Alumni
DEGREES AWARDED (by year)
Sachinthani Erandika Senevirathne, PhD 
Dissertation title: "Steady-state phosphorylation of SHIP1 by Lyn restricts macrophage activation in the absence of a phagocytic synapse"
January 16, 2026
Advisor: Tanya Freedman, PhD
Jennifer Tuokkola, PhD
Dissertation title: "Defining the Metabolic Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer"
December 18, 2025
Advisor: Kaylee Schwertfeger, PhD
Natasha Roman Ortiz, PhD
Dissertation title: "Directed evolution of mammalian orthoreovirus enhances oncolytic activity in breast cancer stem-like cells"
December 17, 2025
Advisor: Julie Ostrander, PhD
Tingyuan Yang, PhD
Dissertation title: "Bcl-2 protein Noxa – regulator of both glutamine-dependent metabolic reprogramming and apoptosis in human CD8⁺ T cells"
December 16, 2025
Advisor: Ameeta Kelekar, PhD
Amy Paulson, PhD
Dissertation title: "Nomination and Investigation of XPO1 inhibition in the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)"
November 20, 2025
Advisor: R Stephanie Huang, PhD
Duha Alshareef, PhD
Dissertation title: "Transcription-Coupled Removal of Formaldehyde-Induced DNA-Protein Crosslinks"
August 25, 2025
Advisor: Colin Campbell, PhD
Shuyu Meng, PhD
Dissertation title: "Molecular determinants in the HTLV-1 MA domain important for particle assembly"
August 4, 2025
Advisor: Louis Mansky, PhD
Yue Zhang, PhD
Dissertation title: "Immuno-profiling for Opioid Vaccine Efficacy: Insights for Monoclonal Antibody Development and Optimization Targeting Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose"
July 22, 2025
Advisor: Marco Pravetoni, PhD
Mark Schonfeld, PhD
Dissertation title: "Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase Regulates Reward Regions of the Brain During Cocaine Sensitization"
July 11, 2025
Advisor: Sade Spencer, PhD
Jingran Cao, PhD
Dissertation title: "Targeting Insulin Receptor Signaling in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer"
July 10, 2025
Advisor: Douglas Yee, PhD
Jordan Casby, PhD
Dissertation title: "Drugs binding to TRPM4 modulate NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons"
June 27, 2025
Advisor: Stanley Thayer, PhD
Fatima Hamid, PhD
Dissertation title: "Advancing Vaccines for Opioid Use Disorder Through Nanotechnology and Immune Mechanisms Discovery"
June 26, 2025
Advisor: Douglas Yee, PhD
Edith Hernandez, PhD
Dissertation title: "Metformin as a Treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder"
April 24, 2025
Advisor: Sade Spencer, PhD
Jaeyoon Kim, MS
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Mariana Lanz, MS
Advisor: Anna Lee, PhD
Khloud Selim, MS
Advisor: Ezequiel Marron, PhD
Niraja Soman, MS
Advisor: Hai Dang Nguyen, PhD
Amisha Undavia, MS
Advisor: Alessandro Bartolomucci, PhD
Peroushini Villiamma, MS
Advisor: Anna Lee, PhD
Saasha Vinoo, MS
Advisor: Justin Drake, PhD
Wenyi Wang, MS
Advisor: R Stephanie Huang, PhD
Jiaxin Wei, MS
Advisor: Louis Mansky, PhD
Anna Carey, PhD
Dissertation title: "B cell-mediated cross talk with macrophages in adipose tissue: key modulators to inflammation and metabolism during aging"
December 2, 2024
Advisor: Christina Camell, PhD
Sanghoon Choi, PhD
Dissertation title: "Methamphetamine-induced dysfunction of spiny projection neurons in the dorsal striatum"
August 20, 2024
Advisor: Steven Graves, PhD
Shirley Haichang Luo, PhD
Dissertation title: "Hippocampal inhibitory G protein-gated signaling in cognitive function and Alzheimer’s Disease"
July 24, 2024
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Zhiyan Silvia Liu, PhD
Dissertation title: "PARP1 inhibition preferentially sensitizes spliceosome mutant leukemias through R-loop-associated genomic vulnerabilities"
July 16, 2024
Advisor: Hai Dang Nguyen, PhD
Hannah McMullan, PhD
Dissertation title: "Select antiretrovirals from multiple classes induce excitatory synapse loss in primary rodent hippocampal cultures"
February 2, 2024
Advisor: Stanley Thayer, PhD
Ashley Ewens, PhD
Dissertation title: "Levetiracetam prevents neurophysiological changes and preserves cognitive function in the HIV-1 TAT transgenic mouse model of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder"
January 26, 2024
Advisor: Stanley Thayer, PhD
Quynh Chau Dinh, MS
Advisor: Justin Drake, PhD
Kaeli Edwards, MS
Advisor: Lauren Slosky, PhD
Radha Kapgate, MS
Advisor: Scott Dehm, PhD
Heba Khattab, MS
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Hannah Kuhlow, MS
Advisor: Scott Dehm, PhD
Wei-Ching Lulu Shih, MS
Advisor: Christina Camell, PhD
Jennifer Nhieu, PhD
Dissertation title: "Targeting cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 to modulate non-canonical retinoic acid signaling"
September 12, 2023
Advisor: Li-Na Wei, PhD
Aditi Bapat, PhD
Dissertation title: "Targeting the janus kinase pathway in tumor associated macrophages in breast cancer"
July 18, 2023
Advisor: Kaylee Schwertfeger, PhD
Ralph White III, PhD
Dissertation title: "Assessing SRC kinase and androgen receptor dual inhibition in castration-resistant prostate cancer"
June 27, 2023
Advisor: Justin Drake, PhD
Dechen Wangmo, PhD
Dissertation title: "Role of tumor cell-intrinsic factors in colorectal cancer progression and immune landscaping"
May 30, 2023
Advisor: Subree Subramanian, PhD
Andrej Zivanovic, PhD
Dissertation title: "Co-evolution of AR gene copy number and structural complexity in castration-resistant prostate cancer"
May 11, 2023
Advisor: Scott Dehm, PhD
Zuhayr Alam, MS
Advisor: Scott Dehm, PhD
Nikita Kamath, MS
