Summer Research Training Program Mentors
Learn more about each mentor below
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JOSHUA BUTCHER, BS, MS, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences Assistant Professor
Email: joshua.butcher@okstate.edu
Phone: (405) 744-8088
Expert profileCurrent Research Interests:
I have multiple research interests, but currently my research paradigm focuses on obesity and aging (sarcopenic obesity). We are currently looking at how exercise (specifically skeletal muscle) can uncouple obesity from its cardiometabolic complications (like hypertension, vascular dysfunction, renal disease, diabetes, etc.) and overlaying these comorbidities in an aging rodent model.Potential research projects for a summer research student:
One potential project idea would be: “Obesity and its Effects on Brain Oxidant Stress, Aging and Vascular Adrenergic Dysfunction, Does an Exercise Mimetic Improve Renal Function, Obesity and its Effect on Lung Function, etc.” That being said, if a student has a particular passion for a topic that’s not listed, I’ve certainly never been one to shy away from a new scientific adventure! Expected qualities in a summer research student: The ideal student will have an enthusiasm for science and willingness to work hard in a team setting.
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JOAO BRANDAO, LMV, MS, DIPL. ECZM (AVIAN), DIPL. ACZM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Professor, Zoological Medicine
Email: jbrandao@okstate.edu
Current Research Interests:
Endocrinology, sedation and anesthesia, coagulation, clinical research
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-The use of lignocaine-prilocaine local anesthetic and capsaicin cream for pain-free venipuncture in rabbits
-Comparison of body temperature site measurement to rectal temperature in healthy rabbits
-Thyrotropin stimulating hormone in rabbits
Expected qualities in a summer research student
-Organized and self-driven
-Willing to work independently or in partnership with other students.
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RUDRA CHANNAPPANAVAR, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Assistant Professor
Email: rchanna@okstate.edu
Current Research Interests:
Major focus of research in my laboratory is to study the immune response to coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. We examine protective efficacy of antiviral agents and vaccines in models of coronavirus infections. We also study factors that lead to protective and pathogenic immunity to coronaviruses in young and aged, and males and females. We utilize in-vitro and in-vivo (animal models) systems to assess the role of immune response during coronavirus infections.
View publications
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Evaluate vaccine induced immunity against coronaviruses in young and aged hosts.
-Test the efficacy of novel antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs in COVID19 models.
-Identify host and virus factors that cause severe vs mild to moderate disease.
Expected qualities in a summer research student
-An ideal research student would be highly motivated, hard-working, and sincere who can work as a team with other laboratory members.
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HENRIQUE CHENG, DVM, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Associate Professor of Physiology
Email: henrique.cheng@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
-Diabetes Research: Regulation of insulin secretion by natural compounds for diabetes treatment.
-Stem Cell Research: Endocrine control of stem cell differentiation for tissue regeneration.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Molecular mechanism of malvidin stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells.
-Osteocalcin-induced osteogenic differentiation of dental follicle stem cells.
Expected qualities in a summer research student
-Curious and interested in research.
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GIOVANA CATANDI, DVM, PhD, DIPL. ACT
Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Email: giovana.catandi@okstate.edu
Current research interests:
Equine assisted reproduction, oocyte in vitro maturation
Potential research projects for summer research students:
Effects of different oxygen or energy substrate concentrations during in vitro maturation of equine oocytes
Qualities expected in a summer research student: Good work ethics, motivation, and communication skills. Attention to details, reliability, horse handling skills and general lab skills are desired.
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XUFANG DENG, MS, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Assistant Professor
Email: xufang.deng@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
Dr. Deng’s research mainly focuses on understanding coronavirus replication, viral-host interplay, and pathogenesis. His research subjects include human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the coronaviruses that infect domestic animals (swine, bovine, pets, etc.). Dr. Deng's research uses a variety of state-of-art techniques including reverse genetics and CRISPR-Cas to identify viral and host components that determine coronavirus diseases in BSL-2 and BSL/ABSL-3 settings. Dr. Deng’s research aims to facilitate the discovery and development of effective anti-coronavirus strategies.
Titles of potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Developing a live-attenuated porcine coronavirus vaccine candidate using PROTAC
-Tissue tropism of porcine coronaviruses
-Cloning and construction of a reverse genetic platform for bovine coronavirus
What qualities are you looking for in a summer research student?
