic determinants of pathogenesis and emergence, I am characterizing changes in pathogenesis and transmission of mammalian adapted Zika viruses. Using reverse genetic systems, I will be analyzing the role of single amino acid changes in the Zika virus genome that may enhance virulence and transmission.
Awards and Honors
Institute of Molecular Virology Training Program T-32 Fellowship, Recipient, 2020
Jensen, Jake
Johnson, Abigail
Johnson, Abigail
Abigail Johnson
Degrees
M.S., Immunology, University of Cincinnati
B.S., Animal Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Advisor
Dr. Tim Johnson
Research
My research focuses on identifying potential probiotics that can combat/prevent colonization of pathogens associated with commercial turkey production, pathogen inhibition performance in probiotic bacteria which will aid in faster screening of future probiotic candidates and the development of a commercial.
Awards and Honors
USDA National Needs Fellowship in Poultry Health and Production 2018-2021
MnDRIVE Global Food Ventures Fellowship, Recipient, 2021
Pomeroy Legacy Scholarship, Recipient, 2020
Publications
Azam M, Mohsin M, Johnson TJ, Smith EA, Johnson A, Umair M, Saleemi MK, Sajjad-Ur-Rahman. Genomic landscape of multi-drug resistant avian pathogenic Escherichia coli recovered from broilers. Vet Microbiol. 2020 Aug;247:108766. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108766. Epub 2020 Jun 27. PMID: 32768218.
Hwang, Haejin; Miller, Elizabeth A.; Johnson, Abigail; Valeris-Chacin, Robert; Nault, Andre J.; Singer, Randall S.; Johnson, Timothy J.. (2020). Efficacy of prebiotics and probiotics on growth performance in poultry: A protocol for a systematic review. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/216461.
Student Research Report: Abigail Johnson Johnson, Abigail Gobbles Magazine, MN Turkey Growers Assoc. 2021. In press.
Karkache, Ismael
Kauffman, Anna
Khaw, Melissa
Kirk, Natalie
Kirk, Natalie
Natalie Kirk
DVM, Colorado State University
M.S., Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Univ. of IL
Li, Manci
Li, Manci
Manci Li
Degrees
B.S., Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, Colorado State University
Advisor
Dr. Peter Larsen
Research
My research interest revolves around Alu retrotransposons—a primate-specific mobile genetic element that act as regulators of gene expression, playing a wide variety of roles in human health and disease. Currently, I am working on the roles of retrotransposons in circadian rhythm and neuroepigenetics and Alu polymorphisms and the outcome and clinical manifestations of COVID-19. I also work on detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions deer using real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC).
Publications
Tennant, J. M., Li, M., Henderson, D. M., Tyer, M. L., Denkers, N. D., Haley, N. J., Mathiason, C. K., & Hoover, E. A. (2020). Shedding and stability of CWD prion seeding activity in cervid feces. PloS one, 15(3), e0227094. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227094
Awards
COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant, 2020
K.V. Nagaraja Tuition Fellowship, Recipient, 2021
MnDRIVE Global Food Ventures Fellowship, Recipient, 2021
Marlowe, Jillian
Matson, Anders
Matson, Anders
Anders Matson
Degree
B.S., Biology, Augsburg College
Advisor
Dr. Bruce Walcheck
Research
My research interests are genetic engineering and transplant immunology. My research is currently focused on the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create a porcine organ donor that elicits a lower immune response from humans as compared to non-genetically engineered donors. This research allows me to explore the efficiency of the CRISPR Cas9 system and the potential for off target mutations. This work has resulted in the ability to characterize and optimize CRIPSR efficiency at gene-targeting sites. Characterization of the genetically engineered porcine donors involves pre-transplant immunologic screening that determines the potential for immune rejection between the non-human primate recipient and porcine donor. My research also includes post-transplant immunologic monitoring of the xenograft recipients. While we have made great progress in genetic engineering, the islet cells we transplant still under go an eventual immune assault. I work with our immune monitoring team to unravel the complexities of B and T cell activation in response to xenografts.
Publications
Hosny, N, Matson, AW, Kumbha, R, et al. 3′UTR enhances hCD47 cell surface expression, self‐signal function, and reduces ER stress in porcine fibroblasts. Xenotransplantation. 2021; 28:e12641. https://doi.org/10.1111/xen.12641.
Rao, JS, Matson, AW, Taylor, RT, Burlak, C, Xenotransplantation Literature Update 2020-2021. Xenotransplantation. 2021; 00:e12685. https://doi.org/10.1111/xen.12685
Murphy, Hannah
Murphy, Hannah
Hannah Murphy
Advisors
Dr. Yuying Liang and Dr. Hinh Ly
Research
My research focuses on the gene expression of arenaviruses, specifically Lassa fever virus. Lassa fever virus causes severe to fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and has no vaccine or effective drug treatment. I am also involved in the research of using trisegmented arenavirus (Pichinde virus) vector to develop vaccines against various animal and human diseases.
