{"id":2312,"date":"2022-03-25T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/graduate-program\/alumni-1\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:10:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:10:06","slug":"alumni","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/people\/alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

Recent Graduates, Department of Pharmacology<\/h2>\n

Marissa Bivins, PhD\"Marissa<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/12\/2025
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cElucidating the balance between transpeptidase activity and antibiotic resistance in mutant forms of penicillin-binding protein 2 from Neisseria gonorrhoeae\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Michigan<\/p>\n

\n

Gabriella Gentile, PhD\"Gabi<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/29\/2025
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cImpact of the L421P Mutation in Penicillin-Binding Protein 1 on Fitness and Antibiotic Resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Madison Jenner, PhD\"Madison<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/12\/2025
\nAdvisor: Jen Jen Yeh
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cKinase inhibitor therapies for pancreatic cancer\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Jacob Pantazis, PhD\"Jacob<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 08\/14\/2025
\nAdvisor: Daniel Dominguez
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterizing RNA G-quadruplex Recognition by Disordered Domains of RNA-Binding Proteins\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Duke University<\/p>\n

\n

Justin Ashby, MS\"Justin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 07\/29\/2025
\nAdvisor: Mike Emanuele
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterizing JAKi and RIPK2 in CAF crosstalk with PDAC cells\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Bryan Guzm\u00e1n, PhD\"Bryan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 07\/03\/2025
\nAdvisor: Daniel Dominguez
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterizing RNA G-quadruplex Recognition by Disordered Domains of RNA-Binding Proteins\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Eve Bio<\/p>\n

\n

Zhiyuan “Zoey” Yao, PhD\"\"<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/25\/2025
\nAdvisor: Brian Kuhlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cComputational Design and High-Throughput Screening for Immunotherapy Protein Binder Development\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Merck, Boston<\/p>\n

\n

Lindsey Hernandez, MS\"Lindsey<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/16\/2025
\nAdvisor: Jesse Raab
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Interaction Between the BAF and Integrator Complexes\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Coral Del Mar Alicea Pauneto, PhD\"\"<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/09\/2025
\nAdvisor: Jessica Thaxton
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDefining the Impact of CD8+ T Cell-Intrinsic Persistent ATF4 Signaling on Metabolic Dysregulation and Immunotherapy Response in the Tumor Microenvironment\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Adam Graves, PhD\"\"<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/05\/2025
\nAdvisor: Albert Baldwin
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cERK Regulates IKK Epsilon Expression and Oncogenic Functions of Pancreatic Cancer\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Kaeli Welsh, PhD\"Kaeli<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 02\/03\/2025
\nAdvisor: Nicholas G. Brown
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulating the Anaphase-Promoting Complex\/Cyclosome (APC\/C): Intrinsic Mechanisms and Cell Cycle Inhibitors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Elise Edgar, MS\"Elise<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 01\/2025
\nAdvisors: Juan Song
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Role of Mossy Cells Within the Dentate Gyrus Connectome and in Behavioral Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Research Technician II, Duke University<\/p>\n

\n

Jonathan DeLiberty, PhD\"Jonathan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/12\/24
\nAdvisors: Kristen Bryant and Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cTherapeutic Targeting of RAS-Driven Metabolic Dependencies by PIKfyve Inhibition<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute<\/p>\n

\n

Mariah Stewart, PhD\"Mariah<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/07\/24
\nAdvisor: Jonathan Schisler
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cPhosphorylation-Dependent Interactions of Heat Shock Proteins and Co-Chaperones: Structural Insights and Implications for Cancer Cell Proliferation<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Scientific Consultant, Paint Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Kaitlan Smith, PhD\"Kaitlan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/01\/24
\nAdvisor: Jonathan Schisler
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cGenetic and Pharmacological Inhibitors of Necroptosis in STUB-1 Dependent Ataxias<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Campbell University<\/p>\n

\n

Aditi Kothari, PhD\"Aditi<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/25\/24
\nAdvisor: Natalia Isaeva
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cHPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer: Etiology and Determinants of Radiation Sensitivity<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Otolaryngology, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

David Lee, PhD\"David<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/20\/24
\nAdvisor: Greg Scherrer
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cHarnessing Neuron Type-Specific GPCR Targets and Tools for Precious Analgesia<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Samantha Rueckeis, MS\"Samantha<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 08\/06\/24
\nAdvisor: Kathleen Caron
\nTitle of MS Thesis: \u201cIlluminating RAMP allosteric regulation of CLR endosomal signaling”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Madigan Bedard, PhD\"Madigan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 07\/19\/24
\nAdvisor: Zoe McElligott
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSex-Specific Responses to Withdrawal in Mouse Models of Opioid Use<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Gray Gereau, PhD\"Gray<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/17\/24
\nAdvisor: Zoe McElligott
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cManipulations of the Neurotensin System Modulate Alcohol Consumption<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Washington University in St. Louis<\/p>\n

\n

Sarah Cooper Patterson, PhD\"Sarah<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/31\/24
\nAdvisor: Adam Palmer
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cUnderstand and Optimizing Chemotherapy Combinations<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Patent Examiner, United States Patent and Trademarks Office.<\/p>\n

\n

Ryan Sheehy, PhD\"Ryan<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/15\/24
\nAdvisor: Juan Song
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cInterrogating the Role of G9a in the Brain During Health, Aging, and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Principal Scientist at TransChromix<\/p>\n

\n

Claire Gates, MS\"Claire<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/10\/24
\nAdvisors: Kirsten Bryant and Stephen Hursting
\nTitle of MS Thesis: \u201cThe incretin mimetic drug tirzepatide attenuates mammary tumor growth independently of insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: UNC Healthcare<\/p>\n

\n

Tim Daugird, PhD\"Tim<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/09\/24
\nAdvisor: Wesley Legant
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCorrelative single molecule lattice light sheet imaging reveals the dynamic relationship between nucleosomes and the local chromatin environment\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Eden Y. Zewdie, PhD\"\"<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 04\/12\/24
\nAdvisor: Shelley Earp
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMerTK Induces Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells by Metabolic Reprogramming\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Clinical Protocol Development Associate, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Yi Xu, PhD\"Yi<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 04\/08\/24
\nAdvisor: Jen Jen Yeh
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDefining the Kinome Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Gavin Schmitz, PhD\"Gavin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 02\/02\/24
\nAdvisor: Melissa Herman and Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIdentifying the Neurological Mechanisms Underlying Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelic Compounds<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Returned to UNC-Medical School to complete MD (enrolled in MD\/PHD program)<\/p>\n

\n

Andrew Truong, PhD\"\"<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/23\/23
\nAdvisor: William Kim
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Roles of APOBEC3 Enzymes in Urothelial Carcinoma<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Research Scientist, Ribometrixs<\/p>\n

