Students & Alumni
Thesis Defenses and Final Presentations
Brianna Trankle, PhD
July 31, 2025
Mentor: (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Thesis title: Analysis and Prediction of E2 Enzyme–E3 Ligase Pairings Using AlphaFold-Modeled Ternary Complex Structures
Erik Schubert, MS
July 28, 2025
Mentor: Ridhdhi Desai, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Modeling the Cooperative Effects of GNASR201C, KRASG12V, and TP53R175H in Juman Pancreatic Ductal Epithelial Cells
Mihyun Oh, PhD
July 15, 2025
Mentor: Srinivas Somarowthu, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Structural and Functional Dissection of the Oncogenic LncRNA SChLAP1
Maria Ruiz, MS
July 7, 2025
Mentor: (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Thesis title: The Effect of SMN Depletion on the Cell Cycle Progression
Khushi Patel, MS
June 23, 2025
Mentor: (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Thesis title: Profiling DNA Damage Response in Lymphocytes from BRCA2 Heterozygote Carriers
Emily Pochet, MS
June 16, 2025
Mentor: (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Integrative Proteomic and Genomic Approaches Reveal Nuclear Role of SMN in Chromatin and RNA Regulation
Kendra Williams, MS
May 1, 2025
Mentor: Pooja Jain, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Epstein-Barr Virus Gene Regulation and Reactivation in the Context of HIV Infection
Kareen Pestana, PhD
April 11, 2025
Mentor: Eugenia Lo, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Copy Number Variations in Plasmodium vivax: Implications for Erythrocyte Invasion, Malaria Transmission, and Host-Pathogen Interactions in Ethiopia and Sudan
Nima Sarfaraz, PhD
March 24, 2025
Mentor: Michael J. Bouchard, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Decoding Liver Cancer Biology: Optimizing Disease Models and Uncovering FAM99A as a Liver-Specific Translation Regulator
Shih-Chun Shen, PhD
March 18, 2025
Mentor: (Lankenau Institute for Medical Research)
Thesis title: Exploiting and Exploring the Role of IDVCs in Supporting Inflammatory Neovascularization
Kyle Yeakle, PhD
January 8, 2025
Mentor: Michael Bouchard, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Project title: HIV1 Tat Activates ERK1/2 Signaling in HBV-infected Hepatocytes to Inhibit HBV Replication and Promote Hepatocyte Survival
Camille Cunanan, PhD
November 12, 2024
Mentor: Edward Hartsough, PhD (Department of Pharmacology & Physiology)
Project title: BAP1 loss affords lipotoxicity resistance in uveal melanoma
Subsequent position: Postdoctoral Researcher, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Kayla Schardien, PhD
November 12, 2024
Mentor: John Houle, PhD (Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy)
Project title: Cholinergic V0c Spinal Interneurons and Respiratory Plasticity after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Subsequent position: Postdoctoral Researcher, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Sri Havya Jana, MS
July 30, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Eishi Noguchi (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: The Role of DDX11 in Telomere Maintenance and its Implications in Cancer Cells
Currently: Research Assistant, Harvard Medical School
Dorothy Benton, PhD
July 30, 2024
Mentor: (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Thesis title: Identifying new targets and drug combinations in Neurofibromatosis type 2
Currently: Postdoctoral Researcher, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Sarath Reghunathan, MS
July 29, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Shae Padrick (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Towards In-vitro reconstitution of Actin Comet Tail Formation and Septin Caging competition of Shigella
Currently: Scientist, AClariTy Genomics
Karan Bamb, MS
July 19, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Joshua Mell (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Multidrug Tolerance and the Stringent Response in Diverse Clinical Isolates of Haemophilus influenzae
Currently: Research Assistant, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Priyashree Nagarajan, MS
July 15, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Joshua Mell (Department of Microbiology & Immunology) and Dr. Shae Padrick (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Regulation of BORG2 by Cdc42 through Disruption of Internal Structure
Currently: Scientist, Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions
Carly DeAntoneo, PhD
July 22, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Siddharth Balachandran (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Thesis title: Reovirus Z-RNAs Activate ZBP1 Dependent Cell Death
Currently: Postdoctoral Researcher, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Roshni Kadam, MS
June 28, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Srinivas Somarowthu (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Investigating the functional role of highly structured regions in lncRNA SChLAP1 using CRISPR/Cas-based deletion analysis
Currently: PhD Student, Rutgers University
Tisha Kalpesh Desai, MS
June 26, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Srinivas Somarowthu (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Investigating the role of SND1 in Glioblastoma using RNA-Seq
Currently: PhD Student, Thomas Jefferson University
Ranji Kaur, MS
