University of Colorado MS TP€¦ · University of Colorado MS TP MSTP MESSENGER ... ed July 2nd,...
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University of Colorado MSTP MSTP MESSENGER Meet Our New MSI Class September, 2013 Who recently completed their Comprehensive Exams Who joined a Ph.D. lab Tamara Burleson—Cancer Biology — Chris Porter’s Lab Gregory Kirkpatrick — Cancer Biology — Doug Graham’s Lab Eric Nguyen — Molecular Biology — Aaron Johnson’s Lab Sally Peach—Molecular Biology — Jay Hesselberth’s Lab Rosa Rodriguez — Immunology — V. Michael Holer’s Lab Laura Warg — Human Medical Genetics—David Schwartz’s Lab Leon Zheng — Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology — Leslie Leinwand ’s Lab Mellissa Delcont - After growing up in a bunch of small towns in Southeast Texas, I moved to the big city of San Antonio to complete my Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience at Trinity University. I gained my first research experience in Dr. Jimmy Roberts’ lab studying Parkinson’s disease. I then joined Dr. Jim Lechleiter’s lab to investigate the mechanisms of astrocyte metabolism-mediated neuroprotection. Upon graduation in December 2012, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dr. Manzoor Bhat’s lab at UTHSCSA in addition to working part time at Buckle. I investigated the roles of various proteins involved in the formation and stabilization of myelin during the day, and sold high fashion denim at night. I want to study cellular mechanisms of neurodevelopment in my research training. I love to dance, shop, and maintain my fitness. I am really looking forward to learning how to snowboard! Matt Becker — I am from a small town on the coast of the Puget Sound in Washington State. In 2006, I made the journey up to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, eventually graduating magna cum laude in 2010 with degrees in Neurobiology and Biochemistry. During college, I was heavily engaged in scientific research, studying the genetic control of regenerative capacity as well as how early brain activity affects the development of the cerebral cortex. After college, I worked as a research technician, and then completed a Master of Philosophy degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Cambridge. There, I studied how physical trauma affects spinal cord activity and basic electrophysiological parameters of neurons. Now in Denver, I am very excited to explore the forests of the Rocky Mountains. Ashley Denney — I was born and raised in Fort Collins, CO and was the first in my family to graduate from college, earning a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University in 2009. I worked on arabidopsis pollen genetics in Dr. Bedinger's lab as an Undergraduate Research and McNair Scholar, and later on yeast transcription fidelity in Dr. Strathern's lab as an NIH Intramural Research Training Award Fellow. I look forward to growing as a physician and scientist during my MSTP career at University of Colorado and hope to pursue a PhD in Molecular Biology. In my free time I enjoy swimming and spending time with my pet poultry. Alison Hixon—I grew up in Missoula, Montana and received my degree in Psychology from the University of Montana in 2010. During and after college, I worked in the labs of Dr. Josh Lawrence and Dr. Diana Lurie investigating the development of inhibitory cells in the auditory brainstem. While presenting my research at the annual Association for Research in Otolaryngology meeting, I was introduced to Dr. Dave Raible and Dr. Ed Rubel of the University of Washington. In 2011, I moved to Seattle to work with Drs. Raible and Rubel on a projected aimed finding and developing therapeutic interventions against aminoglycoside antibiotic induced -hearing loss. I am interested in neuroscience and genetics. In my free time I love to fix, build, and ride bicycles. I am also an avid rock climber. Sean Jones — I grew up in North Carolina and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2011. I received a BS in Biochemistry as well being a member of the Symphony Orchestra and studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. I also worked in the lab of Professor Marcey Waters dealing with two projects involving peptide chemistry: the first dealt with domain recognition via a beta-hairpin turn and the second used a peptide motif to attach photocenters to a semiconductor surface . After graduating, I worked for RTI International, a nonprofit company in NC continuing my work with peptides. My research interests lie in the field of Immunology and specifically dealing with autoimmune diseases. I love spending time outdoors, playing the viola, and playing soccer." Jon Kibbie — I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and received my BS in Biology and minor in Classical Civilizations from Loyola Marymount University. After graduating from LMU, I received my MS from UCLA in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. While at UCLA, I studied the role of the cellular microenvironment in macrophage subset differentiation in Leprosy. I was able to present my work at the annual conferences for both the American Association of Immunologists and the International Vascular Biology Meeting. Outside of research, I like spending my free time with my family and working outdoors. I look forward to making Denver my home for the next 8 years. Jason Silver —– I grew up in Piedmont, California and attend the University of California, Berkeley as a Bioengineering major. Beginning my Freshman year and continuing all four years, I worked on a conglomerate of