Trainees

I am a first year Chemical Engineering PhD Student working on cartilage tissue engineering under the supervision of Dr. Bernie Van Wie at Washington State University. I got my B.E degree in Chemical and Process Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman (an ABET accredited program). I am working on the development of bioreactor systems for cell culture. My skills include cell isolation and culture, histological staining, immunofluorescence and calorimetric analyses, experimental design and data analyses.

haneen.abusharkh@wsu.edu

Advisor: Van Wie

Department (mail): CHEBE (6515)

Shannon C. Allen is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Immunology and Infectious Disease program. She is an NIH Protein Biotechnology Trainee and ARCS scholar interested in studying zoonotic diseases. In 2016, Shannon earned her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Middle Tennessee State University. While attending MTSU, Shannon completed an independent honors thesis in chemistry; using bioassay guided fractionation and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, she isolated, purified, and identified the compound responsible for anti-viral activity in Snapdragon. After graduating, she worked for one year as a quality control technician for Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories in Nashville, TN performing microbiological and environmental testing. The following six months, she worked as a research assistant at East Tennessee State University studying the relationship between hypertension and kidney disease. After completing her Ph.D., Shannon hopes to become a principal investigator at a major university, conducting research and training future microbiologists.

shannon.allen@wsu.edu

Advisor: Kawula

Department (mail): VMP (7040)

I am a second year PhD student in the Immunology and Infectious Diseases Program at Washington State University. I earned a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico in May 2007. I also completed a Medical Technology program from St. Petersburg College. I worked as a microbiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their Division of Healthcare and Quality Promotion’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Characterization Laboratory prior joining WSU. My research interest is focused on antimicrobial resistance, especially studying the fitness cost and/or benefit of antimicrobial resistance genes and their role in the successful establishment and spread of these genes in different environments.  My skills include next generation sequencing, gene knockout, gene cloning, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, bacterial, cell and tissue culture, MALDI-TOF, PFGE, MLVA, assay design and validation, Linux, CLC genomic workbench, and Bionumerics.

johannetsy.avillan@wsu.edu

Advisor: Call

Department (mail): SGAH (7090)

jesse.bengtsson@wsu.edu

Advisor: Browse

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

I am a fourth year graduate student in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. I earned a B.S. in Microbiology from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. My undergraduate work looked into the mechanism by which bacteriophage P22 infects its host, Salmonella typhimurium. I am currently working in Dr. John Wyrick’s lab, and am investigating the role of chromatin remodelers in DNA repair following damage from UV light.  My skills include genomic library preparations, PCR, yeast gene knockouts, genomic DNA isolation, alkaline gels, transformations, and human cell culture. After graduating from WSU, I hope to work for a biotechnology company, focusing on the development of cancer therapies.

kaitlynne.bohm@wsu.edu

Advisor: Wyrick

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

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I am a second year PhD student in the Molecular Plant Sciences program at Washington State University. I graduated from the University of Missouri in May 2017 with degrees in Biology and Philosophy. My background is in genetics, but my primary research interest is in biochemistry and understanding the production of compounds of interest and how these reactions are regulated. I currently work in Dr. John Peters’ lab studying the regulation of nitrogen fixation in Azotobacter vinelandii. My skills include forward genetic screens, genetic field management, plant growth trial design and implementation, PCR-based fine mapping, primer design, molecular cloning, chromatography (HPLC, gravity columns, and affinity), protein purification, experimental design, and trouble-shooting.

nathaniel.boyer@wsu.edu

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Advisor: Peters

Department (mail): MPS(6340)

Elizabeth Campbell is a first year PhD student, NIH Protein Biotechnology Trainee, and ARCS fellow in the Immunology and Infectious Diseases Program at Washington State University. She earned a Combined Honors Bachelors of Science (biology) and Music (vocal) from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. She completed her undergraduate research with Professors Song Lee and Scott Halperin at the Canadian Center of Vaccinology. Her project focused on characterizing a protein-based oral mucosal vaccine against Bordetella pertussis, and antigen-targeting as a method to enhance the immune response to vaccine antigen in the oral cavity. Elizabeth also participated in the Research Experience for Undergraduates summer program at Harvard University, MA, in Professor David Weitz’s lab.  She worked on engineering and characterizing polymer-shelled microcapsules via the microfluidic technique to encapsulate enzymes for detergent dispersions. Her contributions to the project lead to a publication and patent submission. Elizabeth also worked at BASF, a chemical company in Wyandotte, MI, where she helped develop a research platform on the interaction between bio-active materials and detergent formulations, and contributed to the development of an application test for bacteria removal from textiles. Elizabeth will be starting at Washington State University rotating with three professors and working on various projects before deciding where her thesis work will be conducted. Upon graduation, she hopes to start her career in the research and development branch of the biotechnological industry. In her free time Elizabeth enjoys traveling, and outdoor activities such as skiing, sailing, or canoe tripping.

