Department of Microbiology & Immunology Graduate Students Training in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology

PhD Students

Brenna Duffy

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Advisor/Mentor: Sandhya Kortagere, PhD, and Michael Nonnemacher, PhD

Ijeoma Okoye

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BA, Biochemistry, Vassar College
Email: ico32@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Akhil Vaidya, PhD
Background and Interests: I am particularly passionate about infectious diseases that disproportionately affect sub-Saharan African countries. So, for my undergraduate thesis, I studied the bioactive compounds in herbs used as antimalarials in malaria-endemic regions. Now at Drexel, I am interested in investigating novel drug targets of Plasmodium falciparum that can be exploited for the development of new antimalarial drugs.

Kenneth Kim

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biology, Pennsylvania State University; MS, Biomedical Science – Immunology/Virology, Hood College
Email: kmk467@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Christopher B. Rodell, PhD
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Background and Interests: During my undergraduate years, I worked in a biomedical engineering lab focusing on enhancing the visualization of the retinal and choroid blood vessels under diabetic retinopathy conditions using magnetic resonance imaging. Then, I worked at the National Cancer Institute as a Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) post-baccalaureate research fellow where I also received a master’s degree in biomedical science concentrating on immunology and virology at Hood College. My master's thesis focused on elucidating the molecular function of SERINC protein using the Drosophila model to find the significance of this novel protein in HIV. My research interests are translational and clinical applications focusing on immune engineering, immunology, vaccinology and delivery mechanism aspects.

Lindsay Barger

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biotechnology, minor in Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University
Email: lnb56@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Gabriel Romano, PhD
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Background and Interests: My research background is relatively broad. I worked for three years as a student at Penn State in the Department of Animal Science. I have had internships generally focused on research and drug development at Genesis Biotechnology and GlaxoSmithKline. At Genesis, I studied proteins involved in bladder cancer. At GSK, I screened small drug molecules in the bioanalytical department of drug manufacturing and pharmacokinetics (DMPK). At Drexel, my primary interest is in onco-immunology.

Abigail Onufer

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biotechnology, Biology, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Email: apo38@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Alison Carey, MD
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Background and Interests: During my undergraduate studies, I worked in a wildlife lab designing assays used for pathogen identification in ticks. Following the completion of my degree, I spent two years in the biotech industry. My work mainly focused on ELISA and 2D-DIBE assay development for use in downstream drug processing. My current interests include understanding the immune response to pathogens and development of immunotherapies.

Ikechukwu Nwankwo

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BSc, Zoology (Parasitology Major), University of Lagos, Nigeria
Email: icn32@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Hangjun Ke, PhD
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Background and Interests: My undergraduate study was focused on better understanding the biology of parasitic diseases in designing effective control and elimination interventions. For my underground dissertation, I assessed the utilization and efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in treating malaria among outpatients at the University of Lagos Medical Center. We discovered that antimalarial drugs were administered to patients before diagnosing them. Upon completing my undergraduate education, I interned at the Malaria and Genomic Centre, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, undertaking research projects focused on the molecular investigation of Plasmodium falciparum, identifying genes and proteins associated with antimalarial drug resistance. My current interest is centered on understanding the biology of P. falciparum in identifying parasites' genes and proteins that could be considered a potential drug target in the design and development of a new antimalarial drug with the emergence of resistance to ACTs, WHO-recommended drugs against uncomplicated malaria.

Emily Konopka

Year-1 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Cell and Molecular Biology, Lycoming College
Email: ek845@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Michele Kutzler, PhD
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Background and Interests: During my undergraduate research, I worked on identifying a novel Moraxella species isolated from clinical cases of keratitis. These experiences directed my growing interests in host-pathogen interactions and translational research for infectious diseases.

Alexis Brantly

Year-2 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BA, English, University of Florida; MS, Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida
Email: ab4532@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Mike Nonnemacher, PhD
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Background and Interests: My research background primarily focuses on cancer and cancer virology. During my undergraduate studies, I was involved in studying the DNA damage response in the context of cancer development. During my masters studies, I examined the effect of novel STAT3 inhibitors on Epstein - Barr Virus-derived cancers. After graduating with my masters, I went on to work with Human Papillomavirus, looking at the effect of PTPN14 in promoting a cancer phenotype in HPV positive keratinocytes. My current project in Dr. Nonnemacher’s lab involves understanding the molecular mechanisms of HIV/HBV coinfection, and how this predisposes people with HIV to developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Mackenzie Collins

Year-2 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Clinical Laboratory Science, BA, Biology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Email: mc4289@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Mike Nonnemacher, PhD
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Background and Interests: My background in clinical laboratory science and diagnostics has fueled an interest in developing and accessing molecular assays to address gaps in knowledge and improve care. My research at Drexel focuses on the latency and genetic variability of HIV-1 infection and understanding how viral transcripts and proteins can continue to cause pathogenesis within viral reservoirs, such as the central nervous system, of persons living with HIV-1 in the context of long-term antiretroviral therapy.

