November 2024

New Grants from the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust

Department faculty members were awarded two new medical research grants from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust. Dr. Rachel Van Duyne and Dr. Stephanie Matt earned a grant for their project “Impact of chronic benzodiazepine use on epigenetic and inflammatory regulation in people living with HIV” and Dr. Joshua Jackson earned another grant for his project “Astrocyte CREB signaling promotes metabolic remodeling and functional recovery post-stroke.”

Dr. Nothem Renews Pilot Funding

Dr. Mitch Nothem was awarded a renewal of his Drexel Medical Cannabis Research Center Pilot Award. This will provide a second year of funding for his project, “Investigating cannabinoid combinations in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and alcohol use disorder.”

Discovery Day 2024

The department contributed to another accomplished Discovery Day at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Department trainees at all levels contributed poster and platform presentations, and faculty members and alumni devoted their time and expertise as judges for a variety of sessions.

Awardees from our department:

• Katelyn Reeb (A. Mortensen lab) – Bondi Fellowship
• Oluwatofunmi Oteju (Gaskill lab) – Honorable Mention, Outstanding Senior Graduate Student Poster
• Alyssa Sanders (Hartsough lab) – Honorable Mention, Outstanding Senior Graduate Student Poster
• Jason Wickman (Ajit lab) – 2nd place, Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellows Poster
• Denney Garrett (Barker lab) – 1st place, Outstanding Undergraduate Poster
• Julia Danon (O. Mortensen lab) – Honorable Mention, Medical Student Award for Bench Research

September 2024

Dr. Klase and Colleagues Awarded an R61 Grant from NIDA

The NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded a new multi-PI R61 grant to Dr. Zachary Klase, Dr. Jacqueline Barker, Dr. Josh Jackson (Pharmacology & Physiology) and Dr. William Dampier (Microbiology & Immunology). The new funds will support a collaborative research project at the intersection of HIV and substance use, titled “Examination of epigenetic spatial architecture in the CNS as a method to understand cocaine relapse in ecoHIV infected mice.”

Dr. Mortensen Received a NIDA R01 Grant

Dr. Ole Mortensen earned a new five-year R01 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The grant will support Dr. Mortensen’s longstanding research on dopamine transporters in a new project “Regulating dopamine transport through allosteric modulation – Functional and behavioral studies.” This project also features a collaboration with co-Investigator Dr. Jacqueline Barker.

Pharmacology & Physiology HIV and Cancer Initiative

The department recently hosted several seminar sessions as part of an HIV and cancer initiative spearheaded by Dr. Alessandro Fatatis (Associate Director for Basic Science Research, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center department faculty) and led by Dr. Peter Gaskill, Dr. Michael Nonnemacher (Drexel Microbiology & Immunology) and Dr. Pierluigi Porcu (Thomas Jefferson University). In collaboration with clinicians at Thomas Jefferson University and faculty from Drexel’s basic science departments, the initiative’s leadership hosted several speakers and explored new collaborative research avenues to better understand and treat the comorbid diseases. Our department hosted the most recent session in-person session this month, which also featured Zoom access for external guests interested in HIV and cancer research and developing new multi-PI grant proposals.

August 2024

Dr. Barker Earned an R21 Award from NIDA

Dr. Jacqueline Barker was awarded a new R21 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to support her work on comorbid HIV infection and substance use. The new grant will build on research from her previous NIDA DP2 to explore “HIV and estrogen effects on hypothalamic regulation of cocaine-related behavior.” This collaborative project also includes co-investigators Dr. Joshua Jackson and Dr. Laura Giacometti.

July 2024

Deepa Reddy Earns Dean’s Fellowship

Congrats to Deepa Reddy, PhD student in the Ajit lab, for earning a Dean’s Fellowship for Excellence in Collaborative or Themed Research. Deepa’s innovate proposal was selected through a competitive process and will provide one year of funding towards her thesis research.

June 2024

2024 Faculty Awards

Several of our faculty members were selected for awards at Drexel’s annual Faculty Day event.

Dr. Kenny Simansky, senior vice dean for research, was awarded the Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Transformational Leadership Award, which recognizes a senior faculty member who exhibits substantial leadership to transform and make change through example. The award particularly highlights Dr. Simansky’s role in partnering with Thomas Jefferson University to create the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium, his ongoing efforts to champion the consortium and grow Drexel’s presence within it, and his efforts to help the consortium obtain comprehensive status from the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Edward Hartsough was selected to receive the Early Career Basic Science Investigator Award, which recognizes a promising and outstanding evolving investigator in the early stages of their career. The award recognizes Dr. Hartsough as the driver of an innovative and respected research program and a dedicated educator committed to serving Drexel across its missions.

