Jasmine studies the immune response to dengue and Zika viruses in the Aedes aegypti gut

Jessie studies the genetic regulation of nitric oxide synthase (nos) in Staphylococcus aureus, as maintaining optimal nitric oxide levels is important for S. aureus respiration, stress resistance, and virulence

Joseph studies the transcriptional regulation of cytotoxic T cell differentiation and function in the context of cancer and mucosal immunology

Shanan studies the interactions of immune molecules, specifically antibodies and defensins with the viral capsids of Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs)

Tristan examines differences in reactivation efficiencies between two herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strains in a newly established in vitro model of latency

Emanuel focuses on counteracting cognitive declines in aging using non-invasive brain stimulation paired with cognitive training

Dr. D’Lugos focuses on cancer cachexia, a metabolic condition characterized by progressive skeletal muscle loss and weakness

Dr. Olsen studies how sensory afferents lining the upper and lower airways of the aerodigestive track can elicit airway protective mechanisms

Gerard explores the role of skeletal muscle in the innate response to infection, particularly in sepsis

Tyler’s research is aimed at the discovery of novel bacterial terpenoids and characterization of the key biosynthetic machinery responsible for their impressive chemical diversity

Lobna explores the mechanism of action of discovered new bioactive marine products with a focus on anticancer and antifungal agents

Jessica studies the effects of kavalactones on norepinephrine-mediated signaling in cancer cells

No research description available

Priscilla studies behavioral interventions as an alternative treatment to the delay and/or prevention of dementia among older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with a special focus on minority inclusion in clinical research

Cheshire studies functional brain changes related to cognitive interventions that reduce dementia risk in an aging population

Jessica studies the neural correlates of cognition and the use of non-invasive interventions to improve cognition in older adults

Tristan studies the effect of APOE isoforms on tau and amyloid pathologies in regard to Alzheimer’s disease

Dr. Albuquerque-Garcia investigates the association of CBP⁺ Streptococcus mutans with increased caries risk and recurrent infections

Natalie identifies and characterizes deregulated host transcription factors in lytic KSHV infection of gingival epithelial cells.

No research description available

Debra studies the mechanisms of metal homeostasis of Enterococcus faecalis.

Dr. Casella characterizes the regulatory nucleotides in Enterococcus faecalis

Dr. Gay examines the miRNA targetome of KSHV in vitro and in vivo, along with aspects of KSHV and oral cancer

James (Seung Jin) studies immunoregulatory roles of the viral proteins of KSHV during oral infection.

Callahan is pursuing her DMD before turning to PhD training and research activities.

Lauren studies the regulation of KSHV infection by ID2, a negative regulator of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors.

Christina investigates the mechanisms that initiate surface translocation in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Lauren studies the role of viral interferon regulatory factor 1 in facilitating HHV-8 lytic infection.

Mollie investigates T1D pathogenesis using live pancreas tissue slices from human organ donors.

Alexander’s research involves an antigen-specific dual microparticle system to treat autoimmune diseases.

Leeana utilizes single cell transcriptomic and epigenomic data to research the genes and pathways involved in T cell behavior in T1D.

Magdalena engineers a 3-D platform for controlled co-culture of islets and immune cells to study the pathogenesis of T1D.

Sidney investigates the underlying mechanisms for prolonged and progressive mobility impairment in Parkinson’s Disease and explores novel interventions to improve gait function

No research description available

Franjo studies genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, namely Tourette Syndrome and OCD

Noelle investigates electrocortical activity during locomotor adaptation using mobile electroencephalography

Doug studies regulatory mechanisms of dopaminergic networks using complex network theory to identify differences that underly neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease

Vivian studies the detrimental effects of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin on skeletal muscle health and function

Vini conducts biophysics experiments to study loss of skeletal muscle contractile function in disease and aging

Jamie researches the electrochemical polymerization of conductive polymers for the improvement of neural interfaces

Alessandra studies how Hh signaling controls intramuscular fat formation and muscle regeneration

Brandon studies how to close the loop on essential tremor with deep brain stimulation, and connections within the brain during movement

Sarah studies mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy in advanced age, with focus on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction

Nicole studies the biomechanical performance of lower limb amputees using a portable myoelectric prosthesis

Dr. Anderson studies the characteristics of inflammation biology in patients with vascular disease and renal insufficiency

Dr. Darden researches the transcriptomic and epigenetic responses of circulating leukocytes and bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells in surgical sepsis and trauma

Dr. Fenner researches differing immune responses as a function of age using novel microfluidic technologies

Dr. Kelly studies the role of traumatic injury, inflammation, and stress on red blood cell development in the bone marrow