\n

Ana Cartaya, PhD\"Ana<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/07\/23
\nAdvisor: Edward Bahnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cAntioxidant Response Activating nanoparticles (ARAPas<\/span>): Treating Arterial Disease in 3D<\/em>\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Microscopy Specialist, Duke University<\/p>\n

\n

Devin Effinger, PhD\"Devin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/07\/23
\nAdvisor: Melissa Herman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSex-Specific Effects of Psychedelic Drug Administration on Stress-Related Brain Region Reactivity and Threat Responding\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Colorado<\/p>\n

\n

Marguerite “Bree” Little, PhD\"Marguerite<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/17\/23
\nAdvisor: Alex Duncan
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDetermination of cross-species immune responses from outer membrane vesicle-based meningococcal vaccines to Neisseria gonorrhoeaee\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Amanda Graboski, PhD\"Amanda<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/21\/23
\nAdvisor: Matthew Redinbo
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterization and Inhibition of Gut Microbial Tryptophanase and its Implications in Chronic Kidney Disease\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist, Scorpion Therapeutics, Protein & Structural Sciences division, Boston<\/p>\n

\n

Natalia Vazquez, PhD\"Natalia<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 08\/31\/23
\nAdvisor: Daniel Dominguez
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cExploring Protein Folding Patterns: Characterization and Functional Insights of Zinc Finger Domain Containing Protein ZC4H2\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:<\/p>\n

\n

Peyton Sandroni, PhD\"Peyton<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/26\/23
\nAdvisor: Brian Jensen
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Alpha-1A Adrenergic Receptor Regulates Oxidative Metabolism in the Mouse Heart\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Clinical Research Methodology Fellow, Scientific Solutions Team, at Worldwide Clinical Trials, doing drug development consulting and clinical trial design.<\/p>\n

\n

Selin Altinock, PhD\"Selin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/06\/23
\nAdvisor: Jonathan Schisler
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDomain-Specific Changes in CHIP Function Explain Distinct Clinical Features in SCA48 Patients\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Analyst, IndieBio NY<\/p>\n

\n

Alexandra \u201cSasha\u201d Goriounova, PhD\"Dr.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/10\/23
\nAdvisor: Robert Tarran
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cELD607 is a novel, specific Orai1 inhibitor\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Early Development Clinical Pharmacology Fellow, Priovant Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Jeffrey DiBerto, PhD\"Jeffrey<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 01\/19\/23
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDiscovery Campaigns for Pharmacologically Unique Agonists at the Mu-Opioid and 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A Receptors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Co-Founder & Director of Assay Development, EvE Bio (a Convergent Research subsidiary)<\/p>\n

\n

Jane Lee, PhD\"Jane<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/16\/22
\nAdvisor: Channing Der and Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cInhibiting KRAS and the DNA damage response in pancreatic cancer\u201d
\n<\/em>Current Position: Life Scientist Specialist, LEK Consulting
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Danielle Chappell, PhD\"Danielle<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/30\/22
\nAdvisor: Blossom Damania
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cKSHV Viral Protein Kinase (vPK) Interacts with USP9X to Modulate the Viral Lifecycle\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Medical Writer, Thermo Fisher Scientific<\/p>\n

\n

Emily Fennell, PhD\"Emily<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/22\/22
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cProfiling the Multi-omic Response to Mitochondrial Protease ClpP Activation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Salk Institute, San Diego<\/p>\n

\n

Megan Hinkle, MS\"Megan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/23\/22
\nAdvisor: Michael Emanuele
\nTitle of MS Thesis: “Investigation and characterization of novel APC\/CCdh1 substrates”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Information Specialist, Emmes, RTP<\/p>\n

\n

Lucas Aponte-Collazo, Ph.D. \"Lucas<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 07\/27\/22
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Exploring the role of mitochondrial protease ClpP in apoptosis regulation of triple negative breast cancer cells.”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Graduate Student Success Manager, Office of Graduate Studies, Scripps Research<\/p>\n

\n

Matthew Cummins, Ph.D. \"Matthew<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/06\/22
\nAdvisors: John Sondek and Brian Kuhlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Design of hyper-stable proteins completely from scratch that efficaciously inhibit oncogenic G proteins”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher with the deMello Group at ETH Zurich<\/p>\n

\n

Blaide Woodburn, Ph.D. \"Blaide<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/18\/22
\nAdvisor: Ron Swanstrom
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterizing HIV-1 Infection of the Central Nervous System\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Manager, Portfolio Strategy and Competitive Intelligence, nChroma Bio<\/p>\n

\n

Elizaveta Wick, Ph.D.\"Elizaveta<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 05\/10\/22
\nAdvisor: Nicholas G. Brown
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cViral Hijacking of Ubiquitin Ligases: Lessons from Human Cytomegalovirus pUL145\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Pharmacology Curriculum Lead, HMX, Harvard Medical School<\/p>\n

\n

Chitra Saran, Ph.D.\"Dr.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 04\/19\/22
\nAdvisor: Kim Brouwer
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cBile Acid Transporters and Hepatotoxicity: Novel Mechanisms and in Vitro Models\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Scientist, Merck<\/p>\n

\n

Ernesto Le\u00f3n, Ph.D.\"Ernesto<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 04\/04\/22
\nAdvisor: Barbara Savoldo
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Enhancing the function and delivery of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells: Implications for treatment of solid tumors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Manager in the Advertising and Promotions Regulatory Affairs group, Kite Pharma, Santa Monica CA<\/p>\n

\n

Natalie Hewitt, Ph.D.\"Natalie<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 03\/31\/22
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cModulation of Active State Dynamics by Catalytic Glutamine Mutations in Large G proteins”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Advisor Receptor Pharmacology, Eli Lilly and Company<\/p>\n

\n

Taylor Enrico, Ph.D.\"Taylor<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 03\/04\/22
\nAdvisor: Michael Emanuele
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cControl of Proliferation by the Ubiquitin Proteasome System”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Project Leader, Boston Consulting Group<\/p>\n

\n

Kevin Knight, Ph.D.\"Kevin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/03\/21
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Structural mechanisms of G protein activation and suppression”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Martemyanov Lab, Neuroscience, UF Scripps<\/p>\n

\n

Angela Lovett, Ph.D.\"Angela<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/02\/21
\nAdvisor: Alex Duncan
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Analysis Of The Cervicovaginal Microbiome In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infections And Its Contribution To Disease Presentation”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Center for Disease Control and Science Tutor<\/p>\n

\n

Ryan Mary Murphy, Ph.D.\"Ryan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/29\/21
\nAdvisor: Antonio Amelio
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cBiomarkers in Squamous Cell Carcinoma\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Clinical Trial Management Associate at Kite Pharma, Santa Monica<\/p>\n