Advisor: Julie Ostrander, PhD
Ketki Pawaskar, MS
Advisor: Anna Lee, PhD
Sai Harshita Posani, MS
Advisor: Carol Lange, PhD
Amber Rudenick, MS
Advisor: Scott Dehm, PhD
Ruohan Sha, MS
Advisor: Ameeta Kelekar, PhD
Himani Sharma, MS
Advisor: Ameeta Kelekar, PhD
Maram Essawy, PhD
Dissertation title: "The orchestration of DNA-protein crosslink recognition and repair in mammalian cells"
December 22, 2022
Advisor: Colin Campbell, PhD
Nawal Yahya, PhD
Dissertation title: "Engagement of human host receptors by the antiparasitic drug praziquantel"
December 19, 2022
Advisor: Jonathan Marchant, PhD
Bethany Crouse, PhD
Dissertation title: "Identifying mechanisms and biomarkers predictive of efficacy of vaccines against opioid use disorders and overdose"
August 9, 2022
Advisor: Marco Pravetoni, PhD
Tim Rose, PhD
Dissertation title: “Relevance of inhibitory G protein-dependent signaling in prelimbic pyramidal neurons to cocaine-related behavior”
January 12, 2022
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Jackie Artymiuk, MS
Advisor: William Pomerantz, PhD
Jack Brown, MS
Advisor: Wensheng Lin, PhD
Yanjun Chen, MS
Advisor: Reuben Harris, PhD
Jay Kang, MS
Advisor: Colin Campbell, PhD
Aaron Khaimraj, MS
Advisor: Marco Pravetoni, PhD
Tanvi Mathur, MS
Advisor: Branden Moriarity, PhD
Siddharth Sobti, MS
Advisor: Angela Birnbaum, PhD
Alex Mei-Kuen Tang, MS
Advisor: Stephen Hecht, PhD
Michael Woods, MS
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Dawei Zong, MS
Advisor: Hai Dang Nguyen, PhD
Abir Majumdar, PhD
Dissertation title: "Allostery governs Cdk2 activation and differential recognition of CDK inhibitors"
May 7, 2021
Advisor: Nicholas Levinson, PhD
Ben Brian, PhD
Dissertation title: "Regulation of the kinases LynA and LynB and function in autoimmune disease"
April 23, 2021
Advisor: Tanya Freedman, PhD
Hallie Hintz, PhD
Dissertation title: “Targeting the Tumor Stroma Using a Monoclonal Antibody Platform Technology"
April 16, 2021
Advisor: Aaron LeBeau, PhD
Eric Lake, PhD
Dissertation title: "Biochemical Context Drives Inhibitor Selectivity in Aurora A kinase"
February 19, 2021
Advisor: Nicholas Levinson, PhD
Madhuri Bendale, MS
Advisor: Steven Graves, PhD
Bilva Burkule, MS
Advisor: Subree Subramanian, PhD
Ben Dougen, MS
Advisor: Aaron Kerlin, PhD
Sarah Elmer, MS
Advisor: Ameeta Kelekar, PhD
Bushra Haider, MS
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Christian Haas, MS
Advisor: Sade Spencer, PhD
Ashika Jain, MS
Advisor: Cheuk Leung, PhD
Youbin Lee, MS
Advisor: Steven Graves, PhD
Apoorva Limaye, MS
Advisor: Nicholas Levinson, PhD
Manini Mantri, MS
Advisor: Kevin Wickman, PhD
Makky Mousa-Makky, MS
Advisor: Louis Mansky, PhD
Amy Paulson, MS
Advisor: R Stephanie Huang, PhD
Murphie Price, MS
Advisor: Cheuk Leung, PhD
Junyi Tang, MS
Advisor: Louis Mansky, PhD
Tingyuan Yang, MS
Advisor: Ameeta Kelekar, PhD
Zijun Zhang, MS
Advisor: Hai Dang Nguyen, PhD
Daniel Bruce, PhD, August 13, 2020
Dissertation title: "Characterization of a novel opioid combination for the treatment of chronic pain"
Advisor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: Scientific Director, WuXi AppTec
Baovi Vo, PhD, August 10, 2020
Dissertation Title: "Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of inhibitory G protein signaling in anxiety-related disorders"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Nedivi Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Allison Anderson, PhD, July 23, 2020
Dissertation title: "Physiological contribution and molecular details of GIRK dependent signaling in the heart"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Senior Clinical Evaluation Scientist, Boston Scientific
Abdulaziz Almotlak, PhD, April 30, 2020
Dissertation title: "Targeting the ERβ/HER oncogenic network in lung cancer: synergistic antitumor interaction and potentiation of anti-PD1 efficacy"
Advisor: Dr. Jill Siegfried
Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Devin Orchard, MS, December 2020
Advisor: Dr. Timothy O’Connell
Tatum Holt, MS, December 2020
Advisor: Dr. Marco Pravetoni
Position: Medical student
Emma Wille, MS, November 2020
Advisor: Dr. Sade Spencer
Position: Healthcare Analyst, Citeline
Xiaoyin Zhang, MS, August 2020
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Alexander Noll, MS, August 2020
Advisor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: Research Associate, Anesthesiology, University of Minnesota
Robert Hughes, MS, August 2020
Advisor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: Scientist, Medtronic
Dagny Heimisdottir, MS, August 2020
Advisor: Dr. Marco Pravetoni
Position: Lead Associate Scientist, WuXi AppTec
Marvis Monteiro, MS, June 2020
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: PhD student, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University
Duha Alshareef, MS, June 2020
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: PhD candidate, UMN Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
Jingyu Cheng, MS, May 2020
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Laboratory Technician, Fulgent Genetics
Lisa Kim, PhD, December 19, 2019
Dissertation Title: "Exploiting quiescent state vulnerability to deplete cytostatic cancer cells"
Advisor: Dr. Cheuk Leung
Position: Senior Scientist, Pfizer
Xinwen Zhang, PhD, October 25, 2019
Dissertation Title: "HIV gp120 induced synaptic changes modulation by the eCB system and NMDARs"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Scientist, Clinical Pharmacology Lead, Amgen