No research description available

No research description available

Justin investigates how the external environment modifies structural and functional recovery during regenerative healing in the African spiny mouse

Augustine studies hematopoietic stem cell behavior directly following transplant using intravital imaging techniques

Dr. Johnston examines mechanisms through which the renal H,K-ATPase HKa1 subunit regulates ENaC

Alejandro investigates novel computational modeling and machine learning techniques to develop individualized neuromodulatory interventions

Tara’s interest is the mechanisms of learning & memory and neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia

Nicole employs machine learning methods to determine the best predictive model of working memory performance, using multimodal measures of whole-brain structure and function

Kailey aims to conduct research that adds to an understanding of the efficacy of interventions and the factors that contribute to inter-individual differences in observed improvements

Andrea researches the mechanisms that delay and/or prevent the progression of cognitive decline among Spanish and English-speaking populations

Rebecca investigates the neural activation and connectivity changes in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) after a 4-week oxytocin administration intervention in older adults

Russell develops gene therapy treatments for dominant inherited retinal diseases

No research description available

Dr. Crow studies central nervous system contributions to age-related physical decline

Dr. Montesino Goicolea focuses on mechanisms contributing to pain and sleep disturbances in older adults

Dr. Morais studies the influences of sociocultural stress and resilience on musculoskeletal pain among older Hispanic Americans

Dr. Palit is interested in risk and resilience factors associated with musculoskeletal pain across the lifespan

Dr. Pratscher focuses on efficacy and mechanisms of breathing interventions for musculoskeletal pain in older adults

Rachel researches the influence of human gut microbial activities on cancer progression and therapeutic efficacy in a novel system that enables the visualization of these complex interactions

No research description available

No research description available

No research description available

We investigate the relationship between immune-brain communications in Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder

We use mixed methods to examine parent-level barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among adolescents with comorbid asthma and obesity

We integrate mathematical biology and pre-clinical murine models of glioma to better understand how myeloid cell populations contribute to the immunosuppressive microenvironment that is characteristic of GBM

We investigate the network level interactions of attention and learning during an attention network task (ANT) and an implicit learning contextual cueing (CC) task

We utilize traditional machine learning methods such as support vector machine and more complex models including deep learning to generate interpretable features within resting EEG signals

We use sequential mixed methods to research the potential barriers to aging in place faced by older adults with companion animals.

Dr. Herremans explores the role of the oral microbiome in pancreatic cancer and how it relates to cancer health disparities

Dr. Pruitt studies the genomics of aortic disease

Dr. Riner investigates pancreatic cancer health disparities utilizing ‘omics and ancestry informative markers

Dr. Shen investigates the use of gene editing for treatment of inherited feline and canine cardiomyopathies

Dr. Thomas utilizes pharmacogenomics to evaluate treatment outcomes and translates genetic associations into clinical practice

Caitlin examines AT_1aR-containing sensory afferents in the regulation of blood pressure, sodium intake, and taste

Julien studies the role of a Joubert Syndrome ciliary protein on olfactory sensory neurons

Natalie investigates how the chemosensory components of flavored e-cigarette juices contribute to nicotine reinforcement and reward in adolescents

Brian studies the effects of pathological Tau on primary cilia leading to olfactory dysfunction

Dr. Erika Pliner quantifies the efficacy of balance training on neuromechanical components by manipulating sensory information and measuring electrocortical and biomechanical responses

Dr. Valay Shah uses MRI techniques to capture brain deficits that relate to mobility impairment in older adults

Seungjun is devising a statistical method to enable differential network analysis in a regression setting based on a pseudovalue technique

Mark studies the “dynamic range” of localized brain activation/deactivation during task performance and the relationship to HIV serostatus and alcohol.

Vaughn investigates the association between alcohol use and working memory function, as well as working memory brain networks, among people with HIV by examining cognitive outcomes and cognitive change

Caroline studies substance abuse and health outcomes in reproductive age women living with HIV

Christina studies changes in health outcomes and marijuana use among persons living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic

Destin assesses the utility of neuromodulation approaches to decrease craving in individuals with heavy drinking behavior

Alyssa studies mental health, prescription misuse, and polysubstance use among older adults

Nicole studies psychiatric epidemiology with a focus on substance use disorders

Dr. Hoeflich studies psychiatric epidemiology, focusing on disparities associated with substance use

Dr. Horta studies social cognition, decision-making, and substance use in chronic pain and aging

No research description available

Dr. Rung studies behavioral pharmacology and behavioral economics, with an emphasis on manipulations of abuse liability

Dr. Sharma focuses on the intersection of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and mental health

No research description available

Anna focuses on substance use epidemiology research

No research description available