Past Trainees


Jacob Jones

Jacob Jones

2021-2022 traineeB.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

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 & Dr. Jiri Adamec


Darcy Cochran

Darcy Cochran

2020-2022 trainee
B.S. 2017 Chemistry, Southwest Baptist University (SBU)
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Investigating Traumatic Brain Injury through MALDI-Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Mentors:
Dr. Robert Powers & Dr. Forrest Kievit


Alejandra Agosto-Maldonado

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 & Dr. Mark Wilson


Timothy Hackett

Timothy Hackett

2020-2021 trainee
B.S. 2015 Biology, Iowa State University
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Microglial mechanotransduction as a novel regulator in neurodegeneration

Mentors:
Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi & Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk


Morgan Cade

Morgan Cade

2019-2021 trainee
B.S. 2018 Biological Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia 
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Investigating the effects of B. infantis and HMOs on Infant Immune Development

Mentors:
Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait and Dr. Eric Dodds 


Amanda Miller

Amanda Miller

2019-2021 trainee
B.S. 2018 Chemistry University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Investigation of Lysochelin, a Natural Product Containing both the Iron Chelating Catecholates and the Cellular Signaling Spermidine

Mentors:
Dr. Liangcheng Du and Dr. Eric Dodds 


Gloricelly Roman-OchoroGloricelly Roman-Ochoro

2019-2020 trainee
B.S. 2016 Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Engineering florescent proteins through the unnatural amino acid incorporation for the generation of biosensors and imaging tools. 

Mentors:
Dr. Jiantao Guo


David LillymanDavid Lillyman

2019-2020 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Evaluating a relationship between low back pain and the gut microbiome

Mentors:
Dr. Rebecca Wachs & Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait


Alicia JohnsonAlicia Johnson

2018-2020 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biochemistry, Northwest Missouri State University
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Molecular Characterization of Refractory Epilepsy

Mentors:
Dr. Jiri Adamec & Dr. Tomas Helikar


Kari Sanderfer Kari Sanderfer

2018-2020 trainee
B.S. 2017 Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
OMV-Coated DNA Nanoparticles for Oral Gene Therapy

Mentors:
Dr. Angela Pannier & Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait


Katie BidneKatie 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 and Dr. Eric Dodds


Jon Dietz

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 & Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi


Joe BrakeJoe Brake

2017-2019 trainee
B.S. 2016 Biochemistry, Winona State University
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Regulation of Metabolic Signaling and Nutrient Metabolism by Copper

Mentors:
Dr. Jaekwon Lee & Dr. Robert Powers


Matthew MoranMatthew Moran

2017-2019 trainee
B.S. 2013 Biology, Framingham State University
Ph.D. 2022 in 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 & Dr. Concetta DiRusso


Alana RisterAlana 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 & Dr. Jennifer Wood


Anna Lampe

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 & Dr. Angie Pannier


Kimberly StankeKimberly Stanke

2016-2018 trainee
B.S. 2015 Computational and Applied Mathematics & Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Ph.D. in progress

Research Project:
Understanding the Role of Astrocytes in METH Abuse using In Vitro Brain Models.

Mentors:
Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi & Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk


Tessa Andrews;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 & Dr. Mark Wilson


Jordon Rose

Jordan Rose

2016-2017 trainee
B.A. 2008 Molecular and Cell Biology, UC-Berkeley

Research Project:
WhiB7 in the Antibiotic Resistance and Stress Response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mentors
Dr. Limei Zhang & Dr. Bob Powers


Amy GelbAbby 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 & Dr. Melanie Simpson


Ed GermanyEd 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 & Dr. Srivatsan Kidambi


Travis NelsonTravis 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 & Dr. Mark Wilson


Shelbi Christgen

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 & Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait


Michelle Palmer

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 & Dr. Melanie Simpson


Christina WilsonChristina 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 & Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk


Ryan Matsuda

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 & 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 & 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 & Dr. Robert Powers