\n

Juanita Limas, Ph.D.\"Juanita<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/20\/21
\nAdvisors Jean Cook
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cQuantitative profiling of adaptation to cyclin E overproduction\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Advisor, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis<\/p>\n

\n

Connor Wander, Ph.D.\"Connor<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/29\/21
\nAdvisors: Juan Song and Todd Cohen
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cPotential Mechanisms of Hippocampal Resilience to Alzheimer\u2019s disease Pathophysiology\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientific Consultant, Grant Writing Specialist, Eva Garland Consulting<\/p>\n

\n

Megan Agazanian, Ph.D.\"Megan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 02\/16\/21
\nAdvisor: Ben Major
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Kinase regulation of WNT signaling\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Developmental Biology, Stanford University<\/p>\n

\n

Waylin Yu, Ph.D.\"Waylin<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/03\/2020
\nAdvisor: Thomas Kash
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSex-specific regulation of pain: A novel role for dopamine and corticotropin releasing factor signaling in the midbrain and extended amygdala\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Lead Application Scientist, Inscopix, Inc.<\/p>\n

\n

Raquel Martinez Chacin, Ph.D.\"Raquel<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 07\/02\/2020
\nAdvisor: Nicholas Brown
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe chain elongating E2 UBE2S activates the RING E3 ligase APC\/C for substrate priming\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Specialist III, Kyowa Kirin Inc.<\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Sprague, Ph.D.\"Daniel<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/17\/2020
\nAdvisor: Mauro Calabrese
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Identification of functional domains in non-coding RNA”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Computational Scientist, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard<\/p>\n

\n

Jennifer Kernan Franks, Ph.D.\"Jennifer<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 03\/09\/2020
\nAdvisor: Mike Emanuele
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterizing the role of APC\/CCdh1 ubiquitylation to regulate UHRF1 during cell cycle progression.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist II, Atsena Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Ian McDonald, Ph.D.\"Ian<\/a><\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 03\/05\/2020
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cExploring the Controversial Role of MELK in Cancer.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Business Excellence Portfolio Strategy, Abbvie<\/p>\n

\n

Tigist Tamir, Ph.D.\"\"<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/25\/2019
\nAdvisor: Ben Major
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Identification and characterization of kinase regulators in KEAP1\/NPF2 signaling.”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, UNC Chapel Hill<\/p>\n

\n

Irem Dagliyan, Ph.D.\"Irem<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/27\/2019
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Low dose vertical inhibition of ERK MAPK cascade for the treatment of KRAS-mutant cancer.”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist II, Takeda Pharmaceuticals<\/p>\n

\n

Reid Olsen, Ph.D.\"Reid<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/7\/2019
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: “Development of next-generation G protein biosensors for deconvoluting the complexity of GPCR signaling”<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Director of Strategic Drug Discovery Initiatives, Recursion<\/p>\n

\n

Samuel Eaton, Ph.D.\"Samuel<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/1\/2019
\nAdvisor: Monte Willis
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cUnderstanding the Pathobiology of Mutant Bag3: Proteotoxicity, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Implications for the Treatment of Rare Bag3-related<\/em> Cardiomyopathies.\u201d
\nCurrent Position: Director, Medical Insights & Strategy, US Oncology, GSK<\/p>\n

\n

Alex Chung, Ph.D.\"Alex<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/21\/2019
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCIB1: A promising target in triple-negative breast cancer.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Director, Translational Medicine, HiFiBio Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Devon Blake, Ph.D.\"Devon<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 2\/26\/2019
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDevelopment and application of a MYC degradation screen in KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Scientist, Forge Biologics<\/p>\n

\n

Matthew Lipner, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 2\/18\/2019
\nAdvisor: Jen Jen Yeh
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIrreversible JNK1-JUN inhibition by JNK-IN-8 sensitizes pancreatic cancer to\u00a05-FU\/FOLFOX chemotherapy.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Dermatologist, Optimia Dermatology<\/p>\n

\n

Evan DuBose, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 1\/11\/2019
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDetermining the consequence of PTEN loss in BRAF-mutant melanoma treated with Dabrafenib and Trametinib.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Clinical Research Scientist at Impact Pharmaceuticals in Research Triangle Park, NC.<\/p>\n

\n

Dan Goulet, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/16\/2018
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDiscrete Adaptive Responses to Mek Inhibitor in Subpopulations of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.\u201d\u00a0<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Scientist, Vor Bio<\/p>\n

\n

Samantha Miller Bevill, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/15\/2018
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDefining Transcriptional Mechanisms of Adaptive Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoc in Bradley Bernstein lab at Massachusetts General Hospital<\/p>\n

\n

Orrin Stone, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/24\/2018
\nAdvisor: Klaus Hahn
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cNew Approaches for Control and Visualization of Protein Conformation in Live Cells.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Executive Director, Business Development and Strategy, Apogee Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Denis Okumu, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/10\/2018
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cLyn regulates drug resistance mechanisms in chronic myelogenous leukemia\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at UNC-CH<\/p>\n

\n

Allie Mills, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 1\/11\/2018
\nAdvisor: Michael Emanuele
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterizing the roles of SCF(Cyclin F), and its substrates, in cell cycle progression\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Medical Writer, Ashfield MedComms, an Inizio Company<\/p>\n

\n

Marissa (Cann) Berry, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 9\/22\/2017
\nAdvisor: David Lawrence
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIdentifying Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Regulatory Strategy, Hyloris Pharmaceuticals<\/p>\n

\n

Katherine Lansu, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/21\/2017
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cLigand discovery and functional characterization of MRGPRX family orphan GPCRs\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Executive Director, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, IN<\/p>\n

\n

Derek Franklin, Ph.D.\"Derek<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/13\/2017
\nAdvisor: Yanping Zhang
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMicroglial depletion alters the brain neuroimmune response to acute binge ethanol withdrawal.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Director – Medical Science Liason, Oncology, Eli Lilly and Compnay<\/p>\n

\n

T. Jordan Walter, Ph.D.\"T.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/13\/2017
\nAdvisor: Fulton Crews
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMicroglial depletion alters the brain neuroimmune response to acute binge ethanol withdrawal.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Georgetown University<\/p>\n

\n

James Shellhammer, Ph.D.\"James<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/27\/2017
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCoordination of G Protein and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways by 2-Hydroxy Branched-Chain Amino Acid Second Messengers during Osmotic Stress.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Patent Examiner, United States Patent and Trademarks Office.<\/p>\n

\n

John Peyton Bohnsack, Ph.D.\"Peyton<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/23\/2017
\nAdvisor: Leslie Morrow
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cEpigenetic control of GABAA-R expression by ethanol.<\/i>\u201d <\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Biotechnology Equity Research Associate at Cowen and Company, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n

