ALUMNI
Scientist II at ArcherDX, Inc.
Lab member 2015 - 2017 (Postdoctoral fellow)
Alexander Zevin, phd
Education:
BS - Biochemistry Colorado State University
PhD - Biological Design/Molecular Biology Arizona State University
Research Interests: Diagnostics, Next Generation Sequencing
Interests Outside the Lab: Outdoor activities, playing with my son, playing guitar, brewing beer
Assistant Professor
Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine
Lab member 2015 - 2020 (Postdoctoral fellow)
Jennifer Manuzak, phd
Education:
PhD - Immunology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
BA - Biology, Occidental College
Research Interests: Understanding the mechanisms of mucosal and systemic immune function in the context of HIV infection and examining methods by which these factors can be manipulated to the benefit of the host. Specific interests include understanding the effects of elicit substance use on HIV immunopathology and determining the impact of co-infections, such as malaria, on HIV transmission, pathogenesis and prevention strategies.
Interests Outside the Lab: Adult beverages of all kinds, traveling to far off lands, paddle boarding, camping, reading, arts and crafts, hula dancing.
Associate Director of Bioanalytical Chemistry at Emery Pharma
Lab Member 2015 - 2019
Sept 2015-April 2019 (Graduate Student)
April 2019-August 2019 (Postdoctoral fellow)
Ryan Cheu, PhD
Education:
BS - Biochemistry, Santa Clara University
PhD - Pharmaceutics, University of Washington
Research Interests: Formulating research and product development proposals to assist companies in highly specialized functions and aid in their progression through clinical trials
Interests Outside the Lab: Traveling, CrossFit, Baseball
Postdoctoral fellow - Dr. Micheal Gale lab (University of Washington)
Lab member 2016-2021 (Graduate student)
Andrew Gustin, PhD
Education:
BS - Microbiology, Middle Tennessee State University
AS - Paramedicine, Volunteer State Community College
BA - English/Rhetoric, University of Illinois Urbana-Champagin
PhD - Pathobiology, University of Washington
Research Interests: Using molecular biology and metagenomics to examine breakdowns in commensal microbial communities at mucosal surfaces that impair host immune defenses.
Interest Outside the Lab: Hanging out with my pups and everything outdoors Seattle has to offer.
Postdoctoral Fellow- Dr. Jeffery Miller (University of Minnesota)
Lab member 2020-2022 (Postdoctoral fellow)
Ross cromarty, PhD
Education:
BS - Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town
MS - Medical Microbiology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Kwa-Zulu Natal
PhD - Medical Microbiology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Research Interests: HIV immunology, methods to manipulate immunity to create targeted responses for HIV prevention, Microbiome-host interactions and how these prime the immune system to effectively mount immune responses
Interests Outside the Lab: Grew up on a farm so love the outdoors and gardening. I am a Soccer fanatic (LFC). Love to try new beers
Lab member 2019-2020 (Visiting predoctoral fellow-University of Paris)
Sylvain CHAWKI MD, MSc, PHD
Education:
MD - Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases - University of Paris
MSC - Virology - University of Paris
PhD - Infectious Disease - University of Paris
Research Interests: Understanding the interactions between pharmacological, immunological, mucosal, and microbiological mechanisms in PrEP efficacy against HIV or SIV in rectal and vaginal mucosa.
Interests Outside the Lab: Concerts, travel, food, chess and cinema
Staff Scientist NIH, NCI
Lab Member 2020-2022 (Assistant Professor)
LUCA SCHIFANELLA, MD, PHD
Education:
PhD - Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, (University of Milan), Milan, Italy in collaboration with the Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) of the Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
MD - Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano, (University of Milan)
Research Interests: Dr. Schifanella's research interests are Personalized Medicine, Medical/Surgical Outcomes, Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine, and Emerging Diseases. His focus is to uncover host mechanisms that can be leveraged to personalize therapeutic interventions to maximize medical outcomes. His interests are infectious, tropical, and emerging disease prevention, pathogenesis, and treatment approaches. Recently Dr. Schifanella started to work on several SARS-CoV-2 projects to uncover viral pathogenesis, and epidemiology to identify novel therapeutic/preventive approaches.
Interests Outside the Lab: Dr. Schifanella likes fitness, design, art, cooking, concerts, reading, and spending time with his dog and friends.
Medical student (University of Minnesota)
Lab Member 2021-2022 (Research scientist)
Jing Li
Education:
AS – Registered Nurse, Century College
BS – Biology, Metropolitan State University
Research Interests:
I am interested in understanding how the microbiome community affects human health. This includes the mechanisms in their host cells, the way they affect drug efficacy and metabolism, and other aspects of the microbiome community. I am also interested in learning about new laboratory techniques.
Interests Outside the Lab:
Spending time with my cats, yoga, badminton, ping pong, biking, traveling, and most of the outdoor activities.
Lab member 2022-2023 (Research Scientist)
Adrian Velez
Education:
BS - Microbiology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Research Interests:
I am interested in utilizing new laboratory techniques to explore how bacteria in the human microbiome are affecting treatments of anti-retroviral drugs.
Interests Outside the Lab:
Photography, film editing, and spending time with my friends and family
Lab member 2023 (Administrator coordinator)
Anthony Cardona
Education:
BS - Journalism, University of Florida
Research Interests:
Developing methods and processes to support research lab settings in achieving desired goals and results.
Interests Outside the Lab:
Tabletop role-playing games, hobby miniature painting, learning new baking/cooking recipes, spending time with friends, and exploring new places
Lab member 2023-2024 (Research Scientist)
Melisa Bailey
Education:
BS - Microbiology, Michigan State University
MS - Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Research Interests:
I aim to understand the connections between stress, inflammation, and the microbiome. I'm also intensely curious about the role of mitochondrial metabolism in aging, cognition, and the generation of consciousness.
Interests Outside the Lab:
Cooking, gardening, kayaking, thrift shopping, and eating as much chocolate as possible
FORMER VOLUNTEERS
2021-2022: Nicholas Dahl, student, University of Minnesota
2021-2022: Caroline Pinkerman, student, University of Minnesota
2019-2020: Jennifer Montalvo, student, Bridge to Baccalaureate Program, Miami-Dade College
2019-2020: Brittany Chandani, pre-med student volunteer, University of Miami
2019-2020: Ritiki Modi, student volunteer, University of Miami
2019-2020: Jaislene Vinas, student volunteer, University of Miami
2019-2020: Adjoa Osei, student, Leadership Alliance Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2018-2019: Nina Arslanovic, student volunteer, University of Miami
2017-2018: Adam Martin, student volunteer, University of Washington
2017-2018: Kaitlyn Mostoller, student volunteer, University of Washington
2016-2018: Alex Roederer, student volunteer, University of Washington
2015-2017: Tori Gott, student volunteer, University of Washington
2014-2017: Arina Wu, student volunteer, University of Washington
2014-2017: Lydia Sweet, student volunteer, University of Washington