Dr. Andréia Mortensen was selected to receive the Early Career Mentoring Award for Basic Science Faculty, which celebrates assistant or associate professors who demonstrate excellence in mentoring of graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and/or faculty colleagues. The award recognizes Dr. Mortensen as a sought-after mentor, trusted adviser, and role model for students in Drexel’s graduate programs.

Faculty Promotions

Congratulations to Dr. Joshua Jackson and Dr. Edward Hartsough, who were both promoted to associate professor. The promotions reflect their strong research programs, cutting-edge scientific collaborations and success in obtaining extramural funding from NIH and other sources.

May 2024

Dr. Namba Earns NIH F32 Fellowship

Dr. Mark Namba, postdoctoral fellow in the Barker lab, earned a new F32 fellowship from NIH-National Institute on Drug Abuse. The fellowship will support Dr. Namba’s innovative project: Corticolimbic circuit and neuroimmune mechanisms of comorbid HIV and cocaine use. Congratulations and well-deserved, Mark.

Faculty Earn New Funding from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Several department faculty members obtained funding from the Interconsortium Pilot Funding Opportunity for Cancer Research Programs from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Gabriele Romano (PI) and Dr. Peter Gaskill (Co-I) were awarded a new pilot grant titled "Targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells as an adjuvant strategy to treat melanoma in PLWH."

Dr. Gaskill also will also serve as a co-investigator on a grant with Dr. Irwin Chaiken (PI) from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, titled “Redox enzyme antagonism for simultaneous treatment of co-presenting cancer and viral infections.”

Lastly, Dr. Barker, Dr. Jackson and Dr. Romano will serve as co-investigators on a grant with Dr. Jenna Hope (PI) from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, titled “Development of a novel preclinical model to address mechanisms of HIV-mediated enhancement of pancreatic cancer incidence and severity.”

Ms. Curran-Alfaro Gives Keynote Talk

Christina Curran-Alfaro, a PhD student in the Barker lab, gave the invited keynote at the Rutgers-Camden Biology Day. Her talk "Adding Value Through Diversity: Expanding boundaries and innovating science" emphasized her nontraditional path to the PhD and how her experience strengthens the lab's research program and informs her ongoing PhD work.

Graduations and Awards

Our graduating trainees were honored at the College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony, held on May 9th at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Several department members were also honored with awards from the graduate school for excellence in teaching, mentoring, and educational programs.

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology & Physiology

Maria Cavallo
“Unveiling resistance mechanisms and improving therapeutic outcomes in mutant-BRAFV600E cancer models”
Advisor: Edward J. Hartsough, PhD

Chun-Ta Ho
“Effect of the chemokine CXCL12 on dendritic spine dynamics – turnover, maturation and clustering”
Advisor: Olimpia Meucci, MD, PhD

Xuan Luo
“Immune regulation by small extracellular vesicles in attenuating inflammatory pain”
Advisor: Seena Ajit, PhD

Qiaowei Xie
“The impact of EcoHIV on cocaine-related behaviors”
Advisor: Jacqueline Barker, PhD

Jieyi Zhang
“Phenotypic plasticity of CX3CR1 in prostate cancer metastasis”
Advisor: Alessandro Fatatis, MD, PhD

Master of Science in Pharmacology & Physiology

Rashmi Raveendra Tantri
“Sex differences in dopamine transporter regulation in rats following acute cocaine response: exploring the role of map kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP3)” Advisor: Ole Mortensen, PhD

Fuyu Yang
“Characterizing novel allosteric modulators for human dopamine transporter”
Advisor: Ole Mortensen, PhD

Erick V. O’Brien
Non-thesis MS
Advisor: Dr. Zachary Klase

Master of Science in Drug Discovery & Development

Sopiko Darchiashvili
“Genetic basis of gender bias in neuroinflammatory diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis”
Advisor: Pooja Jain, PhD

Brianna Marie Achenbach

Sunday Akoji

Oneal Norman Campbell

Geraldine De Zayas Valdes

Michelle Graf

Isaac Michael Hutchinson

Nicole Shelby Lefebvre

Demis N. Lipe

Ariel Alejandro Napoles

Eric Hookuikainoa Smith

Jordan Stewart

Master of Science (other programs)