Interested in research and willing to learn, self-motivated and hard-working, and team player
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KATHRYN DUNCAN, DVM, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Email: kathryn.duncan@okstate.edu
Current research interests:
- Vector-borne diseases
- Ticks on domestic animals
- Gastrointestinal and spurious parasites in dogs
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LETITIA FANUCCHI, DVM, PhD
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Clinical Assistant Professor
Email: Le.fanucchi@okstate.edu
Current research interests:
Applied animal behavior.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
White coat syndrome in dogs
Validation of Fear Free techniques used in dogs and cats.
Expected qualities in a summer research student?
I have done summer projects with students in the past at Washington State University, and published the work, granting me a research award in the past.
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JENNIFER GRINDSTAFF, PhD
Department of Integrative Biology
Associate Professor
Email: jen.grindstaff@okstate.edu
Current Research Interests:
-Avian microbiome, stress physiology, latitudinal variation in life history strategies
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-The gut microbiota as a facilitator of adaptation to environmental change
Expected qualities in a summer research student?
-Curious, reliable, team player, motivated
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KELLY S. HARRISON, PhD
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Assistant Professor
Email: hkellys@okstate.edu
Phone: 405-744-9784
Current research interests:
My research focuses on sex-specific differences in pathogenesis of sexually transmitted infections. We use neurotropic herpesviruses: Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) as a model of infection. Specifically, we investigate the role hormones and hormone receptors play in severity of herpes outbreaks with special emphasis on women and gender minorities.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Progesterone receptor activation promotes HSV-1 reactivation from latency
-Estrogen receptor alpha activation inhibits HSV-1 reactivation from latency
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Self-motivated and hard working, attention to detail and critical thinker, willing to learn and work with a team, and excited and enthusiastic.
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MYRON HINSDALE, DVM, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Associate Professor
Email: myron.hinsdale@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
Generally, how the extracellular matrix of organs affects tissue recovery/regeneration post-injusry. Liver and renal genetic disease, infectious disease of the respiratory system and stem cells in metabolic diseases.
Titles of potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Oocyte implantation and proteoglycans
-Inhibitors of adipose stem cell adipogenesis
-Brain proteoglycans and structural changes
-Pulmonary proteoglycans and lung disease
What qualities are you looking for in a summer research student?
-Curious, studious, excited about learning new techniques in and ideas about mechanisms of how organs maintain homeostasis.
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REED HOLYOK, DVM, PhD
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Regents Professor
Email: reed.holyoak@okstate.edu
Phone: 405-612-7333Current research interest areas:
Equine reproductive tract microbiome, reproductive infectious disease, oviductal blockage imaging and treatment, utilizing simulation models in augmenting instruction in clinical theriogenology, collaborating with and assisting research endeavors of our new faculty members.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
Utilizing simulation models in augmenting instruction in clinical theriogenology, or others as a collaborator.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Open minded, dedicated, reliable, and inquisitive learner
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CLINTON JONES, PhD
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Sitlington Professor of Infectious Diseases
Email: clint.jones10@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
My lab works on two neurotropic herpesviruses: bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Our research is focused on how these viruses, establish, maintain, and reactivate from latency. Recently, we have been most interested in understanding how stress induces reactivation from latency, and how stress activates viral transcription.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
A summer research student would likely become involved with understanding how stress-induced transcription factors regulate viral replication and gene expression.
Expected qualities are you looking for in a summer research student
The ideal student will have an enthusiasm for science and willingness to work hard in a team setting.