Adam Glass

Year-2 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biology, Washington College
Email: ag3894@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Sonia Navas-Martin, PhD
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Background and Interests: Upon completion of my undergraduate education, I worked for two years as an ORISE post-baccalaureate research fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. My research was focused on bacteriophage therapy, specifically for the nasal decolonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a mouse model. Currently, my work in the Navas-Martin laboratory is centered on elucidating the roles of toll-like receptors (TLRs), TLR adaptors, and associated signaling components during RNA virus infection, including coronaviruses and flaviviruses. Broad research interests of mine include host-pathogen interactions and emerging pathogens, with a particular focus on viruses.

Kyra Woloszczuk

Year-2 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Microbiology, University of the Sciences; MS, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Temple University
Email: kw959@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Elias El Haddad, PhD
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Background and Interests: Immune memory against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is a determining factor in disease risk, clinical severity and clinical outcomes. In addition, duration of immunological memory in patients who were hospitalized with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is not fully understood, nor is the role of vaccination on immunological immunity in patients who also had severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the Haddad lab, we hope to correlate clinical outcomes with immunological memory to potentially find markers of clinical severity. We also aim to find differences between B-cell memory, antigen specific T-cell responses, B and T cell interactions, innate lymphoid cells and the soluble factors released by these cells.

Julia Sutter

Year-2 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS Biochemistry, University of New Haven
Email: js4932@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Fred Krebs, PhD, and Vandana Miller, MD
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Background and Interests: My current research focuses on nonthermal plasma (NTP) as a potential therapeutic alternative for viral infections and cancer. This includes not only the antiviral and anticancer effect of NTP, but also how NTP can contribute to immunomodulation.

Erik Carter

Year-3 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Pathobiology, University of Connecticut
Email: ec899@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Irwin Chaiken, PhD
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Background and Interests: Following my undergraduate education, I spent six years working, both in academia and industry, in molecular virology, viral immunology and vaccine development. My interests are primarily in the areas of virus-host interaction and vaccine design, particularly as they pertain to RNA viruses. My project focuses on a highly conserved region of the HIV-1 envelope protein called the membrane proximal external region (MPER). My goal is to understand the conformational structure of this region and explore ways of using it as a vaccine antigen.

Gina Cusimano

Year-3 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biotechnology, Elizabethtown College; MS, Molecular Medicine, Drexel University
Email: gc468@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Dr. Michelle Kutzler
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Background and Interests: I have a BS in biotechnology and MS in molecular medicine. Following my masters, I spent three years working at Merck Co. & Inc. where I supported vaccine commercialization, manufacturing optimization and batch release. My overall interests are in immune modulation and how our understanding of immune modulation can be applied to vaccine/ adjuvant development as well as cancer immunotherapy development.

Ben Haslund-Gourley

Year-3 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BA, Biology, University of California at Santa Barbara within the College of Creative Studies
Email: bsh62@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Dr. Mary Ann Comunale and Dr. Joris Beld
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Background and Interests: I am a candidate in Drexel’s MD/PhD program and will complete my PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. Throughout my undergraduate education and during my two gap years before medical school, I gained extensive background in human sepsis, glycobiology and enzyme assay optimization. Under the direction and mentorship of Dr. Mary Ann Comunale and Dr. Joris Beld, I will employ multiple protein fractionation techniques, mass spectrometry (MALDI imaging), HPLC, and other glycoproteomic tools to characterize aberrant glycosylation and identify potential biomarkers that will improve Lyme disease diagnostics and inform on disease resolution. After completing Drexel’s MD/PhD program I plan to pursue a research career in immunology, translational medicine and diagnostics.

Julie Joseph

Year-3 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biology, St. John’s University; MS, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of New Haven
Email: jj932@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Dr. Pooja Jain
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Background and Interests: My overall interest is in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that dictate immunological responses to infection, disease and autoimmune disorders. My past research experience focused on identifying T- cell populations that may be responsible in the generation of food-specific antibodies as well as assisting in characterizing a sub-population of T follicular helper cells that drive anaphylactic IgE. Currently, my primary research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that underlie HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/ tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and the role exosomes and immune checkpoint mediators play in the overall anti-viral immune response associated with this debilitating neuroinflammatory disease.