Li Zhang, PhD, August 9, 2019
Dissertation Title: "Role of gut microbiota in morphine induced analgesic tolerance"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Mariya (Shapovalova) Wilkinson, PhD, August 9, 2019
Dissertation Title: "Molecular imaging of prostate cancer using biomarker guided strategies"
Advisor: Dr. Aaron LeBeau
Position: Senior Medical Science Liaison (Hematology/Rare Diseases), Blueprint Medicines
Artur Serebrenik, PhD, August 1, 2019
Dissertation Title: "APOBEC Mutagenesis and DNA (Mis)Repair"
Advisor: Dr. Reuben Harris
Position: Program Manager - Oncology and Medical Countermeasures, Humanetics Corporation
Paige Glumac, PhD, June 21, 2019
Dissertation Title: "Targeting CD133 in androgen receptor-indifferent, neuroendocrine differentiated aggressive variant prostate cancer"
Advisor: Dr. Aaron LeBeau
Position: Sponsored Projects Contract Specialist, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Erika Louiselle, PhD, May 17, 2019
Dissertation Title: "Targeting the PPARγ and ER pathways via modulation of inflammation in the tumor microenvironment: a novel lung cancer prevention strategy"
Advisor: Dr. Jill Siegfried
Position: Senior Medical Writer, Stryker
Erik Carlson, PhD, May 3, 2019
Dissertation Title: "Metabolic activation and DNA-Damaging properties of carcinogenic N-Nitrosamines"
Advisor: Dr. Stephen Hecht
Position: Senior Manager, Medical Science Liaison, Foundation Medicine
Sachinthani Senevirathne, MS, August 2019
Advisor: Dr. Ameeta Kelekar
Position: PhD candidate, UMN Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
Zia Matti, MS, August 2019
Advisor: Dr. Sade Spencer
Position: Lab Manager, Gewirtz Lab, University of Minnesota
Inae Har, MS, August 2019
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Aileen Chu, MS, August 2019
Advisor: Dr. Kaylee Schwertfeger
Position: Senior Research Associate, Evozyne
Jingran Cao, MS, August 2019
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: PhD candidate, UMN Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
Chikako Yanagiba, MS, July 2019
Advisor: Dr. Masato Yamamoto
Position: Senior Research Associate, Jasper Therapeutics Inc.
Natalie Monteiro, MS, July 2019
Advisor: Dr. Steven Graves
Position: Associate Application Scientist, Akoya Biosciences, Inc.
Vaishnavi Kankate, MS, July 2019
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Researcher, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Christian Nzinkeu Njatcha, PhD, December 19, 2018
Dissertation title: "A novel approach to target STAT3 impairs lung cancer growth and development"
Advisor: Dr. Jill Siegfried
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, San Francisco
Gihan Gunaratne, PhD, September 25, 2018
Dissertation title: "Characterization and modulation of NAADP-dependent CA2 signaling events supporting Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus cell entry"
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Walseth Lab, University of Minnesota
Chris Gallardo, PhD, August 13, 2018
Dissertation title: "Investigation of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems as a method to study Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration"
Advisor: Dr. Gibson Wood
Position: Associate Director, Medical Science Liaison, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals
Dustin Chernick, PhD, August 2, 2018
Dissertation title: "HDL-Mimetic peptides as potential therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease"
Advisor: Dr. Ling Li
Position: Director, Scientific Publications, Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Lisa Chesner, PhD, June 29, 2018
Dissertation title: "Repair of DNA-protein crosslinks in mammalian cells"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Christopher Richards, PhD, June 8, 2018
Dissertation title: "HIV-1 counteraction mechanisms versus APOBEC3-mediated restriction"
Advisor: Dr. Reuben Harris
Position: Research Scientist I, Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Zahra Masoud, PhD, May 4, 2018
Dissertation title: "Mechanistic insight into the clonal expansion advantage of quiescent pre-neoplastic breast cells"
Advisor: Dr. Cheuk Leung
Position: Regulatory Medical Writer, Chimerix, Inc.
Patricia Dauer, PhD, April 20, 2018
Dissertation title: "The role of SP1-mediated ER stress and oncogenic signaling in PDAC"
Advisor: Dr. Ashok Saluja
Position: Medical Writer, Agendia Precision Oncology
Amanda Salzwedel Oliveira, PhD, February 26, 2018
Dissertation title: "Use of oncolytic adenovirus expressing IFN Alpha as a tool to improve IFN-based chemoradiation regiment to treat pancreatic cancer"
Advisor: Dr. Masato Yamamoto
Position: Senior Research Scientist, 3M
Erika Dahl, PhD, February 21, 2018
Dissertation title: "Compartmentalization of proximal G-alpha-q receptor signaling in adult cardiac myocytes"
Advisor: Dr. Tim O'Connell
Position: Program Manager, Anthos Therapeutics
Shawna Persaud, PhD, January 4, 2018
Dissertation title: "The functional role of retinoic acid and the cellular retinoic acid binding protein (Crabp1) in tumor suppression"
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Director of Clinical Affairs, CVRx | Barostim
Yuan Zheng, MS, August 2018
Advisor: Dr. Fang Li
Position: UX Designer, Verily Life Sciences
Jenna Robinson, MS, August 2018
Advisor: Dr. Anna Lee
Position: Medical student, University of Minnesota
Alkaya Massaly, MS, August 2018
Advisor: Dr. Masato Yamamoto
Position: UX Designer, Media Content, Freelance
