Cell and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Engineering

Alumni

    Alumni

  • Diana Alabdallat

    PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Jianhai Du

  • Rawaa Aljammal, PhD

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2024 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Visvanathan Ramamurthy
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Postdoctoral Associate, Indiana University School of Medicine

  • Carly Amato-Menker

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Jennifer Franko

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Jennifer Franko

  • Tasneem Arsiwala

    PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Paul Lockman

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Paul Lockman

    Tasneem is a year graduate student in the Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences program in the school of pharmacy. Her research project aims to increase therapeutic delivery to the brain by blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) disruption using low-intensity focused ultrasound. These barriers often lead to poor prognosis in brain tumors and other neurological disorders due to its specialized physicochemical function. Disruption of the BBB and BTB using a clinical focused ultrasound device will additionally aid the translation of her work into clinical settings.

  • Philip Bender, PhD

    PhD in Neuroscience in 2024 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Charles Anderson

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Charles Anderson
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Postdoctoral Fellow, West Virginia University

  • Celine Brooks

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Max Sokolov

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Max Sokolov

  • Carly Callender

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Jennifer Franko

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Jennifer Franko

    Carly is a 2nd year PhD student in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis program in the School of Medicine, and is in her first year as a scholar on the CBTP T32 training grant. Her research in Dr. Jennifer Franko's laboratory focuses on immune response differences between males and females. She aims to decipher the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to these dimorphisms, including the impact of sex hormones, gut microbiome composition, and sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XY) utilizing the Fore Core Genotype mouse model.

    "The CBTP T32 training grant provides me with additional opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and the interdepartmental exchange of ideas, which can be crucial when studying something as complex as the immune system. I look forward to the educational, professional and personal developmental tools the training grant will provide."

  • Janelle Chuah

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. David Smith

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. David Smith

    Janelle is a fourth-year PhD student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program. She is currently working with Dr. David Smith to investigate protein degradation in neurodegenerative conditions. More specifically, her research is focused on understanding how neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins such as amyloid-beta and huntingtin regulate proteasome activity.

  • Ross Fladeland

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Paul Lockman

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Paul Lockman
    Research Project or Topic
    blood brain barrier permeability and cold atmospheric plasma therapy

  • Jasleen Gandhi

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (In Progress)

  • John Hageter, PhD

    PhD in Biology in 2025 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Eric Horstick

    Training Program

    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Fellow, West Virginia University

  • Quinn Hopen, PhD

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis in 2026 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Brian Boone

    Training Program

    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Matriculated to Medical School at WVU

  • Krystal Hughes, PhD

    PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences in 2025 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Sharan Bobbla

    Training Program

    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Medical Writer and Content Creator

  • Abby Ivey, PhD

    MD/PhD Program (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Brian Boone

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Brian Boone
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Return to WVU School of Medicine to complete MD/PhD

  • Rachel King, PhD

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2025 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Eric Kelley

    Training Program

    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Scientist, Transnetyx, Inc.

  • Daniel Liss, PhD

    PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2022 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Jessica Allen

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Jessica Allen
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Innovative Lead Business Analyst, BNY Mellon, New York

    Daniel is in his second year as a trainee on the training grant. He is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Engineering program in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. As part of his work with Dr. Jessica Allen, he studies how conscious perception affects locomotive disturbances through aging. His current research is analyzing perception thresholds to locomotive disturbances in young adults through kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity to reduce falls in elderly individuals.

    "Being a trainee will give me the opportunity to expand my knowledge inside and outside my field of research. As a doctoral student, I am excited about this opportunity to extend my network of fellow researchers, participate in the CBTP undergraduate mentorship program, assist in planning the next Exploring Career Symposium and enhance my abilities to become a well-versed researcher."

  • Nairrita Majumder

    PhD in Cellular and Integrative Physiology
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Salik Hussain

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Salik Hussain

    Nairrita is a third-year PhD student in Cellular and Integrative Physiology and studies in Dr. Salik Hussain’s lab. Her research interest is focused on pulmonary physiology and inhalation toxicology.

  • Celia De La Torre Martinez

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Margaret Bennewitz

    Celia is a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Program. She is under the direction of Dr. Margaret Bennewitz and is currently working on improving MRI contrast agents for enhanced early detection of breast cancer.

  • Abha Maskey

    PhD in Cancer Cell Biology (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Elena Pugacheva

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Elena Pugacheva

    Abha is in her fourth year as a PhD student in the Cancer Cell Biology Program under the direction of Dr. Elena Pugacheva. In 2019 she placed first for first-year graduate students at the 54th Annual Van Liere Research Conference. Her lab seeks to decipher the mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis. Her current research focuses on understanding the role of AURKA in hypoxia signaling and its impact on tumor progression and metastasis of breast cancer.

