CTS Team program
CTS Participants
Learn more about the CTS Team program through the experiences and achievements of past and present participants.
Testimonials
Caretia Washington
“The CTS program has taught me how to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team and collaborate toward a shared goal. It has inspired me to develop the skills needed to improve the efficiency and impact of clinical research. Working with my team science partner, Chayil, has further motivated me in my health research. I am forever grateful to the program for shaping my growth as a collaborative clinical and translational scientist.”
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”
Jack Figg
“The CTS program’s team-based approach broadened my understanding of adoptive immunotherapy by placing it in a translational context. Collaborating with medical physics experts allowed us to build upon my preclinical investigations and tailor our work toward real-world clinical applications in neuro-oncology.”
Current CTS Team Trainees
2025-2027 Trainees
3D cell culture with magnetic-scaffolds to investigate host-pathogen
interactions via extracellular vesicle (EV) route
Team
Brian Molina Diaz; Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy
Alexander Schultz; Microbiology and Cell Science, CALS
Mentors
Mei He, PhD
Mariola Ferraro, PhD


Investigating the Sex- and Age-Dependent Effects of Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure on Dopamine Signaling Using Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry
Team
Kayleigh Linder; Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy
Emily Miller; Neuroscience, Medicine
Mentors
Leslie Sombers, PhD
Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD


2024-2026 Trainees
SHINE-VH Barrier Technology: Design and Application of a Novel Vaginal Mucosal Barrier Against Bacterial Vaginosis.
Team
Amanda Ojeda; Microbiology and Cell Science, CALS
Ariana Tamura; Chemistry, CLAS
Mentors
Luiz Fernando Wurdig Roesch, PhD
Brent Sumerlin, PhD


Leveraging HER Data for Predicting Necrotizing Enterocolitis in NICU.
Team
Keliy Fordham; Nursing Sciences, Nursing
Yao (Grace) Hou; Industrial and Systems Engineering; HWCOE
Mentors
Leslie Parker, PhD
Xiang Zhong, PhD


All CTS Participants
| Name (Last,first) | Appointment | degree program |
|---|---|---|
| Phelan, Dane | 2014-2016 | Medical Sciences – Genetics (PhD) |
| Walejko, Jacquelyn | 2014-2016 | Medical Sciences – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medicine, PhD) |
| Bray, Julie | 2015-2017 | Medical Sciences, Cancer Biology, Medicine (PhD) |
| Burke, Sarah | 2015-2017 | Neuroscience Medicine, Medical Sciences (PhD) |
| Lin, Andrea | 2015-2017 | Immunology, Medicine, Medical Sciences (PhD) |
| Molina, Rene | 2015-2017 | Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering (PhD) |
| Nosacka, Rachel | 2015-2017 | Cancer Biology, Medicine, Medical Sciences (PhD) |
| Varillas, Jose | 2015-2017 | Biomedical Engineering, Engineering (PhD) |
| Koutzoumis, Dimitri | 2016-2018 | Physiology and Pharmacology, Medicine, Medical Sciences (PhD) |
| Lomelino, Carrie | 2016-2018 | Biochemistry, Medicine, Medical Sciences (PhD) |