Alumni

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Visvanathan Ramamurthy

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Postdoctoral Associate, Indiana University School of Medicine

Graduate Degree

PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Franko

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Franko

Graduate Degree

PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Paul Lockman

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Paul Lockman

Tasneem is a year graduate student in the Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences program in the school of pharmacy. Her research project aims to increase therapeutic delivery to the brain by blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) disruption using low-intensity focused ultrasound. These barriers often lead to poor prognosis in brain tumors and other neurological disorders due to its specialized physicochemical function. Disruption of the BBB and BTB using a clinical focused ultrasound device will additionally aid the translation of her work into clinical settings.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Neuroscience (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Charles Anderson

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Charles Anderson

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Postdoctoral Fellow, West Virginia University

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Max Sokolov

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Max Sokolov

Graduate Degree

PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Franko

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Franko

Carly is a 2nd year PhD student in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis program in the School of Medicine, and is in her first year as a scholar on the CBTP T32 training grant. Her research in Dr. Jennifer Franko's laboratory focuses on immune response differences between males and females. She aims to decipher the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to these dimorphisms, including the impact of sex hormones, gut microbiome composition, and sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XY) utilizing the Fore Core Genotype mouse model.

"The CBTP T32 training grant provides me with additional opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and the interdepartmental exchange of ideas, which can be crucial when studying something as complex as the immune system. I look forward to the educational, professional and personal developmental tools the training grant will provide."

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. David Smith

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. David Smith

Janelle is a fourth-year PhD student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program. She is currently working with Dr. David Smith to investigate protein degradation in neurodegenerative conditions. More specifically, her research is focused on understanding how neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins such as amyloid-beta and huntingtin regulate proteasome activity.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Paul Lockman

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Paul Lockman

Research Project or Topic

blood brain barrier permeability and cold atmospheric plasma therapy

Graduate Degree

PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)

Graduate Degree

PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Sharan Bobbla

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Sharan Bobbla

Graduate Degree

MD/PhD Program (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Brian Boone

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Brian Boone

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Eric Kelley

Training Program

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Scientist, Transnetyx, Inc.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biomedical Engineering (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Jessica Allen

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Jessica Allen

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Innovative Lead Business Analyst, BNY Mellon, New York

Daniel is in his second year as a trainee on the training grant. He is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Engineering program in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. As part of his work with Dr. Jessica Allen, he studies how conscious perception affects locomotive disturbances through aging. His current research is analyzing perception thresholds to locomotive disturbances in young adults through kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity to reduce falls in elderly individuals.

"Being a trainee will give me the opportunity to expand my knowledge inside and outside my field of research. As a doctoral student, I am excited about this opportunity to extend my network of fellow researchers, participate in the CBTP undergraduate mentorship program, assist in planning the next Exploring Career Symposium and enhance my abilities to become a well-versed researcher."

Graduate Degree

PhD in Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Salik Hussain

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Salik Hussain

Nairrita is a third-year PhD student in Cellular and Integrative Physiology and studies in Dr. Salik Hussain’s lab. Her research interest is focused on pulmonary physiology and inhalation toxicology.

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Margaret Bennewitz

Celia is a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Program. She is under the direction of Dr. Margaret Bennewitz and is currently working on improving MRI contrast agents for enhanced early detection of breast cancer.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Cancer Cell Biology (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Elena Pugacheva

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Elena Pugacheva

Abha is in her fourth year as a PhD student in the Cancer Cell Biology Program under the direction of Dr. Elena Pugacheva. In 2019 she placed first for first-year graduate students at the 54th Annual Van Liere Research Conference. Her lab seeks to decipher the mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis. Her current research focuses on understanding the role of AURKA in hypoxia signaling and its impact on tumor progression and metastasis of breast cancer.

“Participating in the CBTP T32 program has enabled me to network and interact with people from different fields. It has also been a good opportunity to be involved in organizing and participating in various workshops and career development events that has helped me foster teamwork and promote communication while developing critical thinking and decision-making skills.”

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Peter Stoilov

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Peter Stoilov

Under the guidance of Dr. Peter Stoilov, her research focused on understanding the role of the Musashi, RNA binding proteins, in the maintenance of mature photoreceptor cells.