elizabeth.m.campbell@wsu.edu

Advisor: Celli

Department (mail): SGAH (7090)

Jessica is a third-year PhD candidate in the Physical Chemistry division. She received her BS in physics from Central Washington University with a minor in mathematics and an emphasis in biophysics. She is currently working on a project in collaboration with the Nicchia group at the University of Bari, studying the stochastic biophysics of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs). Using a variety of spectroscopic and single molecule techniques, the goal of her project is to take natively folded AQP4 aggregates, and using both in vitro and in vivo techniques, discover how different environmental cues effect OAP assembly kinetics and equilibrium states.

jessica.carder@wsu.edu

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Advisor: Brozik

Department(mail): CHEM(4630)

I am Alexis Cotto-Rosario, second year PhD student in the Immunology and Infectious Diseases program at Washington State University. I am part of Dr. Jean Celli’s team in the Paul G. Allen Center of Global Animal Health. My current project focuses on characterizing Brucella effector proteins to elucidate their role in brucellosis pathogenesis. My research interests include hostpathogen interaction, pathogenesis and pathogen immune evasion. My previous experience includes two years researching potential anti-malarial compound at the University of Puerto Rico, and team-based epidemiological research at the CDC. I am skilled in light microscopy, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, tissue culture, bacterial culture, and molecular cloning. I aspire to continue learning and improving my skills in a professional environment.

a.cotto-rosario@wsu.edu

Advisor: O’Connor

Department (mail): SGAH (7090)

madeline.dennis2@wsu.edu

Advisor: Roberts

Department (mail):  SMB (7520)

kelly.deobald@wsu.edu

Advisor: Kawula

Department (mail): VMP (7040)

rachael.detar@wsu.edu

Advisor: Kirchoff

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

I am a second-year graduate student in the School of Molecular Sciences at Washington State University, an NIH Protein Biotechnology Trainee and an ARCS Seattle Chapter recipient. I earned a B.S. degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from St. John’s University in Queens, NY. My undergraduate work at St. John’s University focused on Leishmania species and trypanosomes, both arthropod born protozoan parasites. I am currently in the laboratory of Dr. Tom Kawula studying how a bacterial pathogen, Francisella tularensis, interacts with the host. My skills include PCR, molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, SDS-PAGE, western blot, immunofluorescence microscopy, and primary cell tissue culture. After graduating from WSU, I would like to do research in an industry setting, focusing on preventative and therapeutic approaches to pathogenic infections.

Sedelia.dominguez@wsu.edu

Advisor: Kawula

Department (mail): SGAH (7090)

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b.fraser-hevlin@wsu.edu

Advisor: Van Wie

Department (mail) : VSCEB (6515)

I am a third year PhD candidate in Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. I graduated from Sonoma State University of California in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. My background thus far is in molecular and cellular biology but my primary interest is in infectious diseases and immunology. I am currently investigating Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) entry into cells by looking at the role of HSV-1 envelope glycoprotein C and the HSV-1 ANG mutant virus. My skills include cell culture: bacterial and eukaryotic, PCR, dot blot assay, DNA isolation, cell-cell fusion assay, plaque assay.

katrina.gianopulos@wsu.edu

Advisor: Nicola

Department (mail): VMP(7040)

andrew.gonzalez1@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department: MPS (6340)

My name is Amber (Hughes) Brown. I did my Undergrad at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL, earning a Bachelor’s in Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I am currently a 4th year PhD candidate in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. My current research focuses on cancer genetics, specifically in breast cancer. I am a knowledgeable innovator with expertise in molecular biological techniques resulting in the development of a new fluorescent assay to measure enzyme activity in breast cancer samples. My work has potential applications in clinical diagnostics and possible cancer therapeutics.

I also have strong leadership skills with emphasis on cross departmental communications resulting in the successful planning of numerous events at the WSU campus including the WSU NIH Protein Biotech Symposium and various departmental fundraisers, which lead to over $1500 raised for the American Cancer Society.