\n

Meagan Ryan, Ph.D.\"Meagan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/26\/2016
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cTargeting the ERK MAPK Pathway in RAS-driven cancers.<\/em><\/i>\u201d <\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Scientist, Biology, Nested Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Nicole Baker, Ph.D.\"Nicole<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/20\/2016
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cEvaluating the therapeutic potential of the P<\/i>AK1 AND TBK1 Kinases in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.\u201d <\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Director – Global Regulatory Lead, Liquida Corporation<\/p>\n

\n

Brian Constance M.S.\"Brian<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/25\/2016
\nAdvisor: Todd Cohen
\nTitle of MS Thesis: \u201cThe Role of Tau in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease: Effects of LYS-280 and LYS-281 Acetylation on Tau Functions and Structure.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Project Manager, PPD<\/p>\n

\n

Zachary Schools M.S.\"Zachary<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/13\/2016
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of MS Thesis: \u201cEngineering and Biophysical analysis of alpha adrenergic receptor crystallography constructs\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: QA Area Specialist II,Novo Nordisk<\/p>\n

\n

Tasha Nalywajko Blatt, Ph.D.\"Tasha<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 06\/07\/2016
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRole of the P2Y1 receptor in platelet aggregation\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Academic Editor for Research Square, Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Ejiofor Ezekwe, Ph.D.\"Ejiofor<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 04\/28\/2016
\nAdvisor: Alex Duncan
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCellular mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus \u03b1-hemolysin-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/p>\n

\n

Bingying Zhou, Ph.D.\"Bingying<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 04\/07\/2016
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRas signaling and therapeutic resistance in melanoma\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China<\/p>\n

\n

Patrick Taus, Ph.D.\"Patrick<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 02\/09\/2016
\nAdvisor: Angelique Whitehurst
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cFATE1: Contributor to Tumor Cell Fitness and Example of an Oncogene-activated Cancer Testis Antigen.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Resident Physician, UNC Health Care<\/p>\n

\n

Jason Melehani, Ph.D.\"Jason<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 02\/03\/2016
\nAdvisor: Joseph Alex Duncan
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMechanisms and consequences of Staphylococcus aureus Leukocidin AB-mediated activation of the host NLRP3 inflammasome\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Medical Director, Eli Lilly and Company<\/p>\n

\n

Carrie (Wolffe) Rubel, Ph.D.\"Carrie<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/19\/2015
\nAdvisors: Jonathan Schisler and Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cUbiquitin Proteasome System Dysfunction as a Driver of Disease: CHIP Mutation in Spinocerebellar Ataxia\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Scientific Director, Biomarkers, Biogen<\/p>\n

\n

Francesca Bargiacci, Ph.D.\"Francesca<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/06\/2015
\nAdvisor: Shelley Earp
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSpecific Combinations of Transcription Factors Induce Transdifferentiation to a Mammary Luminal Epithelial Cell Phenotype.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Global Head Medical Strategy – Solid Tumors, Menarini Stemline<\/p>\n

\n

Leanna Gentry, Ph.D.\"Leanna<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 09\/03\/2015
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cTargeting the Ras-Ral effector pathway for cancer treatment\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Regulatory Affairs Director, Amgen<\/p>\n

\n

Kimberly Maxfield, Ph.D.\"Kim<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 07\/20\/2015
\nAdvisor: Angelique Whitehurst
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cGenetic Dissection of Therapeutic Intervention Targets in Triple Negative Breast Cancer\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Head of US Regulatory Affairs, Biocon Biologics<\/p>\n

\n

Jayme Warischalk, Ph.D.\"Jayme<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 03\/18\/2015
\nAdvisor: R. Jude Samulski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cUncovering structural components of the adeno-associated viral capsid that can be modified to enhance clinical gene therapy applications\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Scientific Scientific Director at BOLDSCIENCE<\/p>\n

\n

Meagan Eldridge, M.S.\"Meagan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/17\/2014
\nAdvisor: Jen Jen Yeh
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cIdentifying biomarkers of response to modified FOLFIRINOX regimens using patient derived xenograft mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position: President, Eldridge Writing & Consulting LLC<\/p>\n

\n

Ernesto Perez-Chanona, Ph.D.\"Ernesto<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 9\/18\/2014
\nAdvisor: Christian Jobin
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMicrobial signaling in intestinal ischemia\/reperfusion injury response.\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position: CEO, American Business Development<\/p>\n

\n

Kayla Knilans, Ph.D.\"Kayla<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/7\/2014
\nAdvisor: Alex Duncan
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe role of lytic transglycosylases LtgA and LtgD in innate immune recognition and pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientific Policy Advisor at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services<\/p>\n

\n

Sarah (Nicolson) Jims, Ph.D.\"Sarah<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/7\/2014
\nAdvisor: Jude Samalski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cUnderstanding mechanisms of Adeno-associated virus vector transduction through pharmacological and biological approaches\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Engagement Manager, Triangle Insights Group<\/p>\n

\n

Jeran Stratford, Ph.D.\"Jeran<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/3\/2014
\nAdvisors: Jen Jen Yeh and Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cAberrant gene expression: diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Bioinformatics Data Analyst at RTI International, Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Doug Ornoff, Ph.D.\"Doug<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/19\/2014
\nAdvisor: Nancy Allbritton
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDevelopment of a cellular analysis platform featuring arrays of patterned microwells fabricated atop permeable supports\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Attending Physician at Midtown Inpatient Medicine, LLC (MiM)<\/p>\n

\n

Kate White, Ph.D.\"Kate<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/7\/2014
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIdentification of biased kappa opioid receptor ligands for in vivo probing of specific signal transduction pathways?\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Research Assistant Professor, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA<\/p>\n

\n

Justin English, Ph.D.\"Justin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/1\/2014
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cStress on a Deadline: Setting a Timer for Adaptation in Living Cells\u201d <\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Assistant Professor, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT<\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Dominguez, Ph.D.\"Daniel<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/14\/2014
\nAdvisor: Zefeng Wang
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cTranscriptome Dynamics During the Mammalian Cell Cycle.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, UNC Department of Pharmacology<\/p>\n

\n

Bryan Richardson, Ph.D.\"Bryan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/15\/2013
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDefining the Molecular Mechanisms of the Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Proteins\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Patent Agent, Precision BioSciences, Inc, Raleigh-Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Lauren Parker Huff, Ph.D.\"Lauren<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/15\/2013
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cImpact of subcellular localization on oncogenic functions of the RhoGEF Ect2 and on its Rho GTPase targets\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Emory University, Atlanta GA<\/p>\n

\n

Rebecca Sinnott, Ph.D.\"Rebecca<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/4\/2013
\nAdvisor: Angelique Whitehurst
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMechanisms that promote liberation of mitotic stress-induced death\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, SUNY-Albany, New York<\/p>\n

