The MD/PhD Program at Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
STUDENT PROFILES

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Student Profiles, Le-Z

STUDENT PROFILES, A-La

Name: Joshua Albrecht
Hometown: Toms River, NJ
Education: Harvard University (Biochemical Sciences)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Immunology (John Altman, PhD)
Research Focus: I am interested in exploring the difference between acute and chronic viral infections. Our lab uses the well-established LCMV model, as well as others, to examine this difference. Specifically, I am interested in the role of lymphocyte trafficking and how altering the "normal" trafficking response affects the control of acute and chronic infections.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy), Teaching, Atlanta Team Trivia, Poker, Movies
Name: Kathryn Anderson
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Education: Univ of Wisconsin Madison (Zoology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Epidemiology (Ruth Berkelman)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Peter (Pierre) Ankomah
Hometown: Sunyani, Ghana
Education: Franklin & Marshall College (B.A. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
I am involved with the Sickle Cell Buddy Program that enables medical students to provide mentorship to children living with sickle cell disease in the Atlanta community. I also enjoy going to concerts and playing soccer in the lovely Atlanta weather.
Name: Dominic Ansari
Hometown: Houston, TX
Education: UT Austin (Molecular Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
GT Bioengineering (Shuming Nie, PhD)
Research Focus:
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Name: Moe (Harry) Aung
Hometown: Mandalay, Myanmar
Education: Grinnell College (Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Xiao-Jiang Li)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Daniel Barron
Hometown: Sierra Madre, CA
Education: UC San Diego (BS in Psychology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

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Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: David Bass
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Education: Cornell University (Psychology, concentration in Biopsychology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Rowing, running
Name: Winn Cashion
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Education: Amherst College (Math, Chemistry, Spanish)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Epidemiology (William McClellan)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Milos Cekic
Hometown: Nis, Serbia and Austin, TX
Education: Harvard University (A.B. Anthropology); NYU (M.A. Philosophy)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Donald Stein)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Howard Chiou
Hometown: New York City, NY
Education: Stanford University (BS Human Biology; MA Anthropology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

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Name: Shana Coley
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Education: Auburn University (Microbiology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Immunology (Christian Larsen, MD, PhD)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Stephen Collins
Hometown: Nazareth, PA
Education: Penn State University (BS Biology; Minors Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Neuroscience)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Stephen Warren, PhD)
Research Focus: I am employing next-generation sequencing technologies to identify novel mutations in pediatric patients with undiagnosed mental retardation. Characterization of these mutations will create a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Intramural Sports; Ethics
Name: Christopher Corso
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Education: Georgia Tech (Computer Engineering)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
GT Bioengineering (William Hunt)
Research Focus: My dissertation research was focused on designing arrayable microelectronic biosensors based on bulk acoustic wave technology for the purpose of developing screening tests for pancreatic and prostate cancer. My current interests involve developing technologies based on piezoelectric and nanomaterials for diagnostic and drug delivery applications.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
cooking, working on cars, fixing/working on my house, watching hockey, football and soccer
Name: William (Brian) Dalton
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Education: Dartmouth College (Film Studies)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
BCDB (Vincent Yang, MD, PhD)
Research Focus: The genetic consequences of abnormal mitosis. The title of my dissertation was "DNA damage during mitotic arrest: a novel, p53-regulated source of structural chromosome instability in human cells."
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Fruit Harvest. Wild Berry Crisp. Occasional Grape Nut Flakes. The Mary. Dogs. Cancer. People, especially friendlies.
Name: Albert (Gus) Davis
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Education: Emory University (Biology and English)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Allan Levey, MD, PhD)
Research Focus: I am interested in the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, I am studying how muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes affect the processing of the Amyloid Precursor Protein.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Running, Cycling, Backpacking.
Name: James (Muse) Davis
Hometown: Starkville, MS
Education: Mississippi State University (Architecture)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Immunology (Rafi Ahmed, PhD)
Research Focus: I have focused on the early pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB), especially early granuloma formation. I established the zebrafish embryo infected with Mycobacterium marinum and used this model to demonstrate the role the early granuloma has in the expansion and dissemination of mycobacteria.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
I enjoy playing music, specifically guitar, and have been active in Apollo Kaufee Haus here at EUSM. I race bicycles (poorly) on the track, road, and in cyclocross. I also build and otherwise tinker with bikes. I spend other spare time reading, motorcycling, and sometimes drawing or painting.

