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Current Pharmacology & Toxicology Students

    Karen Acuna Pilarte

    Dissertation Project: Elucidating the Role of the Hypoxia Associated Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Initiation

    Undergraduate School: University of Sheffield, UK (MSc Biology); Universidad de Costa Rica (BSc Biology) 

    Faculty Mentor: Mei Koh

    Marysol Almestica-Roberts

    Dissertation Project: Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying the Impact of CYP2C8*3 Allele Expression on Asthma Symptom Control 

    Undergraduate School: Seton Hill University (BS Chemistry and Forensic Science)

    Faculty Mentor: Christopher Reilly

    2021-2022 Skaggs Fellow

    Orlando Antelope

    Dissertation Project: 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

    Publications

    Carena Cornelssen

    Biomedical Engineering PhD Student

    Dissertation Project: Development of focused ultrasound (FUS) approaches to modify neural circuits underlying seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

    Carena's research focuses on FUS, which is a promising noninvasive technology that can be used for therapeutic purposes by ablating tissue or modulating neural circuit function. FUS could be used to reduce seizure frequency for the one-third of people with drug-resistant epilepsy that may not opt for surgery or may not be a good candidate for surgery.

    Undergraduate School: The Pennsylvania State University, BS Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management

    Faculty Mentor: Karen Wilcox

    NSF GRFP Fellow

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/carena-cornelssen/

    Qwynn Landfield

    Neuroscience PhD Student

    Dissertation Project: NG2 Glia in the Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis (TMEV) model of viral induced Epilepsy

    Undergraduate School: SUNY New Paltz

    Faculty Mentor: Karen Wilcox

    Autumn McKnite

    Dissertation Project: Investigation of Drug-Drug and Drug-Circuit Interactions in Children on continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

    Undergraduate School: University of Minnesota (BSc Biology)

    Faculty Mentor: Kevin Watt

    NIDDK F31 Fellow

    AFPE Fellowship

    2021-2022 Gehlert Fellow  

    Jeffrey Mensah

    Dissertation Project: A pharmacokinetic and efficacy study of a relevant combination therapy in a mouse model of Dravet Syndrome

    Undergraduate School: University of Ghana (MPhil; BSc Biochemistry)

    Faculty Mentor: Karen Wilcox

    2022-2023 Gehlert Fellow

    2021-2022 Skaggs Fellow

    Linked In

    Uzoamaka Nwagbo

    Dissertation Project: Investigating the Role of Very-Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Photoreceptor Health and Maintenance

    Very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) are a class of non-dietary fatty acids found the the retina and a few other tissue in mammalian vertebrates. VLC-PUFAs are synthesized by the enzyme ELOVL4. Our use genetic and biochemical approaches to study the effect of ELOVL4 and VLC-PUFAs on retinal health using zebrafish, mice, and cell culture models.

    Undergraduate School: The American University of Nigeria (BS Natural & Environmental Sciences)

    Faculty Mentors: Paul S. Bernstein and Karen Wilcox

    Linked In

    Simin Rahimi Aliabadi

    Dissertation Project: Determining the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of NMDAR hypofunction in development of cognitive impairment

    Undergraduate School: Shahid Behesti University of Medical Sciences, Iran (MS Human Genetics); Kharazmi University, Iran (BS Cell and Molecular Biology)

    Faculty Mentor: Randy Peterson   

    Bradley Richmond

    Research Interests:

    Undergraduate School: Brigham Young University, BS in Molecular Biology

    Faculty Mentor: TingTing Hong  

    Abby scott and her dog

    Abby Scott

    Dissertation Project:

    Undergraduate School:

    Faculty Mentor: Jackie Winter

    Skaggs Fellow 2022-2023

     

     

     

    Samantha Serna

    Dissertation Project: 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

    2022-2023 Skaggs Fellow

    Linked In

    Emily Tippetts

    Dissertation Project: The role of redox balance in cyanide toxicity and mitochondrial disease 

    Cyanide poisoning and Leigh syndrome are related conditions with major biological consequences involving 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 within both contexts. To do so, we are using zebrafish models of cyanide toxicity and Leigh syndrome.

    Undergraduate School: University of Utah, BS ’19 Cell & Molecular Biology

    Faculty Mentor: Randall Peterson

    F31 Recipient  

    Easton Van Luik

    Undergraduate School: Utah Valley University (BS Behavioral Science)

    Faculty Mentor: Marco Bortolato  

    Kaliana Veros

    Neuroscience PhD Student

    Dissertation Project:  

    Undergraduate School: 

    Faculty Mentors: Kristen Keefe and Karen Wilcox  

    Lakshmini Balachandar (Mini), PhD

    I am a postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Karen Wilcox's lab with a background in glial biology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. I am currently investigating the mechanisms of microgliosis, microglial responses to damage cues and their alteration in epilepsy and health, using a mouse model of viral infection-induced epilepsy.

    Florida International University, PhD Biomedical Engineering

    Post-Doc: Wilcox Lab

    Phone: 305-799-7102

    Office: SMBB 4800

     

     

     

     

    Giulia Braccagni, PhD

    I recently graduated from a Ph.D. program at the University of Siena, Department of Molecular Medicine, where I primarily work on predictive factors of vulnerability and resilience in major depression. I previously completed my bachelor’s degree in 2017 studying novel targets for anti-angiogenic drugs. I achieved my M.S. in Health Biology in 2019. During my MS program, I worked on the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder and examined the potential function of fenofibrate as a new possible therapeutic agent. I also had the opportunity to investigate the role of sleep deprivation in psychiatric disorders and its effects on modulating neuronal excitability. I am currently a Post Doc in the Bortolato lab where I principally research pathological aggression and the development of novel therapeutic agents for its treatment.