\n

Pei-Hsuan Chu, Ph.D.\"Pei-Hsuan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/24\/13
\nAdvisor: Klaus Hahn
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDissecting the role of kinase isoforms using new tools for activation and inactivation of kinases <\/em>in vivo<\/i>\u201c<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist, Stem Cell Translational Laboratory at National Center for Advancing Translation Sciences (NCATS), Rockville MD<\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Urban, Ph.D.\"Siderovski<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/21\/13
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation:\u201cPharmacosynthetic Modulation of Serotonin Networks.\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Pharmacology \/ Toxicology Reviewer at FDA, Washington DC<\/p>\n

\n

Marty Whittle, Ph.D.\"Johnson<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/12\/13
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cTargeting the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Kinome with Chemical Proteomics\u201d <\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Research Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA<\/p>\n

\n

Ross Dubose, Ph.D.\"Ross<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/29\/13
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cP2Y Receptor Trafficking in Polarized Epithelial Cells\u201d <\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Scientific Manuscript Submission Scanner at American Journal Experts, Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Chris Dibble, Ph.D.\"Chris<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/5\/13
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDefining the Cerebral Cavernous Malformation signaling network in endothelial cells\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Neurosurgery, Washington University<\/p>\n

\n

Ryan Phillips, Ph.D.\"short<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/30\/13
\nAdvisor: Nancy Allbritton
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDevelopment of a Novel Assay of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Activity in Single Cells Using Capillary Electrophoresis\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Resident Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine<\/p>\n

\n

Dustin Bosch, Ph.D.\"Dustin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/21\/13
\nAdvisor: David Siderovski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cElucidating G protein signaling in Entamoeba histolytica\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Pathology Senior Fellow University Of Washington<\/p>\n

\n

Tim Martin, Ph.D.\"Tim<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/19\/13
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe role and regulation of Ral GTPases in oncogenesis\u201c<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Medicine, Brigham and Woman\u2019s Hospital\/Harvard<\/p>\n

\n

Marty Farrell, Ph.D.\"Roth<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 2\/27\/13
\nAdvisor: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cPharmacosynthetics and the Cell-Type Specific Control of Neuronal Signaling\u201c<\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Research Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<\/p>\n

\n

Suzanne Minton, Ph.D.\"Suzanne<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 1\/15\/13
\nAdvisor: Ken McCarthy
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cStimulating glial Gq-coupled GPCR pathways blocks acute pain and itch\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Content Strategy at Certara, Cary, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Nicole Vincent Jordan, Ph.D.\"Nicole<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 9\/6\/12
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cEpigenetic Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Epithelial Stem Cells and Triple Negative Breast Cancer\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Principle Scientist, Cancer Drug Discovery at Bristol Meyers Squibb<\/p>\n

\n

Margaret Duncan, Ph.D. \"Margaret<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/22\/12
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cProbing the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the gonococcus\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Global Medical Lead, Medical Affairs, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA<\/p>\n

\n

Asya Borikova, Ph.D. \"Michal<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/25\/12
\nAdvisor: Gary Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCerebral Cavernous Malformations is a disease of dysregulated expression of RhoA and Rap1 proteins\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Chief Operating Officer at MedAppTech, Woburn, MA<\/p>\n

\n

Brent Hehl, M.S. \"Brent<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/9\/12
\nAdvisor: Howard McLeod
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cIdentifying genetic factors affecting anthracycline-induced cytotoxcity.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Director of Global Business Development, Eurofins Discovery<\/p>\n

\n

Jasmyn Adams, M.S.<\/h4>\n

Current Position:\u00a0Senior Clinical Research Associate (Oncology), Covance<\/p>\n

\n

Jason Goldsmith, Ph.D. \"Jason<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/16\/12
\nAdvisor: Christian Jobin
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201c\u201dMechanisms of mu opioid receptor mediated protection from multiple models of acute injury\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Pharmacologist and Physician, Washington PA<\/p>\n

\n

Xin Zou, M.S. \"Xin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/30\/12
\nAdvisor: Klaus Hahn
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cUsing Aureochrome to Control Protein-Protein Interactions with Light\u201d <\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Data Scientist at ByteDance<\/p>\n

\n

Allison McMullen, Ph.D. \"Allison<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/1\/11
\nAdvisor: Ken McCarthy
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCellular, histological and behavioral changes in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus in the Ro1 mouse model\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: R&D Project Manager at SAS, Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Michal Nagiec, Ph.D. \"Michal<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/14\/11
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCoordination of MAP Kinase Signaling During Cell Fate Decisions.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Boston MA<\/p>\n

\n

Chris Welch, Ph.D. High Honors, M.D.\"Chris<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/20\/11
\nAdvisor: Klaus Hahn
\nTitle of Dissertation: <\/i>\u201cRevealing Rho GTPase Dynamics in Cell Migration.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School<\/p>\n

\n

Katy Cappell, Ph.D., M.D.\"Katy<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/13\/11
\nAdvisor: Angelique Whitehurst
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSymplekin and Transforming Acidic Coiled-Coil Containing Protein 3 Support the Cancer Cell Mitotic Spindle.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Stanford Hospital and Clinics<\/p>\n

\n

Eric Zimmerman, Ph.D. \"Eric<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/24\/11
\nAdvisors: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cLyn kinase regulation of microRNA and Mcl-1 in drug-resistant myelogenous leukemia.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Clinical Pharmacology, Global Blood Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Sarah Rogan, Ph.D., M.D.\"Sarah<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 2\/14\/11
\nAdvisors: Bryan Roth
\nTitle of Dissertation: <\/i>\u201cRemote control of neuronal signaling in vivo.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburg, Pittsburg, PA<\/p>\n

\n

Steven Cappell, Ph.D. \"Steven<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/16\/10
\nAdvisors: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSystematic Analysis of Essential Genes Reveals New Regulators of G protein Signaling.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Stadtman Investigator, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD<\/p>\n

\n

John Bauman, Ph.D. \"John<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/6\/10
\nAdvisor: Ryszard Kole
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cModification of Bcl-x and Mcl-1 pre-mRNA splicing using splice-switching oligonucleotide.\u201d<\/i>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Manager, Molecular Biology at LabCorp Drug Development (formerly Covance), Morrisville NC<\/p>\n

\n

Aurelie Gresset, Ph.D.\"Aurelie<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/5\/10
\nAdvisor: John Sondek
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMechanism of phosphorylation-induced activation of phospholipase C-gamma isozymes\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecole Normale Sup\u00e9rieure, Paris, France<\/p>\n

\n

Ellen Stevens, Ph.D. \"Ellen<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/3\/10
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIdentification of Novel Therapeutic Approaches and Targets for the Treatment of Ovarian Carcinoma\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist, Diagnostic Development, Affinergy<\/p>\n

