Pharmacology and Toxicology Post-Doctoral Researchers
The Pharmacology and Toxicology Department has a small and vibrant community of trainees consisting of graduate students, post-baccalaureate students, and postdoctoral fellows from across the country (and the world). The newly reformed Association for Pharmacology and Toxicology Students welcomes all trainees, in addition to staff who are thinking about pursuing a graduate degree, to their events.
13 Post-doctoral Researchers work in 9 different labs in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Lab. Read more about them and their research below.
Post-Doc News
Pharmacology and Toxicology Post-Docs
University of Utah, Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD
Post-Doc: Mei Koh, PhD
Office: 3400 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I am a passionate Deep Learning Researcher with a strong background in artificial intelligence, specializing in neural networks, and computer vision models in biological image datasets.
I have hands-on experience with designing, training, and deploying complex deep learning models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and image transformers My projects range from automated high throughput image classification and segmentation to object detection, near-accurate object measurement and predictive modeling, often working with large-scale image datasets. My research aims to optimize model efficiency and accuracy, addressing challenges such as model generalization, interpretability, and scalability.
Some of my key technical proficiencies include:
Programming Languages: Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow
Model Architectures: ResNet, RegNet, ResNext, YOLO, UNet, Transformer models
Tools and Libraries: OpenCV, scikit-learn, Flask
Applications: Computer Vision, Transfer Learning, Automated Predictive Analysis and Segmentation
Optimization: Optuna and Ray
Model Control: MLFlow
Deployment: Microsoft Azure, Heroku
I am constantly exploring the evolving field of AI, keeping up with the latest advancements in deep learning architectures and optimization techniques. My goal is to contribute impactful research, collaborate with innovative teams, and develop AI-driven solutions that make a difference in the tech industry and beyond.
Lovely Professional University, BS Biotechnology
University of Illinois, Chicago, Mechanical Engineering PhD
Post-Doc: Peterson Lab
Phone: 801-581-5775
Office: 3420 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
Microorganisms are exceptional chemists, capable of producing structurally complex and unique molecules far beyond what we can achieve synthetically. Exploring untapped sources of natural products offers a pathway to discovering these compounds, many of which hold great potential for bioactivity. I'm particularly interested in uncovering how these molecules mediate interactions within their environments, understanding their biosynthetic mechanisms, and exploring chemical modifications to enhance their bioactive properties and broaden their potential applications.
University of North Carolina at Asheville, BS Chemistry
University California Santa Cruz, PhD Natural Products and Organic Chemistry
Post-Doc: Winter Lab
Phone: 801-585-7117
Office: 3400 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I joined the Peterson lab in late 2020, after earning my PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology working in the lab of Dr. Brian Link at the Medical College of Wisconsin. As a postdoc in the Peterson lab I'm studying how skin functions as a sensory organ contributing to touch, itch, and pain sensation. To that end, I'm performing high-throughput genetic screens in zebrafish, and examining how the genes identified in these screens regulate the join development of the skin and it's innervating sensory neurons. I'm also using zebrafish to model rare and/or undiagnosed diseases, with a goal of developing screening platforms capable of identifying potential therapeutics for patients with these conditions.
Wisconsin Lutheran College, BS in Biology
Medical College of Wisconsin, PhD Cell and Developmental Biology
Post-Doc: Peterson Lab
Phone: 801-581-5775
Office: 3420 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I am a postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Martin Golkowski's Lab. My PhD work was in the design and synthesis of novel chemotherapeutics for resistant hematological malignancies. This work focuses on heterobifunctional compounds such as polypharmacologic inhibitors, PROTACs, and molecular glues.
University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences
Post-Doc: Golkowski Lab
Office: 3800 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I am a postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Mei Koh's lab. My previous research was focused on hepatic lipid metabolism in mice and cell models. I also have experience with mice models of obesity, atherosclerosis and chronic kidney disease.
Graduate Institute of Physiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taiwan, Ph.D.
Post-Doc: Koh Lab
Office: 3400 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I am an inorganic chemist with extensive experience in synthetic and physical bioinorganic chemistry and a strong interest in deepening my knowledge of advanced spectroscopic methods while continuing to advance the field of inorganic chemistry. I enjoy working collaboratively with other scientists and contributing my expertise in synthetic (including air-free) chemistry, spectroscopic (multinuclear/multidimensional NMR, IR, Raman, UV-vis) characterization, computational chemistry (DFT, wavefunction theory, thermochemistry, QTAIM analyses), and X-ray crystallography (crystal growth, data collection/processing, structure solution, structure refinement).
Fort Lewis College, B.S. of Chemistry
University of California, Santa Cruz, PhD of Bioinorganic Chemistry
Post-Doc: Rower Lab
Office: 3800 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I am interested in using zebrafish to study neurobehavioral disorders to identify potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, I am interested in identifying the molecular mechanisms behind opioid-induced neurotoxicity.
Jordan University of Science and Technology, B.Sc Pharmacy, MS Clinical Pharmacy
Indiana University Bloomington, PhD in Intelligent Systems Engineering/ Bioengineering concentration
Post-Doc: Peterson Lab
Phone: 801-581-5175
Office: 3420 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
Tumor metastasis is the principal cause of cancer-related death. Similarly, drug resistance is the major obstacle to effective cancer therapy, driving high relapse and mortality rates. I am studying how epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity drives metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the aim of identifying novel pharmacological targets to block metastasis. Similarly, I am studying how kinome rewiring drives chemoresistance; my goal is to devise kinase inhibitor/chemotherapy combinations that prevent HCC chemo-adaption.
National University of Lesotho, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Honours
Auburn University, M.S. Medicinal Chemistry
University of Witwatersrand, PhD Pharmacology and Toxicology
Post-Doc: Golkowski Lab
Office: 3800 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
My research mainly focuses on the mechanistic regulation of membrane microdomains in normal and failing cardiomyocytes using molecular, imaging and biochemical analysis.
Institute of Life Science (India), PhD Biotechnology
Post-Doc: Hong Lab
Office: 3800 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
I've always been fascinated about understanding underlying pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to disease phenotypes in order to identify novel drug targets. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects more than 65 million people globally and has a complex pathophysiology. Pediatric epilepsies, in particular, are devastating and negatively impact the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. My research interests are multifaceted and include the following: (i) investigating how environmental pollutants might affect seizure outcomes in the Dravet Syndrome, a rare but catastrophic pediatric epilepsy (ii) understanding the role of metabolic alterations in causing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in Dravet Syndrome, and (iii) screening of drug compounds in the Dravet Syndrome mouse model which would aid in the identification of the next novel compound that could potentially treat certain genetic pharmacoresistant epilepsies. I work with mouse models of epilepsy, in particular the Dravet Syndrome mouse model. I have also worked with in-vitro and zebrafish models of hyperexcitability/seizures.
Anna University, Bachelor of Technology, B.Tech, India
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, PhD Toxicology (Neuroscience)
Post-Doc: ADD Lab
Office: B0800 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building
2023 Dravet Syndrome Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship
University at Buffalo, B.S., M.S.
University of Utah, PhD in Neuroscience
Post-Doc: ADD Lab
Office: B0800 L.S. Skaggs Jr. Research Building