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DALE KELLEY, DVM, PhD
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Assistant Professor
Phone: (405) 744-8586
Email: dale.kelley@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
Equine reproduction, investigating alternatives to antibiotics to treat endometritis in mares
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VERONIQUE LACOMBE, DVM, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences Professor
Email: veronique.lacombe@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
The Comparative Metabolism Laboratory investigates glucose metabolism during metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity) and novel metabolic therapeutic strategies that could benefit both veterinary and human patients. Diabetes and obesity, global epidemic diseases, are significant risk factors for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. One of the major pathogenic processes underlying these metabolic diseases results from a deficit of insulin production or action, with dysfunctional glucose uptake into insulin-sensitive tissues. Despite intensive research, the mechanisms of altered glucose transport observed during diabetes are still not well elucidated. Therefore, the main current mission of our research laboratory is to investigate the regulation of glucose transport in insulin-sensitive tissues (e.g., cardiac and skeletal muscles, and adipose tissues), but also in the lung and lamellar tissue. Glucose uptake from the bloodstream is tightly regulated by a family of specialized proteins called glucose transporters. Because every cell expresses these glucose transporters, they are recognized as major regulators of whole-body metabolism and thus, key pharmacological targets. The strength of our research program is to use a unique comparative approach by investigating both small and large animal models of metabolic diseases, spanning from transgenic mice to horses.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
The student will be involved in a translational research project on glucose metabolism with potential therapeutic applications for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or respiratory infections. The student will learn research skills using biochemistry and molecular techniques (e.g., Western Blot and PCR techniques) and/or will develop proper handling skills for rodents. The student will also perform data analysis, interpret the results and present at the lab meeting. The student will be part of team, which includes graduate and undergraduate students.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Curious, motivated, enthusiastic to learn and explore new field.
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LIN LIU, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Regents Professor and Director
Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases
Email: lin.liu@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
Host-pathogen interactions with a focus on influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2 and/or mycobacterium tuberculosis, pathogenesis of lung diseases (IPF and COPD), and stem cell therapy and human lung tissue modeling.
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ERIKA LUTTER, PhD
Associate Professor,
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Email: erika.lutter@okstate.edu
Phone: (405) 744-2532
Research Interests:
Exploring infections at mucosal sites with two main research areas: host-pathogen interactions involving Chlamydia trachomatis and polymicrobial interactions of cystic fibrosis infections.
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EDRALIN LUCAS, PhD
Department of Nutritional Sciences
Jim and Lynne Williams Professor
Email: edralin.a.lucas@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
Bioactive food components in chronic disease prevention including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation and osteoporosis. Recently, we are exploring the effects of functional food on gut health including the gut microbiome and its implications in chronic disease prevention.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Effect of pinto beans on gut and bone health in estrogen deficiency
Expected qualities in a summer research student?
-Hard working
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MAYARA MAGGIOLI, DVM, PhD
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Assistant Professor
Email: mayara.maggioli@okstate.edu
Current Research Interests:
My research focuses on veterinary immunology, host-pathogen interactions, and vaccine development. I am particularly interested in understanding immune responses to RNA viruses associated with bovine respiratory disease complex, including Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV).
Potential Research Projects for a Summer Research Student:
Evaluation of host-pathogen interactions and immunomodulation in cell lines during BRSV infection.
Participating in eventual animal experiments in cattle, sheep and goats.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
A highly motivated, hard-working student with strong ethical conduct.
- LARA MAXWELL, DVM, PhD DACVCP
Department of Physiological Sciences,
Interim Department Head
Email: lk.maxwell@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
Dr. Maxwell earned both her DVM and PhD degrees from the University of Florida. Following a stint in small animal practice, she then entered a clinical pharmacology residency at UC-Davis and is now a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology. Currently, she is a Professor of Pharmacology at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Maxwell has enjoyed exploring pharmacology in a wide spectrum of animal species, from iguanas to racehorses. Her current research interests are similarly broad, spanning the use of antiviral drugs for Monkey B virus to the mathematical description of THC disposition. However, Dr. Maxwell’s overall enthusiasm lies in maximizing the safe and effective use of the many drugs available to veterinary medicine. Areas of interest include veterinary pharmacology, including use of therapeutics in small animal and equine patients, pharmacokinetic /toxicokinetic modeling techniques, including PK/PD modeling, physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling, population PK modeling, analysis of drugs in biological samples, in vitro metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
Possible summer projects include pharmacokinetics and HPLC and/or LC/MS analysis of fluorescein, cyclosporin, ganciclovir, gabapentin, or GS-441524 in domestic species.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
The ideal student will be chemistry and pharmacology minded with an interest in writing and publishing our results.
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ELIZABETH MCCULLAGH, PhD
Department of Integrative Biology
Assistant Professor
Email: Elizabeth.mccullagh@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
-Neuroscience, autism, mammalian hearing, anuran hearing, anatomy, physiology, behavior
Titles of potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Myelination in a mouse model of autism as a driver of auditory hypersensitivity.