research projects ranging from molecular detectors to cancer drug delivery systems to stem cell culturing methods at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. After graduating in 2012, I received the Post baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award from the NIH to pursue ophthalmic tissue engineering projects under the supervision of Dr. Sheldon Miller and Dr. Kapil Bharti. I am passionate about the applications of stem cells and regenerative medicine therapies to solve many currently untreatable diseases. I plan to contribute to the field while pursing a PhD in bioengineering or developmental biology. Ricardo Villarreal—I obtained my B.S. in biology from Cornell University in 2011, concentrating in physiology and nutrition. During my undergraduate career, I worked in the department of molecular medicine with Dr. Richard Cerione, exploring the functional role of a novel enzyme inhibitor in the context of cancer cell metabolism. Upon graduating, I moved to my home town of San Antonio, TX where I joined Dr. Lily Dong's lab at the UT Health Science Center and studied various metabolic pathways in type 2 diabetes. Finally I joined a clinical research team for the US Army under Major John Hughes, exploring novel early onset septicemia detection field techniques. On my free time I enjoy writing and playing music as well as exploring the many facets of the universe. Congratulations to MSTP Students Who Defended Their Thesis Max Cohen — Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology “Regulation of C. elegans Developmental Timing by the GATA Tran- scription Factor elt-1” Brian Harry —Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology “CYN-1 is a Dual Regulator of Apoptosis and Necrosis in C. elegans” Eric Cross—Immunology Kiran Dyamenahalli — Bioengineering Jingjing Zhang—Immunology Karina Gomez — I graduated in 2012 from Claremont McKenna College with a BA in Molecular Biology. During my undergraduate experience I worked in a variety of research fields, however, my main focus and subsequent thesis work concerned testing the potential role of small RNAs in hybrid embryonic and ring-Y lethality in Drosophila. I presented the findings of my thesis at the 53 rd Annual Drosophila Genetics Conference (2012). After graduation, I spent a year in Ecuador with a Fulbright research scholarship testing potential treat- ments against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas Disease. In my free time I like do kickboxing and watch movies.
Transcript of University of Colorado MS TP€¦ · University of Colorado MS TP MSTP MESSENGER ... ed July 2nd,...
U n i v e r s i t y o f C o l o r a d o M S T P
MSTP MESSENGER
Meet Our New MSI Class
September, 2013
Who recently completed their Comprehensive Exams
Who joined a Ph.D. lab Tamara Burleson—Cancer Biology — Chris Porter’s Lab Gregory Kirkpatrick — Cancer Biology — Doug Graham’s Lab Eric Nguyen — Molecular Biology — Aaron Johnson’s Lab Sally Peach—Molecular Biology — Jay Hesselberth’s Lab Rosa Rodriguez — Immunology — V. Michael Holer’s Lab Laura Warg — Human Medical Genetics—David Schwartz’s Lab Leon Zheng — Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology — Leslie Leinwand ’s Lab
Mellissa Delcont - After growing up in a bunch of small towns in Southeast Texas, I moved to the big city of San Antonio to complete my Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience at Trinity University. I gained my first research experience in Dr. Jimmy Roberts’ lab studying Parkinson’s disease. I then joined Dr. Jim Lechleiter’s lab to investigate the mechanisms of astrocyte metabolism-mediated neuroprotection. Upon graduation in December 2012, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dr. Manzoor Bhat’s lab at UTHSCSA in addition to working part time at Buckle. I investigated the roles of various proteins involved in the formation and stabilization of myelin during the day, and sold high fashion denim at night. I want to study cellular mechanisms of neurodevelopment in my research training. I love to dance, shop, and maintain my fitness. I am really looking forward to learning how to snowboard!
Matt Becker — I am from a small town on the coast of the Puget Sound in Washington State. In 2006, I made the journey up to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, eventually graduating magna cum laude in 2010 with degrees in Neurobiology and Biochemistry. During college, I was heavily engaged in scientific research, studying the genetic control of regenerative capacity as well as how early brain activity affects the development of the cerebral cortex. After college, I worked as a research technician, and then completed a Master of Philosophy degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Cambridge. There, I studied how physical trauma affects spinal cord activity and basic electrophysiological parameters of neurons. Now in Denver, I am very excited to explore the forests of the Rocky Mountains.
Ashley Denney — I was born and raised in Fort Collins, CO and was the first in my family to graduate from college, earning a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University in 2009. I worked on arabidopsis pollen genetics in Dr. Bedinger's lab as an Undergraduate Research and McNair Scholar, and later on yeast transcription fidelity in Dr. Strathern's lab as an NIH Intramural Research Training Award Fellow. I look forward to growing as a physician and scientist during my MSTP career at University of Colorado and hope to pursue a PhD in Molecular Biology. In my free time I enjoy swimming and spending time with my pet poultry.