Abhisek Rao

Year-3 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BE, Instrumentation Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute, Pune, India; MS, Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University
Email: asr56@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: First-year rotations in progress
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Matthew Bell

Year-4 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biology, Gwynedd Mercy University
Email: mrb433@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Michele Kutzler, PhD

Background and Interests: During my time at Gwynedd Mercy University, I studied the relationship between Quercus spp and members of the root microbiome. I also aided in the isolation and characterization of an endophytic bacterium, Serratia marcescens, that produced prodigiosin, a secondary metabolite that shows antibiotic and antitumor properties. Currently, in Dr. Kutzler's lab, my research focuses on studying the impacts of immunosenescence on both the innate and adaptive immune responses in the context of C. difficile infection as well as the immune response to a DNA vaccine for C. difficile.

Elijah H. Davis

Year-4 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Email: ehd43@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Sonia Navas-Martin
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Background and Interests: Shortly after graduating for UMBC, I accepted a position within Virginia Commonwealth University’s post-baccalaureate research education program. During this year, I worked in VCU’s Immunology & Microbiology Department, conducting research with Dr. Rebecca Martin and Dr. Daniel Conrad. Our study investigated how helminth infections could confer protection against allergic pathologies. We discovered that B1 cell-derived IgE can enhance parasite survival and may play a role in reducing allergic conditions. We were able to publish these results and present them at national conferences.

Currently, I am part of Drexel’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology and work with Dr. Sonia Navas-Martin. Our lab is focused on understanding novel Toll-like receptor signaling pathways and their role in inflammation. My project examines the relationship between Toll-like receptors and exosomal responses within microglia. My other research interests include autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity disorders, and neuroinflammation.

Dema Ghaban

Year-4 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: MD, Medicine, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia; MSc, Immunology and Allergy, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Email: dmg384@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Alexander Muller, PhD

Background and Interests: Part of my work in the U.K. focused on multiple sclerosis (MS) which has high prevalence in the U.K. and is one of the most common causes of neurological disability in the younger population. In one project, we looked for the role of multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus envelope (one of the two main elements encoded by the W family of human endogenous retroviruses) in the pathogenesis of MS. We also studied which immune cells are involved in this process.

Doug Krauth

Year-4 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Cellular and Physiological Biology, University of Louisville
Email: dmk357@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Sonia Navas-Martin, PhD

Background and Interests: After completing my undergraduate biology degree, I joined the Bagaitkar Lab in the University of Louisville’s Oral Immunology and Infectious Disease Department. There, my research focused on delineating the role NADPH oxidase-derived oxidants have in immune-regulation. Specifically, I worked to understand how NOX-deficient neutrophils contributed to the hyper-inflammatory response seen in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and the role ROS plays in modulating neutrophil effecter functions. More recently, my research interests focus on understanding how neurotropic viruses spread within the CNS and how immune responses to viral infection differ in the brain and the periphery.

Richa Pande

Year-4 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), India
Email: rp834@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Seena Ajit, PhD
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Background and Interests: My previous research experience at NYU Langone Medical Center involved studying ubiquitination and its modification in the cell cycle, including its role in circadian rhythm. After relocating to Philadelphia, I pursued research at the University of Pennsylvania in an immunology laboratory that focused on the mechanisms that lead to impaired fracture healing and connective tissue and bone loss in diabetes via altered transcription factor activity and cytokine dysregulation.

The Ajit Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of pain with emphasis on epigenetics. At present, my project involves studying microRNA has-miR-605 and its role in regulating the pro-inflammatory chemokine CXCL5 in CRPS patients. Another project involves studying the role of macrophage-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) on helper T cell activation during inflammation. This study will help elucidate the contribution of these immune cell subtypes in sEVs-induced attenuation of inflammatory pain.

Theodore E. Gurrola

Year-4 Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, Drake University
Email: teg65@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Brian Wigdahl, PhD, and Michael Nonnemacher, PhD
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Background and Interests: My undergraduate research involved elucidating the structure and mechanism of contraction of one of the fastest organisms in the world, the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. My job was to isolate, purify and prepare the protein thought to give the protozoan its contractile ability, Tcb2, for NMR analysis as well as elucidate the structure of the protein with NMR. This work helped me develop the skills necessary to become a scientist. My professors and what I learned in undergraduate led me to pursue gene editing and its applications as a career, which has led me to the Wigdahl Llab. My current research interests are to use gene editing technologies to treat and potentially cure HIV-1 infection.

