Current graduate students in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences

Hanen Baggar

Degrees
MS, Veterinary Science , Washingston State University
BS, Microbiology, King Abdul Aziz University

Advisor
Dr. Rob O'Connor

James Berg

[email protected] 

Degree

BA, Biology and History, Saint John's University
MA, Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Research

My main research area of interest is in immunology, specifically immune development and immunopathogenesis. My research experience has been primarily focused on SIV/HIV pathogenesis.

Garrett Draper

[email protected]

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.

Aidan Marie Edge

[email protected]

Degree

BS, Biology, St. Norbert College

Advisor

Alon Herschhorn

Research

During my undergraduate studies, I researched the identity of an unknown species of parasitic Eustrongylides nematode recovered from bullfrog hosts. Currently, my research interests include the genetic and environmental mechanisms of infectious disease, along with host-pathogen interactions. I look forward to joining the CMB student cohort and continuing my education at the University of Minnesota!

Fernanda Fumuso

Degree
DVM, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Advisor
Dr. Rob O'Connor

Hayden Hamsher

Degrees
B.S., Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development

Bio
Hayden is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences with an undergraduate degree in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development. He has several years of research experience in human Natural Killer cell immunotherapy, specifically in investigating novel treatments for Multiple Myeloma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. His research interests and education are focused around genetics and how organisms develop, as well as using computational power to discover truth in large datasets. He hopes to help further the understanding of how humans develop and to one day contribute to allowing parents the ability to prevent or mitigate developmental disabilities in their children. He is also interested in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, and how genetic editing can advance the field.

Jahid Hasan

[email protected]

Advisor

Alon Herschhorn

Jake Jensen

Degrees
BA, Biology and Biochemistry, The College of Saint Scholastica

Advisor
Dr. Branden Moriarity

Research interests
Novel gene therapies

Ismael Karkache

Degree
BS, Biology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Advisor
Dr. Elizabeth Bradley

Anna Kauffman

Degree
BS, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University

Advisor
Dr. Hinh Ly

Emma Kozurek 

Degree
B.A., Biology, St. Catherine University

Advisor
Dr. Thomas Griffith

Emma is a Doctoral Candidate in the Comparative and Molecular Biosciences Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota. Her research investigates how microbial exposure shapes the innate immune system and influences susceptibility to bacterial infection. Emma’s work focuses on cellular mechanisms that contribute to enhanced host resistance to systemic infection, including changes in myeloid cell development, innate immune function, and infection bottlenecks. Using in vivo models of bloodstream infection, her research seeks to better understand how environmental microbial exposure leads to durable changes in immune function.

Joshua Krueger

Bio

Researcher at the University of Minnesota, recent admission into the Comparative Molecular Biology graduate program, Josh strives to take his research from the bench to the bed by translating effective therapies while maximizing availability to patient populations in need.

Manojkumar Narayanan

[email protected]

Education: 

B. Tech. Biotechnology, SASTRA University, India.

MS Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, USA.

Advisor: Dr. Maxim Cheeran

Research Interests: Neurovirology; Neuroimmunology.

Experience and goals:

My research experience and interest is in studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of virus and its infection in the brain. Previously, under the guidance of Dr. Groopman at Harvard, I studied the mechanisms behind the enhanced prevalence of HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) in cocaine-using HIV-1 infected individuals. My other experiences include developing Retroviral vectors for targeted gene therapy. During my PhD program at CVM, I would like to study the pathobiology and neurological complications of virus infection in brain using animal models.

Maria Olson

Advisor: Alexa Weingarden

I obtained my B.S. in Biology from Calvin University in 2015. Since graduating, I have gained research experience across academic, clinical, and industry settings, working as a research technician at the Homer Stryker School of Medicine, a Pathology Assistant in the Microbiology Department at Corewell Health, a Scientist in R&D at Thermo Fisher Scientific, and most recently, a research technician in the CFI at the University of Minnesota. These experiences have strengthened my interest in understanding how we can harness and bolster natural immunity to improve human health. During my time as a student in the Weingarden Lab, I hope to better define sex-based differences in the molecular and cellular biology of the gut and elucidate how these differences may contribute to the greater prevalence and severity of allergic disease observed in females. 

Yiyun (Fenix) Peng

Degree
BA, Biology, Franklin & Marshall College

Advisor
Dr. Bruce Blazar

Sydney Phu

Degree
BS, Biology, Oregon State University

Advisor
Dr. Hinh Ly

Jacob Rugloski

Degree
BS, Microbiology, UMN

Advisors
Martin Felices
Jeff Miller

Research
I began my undergraduate career here at the University of Minnesota, where I obtained my B.S in Microbiology. After graduating I joined the Miller lab as a research technician where I began researching NK cell engagers and their role in treating metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. My research interests are NK cell biology, Killer engager molecules, and Cancer research. My goal is to overcome the suppression of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment of Bladder Cancer with a novel Tri-specific Killer Engager.

Magie Steinhoff

[email protected]

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....

Ryan Thompson

Degrees
BS, Biochemistry, WA State, 2019
MS, Biological Sciences, WA State, 2021
DVM, Royal Vet College London, 2025

Advisor
Hinh Ly

Research
I have a particular interest in Cancer Biology and Immunology with a focus on translational research. I previously completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences at Washington State University. There, I spent 6 years in the Skinner laboratory studying the mechanism of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. Recently, I completed the Graduate Accelerated BVetMed course at Royal Veterinary College, London. During my time at the RVC, I was able to carry out a research project related to canine lymphoma and participate in the Cornell Veterinary Investigator Program working with the Dongre lab to improve our understanding of the role of CD73 in mixed model breast tumors. My goal is to gain a deeper understanding of mechanisms involved in Cancer Biology and Immunology to improve the efficacy of treatments available to clinicians and patients in both human and veterinary medicine.

Carrie Walls

[email protected]

Degree

BS, Zoology, Michigan State University

Advisor

Chris Faulk

Research

While at Michigan State, Carrie worked in the Holekamp lab on a project studying vocalizaDons of spoEed hyenas. She has previously worked as a lab technician for the NaDonal Marrow Donor Program and for Dr. Chris Faulk in the UMN Department of Animal Science. Her diverse research interests include the epigenomics of ageing and reproducDve senescence, and the movement of prions among biota and the
environment.

Sophia Wenthe

Degree
BA from University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Advisor
Dr. Beau Webber

Rowan Wilkens

[email protected]

Advisor

Fang Li

Jared Young

[email protected] 

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

Research
I am a dual DVM/PhD program candidate at the University of Minnesota. While completing my PhD; I will study epidemiology with an emphasis in microbial ecology and bioinformatics. My research interests include microbiome and resistome dynamics in food animals and production systems, and development of bioinformatics tools to better analyze high throughput sequencing data.