    “Participating in the CBTP T32 program has enabled me to network and interact with people from different fields. It has also been a good opportunity to be involved in organizing and participating in various workshops and career development events that has helped me foster teamwork and promote communication while developing critical thinking and decision-making skills.”

  • Fatimah Matalkah

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Peter Stoilov

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Peter Stoilov

    Under the guidance of Dr. Peter Stoilov, her research focused on understanding the role of the Musashi, RNA binding proteins, in the maintenance of mature photoreceptor cells.

    “By joining the CB training program, I had the opportunity to organize an alternative career symposium through which we got the opportunity to network with people in different career endeavors. Furthermore, we had the opportunity and the support to attend scientific conferences, and the funding for student sabbatical which would help us advancing our future career. I was excited to receive the training necessary to help me widen my horizon.

  • Md Habibul Mazumder

    PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Wei Du

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Wei Du

    Md Habibul's research focused on the role of DNA damage response protein in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and leukemogenesis. In his research project with Dr. Wei Du, he worked with the C-terminal binding protein interacting protein (ctIP), a significant DNA damage response pathway protein, which has been found to be dysregulated in various cancers to analyze its effects the hematopoietic milieu.

    "As an associate in this program, it was my opportunity to expand my potential to acquire knowledge about up-to-date techniques and methodologies outside of my research field. Moreover, this training enhanced my ability to become a well-versed researcher by widening my ability to communicate with fellow researchers and collaborate with them."

  • Nicole Mihalik, PhD

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis in 2023 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisors
    Dr. Timothy Eubank and Dr. Benoit Driesschaert

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisors
    Dr. Timothy Eubank and Dr. Benoit Driesschaert
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

  • Daniella Munezero

    PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Ramamurthy

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Ramamurthy

    Under Dr. Ramamurthy’s mentorship, she sought to understand the function of Heat Shock Proteins in visual function. Her research focus was is to analyze the role of hsp90 chaperone in photoreceptor neurons.

    "Attending different workshops and symposiums organized by CBTP, I have had the opportunity to present my research, to connect with researchers working in different fields here at WVU and other universities. I have been introduced to different carriers’ trajectories available to Ph.D. graduates and took part into different discussions which has allowed me to grow as a scientist.”

  • Danielle Norman

    PhD in Biomedical Engineering (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. David Klinke

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. David Klinke

  • Anika Pirkey, PhD

    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. David Klinke

    Training Program

    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University

  • Hillary Pratt, PhD

    MD/PhD Program (In Progress)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Brian Boone

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisors
    Brian Boone and Timothy Eubank
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Return to WVU School of Medicine to complete MD/PhD

  • Olivia Rose, PhD

    PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2023 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Cerasela Zoica Dinu

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Cerasela Dinu
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Moffitt Cancer Center

  • Urikhan Sanzhaeva

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy

    Urikhan's research project in Dr. Ramamurthy’s lab was focused on determining the functional role of β-tubulin isotype 4B (TUBB4B) and the mechanisms behind diseases caused by missense mutations in this β-tubulin isotype.

  • Misa Shaw, PhD

    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Benoit Driesschaert

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Benoit Driesschaert
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Research Operations Manager, Heart and Vascular Institute, West Virginia University

  • Hunter Snoderly, PhD

    PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2023 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Margaret Bennewitz

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Margaret Bennewitz
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Associate Service Fellow, CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

  • Schuyler Vickers

    PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Roberta Leonardi

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Roberta Leonardi

    Schuyler worked in Dr. Roberta Leonardi’s laboratory to investigate how peroxisomal Coenzyme A degrading enzymes can regulate metabolism.

    “Becoming involved with this training program has given me the opportunity to improve my ability to conduct research, to train myself as a professional, and to interact with colleagues in a more constructive way. I learned everything this program had to offer me, and I hope to contribute to its activities for the betterment of our institutional environment.”

  • Kelly Weaver, PhD

    PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis in 2022 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Dr. Mariette Barbier

    Training Program

    Training Program Advisor
    Dr. Mariette Barbier
    Post Graduate Position Upon Graduation
    Postdoctoral Fellow, Indiana University

  • Cullen Wolford, PhD

    PhD in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences in 2026 (Alumni)
    Graduate Program Advisor
    Paul Lockman

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) T32 program (T32 GM133369)

West Virginia University Research and Graduate Education
Health Sciences Center
P.O. Box 9024
Morgantown, WV 26506-9500