Ian Lamb

Year-5 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, University of Iowa
Email: iml28@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Akhil Vaidya, PhD

Background and Interests: Before starting my PhD at Drexel University College of Medicine, I spent two years as a technician at the University of Iowa looking at immune responses in dogs naturally infected with the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum. I then moved to New York City, where I was a lab manager for a joint laboratory at Weill Cornell Medical College for two years. The lab investigated DNA damage responses in yeast and mammalian cells with a focus on VDJ recombination in developing B cells. At Drexel, I joined Dr. Akhil Vaidya’s laboratory. The lab studies basic aspects of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum’s molecular physiology with particular attention to the mitochondrion. Since malaria parasites and humans are both eukaryotes, antimalarials often interfere with human protein function and therefore cause side effects. However, given the extreme divergence of mitochondria between P. falciparum and humans, selective toxicity to the parasite is possible. This is highlighted by the antimalarial Atovaquone, which inhibits the parasite bc1 complex of the electron transport chain, thus causing parasite demise. My project focuses on characterizing the function of mitochondrial proteins in P. falciparum that are essential to parasite viability but have no annotated function. The long-term goal is to identify novel protein targets for antimalarials.

Teresa M. LuPone

Year-5 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Microbiology, BS, Health Sciences, BA, Journalism and Mass Communications, MS, Science of Healthcare Delivery, Arizona State University; MS in Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
Email: tml86@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Peter Gaskill, PhD

Background and Interests: My undergraduate research focused on understanding genetic alterations in response to DAMPs and developmental delays in Drosophila melanogaster. My job was to perform expression studies and monitor developmental timing. Throughout my research and coursework at Arizona State University, I became interested in following a path into medically relevant research specifically in the field of virology. As such I am interested in aspects of virology and immunity particularly in host pathogen interactions, how viruses escape the host immune system, and building a deeper understanding of the complexities of the immune system.

Kayla M. Socarras

Year-5 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Biological Sciences, University of Saint Joseph; MS, Cellular Molecular Biology, University of New Haven
Email: kms58@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Garth D. Ehrlich, PhD
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Background and Interests: Kayla Socarras is a PhD student in Garth Ehrlich’s lab within the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine. Prior to joining Drexel University, Kayla received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Saint Joseph. Afterwards, she continued her education at the University of New Haven for a master’s degree in cellular molecular biology. During her master’s, Kayla participated in several ongoing studies on the pathogenesis of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, alternatively known as Lyme disease. Lyme borreliosis is globally one the most common bacterial vector-borne diseases and has become more prevalent due to climate and ecological changes over the past decades. For her master’s thesis, Kayla tested several antimicrobials for their efficiency on destroying Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro as well as their potential efficacy as a therapeutic treatment. After completing her master's thesis, Kayla also did a post-graduate research fellowship at the University of New Haven. During her fellowship, Kayla studied the pathogenesis of Borrelia spp in causing Borrelial lymphocytoma, a cutaneous infection that occurs primarily within individuals infected with Borrelia spp in Europe.

Currently, at Drexel University College of Medicine, Kayla is continuing her research on the pathogenesis of Borrelia spp within the Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, with an emphasis on characterizing the complex dynamics of tick-borne disease microbes within the tick microbiome. In addition to her research studies, Kayla has presented her research in local meetings and conferences and her work on tick-borne diseases has been spoken about at several media outlets. Her media outreach encompasses traditional news outlets such as television, newspapers and radio as wells as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Yih-Ping Su

Year-5 Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University
Email: ys646@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Garth Ehrlich, PhD
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Background and Interests: After obtaining my BS in life sciences at National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan, I worked as a junior research fellow at the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, focusing on the development of a non-invasive screening approach for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). My current research interest at Drexel is to investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, mutations and integration on liver carcinogenesis, with an aim to develop an HCC risk prediction program for the management of the disease.

Jill M. Lawrence

Year-5 Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics PhD Program
PhD Program
Undergraduate: BS, Neuroscience (magna cum laude, with departmental honors), Ursinus College
Email: jl3785@drexel.edu
Advisor/Mentor: Michael Nonnemacher, PhD
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Background and Interests: At Ursinus College, I participated in microbiology research identifying mutations that conferred antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus strains isolated from samples provided by a local sewage treatment plant. I also conducted an independent neuroscience research project that involved extensive neurobehavioral testing and analyses of a mouse model of prenatal ethanol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). I served as a teaching assistant for several biology labs during my time at Ursinus, and currently tutor for biomedical courses at Drexel University College of Medicine. I am now a PhD candidate performing neurovirology research in the lab of Dr. Michael Nonnemacher. We investigate the relationship between changes in blood-brain barrier permeability, neuroglia cell activation and the neuropathology underlying development and progression of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in HIV-infected patients.