-Hearing differences across frequencies in a mouse model of autism
-Sex differences in hearing
-Monogamous prairie voles as a hearing model organism
-Tree frog hearing
Expected qualities in a summer research student?
-Motivation and willingness to learn.
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JOAO MORAES, DVM, PhD
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Assistant Professor
Email: moraesjgn@okstate.edu
Phone: (405) 744-9266
What are your current research interest areas:
Assisted reproductive technology.
Potential research projects for a summer research student.
Establishment of protocols and conditions for culturing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from bovine blastocysts
What qualities are you looking for in a summer research student?
Enthusiasm for research, intellectual curiosity, motivation and initiative, ethical conduct, ability to work well in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research setting.
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SUNIL MORE, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Assistant Professor
Email: sunil.more@okstate.edu
Current Research Interest Areas:
-SARS-CoV-2 and Secondary bacterial pneumonia, digital pathology
Titles of potential research projects for a summer research student:
-SARS-CoV-2 infection predisposes hosts to secondary bacterial infections
Expected qualities in a summer research student
-Interest in disease pathogenesis research using cell culture and animal models.
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PETER MURIANA, PhD
Professor (Food Microbiology)
Professorship in Microbial Food Safety Department of Animal &
Food Sciences and the R.M. Kerr Food & Ag Products Center Advance Foods-Gilliland
Email: peter.muriana@okstate.edu
Current research interests:
-Probiotic bacteria for enhanced feed utilization in swine 2. Safety of South African air-dried beef (Droëwors)
-Characterization of probiotic spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus sp.) for use in food
-Identification, characterization, and application of bacteriocin-producing bacteria as food bio preservatives.
Potential research projects for a summer research student: A project in any of the 4 topics listed above, 3 of which I am PI on current USDA-NIFA grants, and another is discretionary funding via my Professorship funding.
Qualities expected in a summer research student: Dependable, hardworking, works well with others, and capable of working independently
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ARAVINDAN NATARAJAN, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Professor, Kerr Endowed Chair
Email: Natarajan.aravindan@okstate.edu
Phone: (405) 744-6292
Current research interest areas:
In our Molecular Oncology laboratory, the research focus centered on Cancer Biology (disease resistance and evolution), Molecular Signaling, Radiation Oncology, Developmental Therapeutics and Radiation Biology (non-targeted bystander/abscopal radio response, space radiation, carcinogenesis, and radiogenic cardiovascular disease). Our lab primarily studies cancer (Breast, Colon, Brain, Neuroblastoma etc.,) specific acquired genetic and molecular rearrangements those drive disease evolution, so as to develop new and effective therapeutic strategies. My special interest lies in investigating how and why some tumors keep evolving beyond intensive multimodal therapy.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
(i) Prognostic relevance of Aplin/Aplin-receptor for neuroblastoma, the extracranial solid tumor in infants; (ii) Tumor type- and cell-dependent radiation bystander response; (iii) Clonal divergence by RD3 in bladder cancer, (iv) Lineage transformation in endometrial cancer and disease resistance, (v) space radiation in hippocampal gene rearrangement etc.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Interest in learning molecular research, and not hesitating to ask questions. Innovative science comes from fresh minds.
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JANEEN SALAK-JOHNSON, PhD
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Temple Grandin Endowed Professorship in Animal Behavior and Well-being Associate Professor
Email: janeen.johnson@okstate.edu
Phone: (405) 744-8858
Current research interests:
Gut-Brain-Immune Axis
Prenatal Stress Effects on Future Progeny Immunological and Behavioral Signature
Genotype, Stress, and Dam Age on Immune Response of calves to Vaccination
Animal Health and Well-being
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
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Prenatal stress effects on immune competence of the progeny
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Dam Age (or vaccination history) influence on immune response of calves selected for high and moderate growth
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Behavioral signature of progeny born to prenatally stressed dams
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Miscellaneous projects that involve analyzing serum/plasma for cytokines and stress markers.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Hard working, self-motivated student with interest in learning how basic science can be translated into improving the health and well-being of animals.
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GIRISH PATIL BVSC & AH, MVSC, PHD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Teaching Assistant Professor, Veterinary Anatomy
Email: girish.patil@okstate.edu
Expert profileCurrent Research Interests:
Anatomy, EvolutionPotential research projects for a summer research student:
-Understanding osteology and modifications/differences in the bones of African spurred (Sulcata) tortoise and how it helps the animal in movement and survival.