\n

Adam Kimple, Ph.D., M.D.\"Adam<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/5\/10
\nAdvisor: David Siderovski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cR4 and R12 subfamily RGS proteins-Structure, funtion, and emerging chemical biology\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Associate Professor, Human Oncology, Univ Wisconsin-Madison<\/p>\n

\n

Jamie Alan Olsen, Ph.D. \"Jamie<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/15\/10
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cTyrosine kinase modulation of trafficking and biological functions of the atypical Rho GTPase, Wrch-1\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine<\/p>\n

\n

Tanya Zand, Ph.D. \"Tanya<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/12\/10
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRas signaling through the RalGEF-Ral pathway in C. elegans\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Medical Writer at Squared Communications, Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Tiffany K. Ricks, Ph.D. \"Tiffany<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 2\/26\/2010
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSignal Regulation of Protease-activated Receptor-2 and Structural Determinants of Gaq -dependent Activation and Deactivation of Phospholipase C-\u00df\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Pharmacology\/Toxicology Supervisor at FDA<\/p>\n

\n

Randal Hand, Ph.D. \"Randal<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/29\/09
\nAdvisor: Franck Polleux
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe regulation of cortical development by Neurogenin2\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Principle Scientist at Apic Bio, Inc., Cambridge, MA<\/p>\n

\n

Jarrod Johnson, Ph.D. \"Jarrod<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 9\/11\/09
\nAdvisor: R. Jude Samulski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cVirion components and subcellular parameters that impact trafficking, nuclear targeting, and infection of adeno-associated virus\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Research Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT<\/p>\n

\n

Dionne R. Glast, Ph.D.\"Dionne<\/h4>\n

Defense Date:8\/27\/2009
\nAdvisor: Rob Nichols
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cG Protein-coupled Receptor Signaling: Role of PAR-2 in Breast Carcinoma Metastasis and Regulation of Agonist-Promoted Internalization of P2Y1 Receptors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Medical Writing Science Senior Manager at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Durham, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Angela Russo, Ph.D. \"Angela<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/18\/09
\nAdvisor: Pilar Blancafort
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDelineating and rationally perturbing signaling mechanisms involved in metastasis\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Research Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago<\/p>\n

\n

Sabrice Guerrier, Ph.D. \"Sabrice<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/31\/09
\nAdvisor: Franck Polleux
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCellular and molecular mechanisms underlying srGaP2 function during neuronal development\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor of Biology, Rollins College, FL<\/p>\n

\n

Elizabeth Sweger Butala, Ph.D.\"Elizabeth<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/27\/09
\nAdvisor: Ken McCarthy
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cExpression of the Gi-coupled RASSL Ro1 in GFAP-positive cells: a novel model of hydrocephalus\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist III\/Bioanalytical Project Manager at BioAgilytix, Durham NC<\/p>\n

\n

Lisa Stalheim Crose, Ph.D.\"Lisa<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/24\/09
\nAdvisor: Gary L. Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation and Function of the Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 2 Protein\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Orphazyme, US<\/p>\n

\n

Katie (Jungbluth) Kelm, Ph.D.\"Katie<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/23\/09
\nAdvisor: George Breese
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cInvestigating the Mechanism of Ethanol-enhanced GABA Release\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Director Medical Writing at PPD<\/p>\n

\n

Nina DiPrimio, Ph.D.\"Nina<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/20\/09
\nAdvisor: R. Jude Samulski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cSurface loop dynamics of a Parvovirus\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Strategic Alliances, Cary, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Ingrid Fricks, Ph.D.\"Ingrid<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/18\/09
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMolecular Pharmacology and Function of the P2Y14 Receptor\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Regulatory Consultant at Syneos Health<\/p>\n

\n

Justin Brown, Ph.D.\"Justin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/7\/08
\nAdvisor: Richard Mailman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cStructural basis for ligand-binding and activation of D1-like dopamine receptors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Vice President Business Development & Marketing at Strata Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI<\/p>\n

\n

Michael J. Lee, Ph.D.\"Michael<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/8\/08
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cActivation of G protein signaling by a non-receptor exchange factor\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor at U. Mass Medical School, Worscester, MA<\/p>\n

\n

Amanda C. Sharko, Ph.D.\"Amanda<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/1\/08
\nAdvisor: Clyde Hodge
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe role of metabotropic glutamate receptors and associated cell signaling pathways in the acute sedative-hypnotic effects of ethanol\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC<\/p>\n

\n

Mariya Chhatriwala, Ph.D.\"Mariya<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/31\/08
\nAdvisor: John Sondek
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDefining diverse mechanisms that regulate the activity of Dbl-family guanine nucleotide exchange factors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Business Development Associate at Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK<\/p>\n

\n

Ryan Shanks, M.S.\"Ryan<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/26\/08
\nAdvisor: Henrik Dohlman
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cGAP independent RGS action\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Practicing Physician<\/p>\n

\n

Donita Brady, Ph.D.\"Donita<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/17\/08
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe transforming Rho family GTPase, Wrch-1, regulates epithelial cell morphogenesis through modulating cell junctions and actin cytoskeletal dynamics\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA<\/p>\n

\n

Jiyoung Cha, Ph.D.\"Jiyoung<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/24\/07
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe role and mechanism of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in cellular transformation\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Research Associate in Dr. Solomon Snyder\u2019s lab at Johns Hopkins University<\/p>\n

\n

Bin Zhao, Ph.D.\"Bin<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/11\/07
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation of cell survival by CIB1, a new modulator of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1)\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Clinical Director, Oncology at Merck, New York City NY<\/p>\n

\n

Eric Wauson, Ph.D.\"Eric<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/3\/07
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Regulation of the Pyrimidine Biosynthetic Protein CAD by Phosphorylation and Protein-Protein Interactions\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Associate Professor, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA<\/p>\n

\n

Matthew Higgins, Ph.D.\"Matthew<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/2\/07
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation of Human Cytidine Triphosphate Synthetase 1 by Phosphorylation and Interacting Proteins\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Gladstone Inst., University of California at San Francisco<\/p>\n

\n

Christopher Johnston, Ph.D.\"Christopher<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/29\/07
\nAdvisor: David Siderovski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cStructural Insights into the Molecular Basis of Heterotrimeric G-protein Signal Transduction\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Associate Professor, University of New Mexico<\/p>\n

\n

YiXing (Emily) Zhou, Ph.D.\"Yi<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/28\/07
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCloning and Characterization of a Novel Phospholipase C Isozyme, PLC-n2\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Director of Feasibility, Pfizer<\/p>\n

\n

Mohamed Zayed, Ph.D.\"Mohamed<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/6\/07
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cClB1 Mediated Regulation of Endothelial Cells and Pathological Angiogenesis\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, Surgery\/Vascular Surgery at Washington University, St. Louis, MO<\/p>\n

