tl1 program

TL1 Participants

Learn more about the TL1 program through the experiences and achievements of past and present participants.

Testimonials

Henrietta Fasanya

“I have the opportunity to work with an engineering team and learn how mechanical engineers contribute to translational science. Through our project specifically, I’m learning about obtaining patents and understanding how, when, and in what direction you push projects forward for translational science.”

Leanne Dumeny

“The team aspect was particularly motivating for me. Working in a collaboration added a different blend to my work.”

Robert Eisinger

“It has opened opportunities and collaborations that I otherwise would not have pursued. The team-based approach is novel and enriching and by far the highlight of this program”

Current TL1 Trainees and Projects

A TL1 Team Approach to Peripheral Monocyte Changes as a Readout of CNS Disease

TL1 Trainee Team

Courtney Wilkinson, PhD Candidate
Phil Mackie, MD-PhD Candidate

Mentors

Lori Knackstedt, PhD 
Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD

Description

Using our combined expertise, we will investigate the relationship between immune-brain communications in two complex neuropsychiatric disorders associated with alterations in dopamine transmission: Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Questions or comments?

A TL1 Team Approach of the role parents play in physical activity engagement among adolescents with comorbid asthma and obesity

TL1 Trainee Team

Natalie Koskela-Staples, PhD Candidate 
Jacqlyn Yourell, PhD Candidate 

Mentors

David Fedele, PhD
Jennifer Doty, PhD

Description

Our project uses mixed methods to examine parent-level barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among adolescents with comorbid asthma and obesity. We will assess population-level, public health data to identify family-level risk factors and protective factors of physical activity and conduct semi-structured interviews with parents and adolescents to inform our quantitative findings.

Questions or comments?

Integrating Mathematical and Biological Models to Target Myeloid-Derived Immune-suppressive Cells in GBM

TL1 Trainee Team

Hannah Anderson, PhD Candidate 
Greg Takacs, PhD Candidate

Mentors

Libin Rong, PhD
Tracy (Wheeler) Stepien PhD
Jeffrey Harrison, PhD

Description

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a challenge for oncologists and current interventions are minimally effective; therefore, novel treatments need to be identified. As a team, 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 specifically are focused on characterizing chemokine systems with the goal of translating our results into new therapeutic approaches for this malignant brain cancer. Independently, the Stepien/Rong labs specialize in mathematical biology with an emphasis on medicine and immunology, dynamical systems, numerical methods, and data analysis. The Harrison lab specializes in targeting glioma-immune cell interactions through the use of pre-clinical brain tumors models. Results generated from our mathematical and pre-clinical mouse models will be relevant to GBM but may also have implications in other solid cancers.

Questions or comments?

A CTS team approach to isolate diverse NTS strains, compare the virulence of laboratory and community NTS, and investigate the potential of a novel exosome-derived vaccine strategy against NTS community isolates.

CTS Trainee Team

Lisa Emerson, PhD Candidate
Andrew Rainey, PhD Candidate

Mentors

Mariola Edelmann, PhD
Anthony Maurelli, PhD

Description

Below is a table of our current and previous TL1 program participants. If you have questions about the program, please contact Susan Gardner at sgard@ufl.edu.

Questions or comments?

A CTS Team Approach on Team approach to Establishing Steps towards Reconciliation and Trust among Black Women toward Reproductive Health Providers.

CTS Trainee Team

Tyler Nesbit, PhD Candidate
Karen Coker, PhD Candidate

Mentors

Larry Forthun, PhD
Sarah McKune, MPH, PhD

Questions or comments?

Racial/ethnic disparities in infection rates and clinical outcomes in COVID-19

TL1 Trainee Team

Osama Dasa, PhD Candidate 
Yara Skaf,  MD-PhD Candidate

Mentors

Thomas Pearson, MD, PhD, MPH
Reinhard Laubenbacher, PhD

Description

Our common research interest is the study of racial/ethnic disparities with regard to infection rates and clinical outcomes in COVID-19, in particular through large EHR data sets. We plan to integrate epidemiology.

Questions or comments?

Relationships with Companion Animals and Older Adults Aging-in-Place: Facilitators and/or Barriers to Health and Well-Being

TL1 Trainee Team

Jennifer Applebaum, PhD Candidate
Carlyn Ellison, PhD Candidate

Mentors

Barbara Zsembik, PhD
Sherrilene Classen, PhD
Linda Struckmeyer, PhD

Description

Over 60% of U.S. households have companion animals (i.e., pets that live in the home and are cared for by the individual). The field of human-animal interaction has considered older adults extensively, but has focused primarily on the potential facilitators to health and well-being of animal companionship while neglecting the potential barriers that relationships with CAs may present in order to maintain independence while aging-in-place. The overall study design is sequential mixed methods providing the intentional analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data to sufficiently address study objectives. We will analyze data from a longitudinal, panel survey with a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 50 years and over. We will then conduct focus groups to explore underlying factors related to results from the quantitative phase. By addressing the ways that relationships with CAs can act as facilitators and/or barriers to the health and well-being of older adults who are aging-in-place, the proposed study will build upon existing research in the fields of human-animal interaction and aging-in-place to bring to light previously unaddressed and/or poorly understood phenomena and their underlying mechanisms that impact a large proportion of the aging population.

Questions or comments?

Important documents

Travel and Expense Request

Purchase Request

CAS Exemption