Expected qualities in summer research student:
- Passionate
- Willing to work independently
- Interested in exotic animals and/anatomy -
JOY SCARIA, PhD
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology Associate Professor,
Walter R. Sitlington Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases
Email: joy.scaria@okstate.edu
Current research interests
-Developing new methods to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections
-Investigating the role of the human microbiome in improving gut health
-Understanding the impact of plant-derived bioactive compounds on the gut–brain axis
Titles of potential research projects:
-Antibiotic–microbial metabolite strategy to mitigate multidrug-resistance
-Elucidating the mechanisms of gut–brain axis modulation by flavonoid-metabolizing bacteria
-Investigating the role of mucin-adherent gut bacteria in improving gut integrity
Qualities expected in a summer research student:
An ideal student should exhibit curiosity, perseverance, strong organizational skills, and a willingness to learn. By combining a solid work ethic with effective communication and a commitment to teamwork, they should be able to make meaningful contributions to the lab and use that experience as a foundation for a successful research career.
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CIARAN SHAUGHNESSY, PhD
Department of Integrative Biology
Assistant Professor of Integrative Physiology
Email: ciaran.shaughnessy@okstate.edu
Current research interests:
We study ion channel (mainly CFTR) function and pharmacology in airway and intestinal epithelia in the context of cystic fibrosis (CF). We mechanistically investigate the basic function of CFTR and its role in regulating hydromineral balance on airway and intestinal epithelia, and we explore novel and clinically feasible pharmacological approaches to improve function of CF-causing mutant CFTR. Additionally, we perform comparative in vitro studies to understand how CFTR function evolved.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Receptor-mediated activation of CFTR
-Novel pathways of CFTR activation in the airway and intestine
-Species differences in CFTR function and pharmacology
-Functional Evolution of CFTR
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Curious about the subject, passionate about research, organized and motivated to develop independence, willing to work with others.
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NEERAJ SINGH, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
Department of Physiological Sciences
Assistant Professor
Email: Neeraj.singh@okstate.edu
Phone: 405-744-6257
Current research interests:
Neurodegenerative disease- Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, microglia, neuroinflammation, and molecular mechanism regulating neurotoxicity.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Role of the microglial genes in modulating pathology, amyloid plaque load, and memory dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease mice model.
-Identifying genes regulating neurotoxicity associated with Amyloid beta in invitro neuronal cell culture.
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
Have an interest in the field of immunology and neurodegenerative disease. Willing to learn new techniques. Comfortable in working with transgenic mice models.
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PATRICK STEPHENS, PhD
Department of Integrative Biology
Assistant Professor
Email: patrick.stephens@okstate.edu
Current research interest areas: Understanding large-scale disease dynamics, particularly the factors that drive outbreak risk and that have the potential to lead to epidemics and pandemics. In my lab, we use computational methods to build statistical models of outbreak risk factors. Current projects include exploring how eco-environmental and socioeconomic factors affect spillover and outbreak risk of Ebolavirus in sub-Saharan Africa, and exploring how armed conflicts can affect disease dynamics in general.
Titles of potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Understanding the drivers of zoonotic vs endemic tuberculosis outbreaks
-Contrasting the drivers of hemorrhagic fever outbreaks of different pathogens in Africa
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
-Strong interest in learning computational skills such as data analysis and statistical modelling with R. At least basic knowledge of introductory statistics and hypothesis testing.
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MADHAN SUBRAMANIAN, BVSc, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Physiological Sciences
Email: madhan.subramanian@okstate.edu
Current research interest areas:
Our research is to investigate the neural mechanisms of obesity and aging. To learn more about our research visit our lab page.
Expected qualities in a summer research student?
Interested in neuroscience
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KAREN WOZNIAK, PhD
Associate Professor
Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
Email: karen.wozniak@okstate.eduCurrent research interests: Innate immune responses to fungal infection by Cryptococcus neoformans, novel antifungal drug discovery for new anti-cryptococcal compounds.
Potential research projects for a summer research student:
-Mechanisms of antifungal activity of novel antifungal compounds
-Innate immune cell antifungal activity
Expected qualities in a summer research student:
I am looking for a student who is interested in learning lab techniques and learning about basic science research so they can apply this knowledge in their future career as a veterinarian.