Jason Tyler DaCunza
“miRNA cargo in small extracellular vesicles from mouse primary macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells”
Advisor: Seena Ajit, PhD
MS in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

Zachary Capriotti
Advisor: Dr. Zachary Klase
MS in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

Steve Rutledge
Advisor: Dr. Joshua Jackson
MS in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

April 2024

The Department Hosts PCSfN Meeting

The department recently hosted this year’s meeting of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. During the meeting several of our graduate students were recognized for their excellent poster presentations. Geena John, PhD candidate in the Jackson lab and Courtney Wallace, PhD candidate in the Klase lab earned 1^st and 2^nd place respectively in the graduate student poster section. Additionally, Dr. Antonio Sanz-Clemente became the new president of the chapter. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the meeting a success.

Faculty Receive Pilot Grants from the CNHC

Two department members were selected to receive pilot grants from the Temple/Drexel Comprehensive NeuroHIV Center (CNHC) Developmental Research and Mentoring Core (DRMC). Dr. Laura Giacometti, postdoctoral fellow in the Barker lab, earned a grant to support her project “Top-down mechanisms of estrous cycle dysregulation in EcoHIV infection.” Dr. Gabriele Romano, assistant professor, earned another grant for his project “Immunologic functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer and HIV co-morbidity.”

Gaskill Lab Publication Honored by Drexel Libraries

The Drexel Libraries will designate a recent publication from the Gaskill lab as a highly cited, hot paper at its annual Celebrating Drexel Authors event. The manuscript, Dopamine, Immunity, and Disease was published last year in Pharmacological Reviews.

March 2024

Dr. Hartsough Receives First R01 Award

Congratulations to Dr. Ed Hartsough for earning his first R01 award as an independent investigator. The award is funded through the NIH National Cancer Institute and will provide Dr. Hartsough long-term grant support for his project: “Exploiting oxidative stress response in uveal melanoma liver metastasis.”

Deepa Reddy Earns Dean’s Graduate Student Travel Award

Deepa Reddy, graduate student in the Ajit lab, earned a Drexel Dean’s Graduate Student Travel Award for the spring 2024 cycle. The award will support her attendance at the International Association for the Study of Pain’s 2024 World Congress on Pain.

Dr. Van Duyne Earns Developmental Grant

Congrats to Dr. Rachel Van Duyne for earning a developmental grant from the Temple University Comprehensive NeuroHIV Center. The grant was awarded from the center’s Developmental Research and Mentorship Core and will fund Dr. Van Duyne’s project: “Recapitulation of myeloid models of HIV-1 infection in cerebral organoids.”

Barker Lab Student Awarded Research Mini-Grant

Julia Wiafe-Jackson, an undergraduate student in the Barker lab, was awarded a Research Mini-Grant from Drexel’s Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs. Julia will present her grant-supported research at Drexel’s 2024 Week of Undergraduate Excellence Virtual Poster Session.

February 2024

Dr. Horwitz Honored by DUCOM

Dr. Horwitz has been invited by the Drexel University College of Medicine Class of 2027 Society presidents to deliver the keynote speech at this year’s Golden Apple awards ceremony. He was also chosen to be the macebearer at this year’s commencement ceremony, who traditionally leads the platform party onto the commencement stage. These invitations honor Dr. Horwitz’s 30+ year legacy as a researcher and educator at Drexel and the previous Medical College of Pennsylvania and celebrates his contributions to medical student training over his career.

Dr. Romano Earns Rising Star Award from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium

Dr. Gabriele Romano was honored with an Up & Coming Rising Star Award from the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium. The award recognizes his excellent work and strong funding in the early years of his independent research career.

January 2024

Deepa Reddy Wins AWIS Travel Award

Congrats to Deepa Reddy, PhD student in the Ajit lab, for receiving the Robert E. Davies Travel Award from the Association of Women in Science (AWIS) Philadelphia chapter. The award supports attendance to national or international scientific meetings for female graduate students in the Philadelphia region.

Faculty Receive W.W. Smith Grants

Several faculty members successfully earned new research grants from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust. Dr. Gabriele Romano earned a grant to support his project “Boosting the T-cell response against melanoma in people living with HIV.” Dr. Antonio Sanz-Clemente and Dr. Andréia Mortensen earned another grant for their project “Modulation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor content as a novel therapeutic strategy in stroke.”

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