Current graduate students in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences

Shamim Ahmed

Degree
BS from Minnesota State University Mankato

Advisor
Dr. Alon Herschhorn

Susan Arnold

[email protected]

Advisor
Dr. Liz Pluhar

Degrees
DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)

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.

Julia Baker

[email protected]

Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum

Degree
B.S. Biochemistry, Vassar College

Advisor
Dr. Kim VanderWaal

Research
I am a DVM/PhD student interested in molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases. 

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.

Angelique Bernik

[email protected]

Degrees

BS, Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth
BS, Linguistics, University of Minnesota-Duluth
BA, Cognitive Science, University of Minnesota-Duluth

Advisor

Ann Parr

Research Interests

Neurosurgery, cellular biology, stem cells, regenerative medicine, spinal cord/traumatic brain injury and strokes.

Cristina Blanco

[email protected]

Degrees
B.S., Biology, Unviersity of South Flordia
M.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Arkansas Tech University 

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.

Ellie Bohm

Degree
BS from University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Advisor
Dr. Matthew Aliota

Michaela Cain

Degree
BS, Biology, Point Loma Nazarene University

Advisors
Dr. Hinh Ly
Dr. Yuying Liang

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!

Lexi Frank

Degree
MPH from University of Michigan, BS from University of Michigan

Advisor
Dr. Peter Larsen

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

Jason Hatfield

Degree
B.S., Animal Science and Biochemistry, Berry College

Advisor
Dr. Hinh Ly

Jake Jensen

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

Advisor
Dr. Branden Moriarity

Research interests
Novel gene therapies

Abigail Johnson

[email protected]

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.
• Boll EJ, Overballe-Petersen S, Hasman H, Roer L, Ng K, Scheutz F, Hammerum AM, Dungu A, Hansen F, Johannesen TB, Johnson A, Nair DT, Lilje B, Hansen DS, Krogfelt KA, Johnson TJ, Price LB, Johnson JR, Struve C, Olesen B, Stegger M. Emergence of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli within the ST131 Lineage as a Cause of Extraintestinal Infections. mBio. 2020 May 19;11(3):e00353-20. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00353-20. PMID: 32430467; PMCID: PMC7240153.
• 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.

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

Melissa Khaw

Degree
BS from University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Advisor
Dr. Jeff Miller

Emma Kozurek
 

Bio
Emma's primary interests include immunology and comparative biology. Emma earned a BA in Biology at St. Catherine University in 2020 and has since been a researcher at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. She is excited to continue her education at the University of Minnesota! 

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.

Jillian Marlowe

Degree
BS from Clemson University

Advisors
Dr. Sian Durward-Akhurst
Dr. Molly McCue

Hannah Murphy

[email protected]

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.

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.

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

Ruth Quintana

[email protected]

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. 

Shania Sanchez

[email protected]

Degree
B.S. Biology, University of New Mexico

Advisors
Dr. Yuying Liang and Dr. Hinh Ly

Research
Host-pathogen interactions focusing on vaccine development for zoonotic viruses.

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....

Phoebe Strell

Degree 
BA, Biology and Neuroscience, Augustana College
Dual D.V.M./Ph.D. student, currently in PhD curriculum

Advisor
Dr. Walter Low

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

Marissa Nicole Wood-Sternburgh

[email protected] 

Degrees

BSc, Psychology, University of Tennessee at Martin
MSc, Cognitive Neuroscience, Durham University

Advisor

Dr. Peter Larsen

Research

My research interests include protein misfolding disorders in humans including Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

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 Univeristy of Minnesota. Hwile completing my PhD; I ill 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.