    University of Siena, MS Health Biology, PhD Pharmacology

    Post-Doc: Bortolato Lab

    Phone: 801-587-3352

    Office: 25/26 L. S Skaggs Sr. Hall

     

     

    Zachary Brandt, PhD

    Post-Doc: Peterson Lab

    Phone: 801-581-5775

    Office:  3420 Skaggs

     

    Maram Muhsen, PhD

    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 Skaggs Research Hall

    Changshan Niu, PhD

    Research: Bioactive natural products from plants, animals, or microbes; Natural products biosynthesis

    PhD Peking Union Medical College and Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Post-Doc: Winter Lab

    Office:  3400 Skaggs Research Building

     

    Marco Orru, PhD

    I’m a behavioral pharmacologist and I have obtained my Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 2007 from the University of Cagliari, Italy.

    During my over 10 years of scientific experience in the US, I focused my research on the characterization of the biological bases of neurodevelopmental disorders through the employment of behavioral tests in animal models, and on the characterization of biochemical and molecular mechanisms of psychoactive drugs acting at the level of the basal ganglia. I did my first postdoctoral at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA/IRP) working on the mechanisms of action of addictive drugs acting at the level of the basal ganglia. I have been mainly involved in projects examining functional and pharmacological significance of receptor heteromers, particularly the adenosine A2A receptor forming heteromers with the adenosine A1 receptor and D2 receptor, in animal models of drug abuse with different in vivo approaches.

    My first experience at the Bortolato lab was in 2016 when I worked on a project for the identification of biomarkers and therapeutical targets for the prevention and treatment of pramipexole-increased risk-taking behaviors in a rodent animal model of gambling. From years 2020 to 2022 I combined research and teaching activities at PNU (Precarpathian National University) in Ukraine where I focused my research on the characterization of biochemical and molecular mechanisms of phytobiotic compounds on neurodevelopmental disorders in animal models of aging.

    My current projects at the Bortolato’s lab are to examine the functional and pharmacological significance of neurosteroids using a 6-Hydroxy Dopamine (6-OHDA) animal model of neurotoxicity in animal models of Parkinson’s disease and to study the effects produced by brain-selective knock-down molecular constructs (KD) using viral approaches. The goal of this research is to clarify the role played by neurosteroids in the modulation of behavioral responses in animal models of PD.

    Post-Doc: Bortolato Lab

    Office:  28 Skaggs

    Thankhoe Rants'O, PhD

    I am studying how epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and DNA damage response signaling cooperate to drive drug resistance and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

    National University of Lesotho, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Honours

    University of Witwatersrand, PhD Pharmacology and Toxicology

    Post-Doc: Golkowski Lab

    Office: 3800 Skaggs Research Building

     

     

     

     

     

    Saba Parvez, PhD

    Research: High-throughput CRISPR screening in zebrafish; CRISPR-based technology development

    PhD Cornell University

    Post-Doc: Peterson Lab

    Phone: 801-581-6312

    Office: 3420 Skaggs Research 

     

     

    Alexandra Petrucci, PhD

    Post-Doc: Wilcox Lab

    Office: 4800 SMBB

     

     

    Ashwini Sri Hari, PhD

    Post-Doc: ADD Lab

    Office: 0800 Skaggs Research Building

    2023 Dravet Syndrome Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship

     

    Peng Zhang, PhD

    Research: Genome Mining and development of fungal resources: searching for special functional enzymes and applying them to production and life, discovering novel active compounds and analyzing biosynthetic pathways.

    PhD Capitol Normal University

    Post-Doc: Winter Lab

    Office: 3400 Skaggs Research Building

     

     

     

       
      Karen Acuna Pilarte u0719082@utah.edu
      Marysol Almestica-Roberts m.almestica@utah.edu
      Orlando Antelope orlando.antelope@pharm.utah.edu
      Carena Cornelssen carena.cornelssen@utah.edu
      Qwynn Landfield  qwynn.landfield@utah.edu
      Autumn McKnite autumn.mcknite@neuro.utah.edu
      Jeffrey Mensah JeffreyAmoako.Mensah@utah.edu
      Uzoamaka Nwagbo u.nwagbo@utah.edu
      Simin Rahimi Aliabadi simin.rahimialiabadi@hci.utah.edu
      Bradley Richmond bradley.richmond@pharm.utah.edu
      Abby Scott abby.scott@utah.edu
      Samantha Serna samantha.serna@utah.edu
      Emily Tippetts emily.tippetts@utah.edu
      Easton Van Luik easton.vanluik@utah.edu
      Kaliana Veros kaliana.veros@utah.edu

       

      Lakshmini Balachandar, PhD lakshmini.balachandar@utah.edu
      Giulia Braccagni, PhD giulia.braccagni@utah.edu
      Zachary Brandt, PhD zachary.brandt@pharm.utah.edu
      Maram Muhsen, PhD u6053316@utah.edu
      Changshan Niu, PhD changshan.niu@utah.edu
      Marco Orru, PhD marco.orru@utah.edu
      Saba Parvez, PhD saba.parvez@pharm.utah.edu
      Alexandra Petrucci, PhD

      alexandra.petrucci@utah.edu

      Thankhoe Rants'o, PhD thankhoe.rantso@pharm.utah.edu
      Ashwini Sri Hari, PhD u6042122@utah.edu
      Peng Zhang, PhD u6024660@utah.edu