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.

Aaron Asmus

Degree
BS from Iowa State University

Advisor
Dr. Noelle Noyes

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

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

Emily Coffey

[email protected]

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

• 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

Kimberly Demos-Davies

[email protected]

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

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.

Colby Feser

[email protected]

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.

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

Tyler Garwood

[email protected]

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.

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.

Jason Hatfield

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

Advisor
Dr. Hinh Ly

Anna Jaeger

[email protected]

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

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

Natalie Kirk

[email protected]

Degrees
B.S., Biology, Colorado State University
DVM, Colorado State University
M.S., Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Univ. of IL
 
Advisor
Dr. Hinh Ly
 
Research
Host-pathogens interactions and immunopathology of infectious agents. My research includes developing a surrogate small animal mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 using mouse hepatitis virus and studying the immunogenicity and immune responses to a novel virus vectored tuberculosis vaccine in mice.
 
Publications

• Brisse M, Vrba SM, Kirk N, Liang Y, Ly H. Emerging Concepts and Technologies in Vaccine Development. Front Immunol. 2020;11:583077. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583077. eCollection 2020. Review. PubMed PMID:33101309; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7554600.
• Kirk NM, Vieson MD, Selting KA, Reinhart, JM. Cytotoxicity of Cultured Canine Primary Hepatocytes Exposed to Itraconazole Is Decreased by Pretreatment With Glutathione. Front Vet Sci. 2021 Feb 18;8:621732. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.621732. eCollection 2021.
• Vrba SM, Kirk NM, Brisse ME, Liang Y, Ly H. Development and Applications of Viral Vectored Vaccines to Combat Zoonotic and Emerging Public Health Threats. Vaccines (Basel). 2020 Nov 13;8(4). doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040680. Review. PubMed PMID: 33202961.

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.

Manci Li

[email protected]

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

Jillian Marlowe

Degree
BS from Clemson University

Advisors
Dr. Sian Durward-Akhurst
Dr. Molly McCue

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

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.

Scott Hunter Oppler

[email protected]

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

Marissa Oram

[email protected]

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.

Haeree Park Lang

[email protected] 

Degrees
B.S. Pre-veterinary Studies, University MA-Amherst
DVM/PhD in progress, University of Minnesota

Advisor
Dr. Steven Friedenberg
Dr. Marc Jenkins 
 
Research
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

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

Gwen Phung

[email protected]

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.

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. 

Gabrielle Robbins

[email protected]

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.

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.

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.

Kelsey Springer

[email protected]

Degrees
B.S. Biology and Chemistry 
 
Advisor
Currently completing requirements of the DVM program
 
Research
I am a DVM/PhD student interested in translating research to medicine. I will be studying comparative models of spontaneous and infectious disease. 

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

Amy Treeful

[email protected]

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

• 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.

Posters

• 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.
• Treeful, AE, Rendahl, AK, Friedenberg, SG. Sex-specific DLA Class II haplotypes are associated with primary hypoadrenocorticism in Standard Poodle dogs.  2019 American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Annual Meeting, San Diego, California.
• Treeful, AE, Rendahl, AK, Friedenberg, SG. Sex-specific DLA Class II haplotypes are associated with primary hypoadrenocorticism in Standard Poodle dogs.  2018 University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Points of Pride Research Day.

 
Awards

• Winner, 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®), CVM Points of Pride Research Day 2020  - judged competition
• Winner, 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®), CVM Points of Pride Research Day 2020 - People's Choice Award
• NIH T32 Trainee Fellowship, PharmacoNeuroImmunology (PNI), May 2020 - 2022
• Immunology 2020™ Trainee Poster Award, American Association of Immunologists, 2020
• Nominee, Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, CMB Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 2020
• Joanne Schmidt O'Brien/Bee Hanlon Research Fellow, 2019-2020
• Member, AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science, 2019
• Comparative and Molecular Biosciences (CMB) Travel Award, 2019

Nicole Wanner

[email protected]

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.

Sophia Wenthe

Degree
BA from University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Advisor
Dr. Beau Webber

Huixin Yang

[email protected]

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.

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.