
Dr. Thomas Kukar
Associate Professor and Principal Investigator
Dr. Kukar has a B.S. in Microbiology/Cell Science and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, both from the University of Florida. His post-doctoral fellowship was at Mayo Clinic in the Laboratory of Todd Golde, M.D., Ph.D., department of Neuroscience. He later served as an Associate Consultant and Assistant Professor of Molecular Neuroscience in the College of Medicine at Mayo Clinic.
Honors & Awards
Graduated with Highest Honors - University of Florida, 1999
Alumni Graduate Fellow - University of Florida, 1999 - 2003
Smith Fellowship in Neurological Disease Research, 2003
Alzheimer's Research Fellow - American Health Assistance Foundation, 2007 - 2009
Junior Faculty Award - 9th AD/PD Conference, 2009“One in One Hundred Mentor Award” for outstanding postdoctoral fellowship mentoring, Emory University, SOM, Seventh Annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium. 2014Finalist for Paul G. Allen Family Foundation ADI Alzheimer's Research, 2015.

Paola Merino, PhD
Scientist, Asc
I graduated with a degree in biochemistry from the University of Concepcion, Chile, and later I got my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, where I studied how post-translational modification can modulate the function of transcriptional factors during osteoblastic differentiation. During my postdoctoral work, I studied the role of urokinase in neuronal repair after an ischemic injury of the brain. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, trying new food, and visiting new places.
Current research: I am studying the mechanism of granulins folding and trafficking to the lysosome. I have been focusing on determining if the intervening peptide linkers between each GRN domain play an essential role in individual granulin folding and structural stability.

Jess Root
Graduate Student
I graduated with a B.S. in Neurobiology from Emory University and continued on to the National Institutes of Health where I completed a post baccalaureate fellowship identifying novel genes associated with stuttering. As a member of the Kukar lab I am interested in understanding lysosomal dysfunction underlying neurodegenerative disorders particularly, the role of granulins and progranulin in the lysosome. I use in vivo AAV transduction, protein purification, and molecular biological techniques to investigate these exciting questions. I am passionate about advocating for the needs of students and currently serve the Graduates in Neuroscience student association as Co-President and Recruitment coordinator. Outside of lab I enjoy trying new recipes, backpacking, and checking out live music around Atlanta.

Georgia Taylor
Research Technician
I am originally from Brazil and graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the Federal University of Bahia, where I did work in Neurophysiology, Immunology & Molecular Biology, Ecology and Philosophy of Science. In the US since 2001, I have worked in Cognitive Neurobiology and Movement Disorders. In the Kukar Lab since 2012, I have been on an incredible journey of deepening my love for bench work, for learning and exposure to new techniques and ideas, in a harmonious and dynamic environment. I am passionate about nature and the mysteries of cell homeostasis, which facilitates a happy commitment to any research I engage with! 😉 I am also passionate about inclusive leadership, sustainability and compassionate living, and their application in the improvement of our quality of life inside and outside the scientific workplace. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, swimming, reading, listening to music, meditating, and watching costume dramas.

Minzheng Wang, MD
Research Specialist, Lead
Minzheng Wang is a research specialist who has been working at Emory since 2003. She obtained her medical degree from Henan Medical University and worked as a doctor in Zhengzhou, China before immigrating to the United States. She enjoys working with the Kukar Lab and its wonderful people. In her free time, she enjoys doing Taichi and singing.