Important parking update for Jonathan Lucas Parking Garage in Charleston.

Current Student Profiles

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

Meet our current MSTP Scholars

Adegboyega Timothy Adewale 
Year: MSTP-6, Med-3
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-5, Grad-5
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-4, Grad-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-7, Med-3
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

David Barr
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Cancer Immunology, Gut Microbiome, Cancer Immunotherapy
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Undergrad institution: University of Miami
Interests: Ice Hockey, Guitar, Running, Chess

Marcus Bell
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Rinker, Dr. James Otis
Research interests: Neuroscience
Spouse/kids: Wife-Emily Bell
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Undergrad institution: University of Minnesota
Interests:Dogs, music, beach days

Matthew Bernstein
Year: MSTP 1, Med 1
Research interests: Neurodegeneration, inflammation, genetics
Spouse/kids: n/a
Hometown: Lynbrook, New York
Undergrad institution: Brandeis University
Interests: Reading, football, cooking, weight lifting, coffee, anything outdoors

Josef Blaszkiewicz
 
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
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-3, Grad- 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

Davis Borucki 
Year: MSTP-8, Med-3
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

Kathryn Byerly 
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Chip Norris
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-7, Med-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-7, Med-4
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

Jennifer Cho
Year: MSTP 8, Med 4
Research interests: neurodevelopmental disorders
Spouse/kids:
Hometown: Blue Bell, PA
Undergrad institution: Temple University
Interests: traveling, nature/birds

O. Paul Culver, IV
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-5
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-4, Grad-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 Disharoon
Year: MSTP-5,Grad- 3
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-7, Med-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-6, Med-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-9, Med-4
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

Name: Roman Fenner
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Connective Tissue Disorders, Wound Healing, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular Biology, Regenerative Medicine
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Glen Allen, Virginia
Undergraduate Institution: Davidson College
Interests: Music (singing and guitar), cooking, trivia, biking, tennis, beach, fly fishing

Stephen Gadomski 
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-3
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

Audrey Galimba
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Vascular Biology, Cardiopulmonary Pathology
Spouse/kids: (Fiancé) Ben
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Undergrad institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: Fitness, Dogs, Tea and Coffee, Soccer

Marie Gerges
Year: MSTP 1 , Med 1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Immunology, cell biology, tissue engineering
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad institution: University of Notre Dame
Interests: Studying foreign languages, running, biking, piano

Lena Golick 
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
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-4, Grad-4
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-6, Grad-4
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-4, Grad-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-3, Grad - 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 

Heather Holman 
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
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-5, Grad-3
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

Erin Jones
Year: MSTP-1 , Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: molecular mechanisms behind infectious diseases, women’s health,
immunology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Undergraduate institution: Clemson University
Interests: Traveling, motorcycle riding, gardening, and petting other people’s dogs

Mohamed Faisal Kassir 
Year: MSTP-6, Med-3
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-4, Grad-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-3, 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

Michael Martino
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
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

Shubham Mehta
Year: MSTP-3, 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-5,Grad-3
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

Elyse Moore
Year: MSTP-1,Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Regenerative Medicine
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate Institution: Virginia Tech
Interests: Indoor plants, horses, wildlife photography

Jordan Morningstar
Year: MSTP-7, Med-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-7, Med-4
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-7, Med-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

Braden Oldham
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Sleep
Spouse/kids: Anya
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Undergraduate Institution: Creighton University
Interests: Singing, Baking, Food, Hiking, and Classical Literature

Alex Oles
Year: MSTP-9, Med-4
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-4, Grad-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-3, Grad-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-9, Med-4
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-3, Grad-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

Victoria Spadafora
Year: MSTP-8, Med-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-6, Grad-4
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

Name: Dane Tow
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Cancer Biology
Spouse/kids: N/A
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa
Interests: Running, cooking, traveling, reading

Abasi-ama "Abby" Udeme
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-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-5, Grad-3
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

Melanie G. Wiley  
Year: MSTP-9, Med-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-4, Grad-4
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-8, Grad-6
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-6, Med-3
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-4, Grad-4
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-7, Grad-5
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