June 20, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Michael Bouchard (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Interplay of Hepatitis B Virus and lncRNA FAM99A Expression and Interacting Proteins in Liver Cancer Cell Lines
Currently: PhD Student, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Emily Esquea, PhD
June 7, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Mauricio Reginato (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Targeting Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Breast Cancer Brain Metastatic Cell
Currently: Postdoctoral Researcher, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Jason DaCunza, MS
May 3, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Seena Ajit (Department of Pharmacology & Physiology)
Thesis title: miRNA cargo in small extracellular vesicles from mouse primary macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells
Currently: PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Zachary Capriotti, MS
May 1, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Zachary Klase (Department of Pharmacology & Physiology)
Project title: Innate Immune Memory in Chronic HIV and HAND: Potential Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
Currently: PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Casey DeAngelis, MS
April 19, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Eishi Noguchi (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Hyperglycemic Conditions May Promote Senescence & DNA Damage in TIMELESS Depleted Human Cardiac Fibroblasts
Currently: Multinational Analyst, Chubb
Steve Rutledge, MS
April 19, 2024
Mentor: Dr. Joshua Jackson (Department of Pharmacology & Physiology)
Project title: The Role of Astrocytes in the Progression of Brain Metastases
Currently: PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Andrea Rosenkranz, PhD
December 7, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Michael Bouchard (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Determining Secondary Structural Elements of Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA and Preliminary Analysis of the DDB1-HBx Interaction as a Therapeutic Target
Currently: Assistant Professor, Niigata University
Nakoa Webber, MS
August 18, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Todd Strochlic (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Project title: Sigma Receptors: Biology and Implications for Disease and Drug Targeting
Currently: PhD Student, Rowan University College of Science and Mathematics
Zahra Charania, MS
August 8, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Srinivas Somarowthu (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Identifying conserved regions in lncRNA SChLAP1
Currently: Staff Scientist, QPS Holdings, LLC
Tara Fortino, PhD
July 26, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Michael Lane (Department of Microbiology & Anatomy)
Thesis title: Spinal Interneuron Transplantation to Repair the Injured Cervical Spinal Cord
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of British Columbia
David Joyner, MS
July 24, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Elias El Haddad (Department of Medicine)
Thesis title: Improved HIV-Specific T Cell Immunity Following Adenosine Deaminase-1 Co-Delivery in Preclinical Models of Vaccination
Currently: PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Kelvin Koser, MS
July 18, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Joshua Chang Mell (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Using Accessory Gene Content to Predict the Clinical Isolation Source of Haemophilus influenza Genome
Currently: Computational Scientist, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Skandha Ramakrishnan, MS
May 1, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Liang Oscar Qiang (Department of Microbiology & Anatomy)
Literature Review Title: Isoform specific implications of spastin in spg4
Currently: PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Alexa Cannon, PhD
April 11, 2023
Mentor:
Thesis title: Investigation of Novel Therapeutic Targets in RAC1-mutant Melanoma
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Novartis Biomedical Research
Allison Yankey, PhD
April 6, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Srinivas Somarowthu (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: A novel interaction between long noncoding RNA lncTCF7 and SND1 modulates the gene regulation activity of the SWI/SNF complex
Currently: Scientific Communications Manager, Red Nucleus
Rebecca Holton, PhD
March 30, 2023
Mentor: Dr. Karen Berkowitz (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: CHTF18 safeguards the quantity and quality of the ovarian reserve and mediates meiotic cohesion
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Lorela Ciraku, PhD
June 10, 2022
Mentor: Mauricio Reginato, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: OGT/CDK5/ACSS2 Axis Regulates Metabolic Adaptation of Tumors in the Brain
Subsequent position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Lausanne University, Switzerland
Lisa Stukenborg, MS
June 22, 2022
Mentor: Christian Sell, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Enhancing Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapeutic Potential Through mTOR Inhibition
Subsequent position: Research Associate, Vesalius Therapeutics
Jessie Nagle, MS
June 17, 2022
Mentor: Eishi Noguchi, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: The Role of Maf1 in Age-Associated Phenotypes