Name: Lindsey Fischer
Hometown: ---
Education: Emory University (Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Jonathan Glass)
Research Focus: My dissertation research is on oxidative stress-mediated axon degeneration. I am studying the normal role of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in motor axons, and am interested in how this function may be altered in the setting of motor neuron disease.  
Hobbies, Other Interests:

Website: http://www.neurology.emory.edu/ALS/

Name: Brandon Fornwalt
Hometown: Hilton Head, SC
Education: University of South Carolina (Math and Marine Science)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
BME (John Oshinski)
Research Focus: My thesis focused on developing new methods to quantify the synchrony of contraction and relaxation in the heart in order to better identify patients who need resynchronization therapy with a pacemaker. We used both echocardiography and MRI to develop new techniques for diagnosing dyssynchrony and tested these techniques in both adult and pediatric patients.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Eating (free food preferable, but Mexican if I have to pay), Blues Harmonica, Basketball, Hanging out with my 2 dogs and my wife Fiona
Name: Chris Funderburk
Hometown: Tallassee, AL
Education: University of Alabama (Biology & Chemistry; M.A, Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Kerry Ressler, MD, PhD)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:

Name: Duke Geem
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Education: Boston University (Neuroscience)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
I have been bboying (A.K.A break-dancing) for the past nine years in my spare time. I also enjoy boxing and weight-lifting.
Website: Short compilation of me bboying -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EymTjK06hZg

Name: Yair Gozal
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Education: Case Western Reserve Univ (Biology; Chemistry; History)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Neuroscience (Allan Levey, MD, PhD)
Research Focus: I am primarily interested in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, I am using proteomic and biochemical approaches to study frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a common cause of dementia in the US.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Taymour Hammoudi
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Education: North Carolina State Univ (B.S. Biomedical Engineering)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
BME (Johnna Temenoff)
Research Focus: I am interested in improvement of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for tendon and ligament tissue repair and regeneration. My work focuses on designing and implementing a novel, 3D coculture environment for discerning mechanical and biomolecular interactions between multiple cell types.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
I enjoy playing with the local Atlanta Ultimate Frisbee league along with hiking, camping, and rafting in the neighboring Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Name: Constance Harrell
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Education: Pomona College (B.A. in International Relations); Agnes Scott College (Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Running, instructing for Operation Boot Camp, playing with my pets, crossword puzzles, reading, riding on my motorcycle, hiking, traveling, drinking coffee, wine, and bourbon

Name: Steven Harris
Hometown: Eugene, OR
Education: Vanderbilt University (Biomedical Engineering)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
BME (Xiaoping Hu)
Research Focus: I am interested in generating and detecting molecular imaging contrast via MRI. Our lab has identified a gene that leads to the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles when expressed in transfected cells, which can be detected using MRI. Additionally, I am developing new MRI methods to detect these particles.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Camping, travel, etc.
Website: http://www.bitc.bme.emory.edu
Name: Christopher Hermann
Hometown: Old Greenwich, CT
Education: Georgia Tech (Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in biomechanics)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
GT Bioengineering (Barbara Boyan)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Christopher Hwang
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Education: Dartmouth College (B.A. in Mathematics)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
BCDB ( Mike Iuvone, PhD)
Research Focus: My research revolves around finding therapeutic targets to control oxidative stress in the retinal pigment epithelium and ultimately to help prevent/slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
I try to use my "free time" to serve at my church with my significant other, but when the time allows, I enjoy watching broadway shows and playing golf. :)
Name: Jeenah Jung
Hometown: Glenview, IL
Education: Wellesley College (Chemistry)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

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Name: George Kannarkat
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Education: Baylor University (BA International Studies and Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
TENNIS, dancing, learning languages
Name: Orion Keifer
Hometown:
Education:
Graduate Program/Advisor:

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Name: Anna Kersh
Hometown:
Education:
Graduate Program/Advisor:

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Name: Abhisake Kole
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Education: George Washington University (BS in Statistics and Economics)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
NIH GPP (Brian Kelsall, MD)
Research Focus: Exploring immunoregulatory properties of Type I Interferons in the intestine
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Traveling, Playing with my Blockbuster queue, Finding new restaurants
Name: Keli Kolegraff
Hometown: Milford, IA
Education: Johns Hopkins University (Chemistry; Hispanic Studies/Spanish)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Immunology (Asma Nusrat, MD)
Research Focus: I am investigating the functions of the desmosomal cadherins (desmocollin-2 and desmoglein-2) in the intestinal epithelium. During chronic inflammation, cytokine-induced changes in the expression of these proteins may contribute to breakdown of the intestinal barrier and thereby increase exposure to luminal microbes and antigens.
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Traveling, Movies, Exploring Atlanta
Name: Scott Krummey
Hometown:
Education:
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
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Name: Cullen LaClair
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
Education: Emory University (Biology, Chemistry)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Immunology (Rafi Ahmed, PhD)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Jason Lamanna
Hometown: Winter Park, FL
Education: University of Florida (B.S. in Biochemistry)
Graduate Program/Advisor:

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Name: David Lamar
Hometown: Pensacola, FL
Education: Davidson College (Biology)
Graduate Program/Advisor:
Immunology (Jorg Goronzy)
Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Name: Nealen Laxpati
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Education: Univ of Southern California (Biomedical Engineering; minor in Religion )
Graduate Program/Advisor:

Research Focus:
Hobbies, Other Interests:
Aside from enjoying the occasional long walk on the beach, I spend a lot of time poolside dazzling the ladies with my bronze hue and winning smile. I also coach a water polo team at Emory, work on the MD/PhD student association and as a social chair for my med school class, and engage in unproductive, yet surprisingly satisfying witty banter.

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Last updated Sept2009