Malavika Chandrashekar, MS, July 2018
Advisor: Dr. Julia Davydova
Position: Anesthesia resident, UMass Chan Medical School
Oshin Miranda, MS, May 2018
Advisor: Dr. Jill Siegfried
Position: PhD student, Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh
Jessica Martin, PhD, November 16, 2017
Dissertation title: "Comparative studies of HTLV-1 particle assembly and morphology"
Advisor: Dr. Louis Mansky
Position: Founder and Lead Medical Writer, Martin Medical Writing, LLC
Bryant Moeller, PhD, July 31, 2017
Dissertation title: "Characterization of the Preclinical Cyanide Antidote Sulfanegen"
Advisor: Dr. Steven Patterson
Position: Lead Toxicologist, ResMed
Yan Yan, PhD, July 18, 2017
Dissertation title: "Regulation and function of the phosphatase PHLPP2 in leukemia"
Advisor: Dr. Ameeta Kelekar
Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Miller School of Medicine - University of Miami
Jie Ying Chan, PhD, April 6, 2017
Dissertation title: "Targeting insulin receptor in human breast cancer using engineered protein scaffolds"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: Medical-Commercial Development, Pharmatoka/YSP Industries
Erica Schnettler, PhD, February 14, 2017
Dissertation title: "The functional role of miR-210 in Hypoxia-Induced Angiogenesis"
Advisor: Dr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan
Position: Associate Director, Medical Science Liaison, Foundation Medicine
Dake Wang, MS, August 2017
Advisor: Dr. Lou Mansky
Position: Institute for Virology, University of Minnesota
Jennifer Nhieu, MS, August 2017
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: PhD candidate, UMN Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
Shilvi Joshi, MS, August 2017
Advisor: Dr. Aaron LeBeau
Position: Clinical Research Associate, Saluda Medical
Yijian Cai, MS, July 2017
Advisor: Dr. Fang Li
Position: Senior Scientist, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories
Aditi Bapat, MS, July 2017
Advisor: Dr. Ameeta Kelekar
Position: PhD candidate, UMN Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
Abdulaziz Almotlak, MS, May 2017
Advisor: Dr. Jill Siegfried
Position: Assistant Professor, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University
Zaid Temrikar, MS, April 2017
Advisor: Dr. Marco Pravetoni
Position: PhD Candidate, Pharmocometrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Yi-Wei (Vincent) Lin, December 16, 2016
Dissertation title: "The functional role of receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140) in innate immunity and metabolic syndrome"
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Preclinical Scientist/Study Director, MLM Medical Labs
Bomi Lee, PhD, August 30, 2016
Dissertation title: "The functional impact of retinoic acid and RIP140 in macrophages: from chromatin to physiology"
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Instructor, Dept of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine
Chang Liu, PhD, May 23, 2016
Dissertation title: "Structural and molecular basis for multifunctional roles of Aminopeptidase N"
Advisor: Dr. Fang Li
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Yale University
Yue Zhang, PhD, May 3, 2016
Dissertation title: "Modulation of adult neurogenesis in opioid addiction"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Miller School of Medicine - Miami University
Adit Alreja, MS, September 2016
Mentor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: PhD candidate, University of Maryland
Leisheng Sun, MS, August, 2016
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: PhD Candidate in Biomedical Sciences, Tulane University
Percy Griffin, MS, August 2016
Mentor: Dr. Michael Lee
Position: Director, Scientific Engagement, Alzheimer's Association
Anuya Potnis, MS, July 2016
Advisor: Dr. Jill Siegfried
Position: Account Manager, Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Stanislas Ogokeh, MS, June 2016
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Pharmacologist and Dental Specialist, U.S. Army
Annapoorna Venkatachalam, MS, May, 2016
Advisor: Dr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan
Position: Research Fellow, Oncology, Mayo Clinic
Dhwani Rupani, MS, May 2016
Advisor: Dr. Gregory Connell
Position: Post-doctoral researcher, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ruodi Ren, MS, January 2016
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Pharmacy Resident, Berkeley Medical Center - WVU Medicine
Scott Baker, PhD, December 18, 2015
Dissertation title: "The C. elegans PHR protein RPM-1: Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of neuronal development by examining a central regulatory molecule"
Advisor: Dr. Brock Grill
Position: Manager, Scientific Support, Novus Biologicals LLC (Bio-Techne)
Lydia Kotecki, PhD, December 15, 2015
Dissertation title: "Inhibitory signaling and reward: the role of GIRK channels in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Clinical Trial Manager, Medpace
Yang Yang, PhD, September 1, 2015
Dissertation title: "Structural and molecular basis for multifunctional roles of cellular proteases"
Advisor: Dr. Fang Li
Position: Assistant Professor, Iowa State University, Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Yuhze Yang, PhD, August 3, 2015
Dissertation title: "Targeting downstream effectors of IGF/Insulin signaling system in human breast cancer"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: Member, Technical Staff III Continuous Product Engineering, NetApp Inc.