“By joining the CB training program, I had the opportunity to organize an alternative career symposium through which we got the opportunity to network with people in different career endeavors. Furthermore, we had the opportunity and the support to attend scientific conferences, and the funding for student sabbatical which would help us advancing our future career. I was excited to receive the training necessary to help me widen my horizon.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Wei Du

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Wei Du

Md Habibul's research focused on the role of DNA damage response protein in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and leukemogenesis. In his research project with Dr. Wei Du, he worked with the C-terminal binding protein interacting protein (ctIP), a significant DNA damage response pathway protein, which has been found to be dysregulated in various cancers to analyze its effects the hematopoietic milieu.

"As an associate in this program, it was my opportunity to expand my potential to acquire knowledge about up-to-date techniques and methodologies outside of my research field. Moreover, this training enhanced my ability to become a well-versed researcher by widening my ability to communicate with fellow researchers and collaborate with them."

Graduate Degree

PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisors

Dr. Timothy Eubank and Dr. Benoit Driesschaert

Training Program

Training Program Advisors

Dr. Timothy Eubank and Dr. Benoit Driesschaert

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Nicole is currently a CBTP T32 trainee after being a member of the training program for one year as an associate scholar. She is a fifth year PhD candidate in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis graduate program, and earned her Bachelor of Science from West Liberty University prior to studying at WVU. Nicole works in the laboratory of Dr. Tim Eubank in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, and is also co-mentored by Dr. Benoit Driesschaert from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research primarily focuses on modulating the function of tumor-associated macrophages to alleviate tumor hypoxia and immunosuppression in breast cancer, and how manipulation of these parameters may enhance the efficacy of standard cancer therapies such as radiation. A portion of her current work also involves the formulation of polymeric nanoparticles designed to carry and deliver macrophage-centric cytokine therapy to the tumor site and minimize off-target effects.

“Being a member of this program will expand my training in approaches and concepts in multidisciplinary research while allowing me to form a network with students and faculty across Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering graduate programs. Further, this program will provide unique opportunities for me to further my career and professional development to prepare me for future endeavors as a researcher.”

Graduate Degree

PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Ramamurthy

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Ramamurthy

Under Dr. Ramamurthy’s mentorship, she sought to understand the function of Heat Shock Proteins in visual function. Her research focus was is to analyze the role of hsp90 chaperone in photoreceptor neurons.

"Attending different workshops and symposiums organized by CBTP, I have had the opportunity to present my research, to connect with researchers working in different fields here at WVU and other universities. I have been introduced to different carriers’ trajectories available to Ph.D. graduates and took part into different discussions which has allowed me to grow as a scientist.”

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biomedical Engineering (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. David Klinke

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. David Klinke

Graduate Degree

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. David Klinke

Training Program

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University

Graduate Degree

PhD in Cancer Cell Biology (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Boone

Training Program

Training Program Advisors

Brian Boon and Timothy Eubank

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Return to WVU School of Medicine to complete MD/PhD

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biomedical Engineering (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Cerasela Zoica Dinu

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Cerasela Dinu

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Moffitt Cancer Center

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

Urikhan's research project in Dr. Ramamurthy’s lab was focused on determining the functional role of β-tubulin isotype 4B (TUBB4B) and the mechanisms behind diseases caused by missense mutations in this β-tubulin isotype.

Graduate Degree

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Benoit Driesschaert

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Benoit Driesschaert

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Research Operations Manager, Heart and Vascular Institute, West Virginia University

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biomedical Engineering (In Progress)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Margaret Bennewitz

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Margaret Bennewitz

Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation

Associate Service Fellow, CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Hunter Snoderly is a 4th year PhD student at West Virginia University in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. His research under Dr. Margaret Bennewitz examines the interplay between neutrophils, platelets, extracellular vesicles, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the context of breast to lung metastasis using both in vitro microscopy and novel intravital imaging platforms allowing dynamic cellular interactions to be visualized in living mouse lung. He recently published “Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Breast Cancer and Beyond: Current Perspectives on NET Stimuli, Thrombosis and Metastasis, and Clinical Utility for Diagnosis and Treatment” in Breast Cancer Research. Additional research seeks to characterize the inflammatory effects of acute e-cigarette vapor exposure on mouse lungs via intravital imaging.

Graduate Degree

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)

Graduate Program Advisor

Dr. Roberta Leonardi

Training Program

Training Program Advisor

Dr. Roberta Leonardi

Schuyler worked in Dr. Roberta Leonardi’s laboratory to investigate how peroxisomal Coenzyme A degrading enzymes can regulate metabolism.

“Becoming involved with this training program has given me the opportunity to improve my ability to conduct research, to train myself as a professional, and to interact with colleagues in a more constructive way. I learned everything this program had to offer me, and I hope to contribute to its activities for the betterment of our institutional environment.”