Current Students

MSTP Group Picture
MSTP group picture in front of the Drug Discovery building

Meet our current MSTP Scholars

Adegboyega Timothy Adewale 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick
Research interests: Pulmonary fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis/heart failure
Spouse/kids: Wife-Crystal, Sons-John and Andrew
Hometown: Ibadan, Nigeria
Undergrad institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Interests: Reading, cycling, volunteering/organizing

Rose Marie Akiki 
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Cowan, Co-mentor: Dr. Makoto Taniguchi
Research Interests: Neurobiology of mental illnesses, addiction neurosciences, molecular mechanisms of psychosis and depression.
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Faraya, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Drawing, Psychological Thrillers, Techno Music, Archeological relics, and old coins.

Aaron Angerstein 
Year: MSTP-3, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Antibiotic resistance, Immunotherapies, Microbiology/Immunology
Spouse/kids: Stephanie Angerstein
Hometown: San Diego, California
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, San Diego
Interests: Camping, Hiking, Traveling, Volunteering

Dimitri Arhontoulis 
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Ying Mei
Research interests: Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering, Immunobioengineering
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Linwood, NJ
Undergrad institution: Drexel University
Interests: Fishing, Exercise, Cooking, Coffee

Sagar Bajpai 
Year: MSTP-8, Med- 3
Mentor: Dr. Alan Diehl
Research interests: Cancer Therapeutics/Cancer Control
Spouse/Kids: None
Hometown: Baltimore Maryland
Undergraduate Institution: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Interests: Swimming, Traveling, Movies, Food, Latin dancing, Acroyoga

Tyler Beck
Year: MSTP-5, Med- 3
Mentor: Dr. Russell Norris
Research Interests: Drug Discovery, Pharmacology, Cutaneous Pathology, Cutaneous and Cardiovascular toxicity
Spouse/kids: Liz Beck, Tatum- daughter
Hometown: Avon Lake, OH
Undergraduate Institution: Ohio University
Interests: Art, travel, hiking, exercise, water sports

Marcus Bell
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Neuroscience
Spouse/kids: Wife-Emily Bell
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Undergrad institution: University of Minnesota
Interests:Dogs, music, beach days

Josef Blaszkiewicz 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Duncan
Research interests: Regenerative Medicine, IPSC Models of Disease, Cell Biology
Spouse/kids: None
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad institution: The Pennsylvania State University
Interests: Reading, Gardening, Cooking, Local History/Food

Michelle Bloyd
Year: MSTP-1, Med- 1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Addiction, Diet- induced obesity, Motivational Behavior, Reward neuro-circuitry, Habenula
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Undergraduate Institution: University of Maryland, College Park
Interests: Swimming, Surfing, Food, Hiking, my kitty cat

Daniel Bonthius
Year: MSTP-8,Med- 3
Mentor: Dr. Hai Yao
Research interests: Biomedical Engineering, Orthopedic Devices
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Undergraduate Institution: Wartburg College
Interests: Sports, Piano, Guitar, Travel

Davis Borucki 
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Tomlinson, Dr. Baerbel Rohrer
Research interests: Neurology, Immunology, Ophthalmology
Spouse/kids: NA
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Undergrad institution: Boston University
Interests: Running, Piano, Tennis, Baking

Catherine Bridges Adams 
Year: MSTP-8, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Cowan
Research interests: Rheumatology, Immunology, Neuroscience
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Coventry, RI
Undergraduate Institution: University of Colorado
Interests: Exercise, Gardening, Knitting/crocheting

Kathryn Byerly 
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Cardiovascular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Mason, OH
Undergrad institution: The Ohio State University
Interests: Music, food, traveling, & running

Jordan Carter 
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Carmela Reichel
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Stress, Addiction, Sex Differences
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Undergraduate Institution: College of Charleston
Interests: Tennis, reading, spending time with my dog

Reda Chalhoub 
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-5
Mentor: Dr. Peter W. Kalivas
Research Interests: Behavioral Neuroscience, Addiction
Spouse/kids: Zahraa Atoui
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Philosophy, reading, chess, sports