John Chan, PhD, February 16, 2015
Dissertation title: "Identification of novel anti-schistosomal therapies through studies of orthologous pathways during planarian regeneration"
Advisor: Dr. Johnathan Marchant
Position: Assistant Professor, Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Joe Patton, MS/JD, November 2015
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Manager, Technology Transactions, Mount Sinai Innovation Partners
Lisa Kim, MS, September 2015
Advisor: Dr. Cheuk Leung
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco
Kelly Krogh, PhD, August 8, 2014
Dissertation title: "The mechanism of HIV-1 Tat-induced changes in NMDA receptor function"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Director, Senior Medical Science Liaison in Neurology, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals
Jingjing Meng, PhD, July 25, 2014
Dissertation title: "Mechanisms underlying opioid modulation of gut immunity"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Miller School of Medicine - University of Miami
Nicole Wydeven, PhD, June 4, 2014
Dissertation title: "Molecular mechanisms of inhibitory signaling in the heart and brain"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Manager, Clinical Evidence and Risk Management, Boston Scientific
Nikita Sharma, October 2014
Advisor: Dr. Gregory Connell
Position: Senior Scientist, Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, In vivo Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim
Mustafa Mithaiwala, October 2014
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Walseth
Position: Doctoral student, Integrated Biomedical Sciences, UT Health San Antonio
Avani Gosalia Kotak, MS, October 2014
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Walseth
Position: Reviewer, Cactus Communications
Shira Yomtoubian, MS, September 2014
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Shaw Lab, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Lisa Chesner, MS, September 2014
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco
Erik Tulgren, PhD, December 20, 2013
Dissertation title: "Investigation of PHR signaling in C. elegans"
Advisor: Dr. Brock Grill
Position: Principal Medical Writer, Medtronic
Jeff Braziunas, PhD, December 16, 2013
Dissertation title: "Genome-wide pharmacological modulation of cap-dependent translational control"
Advisor: Dr. Peter Bitterman
Position: Field Director, Central Region GU Oncology MSLs, Astellas Pharma US
Michael Raleigh, PhD, July 11, 2013
Dissertation title: "A heroin/morphine vaccine: mechanism of action and extending its use to other abused opioids"
Advisor: Dr. Paul Pentel
Position: Assistant Professor, MPaT, University of Minnesota
Angela Brunner, PhD, May 17, 2013
Dissertation title: "Mechanisms of HIV-associated neurotoxicity: tat-induced synapse loss and recovery"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Senior Director, Field Medical Scientific Strategy - Neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company
Tiffany MacKenzie, PhD, April 25, 2013
Dissertation title: "Role of MicroRNAs in mediating pancreatic cancer response to triptolide"
Advisor: Dr. Ashok Saluja
Position: Senior Medical Science Liaison, Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Nathaniel Waldron, PhD, April 2, 2013
Dissertation title: "Development and characterization of CD133 positive cancer stem cell targeted toxins for use in carcinoma therapy"
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Vallera
Position: Senior Research Associate, Bio-Techne
Jerid Robinson, PhD, April 3, 2013
Dissertation title: "Activation and inhibition mechanisms of membrane guanylyl cyclases"
Advisor: Dr. Lincoln Potter
Position: Manager, Field Application Scientists - NA West, nanoString Technologies
Katherine Cornish, PhD, March 7, 2013
Dissertation title: "Enhancing the efficacy of a nicotine vaccine"
Advisor: Dr. Paul Pentel
Position: Senior Project Manager, WCG ThreeWire
Dusty Van Helden, MS, September 2013
Advisor: Dr. Lincoln Potter
Position: Research Lab Manager, Osborn Lab, University of Minnesota
Fuyuan Wang, MS, August 2013
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Lead Reviewer, Toxicologist, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Omeed Rahimi, MS, May 2013
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Romero
Position: Senior Toxicologist, Abbott
Ekaterina (Posokhova) Allen, PhD, Sept. 21, 2012
Dissertation title: "Molecular mechanisms regulating G protein signaling in brain and heart: Role of R7 RGS proteins and their binding partners"
Advisor: Dr. Kirill Martemyanov
Position: Facilities Reviewer and Inspector, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Kelsey Mirkovic, PhD, Sept. 7, 2012
Dissertation title: "Molecular diversity and physiological contributions of neuronal trek channels"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Michael Dapp, PhD, August 28, 2012
Dissertation title: "Studies on the basis of HIV-1 variation and its purposeful increase"
Advisor: Dr. Louis Mansky
Dedra Fagan, PhD, June 7, 2012
Dissertation title: "The role of the estrogen receptor in acquired hormone resistance: implications for anti-IGF1R therapy"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Ping-Chih (Daniel) Ho, PhD, March 5, 2012
Dissertation title: Functional role of receptor-interacting Protein 140 (RIP140) in adipocyte dysfunctions and inflammatory response in macrophages"
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Cancer Immunologist, Ludwig Cancer Research
Yaping Lin Moshier, PhD, February 2012
Dissertation title: "Investigation of proteins that associate with NAADP-gated two-pore channels"
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Associate Medical Science Liaison, AbbVie | Pharmaceutical Research and Development
Hong-Yiou (David) Lin, PhD/MD, February 2012
Dissertation title: "The role of PKC in differential morphine tolerance"
Advisor: Dr. Horace H. Loh
Position: Radiation Oncologist, Saint Vincent Medical Group
Yao-Chen Tsui, PhD, May 4, 2012
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Research Assistant (Tumor Immunology, Chronic Viral Infection, Molecular Neuroscience), UNIL - Universite de Lausanne
Dan Zhang, PhD, November 28, 2011
Dissertation title: "The role of cellular calcium channels in planarian biology"
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center - Penn State Health
Hemant Joshi, PhD/MD, November 2, 2011
Advisor: Dr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan
Position: Anesthesiologist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Yan Zhong, PhD, October 2011
Dissertation title: "Phenanthrene tetraols as probes for the metabolic activation of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in humans"
Advisor: Dr. Stephen Hecht
Position: Manager, Clinical Affairs, Intuitive
Ajay Yekkirala, PhD, September 19, 2011
Dissertation title: "Elucidating the role of opioid receptor heteromers as targets for analgesic drug design"
Advisor: Dr. Philip Portoghese
Position: Vice President, Head of Biology and Co-Founder & CSO, RA Capital Management, L.P. and Blue Therapeutics
Alice Chanakira, PhD, August 31, 2011
Dissertation title: "Differential modulation of arterial vs. venous smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by hypoxia and hypoxia inducible endothelial cell growth factors"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Amy Lindberg, PhD, August 27, 2011
Dissertation title: "Changes in endocannabinoid signaling contribute to the anti-hyperalgesic effect of URB597 in a murine model of persistent inflammation"
Advisor: Dr. Virginia Seybold
Position: Case Manager, Be The Match operated by National Marrow Donor Program
Jana Ninkovic, PhD, January 7, 2011
Dissertation title: "Morphine inhibition of macrophage phagocytosis and bactericidal functions"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Americas Biopharma AE Supervisor, 3M
