Current Trainees

Alondra Torres.

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


Rachelle Nelson.

Rachelle Nelson

2023-2024 trainee
Union College, B.S. Elementary Education (2015) B.S. Biomedical Science (2022)
Ph.D. in Progress

Research Project: Reductive stress in endothelial cells

Mentors: Dr. Xinghui Sun and Dr. Oleh Khalimonchuk


Tyler Miller.

Tyler Miller

2023-2024 trainee
B.S. 2017  Biological Systems Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress

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

Tyrell Rossman

2022-2023 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


Brandon McDonald.

Brandon McDonald

2022-2023 trainee
B.S. Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Ph.D. in progress

Research Project: Role of Antioxidant Nanoparticle Treatment in the Amelioration of Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Mentors: Dr. Forrest Kievit and Dr. Xinghui Sun


Josh Loecker.

Josh Loecker

2022-2023 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