Awards
Institute of Molecular Virology Training Program T-32 Fellowship, Recipient, 2022
Oppler, Scott
Oppler, Scott
Scott Hunter Oppler
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum
Degree
B.S., Biology & Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Advisor
Dr. Melanie Graham
Research
My area of research interest is metabolic diseases, especially Type 1 diabetes, and the refinement of animal models used in the transitional research to study them. I am interested in translational research that helps advance the development of novel and optimization of current therapies for these diseases.
Awards and Honors
Office of Graduate Programs Professional Development Travel Award, Recipient, 2020
Oram, Marissa
Oram, Marissa
Marissa Oram
Degree
B.A., Chemistry, College of St. Benedict
Advisor
Dr. Anja-Katrin Bielinsky
Research
During carcinogenesis, cells proliferate quickly and evade inhibitory regulation signals to support the growth of a solid tumor. This uncontrollable cell division compromises the fidelity of DNA replication, a phenomenon referred to as “replication stress” and an important hallmark of all cancer types. Epithelial cells that form the inner layer of the intestine are rapidly renewing tissues that can give rise to colorectal cancer, which is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Therefore, a better understanding of how cell division is dysregulated is particularly important for this cancer subtype. Our group has used the deficiency of an essential replication factor, minichromosome maintenance protein 10 (MCM10), as a model for chronic replication stress in human colon cancer cells. My dissertation research suggests that these cells rely on an important protein, RING finger protein 4 (RNF4), for survival. Without RNF4, MCM10 mutants do not duplicate all of their DNA, leaving some regions under-replicated. This exposed DNA is prone to damage, which accumulates, and results in cell death. Thus, the interaction between MCM10 and RNF4 can be exploited to kill cancer cells. In order to devise such therapies, we need to understand RNF4’s function which is the upmost goal of my dissertation research. We hypothesize that RNF4 prevents abnormally fast replication, and this is what I am currently investigating. This research will not only advance therapeutic intervention strategies for colon or other epithelial cancers but can broadly apply to all cancer types where DNA replication is commonly dysregulated.
Publications
Baxley, R.M., Leung, W., Schmit, M.M., Matson, J.P., Yin, L., Oram, M.K., Wang, L., Taylor, J., Hedberg, J., Rogers, C.B., Harvey, A.J., Basu, D., Taylor, J., Pagnamenta, A., Dreau, H., Craft, J., Ormondroyd, E., Watkins, H., Hedrickson, E.A., Mace, E.M., Orange, J.S., Aihara, H., Stewart, G.S., Blair, E., Cook, J.G., & Bielinsky, A.K. (2021). Bi-allelic MCM10 variants associated with immune dysfunction and cardiomyopathy cause telomere shortening. Nature Communications, 12, 1626. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21878-x.
Chang, Y.C.*, Oram, M.K.*, and Bielinsky, A.K. (2021, April). SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases and their functions in maintaining genome stability. Manuscript submitted to International Journal of Molecular Sciences. *These authors contributed equally
Peterson, L., Oram, M.K., Flavin, M., Seabloom, D., Smith, W., O'Sullivan, M. G., Vevang, K., Upadhyaya, P., Stornetta, A., Floeder, A., Ho, Y., Zhang, L., Hecht, S., Balbo, S., & Wiedmann, T. (2021) Co-exposure to inhaled aldehydes or carbon dioxide enhances the carcinogenic properties of the tobacco specific nitrosamine 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in the A/J mouse lung. Manuscript accepted for publication in Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Park Lang, Haeree
Park Lang, Haeree
Haeree Park Lang
Degrees
B.S. Pre-veterinary Studies, University MA-Amherst
DVM/PhD in progress, University of Minnesota
Dr. Steven Friedenberg
Dr. Marc Jenkins
Autoimmune Addison's Disease (AAD) is a life-threatening endocrinopathy that naturally develops in humans and dogs and is characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of the adrenal cortex. To understand the immunological causes of AAD autoreactivity, we are creating a canine model for AAD to identify and characterize the autoantigen(s) and the autoreactive CD4+ T cell population involved in disease onset. To study these autoimmune triggers, we will utilize canine-specific peptide MHC II tetramers and T cell activation marker assays that we have developed. With a more informed understanding of AAD, we hope to bring the standard of treatment into a new era of antigen-specific therapeutics for the benefit of humans and dogs alike.
