Current Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD Students
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.
Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD Students
In May 2024, 3 of our students participated in graduation festivities. Uzoamaka Nwagbo (Bernstein Lab), Jeffrey Mensah (Wilcox Lab), and Karen Acuna Pilarte (Koh Lab) are featured here. Carena Cornelssen, a Biomedical Engineering student (Wilcox Lab), and Elijah Bring Horvath, a Medicinal Chemistry student (Winter Lab) also graduated this year. Congratulations to all of our graduating students on this exciting accomplishment.
The Pharmacology and Toxicology Department typically hosts a Trainee Research in Progress (RIP) Seminar twice a month. PHTX PhD students and Post Docs present during this hour long seminar, and snacks are provided. All are invited to attend. RIPS are from 12pm-1pm. See the RIP Schedule here.
Trainee News
Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD Students
Dissertation: Determining the role of E3 ligase-substrate interation networks during early development
We have developed a microfluidics-based, high-throughput in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 genetic screening platform (MIC-Drop) that can be coupled to multiple downstream phenotypic readouts to examine gene function at a large scale in a vertebrate system. There are 634 human E3s, many of which have not been thoroughly characterized because of the complexity of the ubiquitin system and a lack of high-throughput technologies to study it have hindered the elucidation of the functions of the majority of E3s in early development. We propose to advance the understanding of the functional roles of E3s during early development by using MIC-Drop to mutagenize all E3 ligase orthologs in the zebrafish, perform morphometric evaluations of the mutagenized larvae to pinpoint E3-induced developmental changes and investigate the mechanisms of E3/E3-substrate pair function in development using both proteomics and classical biochemical approaches.
Undergraduate School: University of Utah (BS Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Randall Peterson, PhD
T32 Developmental Biology Trainee
Neuroscience PhD Student
Dissertation: Changes in structure and function of NG2-Glia during viral encephalitis
Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV) is used to model virally induced seizures and epilepsy in mice. NG2-glia, also known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells, may contribute to the clearance of virus from the brain and may also contribute to seizure burden during acute infection. I am studying the synapses formed between NG2-glia and neurons, as well as the phagocytic activity of NG2-glia, in response to TMEV infection.
Undergraduate School: SUNY New Paltz
Faculty Mentor: Karen Wilcox, PhD
Research: Elucidating the molecular mechanism of EMT in HCC, Investigating the role of DAPK3 in cellular migration during EMT and Role of Kinases in cell cycle arrest.
Undergraduate School:
Faculty Mentor: Martin Golkowski, PhD
Dissertation: Gut microbiota modulation of neuroinflammation and seizure development in a mouse model of viral-induced epilepsy. The gut microbiota, the community of microbes living in our digestive system, plays an important role in brain development and immune function. My research explores how early-life disruptions to these microbes affect brain inflammation, seizure risk, and behavior in a mouse model of virus-induced epilepsy.
Undergraduate School: Oklahoma State University (BS Microbiology/Cell and Molecular Biology, MS Cell and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Bia DePaula-Silva, PhD
Dissertation: Discovery of novel metallophores from great salt microorganisms
I am studying microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi from Great Salt Lake to identify novel metallophores. These are small molecules with the ability to chelate metals. I am specifically focusing on those with the ability to bind arsenic, mercury, lead, and selenium for use in bioremediation.
Undergraduate School:
Faculty Mentor: Jaclyn Winter, PhD
Dissertation: Extracellular Vesicle Physiology in the Conventional Outflow Pathway in Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a significant contributor to vision impairment and vision loss across the world, and lowering intraocular pressure is the current mainstay of treatment. The conventional outflow pathway is the major generator of resistance to aqueous humor outflow in the eye, and dysregulation of extracellular matrix homeostasis in glaucoma has been found to contribute to pressure buildup. Our lab is interested in understanding the role of extracellular vesicles in the pathological remodeling that occurs throughout the conventional outflow pathway in glaucoma.
Undergraduate School:
Faculty Mentor: Fiona McDonnell, PhD
Dissertation: Mechanisms Underlying the Histone Modifier Kdm6b's Contribution to the Development of autism
My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by investigating the role of the histone modifier Kdm6b. Specifically, I aim to determine how Kdm6b influences social behavior by promoting GABAergic neuron development and enhancing the transcription of ASD risk genes through interactions with other chromatin remodelers. By elucidating these pathways, my work seeks to contribute to the development of more effective treatment for ASD, addressing the current gap in linking genetic variants to neuronal mechanisms.
Undergraduate School: Shahid Behesti University of Medical Sciences, Iran (MS Human Genetics); Kharazmi University, Iran (BS Cell and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Randall Peterson, PhD
Gehlert Fellowship, 2024
Dissertation: Regulation of mitophagy by t-tubule microdomains in cardiomyocytes
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is marked by mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. To better understand the molecular basis for this dysfunction, I study the regulation of mitochondrial quality control by cardiomyocyte transverse-tubule microdomains. Restoration of t-tubule microdomains offers a potential therapeutic approach to restoring mitochondrial function.
Undergraduate School: Brigham Young University (BS in Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: TingTing Hong, MD, PhD
Dissertation: Discovery of Novel Antibiotic Peptides and Their Biosynthesis from Great Salt Lake Actinomycetota
From a combination of genomic, metabolomic, and activity-guided screening techniques, our preliminary data show that actinomycetota isolated from Great Salt Lake sediment represent unique evolutionary lineages with a wealth of undescribed biosynthetic potential and many have demonstrated activity against multidrug resistant ESKAPE pathogens. Their genomes contain several novel RiPP biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including many lasso peptide and linaridin BGCs with previously unreported post-translational modification enzymes (PTMEs). My goals are to isolate these RiPPs in order characterize their structures and activities to describe their biosynthesis and characterize these potentially novel PTMEs.
Undergraduate School: Westminster College
Faculty Mentor: Jackie Winter, PhD
Dissertation: Coordinated Regulation of TRPA1, TRPV3, and Kinase Signalling Pathways in Lung Epithelial Cell Damage and Repair Following Environmental Pollutant Exposure
TRPA1 and TRPV3 have been found to be differentially expressed following various forms of lung epithelial cell injury. Kinase signaling pathways linked to growth factor signaling, and potentially TRP channels, may provide protection against environmental air pollutant injury in lung epithelial cells. Through inhibition or activation of various kinases followed by activation of TRPA1 and/or TRPV3, this may offer protection against damage and aid in lung epithelial cell recovery.
Undergraduate School: University of Arizona (BS Biochemistry, BS Molecular and Cellular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Christopher Reilly, PhD
Dissertation: The role of redox balance in cyanide toxicity and mitochondrial disease
Cyanide poisoning and Leigh syndrome are both related conditions involving major neurological consequences, mitochondrial dysfunction and redox imbalance. Because of the limitations and/or lack of treatment for both, we aim to establish the therapeutic value of restoring redox balance. We will conduct these studies in zebrafish models of Leigh syndrome and cyanide toxicity.
Undergraduate School: University of Utah (Cell & Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Randall Peterson, PhD
F31 Recipient
Neuroscience MD/PhD Student
Dissertation:
Faculty Mentors: Karen Wilcox, PhD
Skaggs Fellow, 2024-2025