Alondra Torres
2023-2024 trainee
B.S. 2021 Microbiology, Inter American University of Puerto Rico
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: The role of AAA-ATPase ATAD3A in regulating mitochondrial architecture and its implications in disease
Mentors: Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk and Dr. Rodrigo Franco-Cruz
Tyler Miller
2023-2024 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.S. 2024 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: developing a oral gene delivery platform utilizing outer membrane vesicles isolated from commensal E. coli
Mentors: Dr. Angie Pannier and Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
Tyrell Rossman
2022-2024 trainee
B.S. 2021 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress
Research Project: Exploration of cysteine modifications in human pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase
Mentors: Dr. Don Becker and Dr. Tomas Helikar
Josh Loecker
2022-2024 trainee
B.S. Biochemistry, minor in Computer Science, South Dakota State University
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: Creating metabolic models of human immune cells, specifically hematopoietic stem cells. I will also be developing tools to speed up the creation of our lab's future models
Mentors: Dr. Tomas Helikar and Dr. Lindsey Crawford
Cole Dolamore
2022-2023 trainee
B.S. 2020 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Carolina
M.S. 2024 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Structural and Enzymatic Characterization of Methylglyoxalase Activity in DJ-1 and Related Homologues
Mentors: Dr. Mark Wilson and Dr. David Berkowitz
Noelle Waltenburg
2021-2022 trainee
B.S. 2016 Chemistry, Northern Arizona University
Ph.D. in progress
Research Project: Design of synthetic Receptor Activity Modifying Proteins (RAMPs) as chemical probes to study the molecular mechanisms of diseases associated with RAMP dysregulation
Mentors: Dr. James Checco and Dr. Robert Powers
Sydney Caparaso
2021-2023 trainee
B.S. 2020 Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: Development of a Physiologically Relevant In Vitro Platform to Model Neuroimmune Interactions in Nociceptor Hypersensitivity
Mentors: Dr. Rebecca Wachs and Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
Amanda Maliva
2021-2023 trainee
B.S. 2020 Cell & Molecular Biology, University of South Florida (USF)
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: Functional Genomics of Phosphatidylcholine Biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Mentors: Dr. Wayne Riekhof and Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk
Daisy Guiza Beltran
2021-2023 trainee
B.S. 2019 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress
Research Project: Elucidation of the Molecular Mechanism of Transcriptional Regulation by Holo-WhiB1 in Mycobacteria
Mentors: Dr. Limei Zhang and Dr. Jiri Adamec
Jacob Jones
2021-2022 trainee
B.S. 2017 Chemistry, Truman State University
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: Creation of DJ-1 affinity microcolumns for evaluation of small molecule binding
Mentors: Dr. David Hage and Dr. Mark Wilson
Ivon Acosta Ramirez
2021-2022 trainee
B.S. 2018 Chemical Engineering, Universidad de la Sabana, Colombia
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: Application of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Platforms to Investigate Extracellular Nitric Oxide Concentration Changes in Cancer Progression at Cellular and Molecular Levels
Mentors: Dr. Nicole Iverson and Dr. Jiri Adamec
Darcy Cochran
2020-2022 trainee
B.S. 2017 Chemistry, Southwest Baptist University (SBU)
Ph.D. 2024 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Investigating Traumatic Brain Injury through MALDI-Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Mentors: Dr. Robert Powers and Dr. Forrest Kievit
Alejandra Agosto-Maldonado
2020-2021 trainee
B.S. 2018 Biotechnology, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo campus
Ph.D. in Progress
Research Project: Functional Alterations of CXC Chemokine Receptor 4 by Chemokine Heterodimers with the Assist of a Long-Chain Thiol-Containing Unnatural Amino Acid
Mentors: Dr. Jiantao Guo and Dr. Mark Wilson
Timothy Hackett
2020-2021 trainee
B.S. 2015 Biology, Iowa State University
Ph.D. 2023 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Microglial mechanotransduction as a novel regulator in neurodegeneration
Mentors: Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi and Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk
Morgan Cade
2019-2021 trainee
B.S. 2018 Biological Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia
Ph.D. 2024 Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Investigating the effects of B. infantis and HMOs on Infant Immune Development
Mentors: Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
Amanda Miller
2019-2021 trainee
B.S. 2018 Chemistry University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. 2023 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Investigation of Lysochelin, a Natural Product Containing both the Iron Chelating Catecholates and the Cellular Signaling Spermidine
Mentors: Dr. Liangcheng Du
Gloricelly Roman-Ochoro
2019-2020 trainee
B.S. 2016 Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Ph.D. 2023 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Engineering florescent proteins through the unnatural amino acid incorporation for the generation of biosensors and imaging tools
Mentors: Dr. Jiantao Guo
David Lillyman
2019-2020 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. 2022 Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Evaluating a relationship between low back pain and the gut microbiome
Mentors: Dr. Rebecca Wachs and Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
Alicia Johnson
2018-2020 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biochemistry, Northwest Missouri State University