Subsequent position: Scientist, Absorption Systems
Gabrielle Tramonte, MS
July 25, 2022
Mentor: Garth Ehrlich, PhD and Joshua Chang Mell, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Functional investigation of Haemophilus influenzae genes of unknown function implicated in pathogenesis
Subsequent position: Scientist, Eurofins
Sarah Nicolson, MS
July 14, 2022
Mentor: Todd Strochlic, PhD, VMD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Exploring Copper-Mediated Regulation of CK2 Activity in D. melanogaster
Subsequent position: Veterinary nurse technician at Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency (PASE) Clinic
Manali Potnis, PhD
July 27, 2022
Mentor: Christian Sell, PhD, (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: lncRNA H19/let7b/EZH2 axis regulates cellular senescence
Subsequent position: Senior Scientist, West Pharmaceutical Services
Diehl De Souza, MS
December 2, 2021
Mentor: Dr. Michael Nonnemacher (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Assessment of genes in defective integrated HIV-1 provirus within the PBMC compartment of individuals with neuroHIV
Subsequent position: Laboratory Technician at National Institutes of Health (NIH-NINDS)
Maram Balkhair, MS
November 29, 2021
Mentor: Dr. Eishi Noguchi (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Project title: The Role of MAF1 in Lipid Metabolism, Cancer and Aging
Subsequent position: Medical Technologist, Jefferson Health
Kristopher Raghavan, PhD
November 22, 2021
Mentor: (Fox Chase Cancer Center)
Thesis title: The Role of NetrinG1 in Stroma-derived Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Survival of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma under Nutrient-deprivation
Subsequent position: Scientist, Integral Molecular
Danielle Piazza, PhD
November 19, 2021
Mentors: Dr. Joshua Chang Mell and (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Testing the Limits of Natural Transformation: Effects of Donor DNA Size and Genomic Structural Variation on Haemophilus influenzae Recombination
Subsequent position: Senior Scientist, Frontage Laboratories, Inc.
Daniel Kantner, MS
July 29, 2021
Mentor: Joris Beld, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Thesis title: Activity and substrate specificity of cobinamide/cobamide amidohydrolase CbiZ in diverse bacteria
Subsequent position: PhD student, Biomedical Sciences Program, Temple University
Matthew Ritts, MS
July 28, 2021
Mentor: Sandhya Kortagere, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Project title: Inflammation in Parkinson’s Disease
Subsequent position: Associate Scientist, Proclinical Staffing
Michelle Swift, PhD
July 26, 2021
Mentor: Jane Clifford, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Investigating the role of cell cycle-dependent regulation of Sp1 in double strand break repair
Subsequent position: Postdoctoral fellow, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Rongrong Li, MS
July 12, 2021
Mentor: Todd Strochlic, VMD, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Cell-Based Readouts of Copper-Modulated CK2 Kinase Activity
Subsequent position: Research Technician, Rutgers University
Tylor Brewster, MS
July 9, 2021
Mentor: Eishi Noguchi, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: Roles of Timeless in DNA Repair and Carcinogenesis
Subsequent position: Scientist, Absorption Aystems, LLC
Tejsi Dhameliya, MS
July 6, 2021
Mentor: Mauricio Reginato, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: The role of KLF8 in breast cancer stem cells
Subsequent position: Associate Scientist, Cell line development, Sana Biotechnology, Inc.
Nima Sarfaraz, MS
June 30, 2021
Mentor: Michael Bouchard, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Project title: The Interplay of Long Non-Coding RNAs and Hepatitis B Virus
Subsequent position: PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Sydney Wilson, MS
June 28, 2021
Mentor: Pooja Jain, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Project title: Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: The Role of Genetic Variation on Clinical Disparities and Disease Progression between ATLL Patient Populations
Emily Esquea, MS
June 21, 2021
Mentor: Mauricio Reginato, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Project title: Understanding the role of the OGT/CDK5/ACSS2 signaling axis on breast cancer brain metastatic growth
Subsequent position, PhD Student, MCBG Program, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Julia Oleksak, MS
June 2, 2021
Mentor: Edward Hartsough, PhD (Department of Pharmacology & Physiology)
Project title: Role of CADM1 in Reducing Viability of Melanoma Circulating Tumor Cells
Subsequent position: Scientist, Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.
Katherine Innamorati, PhD
April 23, 2021
Mentor: Garth Ehrlich, PhD (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
Title: Comparative genomics of the keystone mucosal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis and Gardnerella vaginalis reveal associations between virulence phenotypes and phylogenetic structure
Subsequent position, Postdoctoral Fellow, 91ÖÆƬ³§
Daniel Slusaw, MS
April 14, 2021
Mentor: Srinivas Somarowthu, PhD (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Thesis title: HOTAIR domains can independently regulate gene expression in breast cancer
Subsequent position: PhD Student, Biological Sciences Program, University of Delaware