Andrea Sand, MS, December 2011
Advisor: Dr. Paulo Kofuji
Position: Staff Research Associate, Entrada Therapeutics
Stephen Kalscheuer, MS, July 2011
Advisor: Dr. Yan Zeng
Position: Senior Scientist, PPD
Laramie (Rapp) Otto, MS, June 2011
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Global Safety Senior Manager - Combination Products, Amgen
Pooja Parmeswaran, MS, June 2011
Advisor: Dr. Kirill Martemyanov
Position: Doctoral student, UMass Chan Medical School
Andrea Yoder, PhD, September 2010
Dissertation title: "Identification of novel natriuretic peptide receptor phosphorylation sites and new insights on the role of phosphorylation in receptor regulation"
Advisor: Dr. Lincoln Potter
Position: Critical Care Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital
Marc Becker, PhD, September 2010
Dissertation title: "Profiling the roles of insulin receptor substrate isoforms 1 and 2 in breast cancer"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: Medical Affairs Director, Health Systems Oncology, Biomarker, Merck
Nancy Castro, PhD, August 2010
Dissertation title: "Breast tumor kinase (Brk/PTK6) and ERK5 mediate met receptor signaling to cell migration in breast cancer cells"
Advisor: Dr. Carol Lange
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, City of Hope
Carrie Wade, PhD, June 2010
Dissertation title: "Endogenous modulation of addiction: chronic pain and the NMDA/NOS cascade"
Advisor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: Director of Harm Reduction Policy and Senior Fellow for the R Street Institute, GTNF
Shuang Liang, PhD, April 2010
Dissertation title: "Identification of compounds inhibiting a leishmania RNA editing reaction"
Advisor: Dr. Gregory Connell
Position: Associate Director, Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology, Daiichi-Sankyo, Inc
Renee Marie Hirte, PhD, March 2010
Dissertation title: "Identification and characterization of novel ADP-Ribosyl cyclases"
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Walseth
Position: Clinical Research Coordinator and Applications Scientist, Mayo Clinic and Implen
Arpita De, PhD, March 2010
Dissertation title: "The role of cap-dependent translation in malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer"
Advisors: Dr. Peter Bitterman and Dr. Robert Kratzke
Garret Anderson, PhD, January 2010
Dissertation title: "Dyanamic regulation of R7BP containing R7 RGS protein complexes: Role in controlling neuronal dopamine and opioid signaling in the striatum"
Advisor: Dr. Kirill Martemyanov
Position: Assistant Professor, University of California, Riverside
Jamie Kurtz, MS/JD, December 2010
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Partner and Co-Chair, Health Care Litigation Group, Robins Kaplan LLC
Matthew Bess, MS, August 2010
Advisor: Dr. Louis Mansky
Position: Quality Scientist, Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC
Kevin Allen, February 2010
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Consumer Safety Officer, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Nien-Pei Tsai, PhD, December 2009
Dissertation title: "Post-transcriptional gene regulation by growth factor receptor-bound protein 7"
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Darcy Flora, PhD, December 2009
Dissertation title: "Downregulation of natriuretic peptide receptor-A: evidence for Clathrin and Dynamin independent internalization"
Advisor: Dr. Lincoln Potter
Position: Chief Resource Officer, GRYT Health
Hui Zheng, PhD, November 2009
Dissertation title: "Agonist-selective signaling and Mu-opioid receptor: from ERK to NeuroD and then to tolerance"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Principal Investigator, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health
Gina Ji Chu, PhD, November 2009
Dissertation title: Agonist-dependent mechanism of Mu-opioid receptor desensitization"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Senior Medical Dosimetrist, Houston Methodist
Alan Roloff, PhD, October 2009
Dissertation title: "Modulation of hippocampal endocannabinoid plasticity by homer proteins and Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Principal Medical Science Liaison, Alector Therapeutics
Jonathan Hareid, PhD, October 2009
Dissertation title: "Quantification of cell surface Mu and Delta Opioid receptor and elucidation of factors governing surface receptor pool"
Advisor: Dr. Robert Elde
Position: Regulatory Counsel, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Xin Ge, PhD, September 2009
Dissertation title: "Novel binding partners of Mu-opioid receptor and their regulatory roles"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Assistant Professor, Shanghai Jiaotong University
Qifang Wu, PhD, February 2009
Dissertation title: "Post-transcriptional regulation of mouse Mu-opioid Receptor (MOR1) through its 3'-UTR"
Advisor: Dr. Horace Loh
Position: Senior Manager, Quality Control, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Sam Roiko, PhD, January 2009
Dissertation title: "Passive immunization to treat nicotine dependence in rats"
Advisor: Dr. Paul Pentel
Position: Scientific Investigator, Genetics & Pharmacogenomics, Children's Minnesota
Ximena Rossello Monaco, PhD, September 2009
Dissertation title: "Aβ Affects apoE transcriptionally through the activation of β-AR, cAMP and AP-2"
Advisor: Dr. Gibson Wood
Position: Socia & Directora, Greenway Peru'
Tammy Butterick, PhD, May 2009
Dissertation title: "Simvastatin induced Endothelin-1 (ET-1) upregulates Bcl-2 protein levels in cerebral cortical neurons"
Advisor: Dr. Gibson Wood
Position: Health Science Specialist, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System
Lisa Koodie, PhD, April 2009
Dissertation title: "Effects of morphine on tumor angiogenesis and growth"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Research Associate, Dept of Surgery, University of Minnesota
J. Michael Underwood, PhD, April 2009
Dissertation title: "The cell division bypass – deregulated eIF4E substitutes for growth factors in the Canonical Proliferative Pathway"
Advisor: Dr. Peter Bitterman
Position: Chief of School-based Surveillance Branch, Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Yue Zhang, MS, July 2009
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Postdoctoral Associate, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Xianke Zeng, PhD, December 2008
Dissertation title: "Combining anti-Type I insulin like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) therapy with chemotherapy in Vitro and in Vivo"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: Research Fellow, National Institutes of Health
José Colón Saez, PhD, November 2008
Dissertation title: "Neuronal GIRK channels: subunit composition and receptor coupling"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy
Cydne Perry, PhD, October 2008
Dissertation title: "Regulation of energy homeostasis through G protein gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit 4"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Assistant Professor, Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington
Daniel Lundberg, PhD, July 2008
Dissertation title: "Cannabinoid modulation of synaptic transmission"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Professor of Chemistry, Department of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, Gallaudet University
Andrea Finholt-Daniel, PhD, July 2008
Dissertation title: "Regulation of progesterone receptor action by sumoylation in breast cancer cells"
Advisor: Dr. Carol Lange
Position: Senior Scientist, University of Minnesota
Josephine Martin, PhD, June 2008
Dissertation title: "Chronic Morphine Suppresses Leukocyte Infiltration Into Tissues Post-Injury in Response to LPS"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Director, International Regulatory Affairs, Cepheid