Ph.D. 2023 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Molecular Characterization of Refractory Epilepsy
Mentors: Dr. Jiri Adamec and Dr. Tomas Helikar
Kari Sanderfer
2018-2020 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.S. 2023 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: OMV-Coated DNA Nanoparticles for Oral Gene Therapy
Mentors: Dr. Angela Pannier and Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
Katie Bidne
2019-2020 trainee
B.S. 2015 Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.S. 2017 Animal Physiology, Iowa State University
Ph.D. 2022 Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Effects of Maternal Obesity on Mid-gestation Placenta Lipid Metabolism
Mentors: Dr. Jennifer Wood
Jon Dietz
2018-2019 trainee
B.S. 2016 Chemistry, Purdue University
Ph.D. 2021 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Mitochondrial heme transport and homeostasis in health and disease
Mentors: Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk and Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi
Joe Brake
2017-2019 trainee
B.S. 2016 Biochemistry, Winona State University
Ph.D. 2023 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Regulation of Metabolic Signaling and Nutrient Metabolism by Copper
Mentors: Dr. Jaekwon Lee and Dr. Robert Powers
Matthew Moran
2017-2019 trainee
B.S. 2013 Biology, Framingham State University
Ph.D. 2022 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: The Role of long noncoding RNAs in regulating Saturated Fatty Acid-Induced Signaling and Endothelial Function
Mentors: Dr. Xinghui Sun and Dr. Concetta DiRusso
Alana Rister
2017-2019 trainee
B.S. 2016 Chemistry/Sexuality and Gender Studies, Mary Baldwin College
Ph.D. 2019 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Metabolomics Study for Understanding Obesity's Role in Reproductive Dysfunction
Mentors: Dr. Eric Dodds and Dr. Jennifer Wood
Anna Lampe
2016-2018 trainee
B.A. 2015 Biology, Luther College
Ph.D. 2020 Genetics, Cell, and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Chitosan nanoparticle delivery of antigen encoding plasmids as an Influenza A Virus (IAV) vaccine strategy
Mentors: Dr. Deb Brown and Dr. Angie Pannier
Kimberly Stanke
2016-2018 trainee
B.S. 2015 Computational and Applied Mathematics & Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University
Ph.D. 2021 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Understanding the Role of Astrocytes in METH Abuse using In Vitro Brain Models.
Mentors: Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi and Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk
Tessa Andrews
2016-2018 trainee
B.S. 2015 Chemistry, Evangel University
Ph.D. 2020 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Over-Oxidation of Human DJ-1 Leads to Loss of Structural Integrity at Physiological Temperatures
Mentors: Dr. Robert Powers and Dr. Mark Wilson
Jordan Rose
2016-2017 trainee
B.A. 2008 Molecular and Cell Biology, UC-Berkeley
M.S. 2019 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: WhiB7 in the Antibiotic Resistance and Stress Response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mentors: Dr. Limei Zhang and Dr. Bob Powers
Abby Gelb
2015-2017 trainee
B.S. 2012 Chemistry, University of Arizona
Ph.D. 2018 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Glycomic characterization of human Hyaluronidase 1
Mentors: Dr. Eric Dodds and Dr. Melanie Simpson
Ed Germany
2015-2017 trainee
B.S. 2014 Marine Biology, Texas A&M University
Ph.D. 2019 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Role of Conserved AAA+ ATPase Afg1/LACE1 in Neuronal Health
Mentors: Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk and Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi
Travis Nelson
2015-2017 trainee
B.S. 2014 Chemistry, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Ph.D. 2020 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Mechanisms of Parkinson's Disease with Spontaneously Reassembling Nanoluciferase Fragments
Mentors: Dr. Cliff Stains and Dr. Mark Wilson
Shelbi Christgen
2014-2016 trainee
B.S. 2012 Biochemistry, Missouri Western State University
Ph.D. 2017 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Exploring the Role of Proline Metabolism in Helicobacter bilis Pathogenicity
Mentors: Dr. Don Becker and Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
Michelle Palmer
2014-2016 trainee
B.A. 2013 Biology, Dordt College
Ph.D. 2017 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Cellular Mechanisms of Detoxification: UDP-Xylose Synthase I, UDP-Glucuronate Transferase, and Glutathione Transferase
Mentors: Dr. Joe Barycki and Dr. Melanie Simpson
Christina Wilson
2014-2016 trainee
B.S. 2011 Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University
Ph.D. 2016 Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Research Project: In situ Brain Models to Study Methamphetamine Impact on Brain Energy Utilization
Mentors: Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi and Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk
Ryan Matsuda
2013-2015 trainee
B.S. 2010 Chemistry with Biochemistry emphasis, Pacific University
Ph.D. 2015 Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research Project: Chromatographic Analysis of Drug-Protein Interactions During Diabetes
Mentors: Dr. David Hage and Dr. Melanie Simpson
Annastasia Hyde
2013-2014 trainee
B.S. 2009 Chemistry with Biochemistry emphasis, Creighton University
Ph.D. 2014 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Research Project: UDP-glucose dehydrogenase polymorphisms and activity in disease
Mentors: Dr. Melanie Simpson and Dr. Joe Barycki
Nicole Milkovic
2013-2014 trainee
B.S. 2004 Chemistry, Biochemistry, Psychology, Michigan Technological University
Ph.D. 2014 Biochemistry, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Research Project: Role of protein dynamics in pathogenic mutations of DJ-1
Mentors: Dr. Mark Wilson and Dr. Robert Powers