\n

Rafael Rojas, Ph.D.\"Rafael<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/21\/07
\nAdvisor: John Sondek
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCoordinating the activation of RhoA by diverse RhoGEFs: SmgGDS and G-alpha-q-responsive Dbl family guanine nucleotide exchange factors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Director at Prometheus Biosciences, San Diego, CA<\/p>\n

\n

James Ferguson, Ph.D., M.D.\"James<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/10\/07
\nAdvisor: Cam Patterson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cAnkyrin Repeat and SOCS Box Protein 4 (ASB4) is a Hydroxylation Substrate of Factor Inhibiting HlF1a(FlH) and Promotes Vascular Differentiation via an Oxygen-Dependent Mechanism\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Urology Resident at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<\/p>\n

\n

Holly Gentry, Ph.D.\"Holly<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/3\/07
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cStructure and Biochemical Characterization of CIB1\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Medical writer\/editor<\/p>\n

\n

Jason Seifert, Ph.D.\"Jason<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/30\/07
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation of phospholipase C-epsilon by Rho and Ras Family GTPases\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate General Counsel, University of Utah<\/p>\n

\n

Breann Wolfe Barker, Ph.D.\"Breann<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/26\/07
\nAdvisor: JoAnn Trejo
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cClathrin-dependent Internalization of Protease-activated Receptor-1: Regulation by Ubiquitination and Epsin\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: \u200eSenior Scientist at Teva Pharmaceuticals, West Chester, PA<\/p>\n

\n

Dayle Houston, Ph.D.\"Dayle<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/23\/07
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cAgonist-Promoted Regulation of the P2Y1 Receptor: Quantification of Native and Recombinant Receptors with the Novel Radioligand [32P]MRS2500\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Executive Director, Global Medical Writing at PPD<\/p>\n

\n

Marielle Yohe, Ph.D., M.D.\"Marielle<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/19\/07
\nAdvisor: John Sondek
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cAuto-inhibition of Tim and Related Dbl-family Rho GEFs by an N-terminal Helical Motif\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Clinical Investigator at the National Cancer Institute<\/p>\n

\n

Melinda Hains Willard, Ph.D.\"Melinda<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/27\/06
\nAdvisor: David Siderovski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMultiple Domain \u2018Nexus\u2019 Proteins in Receptor-Mediated Cell Signaling\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Research Scientist, Eli Lily, Indianapolis, IN<\/p>\n

\n

Sheritha P. Lee, Ph.D.\"Sheritha<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/19\/06
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cChronic Inflammation in Sickle Cell Disease: Potential Role of Platelets and the Inflammatory Mediator CD40L\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:Global Medical Lead TTP and SCD at Takeda, Collegeville, PA<\/p>\n

\n

Qian Dai, Ph.D., M.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/06
\nAdvisor: Cam Patterson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe cochaperone and ubiquitin ligase CHIP in protein quality control\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Surgical Pathology Fellow at UC San Diego, San Diego CA<\/p>\n

\n

Biljania Djukic, Ph.D.\"Biljania<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/11\/06
\nAdvisor: Ken McCarthy
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRole of the inward rectifying K+ channel, Kir4.1, in astrocyte physiology and neuronal excitability\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Head of Translational Science at Takeda, Cambridge, MA<\/p>\n

\n

May M. Paing, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/25\/05
\nAdvisor: JoAnn Trejo
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation of Protease-activated Receptor 1 Signaling and Trafficking\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Staff Scientist, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, Department of Molecular Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis<\/p>\n

\n

Nathan Allen, M.S.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/28\/05
\nAdvisor: Jude Samulski
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cInvestigation of the Potential for Adeno-Associated Virus Type 5 to Establish Latency by Integration\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Director of Product Management at Bio-Techne, Minneapolis, MN<\/p>\n

\n

Patricia Joyce Keller, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/5\/05
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterization of the small GTPase Rac3 in signaling and transformation\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientist, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA<\/p>\n

\n

Anurag Singh, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/16\/05
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Role of Divergent Rho Family Members Rac1b and Rnd3 in Cellular Transformation and Oncogenesis\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, Boston University, Pharmacology and Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology<\/p>\n

\n

Scott Oloff, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/20\/05
\nAdvisor: Richard Mailman, Alex Tropsha
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDevelopment of Computer Aided Drug Discovery Methods Based on Machine Learning Techniques and Application to the Dopamine D1 Receptor\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Exec. Exec. Director of IT Research, Development, and Medicine Enablement, Boehringer Ingelheim<\/p>\n

\n

Vivian Choi, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/1\/05
\nAdvisor: Jude Samulski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Involvement of DNA Replication and Repair Pathways in DNA Recombination Utilizing Viral DNA Terminal Repeat Hairpin Structures\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Head of Global Gene Therapy Research at Takeda<\/p>\n

\n

Matthew Edin, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/29\/05
\nAdvisor: Rudy Juliano
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRole of PAK and PKA in Adhesion-Dependent ERK Activation by EGF\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Staff Scientist, Environmental Cardiopulmonary Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)<\/p>\n

\n

Thomas Hilder, Ph.D.\"Thomas<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/18\/05
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cPhosphorylase Kinase and MAP Kinase Regulation During Skeletal Muscle Apoptosis and Atrophy\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Research Scientist I, Grifols, RTP, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Shannon Penland, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/4\/05
\nAdvisor: Leslie Morrow
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cEffects of Ethanol on Biosynthesis of GABAergic Neurosteroids\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Director, Regulatory Affairs, Pearl Therapeutics, Raleigh, NC<\/p>\n

\n

Erik Bodor, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 2\/21\/05
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cPurification of the Human P2Y12 Receptor: Ligand Binding, G Protein Coupling, and Regulation by RGS Proteins\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: CFO & <\/span>VP Research, Cognifem LLC, Boder Laboraries, Inc., Miami, FL<\/p>\n

\n

Sarah Leonard, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/15\/04
\nAdvisor: Richard Mailman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Amygdala: A Model System for Novel Dopamine Receptor Pharmacology\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Neuroscience Division, Princeton, NJ<\/p>\n

\n

Todd Palmby, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/6\/04
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cComponents of Vav Mediated Transformation and Signal Transduction\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Senior Director, US Regulatory Science and Strategy at BeiGene<\/p>\n

\n

Rhonda Saunders Wilder, M.S.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/24\/04
\nAdvisor: Adrienne Cox
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cRegulation of Ect2, a Dbl family RhoGEF, by its Pleckstrin Homology (PH) domain\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Assistant Research Practice Manager, Duke Cancer Institute<\/p>\n