Marco Pravetoni, PhD, May 2008
Dissertation title: "Role of G Protein Gated Potassium Channels in Centrally- Mediated and Drug-Induced Behaviors"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
Lisbeth Robinson, PhD, May 2008
Dissertation title: "Improved Optical Highlighters Derived From Dsred Variants and Enhanced Calcium Leak from Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Stores Induced by Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Protein"
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Patent Attorney, Dicke, Billig & Czaja, PLLC
Tri Bui Nguyen, PhD, October 2007
Dissertation title: "Effects of Kringle 5 of human plasminogen and P125A-endostatin on angiogenesis"
Advisor: Dr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan
Position: Regulatory Health Project Manager, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Yasir Ibrahim, PhD, October 2007
Dissertation title: "Regulation of IGF and integrin pathway crosstalk in breast cancer cells"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Kristen England, PhD, October, 2007
Dissertation title: "Differential processing and the functional consequences of ADAMTS4 activation"
Advisor: Dr. Duanqing Pei
Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota
Michael Boulware, PhD, September 2007
Dissertation title: "A novel role for annulate lamellae in Ca2+ signaling"
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Director, Clinical Research, Medtronic
Jing Bi, PhD, July 2007
Dissertation title: "Axonal transport and translation of kappa opioid receptor messenger RNA and their regulation in dorsal root ganglia"
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Professor and Director, Neurobiology, Jinzhou Medical University
Joshua Jackson, PhD, March 2007
Dissertation title: "Regulation of calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum in dorsal root ganglion neurons"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Assistant Professor, Drexel University College of Medicine
Matthew Pendleton, MS, September 2007
Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Marchant
Position: Bioinformatician and Scientific Advisory Board Member, Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd and MPS Society
Navneet Sharma, MS, January 2007
Advisor: Dr. Paulo Kofuji
Position: Executive Director and Head - Global Strategic Insights and Analytics, Novartis
Ying He, MS, January 2007
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Research Technologist, The University of Chicago Medical Center
Leslie Johnson, PhD, November 2006
Dissertation title: "Neuroprotection induced by simvastatin is due to upregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2"
Advisor: Dr. Gibson Wood
Position: Vice President, Head of Program and Portfolio Management, Goldfinch Bio
Azah Tabah, PhD, September 2006
Dissertation title: "The role of RAD50, MRE11 and NBS1 complex in DNA double strand break repair"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Program Director of Medical Science, Medtronic
Jennifer Kelschenbach, PhD, September 2006
Dissertation title: "The effects of morphine withdrawal on immune functioning"
Advisor: Dr. Sabita Roy
Position: Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Maria Roman, PhD, July 2006
Dissertation title: "The role of IKACh and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate signaling in the heart"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Principal Scientist, Merck
Angela Kell, PhD, July 2006
Dissertation title: "Characteristics of an unknown ADP-Ribosyl Cyclase in a CD38 knock-out model"
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Walseth
Position: Associate Director, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Stephanie Gozum, PhD, May 2006
Dissertation title: "The Effects of a Nicotine Vaccine on Nicotine Pharmacokinetics in Rats"
Advisor: Dr. Paul Pentel
Position: Scientist III, Scientific Technical Writer, Medtox Laboratories, a LabCorp Specialty Testing Group
Charles Shideman, PhD, February 2006
Advisor: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Position: Radiation Oncologist, Minneapolis Radiation Oncology
Kristen Lawson, MS, July 2006
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Sara Byron, PhD, December 2005
Dissertation title: "Differential Roles of IRS-1 and IRS-2 in Mediating IGF-IR Action in Breast Cancer Cells"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Position: Research Assistant Professor, Translational Genomics Research Institute
Emily S. Pfeiffer, PhD, October 2005
Dissertation title: "Identification of Differences Between DNA Gyrase and Topoisomerase IV that Affect Target Selection"
Advisor: Dr. Hiroshi Hiasa
Position: Sr Director, GMA Excellence and Training, Agios Pharmaceuticals
Wei Wang, PhD, October 2005
Dissertation title: "Regulation of intracellular trafficking of opioid receptors"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Cheryl (Marker) Schmidt, PhD, July 2005
Dissertation title: "Essential Role of Spinal G Protein-Gated Potassium Channels in Thermal Nociception and Opioid Analgesia"
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Wickman
Position: Research Support Manager, University of MN
Guilin Wang, PhD, May 2005
Dissertation title: "Epigenetic Regulation of Mouse Delta-opioid Receptor Gene"
Advisor: Dr. Horace Loh
Position: Associate Director, Yale Center for Genome Analysis
Jill-Desiree (Brederson) Souers, PhD, March 2005
Dissertation title: "Peripheral opioid receptors"
Advisors: Dr. George L. Wilcox and Dr. Christopher Honda
Position: Director, Design, AbbVie
Glenna Gilbert, MS, August 2005
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Trial Attorney Specializing in Intellectual Property Litigation, Former partner and shareholder, Larkin Hoffman
Carla Ji-Eun Kim, MS/JD, July 2005
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Director, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox
Ananya De, PhD, December 2004
Dissertation title: "Essential Role of Protein Interactions of DNA Ligase III on Mitochondrial Genome Stability"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Associate Director, Seres Therapeutics
Jing Nie, PhD, September 2004
Dissertation title: "Leukolysin/MT6-MMP/MMP25 - Substrates, Activity & Regulation"
Advisor: Dr. Duanqing Pei
Lisa (Mullany) McClendon, PhD, July 2004
Dissertation title: "Regulation of Progesterone Receptor by CDK2 in Breast Cancer Cell Models"
Advisor: Dr. Carol Lange
Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
Jennifer Gross, PhD, March 2004
Dissertation title: "The role of IGF-I in estrogen-receptor alpha positive MCF7 breast cancer cells"
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Yee
Brooke Kelley, PhD, December 2003
Dissertation title: "Effects of THC and endogenous cannabinoids on synaptic transmission between hippocampal neurons in primary culture"
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Distinguished Clinical Research Advisor and Technical Fellow, Medtronic
Xing Wang, PhD, August 2003
Dissertation title: "Molecular Regulation of MT5-MMP"
Advisor: Dr. Duanqing Pei
Molly E. Shea, PhD, June 2003
Dissertation title: "Effects of Topoisomerase Poisoning on DNA Helicases"
Advisor: Dr. Hiroshi Hiasa
Position: President, Senior Regulatory Consultant, Shea Regulatory Science Advisors, LLC
Ping Sun, PhD, February 2003
Dissertation title: "Transcriptional Regulation of Mouse Delta-Opioid Receptor Gene in T Cells"
Advisor: Dr. Horace Loh
Paul Wacnik, PhD, February 2003
Dissertation title: "Modeling Cancer Pain: Elucidation of Unique Mechanisms and Pharmacological Characteristics"
Advisor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: Research Project Lead - Digital Medicine, Pfizer, Inc.