Alison Hixon—I grew up in Missoula, Montana and received my degree in Psychology from the University of Montana in 2010. During and after college, I worked in the labs of Dr. Josh Lawrence and Dr. Diana Lurie investigating the development of inhibitory cells in the auditory brainstem. While presenting my research at the annual Association for Research in Otolaryngology meeting, I was introduced to Dr. Dave Raible and Dr. Ed Rubel of the University of Washington. In 2011, I moved to Seattle to work with Drs. Raible and Rubel on a projected aimed finding and developing therapeutic interventions against aminoglycoside antibiotic induced-hearing loss. I am interested in neuroscience and genetics. In my free time I love to fix, build, and ride bicycles. I am also an avid rock climber.
Sean Jones — I grew up in North Carolina and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2011. I received a BS in Biochemistry as well being a member of the Symphony Orchestra and studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. I also worked in the lab of Professor Marcey Waters dealing with two projects involving peptide chemistry: the first dealt with domain recognition via a beta-hairpin turn and the second used a peptide motif to attach photocenters to a semiconductor surface . After graduating, I worked for RTI International, a nonprofit company in NC continuing my work with peptides. My research interests lie in the field of Immunology and specifically dealing with autoimmune diseases. I love spending time outdoors, playing the viola, and playing soccer."
Jon Kibbie — I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and received my BS in Biology and minor in Classical Civilizations from Loyola Marymount University. After graduating from LMU, I received my MS from UCLA in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. While at UCLA, I studied the role of the cellular microenvironment in macrophage subset differentiation in Leprosy. I was able to present my work at the annual conferences for both the American Association of Immunologists and the International Vascular Biology Meeting. Outside of research, I like spending my free time with my family and working outdoors. I look forward to making Denver my home for the next 8 years.
Jason Silver —– I grew up in Piedmont, California and attend the University of California, Berkeley as a Bioengineering major. Beginning my Freshman year and continuing all four years, I worked on a conglomerate of research projects ranging from molecular detectors to cancer drug delivery systems to stem cell culturing methods at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. After graduating in 2012, I received the Post baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award from the NIH to pursue ophthalmic tissue engineering projects under the supervision of Dr. Sheldon Miller and Dr. Kapil Bharti. I am passionate about the applications of stem cells and regenerative medicine therapies to solve many currently untreatable diseases. I plan to contribute to the field while pursing a PhD in bioengineering or developmental biology.
Ricardo Villarreal—I obtained my B.S. in biology from Cornell University in 2011, concentrating in physiology and nutrition. During my undergraduate career, I worked in the department of molecular medicine with Dr. Richard Cerione, exploring the functional role of a novel enzyme inhibitor in the context of cancer cell metabolism. Upon graduating, I moved to my home town of San Antonio, TX where I joined Dr. Lily Dong's lab at the UT Health Science Center and studied various metabolic pathways in type 2 diabetes. Finally I joined a clinical research team for the US Army under Major John Hughes, exploring novel early onset septicemia detection field techniques. On my free time I enjoy writing and playing music as well as exploring the many facets of the universe.
Congratulations to MSTP Students
Who Defended Their Thesis
Max Cohen — Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
“Regulation of C. elegans Developmental Timing by the GATA Tran-scription Factor elt-1”
Brian Harry —Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
“CYN-1 is a Dual Regulator of Apoptosis and Necrosis in C. elegans”
Eric Cross—Immunology
Kiran Dyamenahalli — Bioengineering
Jingjing Zhang—Immunology
Karina Gomez — I graduated in 2012 from Claremont McKenna College with a BA in Molecular Biology. During my undergraduate experience I worked in a variety of research fields, however, my main focus and subsequent thesis work concerned testing the potential role of small RNAs in hybrid embryonic and ring-Y lethality in Drosophila. I presented the findings of my thesis at the 53rd Annual Drosophila Genetics Conference (2012). After graduation, I spent a year in Ecuador with a Fulbright research scholarship testing potential treat-ments against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas Disease. In my free time I like do kickboxing and watch movies.
Awards and Recognitions
Kiran Dyamenahalli will be giving talks at two upcoming conferences: BioInterface (October, 2013, Bloomington, MN) and the Materials Research Society Fall Meeting (December, 2013,
Boton, MA) Kalev Freeman (class of 2003)was featured in a cover story in the VT Medicine Magazine Michael Harper was awarded a Hirs Travel Award for his paper presentation at the Cytokines 2013 Meeting in San Francisco, CA, September 29-October 3, 2013. Noah Kastelowitz-Lieberman received an NIH NRSA F30 from the NCI.
