Predoctoral Alumni
Audrey Wang
Training Period: 10/1/2023 - 9/30/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
A Low-Cost, “Physics-Based” Point-of-Care Platelet Counter for Thrombocytopenic Patients
MENTOR: Dr. Wilbur Lam
Audrey's research aimed to develop a low-cost POC device to estimate platelet count using blood clot biophysics, enabling accessible and affordable monitoring for patients with low platelet count. Audrey is currently a graduate research assistant at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dana Battle
Training Period: 9/1/2023 - 8/30/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Lipotoxic Tubular Injury in Diabetic Kidney Disease
MENTOR: Dr. Xueying Zhao
Dana's research was geared toward investigating the pathways through which Free Fatty Acids cause renal tubular atrophy, thereby advancing our understanding of Diabetic Kidney Disease.
Jennifer Okalova
Training Period: 6/15/2023 - 6/15/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Development of a Non-genotoxic Conditioning Approach for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation of Genetically Engineered Hematopoietic Stem Cells
MENTOR: Dr. Trent Spencer
Benjamin Deprez, PhD
Training Period: 1/1/2023 - 12/31/2023
RESEARCH TITLE:
Total Synthesis and Target Identification of the Antibacterial Natural Product Pestalachloride B
MENTOR: Dr. Bill Wuest
Carter Brzezinski, PhD
Training Period: 9/1/2022 - 8/30/2024
RESEARCH TITLE:
Repurposing of Approved Pharmaceuticals to Discovery Novel Antibacterial Drugs
MENTOR: Dr. Bill Wuest
Postdoctoral Alumni
Ryan Allen, PhD
Training Period: 8/1/2023 - 7/30/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Detection of Heme Storage and Trafficking Proteins and Pathways Throughout Erythropoiesis
MENTOR: Dr. Amit Reddi
Dr. Allen's research encompassed understanding how THE large amount of potentially cytotoxic heme is trafficked and stored in developing erythrocytes. Dr. Allen is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Elizabeth Iffrig, MD, PhD
Training Period: 8/1/2023 - 7/31/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Red Blood Cell Aggregation in Sepsis - Not an Innocent Bystander
MENTOR: Dr. Wilbur Lam
Dr. Iffrig's research was focused on how acute critical illnesses like sepsis in adults affect changes in red blood cell biomechanics and microcirculatory fluid dynamics to cause microvascular endothelial cell damage.
Melissa McGranahan, PhD
Training Period: 8/1/2023 - 7/30/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Impact of Comorbid Post-traumatic Stress Disorder on Sympathetic Activity in Chronic Kidney Disease
MENTOR: Dr. Jeanie Park
Dr. McGranahan's research explores PTSD's effect on SNS activity in CKD patients and aims to improve cardiovascular outcomes through sleep and exercise intervention. Dr. McGranahan is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Emory University.
Tyrome Sweet, PhD
Training Period: 8/1/2023 - 7/30/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Pilot Study for the Role of Bacteriophages in Viral Infections Among Kidney Transplant Patients
Matthew Gillen, MD
Training Period: 6/29/2023 - 6/29/2025
RESEARCH TITLE:
Post-operative Acute Kidney Injury in Surgical Neonates