Sarah Donahue, PhD, January 2003
Dissertation title: "Defective Regulation of DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Fanconi Anemia Fibroblasts"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Associate Director of Management and Operations (industry equivalent: Chief Operating Officer), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Aixiang Jiang, MS, April 2002
Advisor: Dr. Duanqing Pei
Position: Data Scientist/Biostatistician, BC Cancer
Joshua J. Smith, PhD, November 2002
Dissertation title: "The Regulation of RAD51 Expression in the Ciliate Tetrahymena Thermophila"
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Romero
Position: Professor, Interim Dept Head, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Missouri State University
Jocelyn Clark-Greuel, PhD, August 2002
Dissertation title: "The Influence of Beta-Very Low Density Lipoprotein on Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Activity in Vivo and in Vitro"
Advisor: Dr. Donald Hunninghake
Position: Director of Regulatory Affairs, Phlow Corporation
Wanling Yang, PhD, May 2002
Dissertation title: "In vivo Characterization of the S196A Mutation in the mu-Opioid Receptor by a Knock-in Strategy"
Advisor: Dr. Horace Loh
Position: Associate Professor, The University of Hong Kong
Laura Bordone, PhD, May 2002
Dissertation title: "DNA Ligase III Protects Cells from Apoptosis"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Associate Director, Clinical Development, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Jennifer J. Schumacher, PhD, April 2002
Dissertation title: "The Role of Angiogenesis in the Etiology of Ovarian Cancer"
Advisor: Dr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan
Position: Global Medical Director - Rare Diseases, Pfizer, Inc.
Xiuli Wu, MS, June 2001
Advisor: Dr. Horace Loh
Position: Physicians Assistant, Sierra Hematology Oncology Medical Center
Gregory P. Coffey
Dissertation title: "The Nuclear DNA Repair Protein Ku86 is Present in Mammalian Mitochondria"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Vice President, Immunology and Clinical Translational Research, Nuvig Therapuetics
Heather Meehan, PhD, July 2001
Dissertation title: "Characterization of the iron responsive element"
Advisor: Dr. Gregory Connell
Position: Vice President and Head, Quantabio
Vipa Chaipatikul, PhD, June 2001
Dissertation title: "Role of the third intracellular loop and carboxyl tail in the function and trafficking of the mu-opioid receptor"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Pharmacist, Rite Aid
Smita Kshirsagar, PhD, May 2001
Dissertation title: "Delta opioid receptor-mediated enhancement of basic fibroblast growth factor-induced cell proliferation"
Advisor: Dr. Ping-Yee Law
Position: Senior Principal Scientist, Genentech
Laurie Ann Kleinbaum Fink, PhD, May 2001
Dissertation title: "The Role of Ets Homologous Factor in Carcinogenesis"
Advisor: Dr. Frank Burton
Position: Chair of Science, Science Museum of Minnesota
Richard Lundberg, PhD, September 2000
Dissertation title: "Characterization of DNA end-joining in extracts from Fanconi anemia fibroblasts"
Advisor: Dr. Colin Campbell
Position: Clinical Toxicologist, Labcorp
Mike McGrath, PhD, July 2000
Dissertation title: "Characterization of a transgenic model of compulsive behavior and tics"
Advisor: Dr. Frank Burton
Position: Patent Lawyer, Seager Tufte & Wickhem, LLP
Daniel J. Kim, MS, June 2000
Advisor: Dr. Stanley Thayer
Position: Associate Director, Eurofins Advantar Laboratories, Inc.
Robert Wild, PhD, May 2000
Dissertation title: "Strategies in Anti-Angiogenic Cancer Therapy: Exploiting the Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Tumor Growth and Endothelial Cell Survival"
Advisor: Dr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan
Position: Chief Scientific Officer, Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Amanda J. Ye, PhD, May 2000
Dissertation title: "Characterization of telomerase activity in Paramecium tetraurelia"
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Romero
Position: OB|GYN Physician, Allina Health
Long Wong, PhD, December 1999
Dissertation title: "Measurement of intracellular cyclic ADP-Ribose levels and characterization of cADPR analogs"
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Walseth
Position: Physician, Family Medicine, JPS Health Network
Hung-Chun Chen, PhD, July 1999
Dissertation title: "Regulation of mu-opioid receptor in P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells"
Advisor: Dr. Horace Loh
Position: Pharmacist, Rite Aid
Tinna M. (Laughlin) Ross, PhD, June 1999
Dissertation title: "Dynorphin-induced chronic allodynia: Involvement of NMDA, NOS and Cytokines"
Advisor: Dr. George L. Wilcox
Position: Professor of Biology, North Hennepin Community College
Deborah M. Dickey, PhD, May 1999
Dissertation title: "The characterization and purification of the nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) binding protein"
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Walseth
Position: Research Assistant Professor (Biochemistry), University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Adolfo Ernesto Cuadra, PhD, April 1999
Dissertation title: "M1 muscarinic receptor-mediated modulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity and expression"
Advisor: Dr. Esam El-Fakahany
Position: Senior Research Fellow, University of Massachusettes Amherst
Lee Hinman, PhD, January 1999
Dissertation title: "Role of the third intracellular loop and carboxyl tail in the function and trafficking of the mu-opioid receptor"
Advisor: Dr. Paul Sammak
Position: Biophysicist, U.S. Department of Energy
For data prior to 1999, please contact the Department of Pharmacology - [email protected] or (612) 625-9997