Ying Chao 
Year: MSTP-8, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Jhou
Research interests: Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine
Spouse/Kids: None
Hometown: Los Angeles
Undergrad: University of California, San Diego
Interests: reading, literature, swimming, mindfulness

Jennifer Cho 
Year: MSTP 6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Chris Cowan
Research Interests: Critical periods and social behavior in neurodevelopmental disorders
Spouse: N/A
Hometown: Blue Bell, PA
Undergraduate Institution: Temple University
Interests: hiking, traveling, and plants

Stewart Cox 
Year: MSTP-8, Med-4
Mentor: Dr. Carmela Reichel
Research interests: Neuroscience, Addiction
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Jacksonville FL
Undergraduate Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder
Interests: Climbing, Traveling, Camping, Scuba Diving, Shootin' the Breeze

O. Paul Culver, IV
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Jhou
Research Interests: Addiction Neuroscience
Spouse/kids: None
Hometown: Summerville, SC
Undergraduate Institution: The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina
Interests: Fly Fishing, Hunting, Hiking, Exercising

Shaoni Dasgupta 
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Cardiovascular Biology, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Undergrad institution: Clemson University
Interests: Music, Food, Coffee, Traveling, Reading

Julie Dickerson
Year: MSTP-3,Grad- 1
Mentor:Dr. David Long
Research Interests: Cell signaling and epigenetics, Cardiovascular research
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Interests: Music, Hiking/Backpacking, and Animals

Stephanie Dilucia 
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentors: Dr. Catrina Robinson
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Cardiovascular Physiology, Aging
Spouse/Kids: Michael (Husband), Opie and Harley (fur babies)
Hometown: Cranston, RI
Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern University
Interests: Fitness, cooking (& eating), traveling, painting, gardening

Caren Doueiry 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Duncan
Research interests: Regenerative medicine
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergrad institution: New York University
Interests: Writing, reading, traveling, hiking, baking, photography, playing the piano

Gray Evans 
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-5
Mentor: Dr. Eric Meissner
Research Interests: Virology, innate immunity, interferon response
Spouse: N/A
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia
Interests: Reading, history, rescue animals

Stephen Gadomski 
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Pamela Robey, NIH
Research interests: Stem Cell Biology/Regenerative Medicine
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Undergrad institution: University of Scranton
Interests: Powerlifting, Nutrition (eating), Beach

Lena Golick 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Nathan Dolloff
Research interests: Oncology, Immunology, Pharmacology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Newton, MA
Undergrad institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Interests: Baking, dance, travel

Alain Greige 
Year: MSTP-2, Grad-2
Mentor:Dr. Chris Cowan
Research interests: Immunology, Neurosciences, Micro-RNAs
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Kousba, Lebanon
Undergrad institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Traveling, Reading, Languages, Volunteering

Jake Griner 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Anand Mehta
Research interests: Oncology, immunology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Auburndale, FL
Undergrad institution: Florida Southern College
Interests: Outside of school I enjoy cooking, traveling, and cycling. I recently got my pilots license, so I also enjoy flying

Alyssa Gutierrez 
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Microbiology, Digestive Disease, Nutrition
Research interests:
Spouse/kids:
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergrad institution: University of Alabama
Interests: Photography, poetry, hiking, cooking, and hanging out with my cat.

Moriah Elaine Heifetz 

Year: MSTP-1, Med -1 

Mentor: Undecided 

Research interests: Antibiotic Resistance, Microbiology/Immunology, Cancer Therapies, Drug Discovery and Development 

Spouse/kids: n/a 

Hometown: Olney, MD 

Undergrad institution: Virginia Tech 

Interests: Reading, backpacking, travel, beach combing, open-world RPG games, painting, gardening 

Nour Hijazi 
Year: MSTP-6, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Don Rockey
Research interests: Liver Fibrosis
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergrad institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Yoga, Traveling and Cooking

Heather Holman 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Jeff Jones
Research interests: Neuroscience
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Ormond Beach, FL
Undergrad institution: University of Central Florida
Interests: The Beach, Horseback riding, Water Sports, Coffee

Taylor Hulahan 
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor:Dr. Peggi Angel
Research Interests: Cancer biology, genetics, therapeutic development
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Undergraduate Institution: University of California-Berkeley
Interests: Reading, running, baking, going to the beach

Mohamed Faisal Kassir 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Besim Ogretmen
Research interests: Cellular signaling and metabolism, immunology, otolaryngology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Saida, Lebanon
Undergrad institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Soccer, basketball, reading, video games

Caroline Kittrell 
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Immunology, Cancer Biology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Columbus, GA
Undergrad institution: Mercer University
Interests: I love all things nature and spending time outside. I am an amateur yogi and novice gourmet chef.