My technical skills include: molecular cloning, western analysis, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, qRT-PCR, DNA & RNA isolation, experimental design, and troubleshooting.

amber.hughes@wsu.edu

Advisor: Roberts

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

I am a second year graduate student in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University and an NIH Protein Biotechnology Trainee. I earned my B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from California State University, Northridge. As an undergraduate, my research focused on studying the molecular basis of apoptosis in leukemia cells to improve or develop new therapeutic techniques. After graduating, I worked at Kite Pharma as a Cell Therapy Specialist, engineering T-cells for cancer therapeutics. My skills include GMP/SOP training, mammalian and bacterial cell culture, western blotting, transfections/ transformations, DNA/ RNA isolation, and immunofluorescence microscopy. After graduating from WSU, I would like to work in a biopharmaceutical company focusing on innovative medicines that will improve patient well-being.

joanna.hurtado@wsu.edu

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Advisor: Shaw

Department(mail): VMP (7040)

brandon.johnson4@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): IBC (6340)

Eric is a first-year graduate student in Physical Chemistry division. He received a BS in Chemistry from California State University Channel Islands. Prior to attending WSU, he was working as a laboratory analyst in food and water safety at IEH Laboratories.

eric.jacobo@wsu.edu

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Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): Chemistry (4630)

brianne.jones@wsu.edu

Advisor: Haseltine

Department (mail): SMB (7050)

I am a third year Ph.D. student in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University with five years of laboratory experience. My previous experience was with CRISPR targeted transcriptional activation of heat-shock protein in fruit flies. I am currently studying the transcriptional regulation of heat-shock proteins by hypoxia and cell-density in tumors. My goal is to aid in the discovery, development, and production of innovative medicines that will improve patient well-being. I am interested in employing my technical competence and abilities in the biopharmaceutical industry and in learning and developing new skills to gain functional experience.

lydia.lam@wsu.edu

Advisor: Shelden

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

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cody.lauritsen@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

matthew.marcec@wsu.edu

Advisor: Tanaka

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

brittany.martin1@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): IID (7520)

andrew.a.martinez@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

colin.mcdowell@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

sean.mcguire@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

lindsay.miller@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): IID (7520)

I am a second year Ph.D. student in the department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Before coming to WSU I earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Physiology and a M.S. in Biology at California State University, Long Beach. During my Masters I developed the methodology to measure mass-specific rates of protein synthesis in the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Currently at WSU I am working in Dr. Anders Omsland’s research lab in the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health. I am studying the bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis to understand how nutrients and specific gene expression regulate the Chlamydia development cycle. My skills include training in radiation, mammalian and bacteria cell culture, high performance liquid chromatography, qRT-PCR, experimental design, and troubleshooting. After graduating from WSU I aspire to work in the biopharmaceutical industry focusing on the development of preventative and therapeutic treatments targeting pathogenic infections

colleen.monahan@wsu.edu

Advisor: Omsland

Department (mail): VMP (7040)

m.anoy@wsu.edu

Advisor: Beyenal

Department (mail): VSCEB (6515)

korinn.murphy@wsu.edu

Advisor: Carabeo

Department: University of Nebraska, Pathology and Microbiology

I am third year PhD candidate in the Organic Chemistry Division of the Department of Chemistry at Washington State University. My research involve the design, synthesis and evaluation of double prodrug scaffold of L-Dopa for controlled release application and Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Small molecule drug conjugate as a targeted treatment for prostate cancer. Some of my specific skills are organic synthesis with an emphasis on organophosphorus and peptidomimetic compounds, chromatography (TLC, Column and Flash Chromatography, HPLC) and NMR.

feyisola.olatunji@wsu.edu

Advisor: Berkman

Department (mail): CHEM (4630)

I am a second year PhD Student in the Molecular Plant Sciences program, working under the supervision of Dr. Helmut Kirchhoff at Washington State University.  I completed my undergraduate at University of Wisconsin – Stout in 2016 with a degree in Environmental Sciences. In my current work I investigate lipid-protein interactions in the thylakoid membranes in order to gain a more fundamental understanding of photosynthetic light harvesting. My specialties include light spectroscopy, electron microscopy, TLC, gas chromatography, procedural isolation of lipids, and statistical analysis.

