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Post Doctoral Research Associates

Dre'Von Dobson

Dre'Von Dobson

Research interests: Dre'Von's current research interests are in using molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and in silico analysis to understand how ozone exposure affects cardiovascular health. Mechanisms of interest include cholesterol oxidation, generation of reactive oxygen species, inflammation, prothrombotic changes in plasma proteins, protein adduction, and endothelial cell dysfunction. Beyond the bench, Dre'Von is passionate about quality mentorship, science communication to the public, and support for underrepresented minority scientists.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meghan Rebuli

Awards: Recipient of The Leon and Bertha Golberg Postdoctoral Fellowship

Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/drevon.dobson.2/bibliography/public/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drevondobson/

Office: Mary Ellen Jones Building, Room 4302

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Elise Hickman

Elise Hickman

Research interests: Elise’s current research interests include understanding wildfire smoke mixtures toxicity using in vitro and computational approaches, evaluating the role of extracellular vesicles in respiratory responses to toxicants using human clinical samples, and exploring relationships between chemical exposure, social stressors, and the built environment. She is also passionate about mentoring and developing resources to train the next generation of scientists in computational approaches in environmental health research.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julia Rager

Awards: 1st place, President’s Award for Research Competition, NC SOT (08/2023) | Anderson-Clewell Trainee Award, SOT Biological Modeling & Risk Assessment Specialty Sections (03/2023)

Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1RUEY5mbxcOAL/bibliography/public/

Grants Awarded: UNC-CH Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility Rapid Response Seed Grant, “Pilot data for tracing wildfire-induced intercellular communication throughout the respiratory tract through extracellular vesicle technologies” (PI: Hickman/Rager) | NIEHS T32 Postdoctoral Training Grant in Toxicology (UNC-CH) (PI: Jaspers)

Extracurricular: NCSOT Postdoctoral Representative-Elect (2023-2024) | SOT Postdoctoral Assembly Executive Board Councilor (2023-2024)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-hickman-83826bb8/

Office: Michael Hooker Research Center, Room 1204A

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Syed Masood

Syed Masood

Research interests: The mechanisms of redox toxicity due to wood smoke exposure in primary cell culture models at air-liquid interface. My project combines in vitro exposure technology (an aerosol -compatible cell culture exposure system) with organotypic primary cell culture models on the human respiratory tract to evaluate the relative toxicities of different wood smokes and combustible materials. Specifically, I investigate the molecular initiating events and the mechanisms of oxidative stress due to these exposure in real-time.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ilona Jaspers

Awards: Recipient of The Leon and Bertha Golberg Postdoctoral Fellowship

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=syed+masood

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syed-masood-phd-843ba092/

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Jennie Thies

Jennie Thies

Research interests: Jennie’s current research interests include using in vitro models to investigate how inhaled essential oils and flavoring compounds alter immune modulator signaling and downstream cellular effects on mitochondria, aging, and oxidative stress using molecular biology techniques. She is particularly interested in endocrine disruption as a mechanism of action for such inhalable products. Outside of the lab, Jennie is involved in Phorward and Black, an organization for women of color with PhDs, supporting and mentoring minority students, sharing her scientific journey and experiences with others and spending time outside.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Meghan Rebuli

Awards: The Leon and Bertha Golberg Postdoctoral Fellowship, Graham Prize, Graduate Student Outstanding Teaching Award

Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/jennifer.thies.1/collections/63396331/public/

Grants Awarded: R36 Dissertation Fellowship, NIH Diversity Supplement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-thies-phd/

Office: Mary Ellen Jones Building, Room 4301

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