Kathleen Klinzing
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Immunology, Cell-signaling, Protein Interactions, Cancer
Spouse/kids: none
Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota
Undergraduate Institution: Baylor University
Interests: Running, Archery, Community groups, Meal-prepping, the outdoors

Hannah Knochelmann 
Year: MSTP-8, Med-4
Mentor: Dr. Chrystal Paulos
Research interests: Cancer immunotherapy, T cell therapy, Th17 cells
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Florence, KY
Undergraduate Institution: University of Notre Dame
Interests: Music, Piano, Reading, Volleyball, Running, Traveling

Therese Larson
MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Addiction
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Saline, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Interests: Swimming, Hiking, Yoga, Gardening, Thrifting

Michael Martino
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor:Dr. James Otis
Research Interests: Motivated Behavior, PTSD/Trauma, Neurodevelopment, Exercise Physiology
Spouse/kids: Stephanie Martino (Spouse), Ryker Martino (Son), Maverick Martino (son)
Hometown: Perry, NY
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE)
Interests: Weight lifting, running, reading

Emilie McKinnon
Year: MSTP-6, Med-4
Mentor: Dr. Leonardo Bonilha and Dr. Jens Jensen
Research interests: Biomedical Imaging, Neurology
Spouse/kids: Jared
Hometown: Belgium
Undergrad institution: KU Leuven
Interests: Roller Derby, Going out to eat, Traveling

Allison Meadows
Year: MSTP-8, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Michael Sack and Dr. Jules Griffin
Research interests: Metabolomics/lipidomics, Mitoochondrial Biology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia
Interests: Running, Salsa Dancing, Sailing, Fitness and Nutrition

Shab Mehta
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Cancer Genomics/ Cancer Immunology
Spouse/kids: None
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: Soccer, Tennis, Dance

Stephanie Mills
Year: MSTP-3,Grad-1
Mentor: Dr. Shikhar Mehrotra
Research Interests: Immunobiology, T-cell therapy, Autoimmune diseases
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Undergraduate Institution: Colorado State University
Interests: yoga, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, backpacking, traveling

Jordan Morningstar
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Russell Norris
Research interests: Heart Valve disease, Cardiac Fibrosis, Mechanobiology, and 'omics', Cardiac Arrhythmias
Spouse/Kids: None
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan
Interests: Skiing, Rowing, Cooking, Beer, Coffee, Camping, Gardening and comedy

Joe Mouawad 
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-5
Mentor: Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick
Research Interests: Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis), Lung and Skin Fibrosis, Wound healing and scarring
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Skiing, soccer, traveling, music

Nathaniel Oberholtzer
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Shikhar Mehrotra
Research Interests: Cancer Immunology, Immunometabolism
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Harrisonburg, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia
Interests: Soccer, running, music (playing violin, piano, guitar), hiking, camping

Alex Oles
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-5
Mentor: Dr. Denis Guttridge
Research Interests: Cancer and Biochemistry
Spouse: N/A
Hometown: Warren, MI
Undergraduate Institution: Kenyon College
Interests: Camping, Fishing, Athletics

Shelby Payne  
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Neuroscience, Electrophysiology, voltage-gated channels
Spouse/kids: none
Hometown: College Station, TX
Undergrad institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Interests: weight lifting, reading, knitting, baking, mystery novels, coffee, yellow

Ranan Phookan

Year: MSTP-1, Med-1

Mentor: Undecided

Research Interests: Cardiac Regeneration, Stem Cell Biology, Neuropharmacology

Spouse/kids: None

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Interests: Video Games, Music (Guitar and Piano), Reading, Meditation


Guillermo Omar Rangel Rivera
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-5
Mentor: Dr. Chrystal Paulos
Research Interests: Immunometabolism, Adoptive T cell therapy, the tumor microenvironment and clinical development of immunotherapies in solid tumors.
Spouse: N/A
Hometown: San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato, Mexico
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina - Main campus
Interests: Latin dance, playing guitar/piano, singing, arts and crafts, DIY projects and weightlifting.