alice.ruth.olson@wsu.edu

Advisor: Kirchhoff

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

quan.phan@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Biosciences at WSU. My research interests focus on the molecular mechanisms deployed by bacterial pathogens to evade host defenses and proliferate to cause disease. Specifically, I study the pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of bacterial sexually-transmitted infections and infection-derived blindness worldwide. My research has revealed a novel mechanism of gene regulation in this pathogen that coordinates the bacterial response to host induced stress. I have experience in mammalian and bacterial cell culture, and various standard molecular techniques (e.g. PCR, immunoblot, etc.). I have developed and optimized several assays, including in vitro protein-DNA interaction and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. I look forward to using these skills to address research needs in your company!

n.pokorzynski@wsu.edu

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Advisor: Carabeo

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

terreill.robertson@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): VSCEB (6515)

I am a second-year PhD student in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. I obtained my M.S. at Texas Tech University in 2017, where I isolated bacterial toxins from pathogenic bacteria and studied their effect on targeted cells. In this work I purified and characterized protein and did immunofluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA and immunoblotting. I am fascinated by the unique strategies pathogens use during infection and the equally resourceful methods used by the body to prevent disease. As such, I am currently investigating the tools used by chlamydia to invade cells, establish a niche and acquire resources from its host.

matthew.d.romero@wsu.edu

Advisor: Carabeo

miguel.rosas2@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

austin.ross@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): MPS (6340)

I am a first year PhD student in the Chemical Engineering Program at Washington State University working on bioelectrochemical systems in Dr. Haluk Beyenal research group. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. Currently I am working on the development of a redox flow battery to improve the efficiency reducing the size. My skills include Biofilm analysis and electrode building (macro and micro).

eduardo.j.sanchez@wsu.edu

Advisor: Beyenal

Department (mail): CHEBE (6515)

I am a research assistant in the Vadyvaloo lab and a trainee in the NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program at Washington State University. Our lab looks to understand Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague, in its ability to adapt and create biofilm which provides the foundation of efficient transmission of the pathogen by fleas to animals. My project focuses on characterizing the global regulator protein, CsrA, to uncover the detailed molecular role in regulating biofilm production and transmission upon Yersinia pestis’ response to nutrient availability. These findings may lead to future strategic development of potential targets that interrupt disease maintenance and transmission cycles of plague.

My skills include DNA cloning, biofilm quantification assays, metabolite extraction, glycogen accumulation quantification, flea infections, Westerns, and qRT-PCR. I recently attended the 2018 American Society for Microbiology Northwest Branch Conference (Portland, OR), the 1^st Research Symposium for the Center for Health in the Human Ecosystem (University of Idaho) and the 18th Annual College of Veterinary Medicine Student Research Symposium (Washington State University). Outside of research, I serve as a senator for College of Veterinary Medicine and a committee member of the American Microbiology Society WSU chapter.

I am interested in a biotechnology internship that will enable me to continue developing skills in molecular genetic techniques within microbial or eukaryotic organisms to better understand disease and host interaction.

amelia.silva@wsu.edu

Advisor: Vadyvaloo

Department (mail): SGAH (7090)

I am a third-year Ph. D. student in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Washington State University, where I also received my Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry. I study leiomodin (Lmod), a muscle protein essential to the proper formation of thin filaments in sarcomeres, and its interactions with tropomyosin (Tpm) and actin, the two main proteins of the thin filament. I use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to determine structures of Lmod/Tpm and Lmod/actin binding interfaces and circular dichroism spectroscopy to establish their affinities. Other techniques that are critical to my work include affinity chromatography, HPLC, non-denaturing PAGE, pyrene-actin polymerization assay, and F-actin cosedimentation assay.

garry.smith@wsu.edu

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Advisor: Kostyukova

Department (mail): CHEBE (6515)

marguerite.smith@wsu.edu

Advisor: Haseltine

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

chasity.trammel@wsu.edu

Advisor: Goodman

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

brittany.vandenberg@wsu.edu

Advisor: Rotations

Department (mail): SMB (7520)

I am a first year PhD student in the Molecular Plant Sciences Program at Washington State University. I graduated from Boise State University in May 2017 with a B.S. in Biology with a botany emphasis. I have a military and communications background. My undergraduate research focused on how water stress impacts the symbiotic associations of plants and microbes. My current research interests focus on elucidating the biosynthetic pathways through which plants synthesize unique and valuable chemicals. My work has potential applications in pharmacy, energy, and materials. My skills include: genetic screening, RNA sequencing, molecular cloning, chromatography (GC,

ion exchange and affinity), protein purification, experimental design, and troubleshooting.

joel.velasco@wsu.edu

Advisor: Gang

Department (mail): MPS (6340)