Awards
JoAnne Schmidt O'Brien/Bee Hanlon Research Fellow, 2021-2022
NIH T35 Summer Training Grant, 2019
AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Conference Travel Grant, 2019
The Eisenberg Family Scholarship, 2019
The Cleaver Scholarship, 2019
The Ray and Lee Janssen Memorial Endowment Scholarship, 2018
Peng, Yiyun
Phu, Sydney
Phung, Gwen
Phung, Gwen
Gwen Phung
Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey Miller
Research
I am interested in studying the interactions between natural killer cells (NK cells) and
suppressive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment which include myeloid-derived
suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). More specifically, my current project
examines the reciprocal interactions between induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK
cell (iNK) that are currently being tested clinically (NCT03841110), with MDSCs and Tregs, in
order to investigate if the lack of in vivo persistence of the iNKs is due to suppressive immune
cells. With better understanding, we hope to improve the efficacy of iNKs as a cancer
immunotherapy.
Quintana, Ruth
Quintana, Ruth
Ruth Quintana
Degree
B.S., Biology, University of Puerto Rico Piedras
Advisor
Dr. Alonso Guedes
Area of research interest
My current research focuses on neuro-immune interactions relevant for chronic pain and opioid mechanisms. Specifically, we study the role of calcium signaling in glia and its involvement in nociception, opioid antinociception and opioid tolerance using mouse models of chronic pain.
Robbins, Gabrielle
Robbins, Gabrielle
Gabrielle Robbins
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in D.V.M. curriculum
Degree
B.S., Animal Science, North Carolina State University Raleigh
Advisors
Drs. Branden Moriarity and Bruce Walcheck
Research
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone diagnosed in children and adolescents. Patient outcome and treatment options have not improved over the last four decades and continue to focus on tumor resection and combination chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has shown promise in other cancer types but remains relatively unexplored for osteosarcoma. My research aims to utilize cutting-edge genome engineering tools to modify NK cells by knocking out inhibitory genes and integrating novel NK cell Chimeric Antigen Receptors to improve their potential as an effective osteosarcoma treatment.
Sanchez, Shania
Sanchez, Shania
Shania Sanchez
Degree
B.S. Biology, University of New Mexico
Advisors
Dr. Yuying Liang and Dr. Hinh Ly
Snyder, Kristin
Snyder, Kristin
Kristin Snyder
[email protected]
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum
Degree
B.S., Biology, Susquehanna University
Advisors
Dr. Bruce Walcheck & Dr. Jianming Wu
Research
My thesis project aims to enhance the effector functions of natural killer (NK) cells to improve NK targeted killing of ovarian cancer. Most solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, have not been responsive to immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cell or monoclonal antibody therapies, in the clinic. Therefore, it is critical to develop new and effective strategies for patients with refractory disease. Our approach was to design a novel high-affinity Fc gamma receptor, CD64/16, that can be used in conjunction with IgG monoclonal antibodies already on the market. In addition to new insights gained in the treatment of ovarian cancer, this work will provide a framework for using Fc receptor based adoptive cell therapies for treatment of several solid cancers in both humans and companion animals. Our long-term goal is to develop “off-the-shelf” cellular products for human or animal use.
Springer, Kelsey
Steinhoff, Magie
Steinhoff, Magie
Magie Steinhoff
Degrees
M.B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
B.S., Animal Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia
Advisor
Dr. Sabarinathan Ramachandran
Research
My research at the Schulze Diabetes Institute is focused on altering surface glycan expression of porcine cells through genetic engineering. Our goal is to produce a donor organ that is less immunoreactive when used in xenotransplantation. Specifically, my goal is to increase the level of ɑ2,6 sialylation on pig cells to inhibit activation of human B cells in response to porcine cells.
Publications
Kumbha, R, Hosny, N, Matson, AW, Steinhoff, M, Hering, BJ, & Burlak, C. (2020). Efficient production of GGTA1 knockout porcine embryos using a modified handmade cloning (HMC) method. Research in veterinary science, 128, 59-68. https://www-sciencedirectcom.ezp1.lib.umn.edu/science/article/pii/S00345....
Hosny, N, Matson, AW, Kumbha, R, Steinhoff, M, Rao, JS, El-Abaseri, TB, Sabek, NA, Mahmoud, MA, Hering, BJ, Burlak, C. 3’UTR enhances hCD47 cell surface expression, self-signal function, and reduces ER stress in porcine fibroblasts. Xenotransplantation. 2020; 00:e12641. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/xen.12641casa_token=1Ogn....
Strell, Phoebe
Strell, Phoebe
Phoebe Strell
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum
Treeful, Amy
Treeful, Amy

Amy Treeful
Degrees
M.S., Comparative and Molecular Biosciences, University of Minnesota
B.S., Biology, University of Minnesota
B.A., East Asian Studies, University of Minnesota
Advisor
Dr. Steven Friedenberg
Research
Hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Autoimmune Addison's Disease (AAD), is a life-threatening endocrinopathy that occurs spontaneously in both humans and dogs. AAD is rare in humans but as much as 100X more common in high risk dog breeds. Human medicine has benefitted from the identification of an autoantibody biomarker for the disease, which can be detected prior to advanced disease stage. Such a biomarker has yet to be identified for the canine counterpart of the disease. My thesis research seeks to fill this gap by identifying an autoantibody biomarker for canine AAD and to develop it into an early screening tool.
