Cell Biology | Research Interests

Name	Email	PhD Program
Peng, Aimin WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Cell Biology & Physiology, Oral & Craniofacial Biomedicine, Pathobiology & Translational Science RESEARCH INTEREST Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Cancer Preclinical Models, Cancer Signaling & Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Cell Cycle, Drug Discovery	Our overarching goal is to delineate how cells respond to cancer therapeutics that induce DNA damage, and, accordingly, to develop new strategies that overcome treatment resistance in cancer, including head and neck cancer. To achieve this goal, we study new mechanisms of the cell cycle and DNA repair using comprehensive experimental systems; we investigate the involvement of these mechanisms in oral cancer progression and resistance; and we develop new therapeutics using cellular, biochemical, and pharmacological approaches.
Cho, Rae WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Cell Biology & Physiology RESEARCH INTEREST Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Developmental Biology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Systems Biology	We study proteases that induce rapid changes in cell morphology, behavior, and identity. We are particularly interested in ones that play a role in myotube formation, muscular dystrophies, rhabdomyosarcoma, and cachexia. Our model systems include C2C12 cells, primary myoblasts, patient-derived iPSCs, and zebrafish. In addition to standard cell biology approaches, we make use of chemical biology and advanced microscopy techniques. Ultimately, we seek to identify a combination of protease inhibitors/activators that can cure musculoskeletal diseases.
Chen, Jiakun WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology, Neuroscience RESEARCH INTEREST Brain Development, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Model Organisms, Neurobiology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders	The goal of our research is to understand how astrocytes develop and how they interact with neural elements during nervous system formation, function, and maintenance. Our lab uses fruit fly Drosophila and zebrafish Danio rerio to explore fundamental aspects of astrocyte biology. We leverage the powerful genetics and unparalleled molecular toolsets in flies to uncover gene function, and we exploit the advanced live-imaging techniques in zebrafish to study astrocyte-neuron interactions in vivo.
Corteselli, Elizabeth EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Toxicology RESEARCH INTEREST Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Pulmonary Research, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	Dr. Corteselli’s research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which exposure to air pollutants causes lung injury. Her lab uses advanced in vitro models, including lung organoids and precision cut lung slices, to investigate the effects of inhaled toxicants on airway epithelial cell function, with a focus on redox homeostasis and signaling.
Pruitt, Kevin WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Pharmacology RESEARCH INTEREST Bioinformatics, Cancer Biology, Cancer Genomics, Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, Epigenetics & Chromatin Biology, Immunology, Pharmacology	Pruitt lab research involves 3 broad areas. Interest in the first area (cancer epigenetics) stemmed from discoveries made during postdoctoral training assessing how tumor progression disrupts epigenetic mechanisms of control. The second area (Wnt pathway regulation) was the result of early screens as an Assistant Professor at LSU Health Sciences Center. We uncovered novel regulators of oncogenic Wnt signaling and published the first observation that epigenetic enzymes regulate a critical mediator of Wnt signaling (Dishevelled). The third project involves elucidating mechanisms of aromatase regulation which emerged from the obsession of early trainees in the lab with understanding mechanisms cancer-associated estrogen biosynthesis. Within the context of these three projects, I have mentored and guided multiple trainees at every level over the course of 17 years.
Azizoglu, Berfin WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Cell Biology & Physiology RESEARCH INTEREST Cardiovascular Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Disease, Neurobiology, Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells	Our lab studies body-wide control of organ growth and regeneration. The mammalian body is reticulated by blood vessels and neurons. How these networks communicate with organ cells to orchestrate local and body-wide decisions is obscure. We study this question with a focus on the mouse liver, the uniquely regenerative visceral organ. Current projects in the lab include 1-researching the role of a novel vascular progenitor network in liver regeneration, 2-determining the mechanisms of injury perception by liver innervation, and 3-in vitro assembly of reticulated, responsive liver tissue.
Khan, Shahzad WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Cell Biology & Physiology RESEARCH INTEREST Aging/Alzheimer's, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Neurobiology, Signal Transduction	Maintaining health and reducing disease-risk requires the brain to properly transduce signals across specialized regions and cell types. My lab studies neural signaling at the primary cilium, an antenna-like organelle that helps cells sense and respond to environmental cues. The function of primary cilia in the adult brain remains enigmatic. To probe cilia function, the lab will utilize mouse models, neural cultures, human brain samples, single-cell transcriptomics, proteomics, and microscopy. Ultimately, we aim to identify therapeutic targets for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Burns, Ella EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Cell Biology, Genetics, Physiology	“I am interested in studying the pathogenesis of muco-obstructive lung diseases—in particular, cystic fibrosis. At present, my interest centres on the role of chronic hypoxia on the development of CF lung disease. With this, I am also very interested in the epigenetic components of pathogenic changes in CF lung disease, with a focus on elucidating the impact of chronic hypoxia on such, and in turn, proposing novel treatment strategies/disease modelling techniques. Further, I would also like to pursue research on CFTR expression and regulation in the lung.”
Harrison, Shenice EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Cell Biology, Immunology, Pathogenesis & Infection	“My research interests lie in the intersection of pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions, and microbiology. I aim to explore the molecular basis of infectious diseases and develop novel treatments and vaccines. Within microbiology, I am particularly interested in investigating the genetic mechanisms that regulate microorganism biology and how this knowledge can be applied to advance medical treatments. Additionally, I aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis in microorganisms.”
Bennett, Jack EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology	“I am interested in understanding the genetics and mechanisms behind cancer formation and progression, evolution and its consequences, signaling pathways involved in developmental biology, the cell cycle, and the immune system. I want to ask questions such as why host genetics can cause a certain infection to be worse or less severe, why some individuals may be more susceptible to certain cancers, what are new ways we can fight cancers and other diseases, or why the cell cycle and associated proteins function the way they do.”

Research Interest: Cell Biology