Jonathon Kurche (class of 2012) received a travel award to attend the American Society of Nephrology meeting in Atlanta. McKinley C. Lawson (class of 2010) received and accepted and offer from Massachusetts General Hospital in September of 2013. Justine Migdall-Wilson received The St. Geme Medical Student Award.
Recent MSTP Publications
Molecular Pathways: MERTK Signaling in Cancer. Cummings CT, Deryckere D, Earp HS, Gra-ham DK. Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Aug 7. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23833304 Changes in lipid density induce membrane curvature. de Jesus AJ*, Kastelowitz N*, Yin H. RSC Adv. 2013;3(33):13622. *Equal contribution. The Effect of Radiation Timing on Patients with High-Risk Features of Parameningeal Rhabdomyo-sarcoma: an Analysis of IRS-IV and D9803 from the Childrens Oncology Group. Spalding AC. Hawkins D. Donaldson S. Anderson J. Lyden E. Laurie F. Wolden S. Arndt C. Michalski J. Accept-ed July 2nd, 2013 to Int J Radiation Oncology Biol Phys Concurrent Bevacizumab and Temozolomide Alter the Patterns of Failure in Radiation Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme. Shields LB. Vitaz TW. Kadner R. Spalding AC. Radiat Oncol. 2013 Apr 25;8(1):101. Gene Expression in MYOC vs. non-MYOC Human Trabecular Meshwork.. Yutao Liu, R. Rand Allingham, Xuejun Qin, David Layfield, Andrew E. Dellinger, Jason Gibson, Joshua Wheeler, Alli-son E. Ashley-Koch, W. Daniel Stamer, Michael A. Hauser. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Aug 26. (In Submission) Investigation of Known Genetic Risk Factors for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Two Popula-tions of African Ancestry. Yutao Liu, Michael Hauser, Stephen Akafo, Xuejun Qin, Shiroh Miura, Jason Gibson, Joshua Wheeler, Douglas Gaasterland, Pratap Challa, Leon Herndon, Robert Ritch, Sayoko Moroi, Christopher Girkin, Louis Pasquale, Donald Budenz, Janey Wiggs, Julia Richards, Allison Ashley-Koch, R Allingham. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Aug 20. pii: iovs.13-12779v1. doi: 10.1167/iovs.13-12779.
MSTP Personal News and Alumni Updates: Please note to have personal information included in future newsletters, you MUST e-mail Stacy. We will not publish information without your permission.
Josh Wheeler got married on August 11, 2013. Congratulations!
Aaron Bowen Eric Cross Noah Kastelowitz-
Lieberman Mario Lintz Hannah Scarborough Veronica Searles John Soltys Jingjing Zhang
Congratulations to the 2013 Keystone Conference
Committee on a job well-done!
UPCOMING Interview Dates and MSTP Class Hosting Info
Thursday and Friday, November 8th and 9th Matriculating class of 2012 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Click for volunteer signup Thursday and Friday, November 14th and 15th Matriculating class of 2011 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH
Click for volunteer signup Thursday and Friday, November 21st and 22nd Matriculating class of 2013 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd
Click for volunteer signup Thursday and Friday, December 5th and 6th Matriculating class of 2010 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th
Click for volunteer signup Thursday and Friday, December 12th and 13th Matriculating class of 2009 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13th
Click for volunteer signup Thursday and Friday, January 23rd and 24th Matriculating class of 2008 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, JANUARY 24th
Click for volunteer signup Thursday and Friday, January 30th and 31st Matriculating class of 2011 hosting dinner on FRIDAY, JANUARY 31st
Click for volunteer signup
Upcoming Events:
9.17 Dean’s Distinguished Seminar
Jean-Laurent Casanova, MD, PhD Senior Attending Physician and Professor St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of
Infectious Diseases The Rockefeller University
10.15 Dean’s Distinguished Seminar
J. Lee Nelson, MD Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
University of Washington School of Medicine
11.19 Dean’s Distinguished Seminar
David Relman, MD Thomas M. and Joan C. Merigan Professor
Departments of Medicine, and Microbiology and Immu-nology
Stanford University Chief, Infectious Diseases Section VA Palo Alto Health Care System
12.17 Dean’s Distinguished Seminar
Michael W. Young, PhD Vice President for Academic Affairs
Richard and Jeanne Fisher Professor Laboratory of Genetics
The Rockefeller University
Jason and Christina Prescott are both assistant professors at Johns Hopkins and enjoying life in Maryland. Their son, Henry, just started kindergarten, and their daughter, Alexandra, will start next year. Maryland is wonderful, and they love visitors!