\n

Carolyn Coyne, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/30\/03
\nAdvisor: Larry Johnson
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cCharacterization and Modulation of Airway Tight Junctions\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics<\/p>\n

\n

Donnie Eddins, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/24\/03
\nAdvisor: Bob Rosenberg
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation of alpha7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by extracellular divalent cations\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientific Manager \u2013 Developmental Neurobiology Behavioral Core Laboratory at St. Jude Children\u2019s Research Hospital, Memphis TN<\/p>\n

\n

Sally A. Hunsucker, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/18\/03
\nAdvisor: Beverly Mitchell
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Role of Cytosolic 5\u2019-Nucleotidase IA in Nucleoside Analog Metabolism\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Research Associate, Armistead laboratory, UNC-CH Lineberger Cancer Center<\/p>\n

\n

Randall Kimple, Ph.D., M.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/25\/03
\nAdvisor: David Siderovski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Goloco Motifs of RGS12 and RGS14\u2014Novel Regulators of G-Protein Signaling\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Department of Human Oncology<\/p>\n

\n

Mark K. Larson, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 12\/15\/03
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cMechanisms and functions of glycoprotein VI-mediated Rap1 activation in platelets\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor, Augustina College, Department of Biology<\/p>\n

\n

Aylin Ulku, Ph.D., M.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/16\/03
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRAS Regulation of Gene Expression in Ovarian Carcinogenesis\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Assistant Professor, University of California at San Francisco, Department of Medicine<\/p>\n

\n

Amy Brinson, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/22\/02
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cDifferential Regulation of Uridine Nucleotide-activated P2Y4 and P2Y6 Receptors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Scientific writer, IMFORM GmbH, International Clinical Research<\/p>\n

\n

Chris Herold, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 8\/12\/02
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cNucleotide Selectivities of the Human and Rat P2Y4 Receptors and Pharmacological Analysis of Chimeric Human\/Rat P2Y4 Receptors\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Regional Medical Liaison, Amgen Cardiovascular<\/p>\n

\n

Peter Sazani, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/26\/02
\nAdvisor: Ryszard Kole
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Role of Chemical Structure in the Delivery and Activity of Antisense Oligonucleotides\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Chief Development Officer at Enzerna Biosciences, Durham NC<\/p>\n

\n

Melanie Olesky, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/10\/02
\nAdvisor: Rob Nicholas
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Mechanism of Porin-mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: US Head of Medical Affairs at Amryt Pharma plc, Arlington, MA<\/p>\n

\n

John Lambert, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/14\/02
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRac: Upstream Activation and Downstream Signaling\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Consultant in Biotechnology, Cambridge, MA<\/p>\n

\n

Patrick Hines, Ph.D., M.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/22\/02
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIntracellular Cyclic AMP Promotes Sickle RBC Aggregation and Adhesion to Laminin\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Health Innovation Fellow, The Aspen Institute<\/p>\n

\n

Jason Kralic, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/3\/02
\nAdvisor: Leslie Morrow
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cGABAA Receptor \u03b11 Subunity Knockout Mice Exhibit Plasticity of Gabaergic Function and Behavior\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Co-founder & CEO, Tellus Therapeutics<\/p>\n

\n

Danielle Mercatante Carrick, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/11\/02
\nAdvisor: Ryszard Kole
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cModification of the Alternative Splicing Pattern of BCL-x pre-mRNA: Induction of Cell Death and Chemo-sensitization of Cancer Cells\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Program Director at National Cancer Institute, Washington D.C.<\/p>\n

\n

Peter Ward, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 1\/28\/02
\nAdvisor: Dhiren Thakker
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cPhospholipase C as a Regulator of Epithelial Tight Junction Permeability: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Senior Director, DMPK at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.<\/p>\n

\n

Victoria Harding, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/20\/01
\nAdvisor: Howard Rockman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRole of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Heart Failure\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Postdoctoral fellow, UCSD, La Jolla CA<\/p>\n

\n

Kevin Pruitt, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 11\/6\/01
\nAdvisor: Channing Der
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRas and Rho Regulation of the Cell Cycle and Oncogenesis\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor, Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center<\/p>\n

\n

Jennifer Obernier, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/8\/01
\nAdvisor: Fulton Crews
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Relationship between Binge Drinking, Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Dysfunction\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position:\u00a0Deputy Senior Director, Security & Intel at Department of the Navy<\/p>\n

\n

Terry Amiss, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 4\/6\/01
\nAdvisor: Jude Samulski
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cInvestigation of the DNA Sequences Required for Site-specific Integration of Adeno-associate Virus Type 4\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Research Scientist, Becton Dickinson Technologies, RTP NC<\/p>\n

\n

Julia Brittain, Ph.D.\"Julie<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 10\/27\/00
\nAdvisor: Leslie Parise
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cIntegrin-Associated Protein is an Agonist and Adhesion Receptor on Sickle Red Blood Cells\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA;<\/p>\n

\n

Jung Weon Lee, Ph.D.\"Jung<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 7\/11\/00
\nAdvisor: Rudy Juliano
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cThe Role of Alpha 5 Beta 1 Integrin in Intestinal Epithelial Cell Survival \u201c<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor, Seoul National University, Korea<\/p>\n

\n

Mike Wheeler, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 5\/10\/00
\nAdvisor: Ron Thurman
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cOxidative Stress and Hepatic Gene Delivery: Studies with Adenovirus and Adeno-associated Virus\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Associate Professor, East Carolina University, Department of Nutrition Science<\/p>\n

\n

Erik Dahlstrand, M.S.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 6\/28\/00
\nAdvisor: Lee Graves
\nTitle of M.S. Thesis: \u201cEvidence of Unique Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Localization to the Mitochondria\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Buildings & Historic Sites Team Lead, Jefferson County Open Space, Golden, CO<\/p>\n

\n

Michelle Cunningham, Ph.D.<\/h4>\n

Defense Date: 3\/10\/00
\nAdvisor: Ken Harden
\nTitle of Dissertation: \u201cRegulation of Inositol Lipid Signaling at Multiple Levels through Protein Kinase C-promoted Phosphorylation\u201d<\/em>
\nCurrent Position: Patent Attorney<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recent Graduates, Department of Pharmacology Marissa Bivins, PhD Defense Date: 11\/12\/2025 Advisor: Rob Nicholas Title of Dissertation: \u201cElucidating the balance between transpeptidase activity and antibiotic resistance in mutant forms of penicillin-binding protein 2 from Neisseria gonorrhoeae\u201d Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Michigan Gabriella Gentile, PhD Defense Date: 10\/29\/2025 Advisor: Rob Nicholas Title of Dissertation: … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22429,"featured_media":0,"parent":3350,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2312","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"_links_to":[],"_links_to_target":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22429"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2312"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27648,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2312\/revisions\/27648"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pharm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}