Erin Reasoner

Year: MSTP-1, Med-1

Mentor: Undecided

Research Interests: Pre-clinical addiction; developmental neuro; cellular mechanisms underlying psychopathology

Spouse/Kids: N/A

Hometown: Canton, MI

Undergraduate Institution: Grand Valley State University

Interests: Hiking and backpacking, cooking/baking, TTRPGs, crocheting, petting cats

Mahdi Sleiman
Year: MSTP-7, Med-4
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Tomlinson
Research Interests: Cancer Immunology
Spouse: N/A
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Reading, Music, Piano

Victoria Spadafora
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Denis Guttridge
Research interests: Cardiology, Pharmacology
Spouse/kids:
Hometown: Doylestown, PA
Undergrad institution: Penn State University
Interests: Playing Volleyball, Running, Art

Kelsey Tjen  
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor:Dr. Henry Sucoy
Research interests: Stem cells, regenerative medicine, personalized/precision medicine
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Columbus, GA
Undergrad institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, board games, Pokemon Go

Amer Toutonji
Year: MSTP-7, Med-4
Mentor: Dr. Steve Tomlinson
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Drug Discovery
Spouse: N/A
Hometown: Saïda, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Reading, Languages, Cultures, Photography, Nature & traveling

Abasi-ama "Abby" Udeme
Year: MSTP- 1, Med- 1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Bone Biology, tissue regeneration
Spouse/kids: Marissa (spouse)
Hometown: Uyo, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Oklahoma
Interests: Cooking, video games, watching movies and trying new foods

Chase Walton  
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor:Dr. Besim Ogretmen
Research Interests: Metabolic Disorders, Oncology, Neurodegeneration
Spouse/kids: Coulette (wife), Ella (baby girl)
Hometown: Cody, Wyoming
Undergraduate Institution: Brigham Young University
Interests: Guitar, Exercise, Food

Shannon Weber  
Year: MSTP-8, Med-4
Mentor: Dr. Steven Carroll
Research interests: Neuroscience
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Babylon NY
Undergraduate Institution: University of Richmond/University of Oxford
Interests: Traveling, Beach, Hiking, Reading, Painting, Biking

Melanie G. Wiley  
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Mark S. George
Research interests: Brain Stimulation, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Behavioral Neuroscience, Child Psychiatry
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Burlington NC
Undergraduate Institution: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Interests: DIY projects, Succulent plants, Autism Advocacy, Holistic Health

Wyatt Wofford  
Year: MSTP-2, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Besim Ogretmen
Research interests: Cancer Biology and Metabolism, tumor micro-environment, mechanisms of cancer therapeutics 
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Undergrad institution: College of Charleston
Interests: Cooking, Exercise, Beer, Coffee, Home Projects

Daniel Wood
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Chris Cowan
Research interests: Neuroscience, Addiction
Spouse/kids: Katherine Wallace
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Undergrad institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: Listening to and discovering new music, climbing, weightlifting, reading, movies, video games and telling myself I should learn to cook

Jen Xu  
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Pat Woster
Research interests:Drug discovery for osteoarthritis
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Boston, MA
Undergrad institution: Harvard
Interests: Soccer and any outdoor activities

Sassine Youssef  
Year: MSTP-2, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Federico del Monte
Research interests: Cardiology, Genetics
Spouse/kids: N?A
Hometown: Hamra, Lebanon
Undergrad institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Skiing, Tennis, Hiking, Swimming

Jessica Zielinski
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentors: Drs. Alexander Alekseyenko & Chad Novince
Research Interests:Oral Health, Biomarker identification, Multi-omic analysis
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Clemson, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Interests: Reading, fitness, drinking lots of coffee