Publications
Cullen JN, Martin J, Vilella AJ, Treeful A, Sargan D, Bradley A, Friedenberg SG. Development and application of a next-generation sequencing protocol and bioinformatics pipeline for the comprehensive analysis of the canine immunoglobulin repertoire. PLoS One. 2022 Jul 8;17(7):e0270710. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270710. PMID: 35802654; PMCID: PMC9269486.
Treeful AE, Coffey EL, Friedenberg SG. A scoping review of autoantibodies as biomarkers for canine autoimmune disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine [Internet]. [online 2022 Feb 22];n/a(n/a). Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jvim.16392
Treeful, A.E., Rendahl, A.K., Friedenberg, S.G., DLA class II haplotypes show sex-specific associations with primary hypoadrenocorticism in Standard Poodle dogs. Immunogenetics. On-line 09 April 2019. Doi: 10.1007/s00251-019-01113-0
Steven G. Friedenberg, Daniella Vansteenkiste, Oriana Yost, Amy E. Treeful, Kathryn M. Meurs, Debra A. Tokarz, Natasha J. Olby. A de novo mutation in the EXT2 gene associated with osteochondromatosis in a litter of American Staffordshire Terriers. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. (2018). Feb 27.
Cummings, C., Walder, J., Treeful, A., Jemmerson, R., (2006). Serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein 1 binds cytochrome c and inhibits antibody detection of the apoptotic marker in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis. 11 (7), 1121-9.
McNiel, EA., Madrill, NJ., Treeful, AE., Buoen, LC., Weber, AF. (2006). Comparison of cytogenetics and polymerase chain reaction based detection of the amelogenin gene polymorphism for the diagnosis of freemartinism in cattle. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 18(5), 469-72.
Jemmerson, R., LaPlante, B., Treeful, A., (2002). The Release of Intact Monomeric Cytochrome c from Apoptotic and Necrotic Cells. Cell Death and Differentiation. 9(5), 538-48.
Treeful, AE, Friedenberg SG. (2020 May). Identifying autoantibody biomarkers for canine autoimmune Addison's disease. Accepted at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, Immunology 2020™. Honolulu, HI.
Treeful, AE, Friedenberg SG. (2019 October). Identifying autoantibody biomarkers for canine autoimmune Addison's disease. Presented at Points of Pride Research Days, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.
Immunology 2020™ Trainee Poster Award, American Association of Immunologists, 2020
Nominee, Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, CMB Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 2020
Wanner, Nicole
Wanner, Nicole
Nicole Wanner
Degrees
D.V.M., University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
B.A., Biology, Lawrence University
Advisor
Dr. Chris Faulk
Research
My area of research interest is epigenetic gene regulation, including epigenetic biomarkers of health and disease and how the epigenome changes in response to environmental input. Epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation can affect gene expression in ways that are both responsive to the environment and, in some cases, heritable between generations. My thesis work is focused on understanding the epigenetic actions of cannabidiol (CBD), the primary non-psychoactive component of cannabis, using the Agouti viable yellow (Avy) environmental biosensor mouse model.
Awards and Honors
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Residents and Graduate Student Research Grant, Recipient, 2020
Publications
Colwell, M., Wanner, N. M., Drown, C., Drown, M., Dolinoy, D. C., & Faulk, C. (2020). Paradoxical whole genome DNA methylation dynamics of 5’aza-deoxycytidine in chronic low-dose exposure in mice. Epigenetics: Official Journal of the DNA Methylation Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/15592294.2020.1790951.
Wanner, N. M., Colwell, M., Drown, C., & Faulk, C. (2021). Developmental cannabidiol exposure increases anxiety and modifies genome-wide brain DNA methylation in adult female mice. Clinical Epigenetics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-020-00993-4.
Wanner, N. M., Colwell, M., Drown, C., & Faulk, C. (2020). Subacute cannabidiol alters genome-wide DNA methylation in adult mouse hippocampus. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. https://doi.org/10.1002/em.22396.
Wenthe, Sophia
Yang, Huixin
Yang, Huixin
Huixin Yang
Degree
B.S., Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University
Advisor
Dr. Lou Mansky
Research
My research mainly focuses on the molecular and structural nature of HIV particle assembly. I am interested in virus particle biogenesis and use a combination of traditional and sophisticated state-of-the-art experimental approaches. This work will reveal potential new targets for developing antiviral compounds.
Young, Jared
Young, Jared
Jared Young
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum
Degrees
B.S. Animal Sciences, West Texas A&M University
Adviser
Dr. Noelle Noyes