Current Ph.D. & M.S. Students

Currently in Lab Rotations

Co-Advisors: Dr. Konrad Meister, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry & Dr. Olivier Andreussi, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Advisor: Dr. Juliette Tinker, Department of Biological Sciences

I work on improving AB₅ enterotoxins vaccine adjuvants, or the immune stimulatory portion of the vaccine. I do this in three main routes. First, I improve the understanding of the immunogenicity of the whole toxin versus the non-toxic B subunits. Additionally, I work to improve the attachment of the adjuvant to the antigen. Finally, I am working to develop a dissolvable microneedle skin delivery route for the vaccine.

Advisor: Dr. David Estrada, Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Julia Oxford, Department of Biological Sciences

Collagen type XI is a minor fibrillar collagen that is heterotypic in nature and may play a crucial role in the nucleation, assembly, and determination of final fibril diameter. Several isoforms arise due to alternative splicing within the variable region of the collagen α1 (XI) N-terminus domain (NTD). My research focuses on unraveling the role of different isoforms of col α1 (XI) NTD in collagen self-assembly, as well as gaining deeper insights into the intricate molecular interactions that may underlie the processes of nucleation, assembly, and determination of final fibril diameter.

Advisor: Dr. Owen McDougal, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Bovine milk whey proteins are extracted during milk processing and go on to be used as food ingredients, nutritional supplements, and bioactive therapeutics. In 2023 global whey production passed 200 million tons and generated a market worth 21 billion dollars. Currently, there is no rapid, non-destructive method to quantify whey proteins in native milk. Our lab works to solve this by pairing advanced computational analysis methods like machine learning and artificial intelligence with mid-infrared spectroscopy to quantify high-value whey proteins in milk.

Advisor: Dr. Owen McDougal, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

My research involves method development and comparison for measuring dairy protein glycosylation. Within the dairy industry there is a need for standard methods to determine the amount of O-linked glycosylation on proteins. The sugar content varies with processing and the milk source, and those sugars directly affect product quality. Currently, I am focused on quantifying the amount of sialic acid found on the bioactive protein glycomacropeptide.

Advisor: Dr. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Department of Biological Sciences

I work with a mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis or EAE), examining how the microbiome alters the immune response in the brain and gut. I focus on how miR-155 (microRNA) can alter gut epithelium integrity and immune cell activation/activity in the brain and how it alters the gut microbiome in EAE.

Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Jorcyk, Department of Biological Sciences

Metastatic breast cancer has a 30% five-year survival rate and disproportionately affects Black women. I work to understand the molecular pathways that start the process of metastasis, particularly through studying the interactions between signaling pathways in cancer. I am currently creating and using gene edited cancer cell lines to determine outcomes in pro-inflammatory molecular signaling pathways.

Advisor: Dr. Konrad Meister, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Biological ice nucleators (INs) play fundamental roles in everything from atmospheric processes to the survival of freeze-tolerant organisms like lichens. Despite their importance in nature, the identity, structure, and working mechanisms of INs remain largely unknown. My research centers on investigating the functions and applications of the biomolecules that enable lichens’ ice nucleating capabilities.

Advisor: Dr. Denise Wingett, Department of Biological Sciences

Nanoparticles have proven useful in the development and delivery of targeted cancer therapeutics due to their unique properties. In our laboratory, zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) have been shown to induce selective cytotoxicity in T-cell lymphomas compared to their non-malignant counterparts. I am currently using Jurkat cells to study the effects of nZnO on the expression of genes and proteins involved in zinc homeostasis.

Advisor: Dr. Daniel Fologea, Department of Physics

My research focuses on designing and developing analytical methods for the detection and quantification of small molecule pollutants in complex environmental samples. To achieve this, I will adapt the kinetic exclusion assay (KinExA) by employing aptamers and antibodies as biorecognition molecules.

Advisor: Dr. Laxman Mainali, Department of Physics

The crystallin proteins (α-, β-, and γ-crystallin) make up ~90% of the eye lens proteins and help maintain the lens’s structure and refractivity. However, with age and cataract development, these crystallin proteins can aggregate and form higher molecular weight complexes that can further bind with the lens membrane, consequentially scattering light entering the eye and ultimately impairing vision. My research involves using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to characterize the interactions of these crystallin proteins with the eye lens and analyze the role that the lens lipid and cholesterol composition has on these interactions. Using this information, we hope to develop an improved understanding of the crystallin proteins and their role in the development and progression of cataracts.

Advisor: Dr. Eric Hayden, Department of Biological Sciences

My research focuses on fluorogenic aptamer design optimization and biosensor development. Fluorogenic aptamers are increasingly being utilized as reporters in vivo due to their detection speed and brightness over more conventional protein reporters. My current focus is improving existing aptazyme-based biosensor systems by implementing several strategies to limit strand displacement induced background fluorescence. This will lead to a better understanding of RNA biosensor design principles and can serve as a platform for novel small molecule biosensors.

Advisor: Dr. Laxman Mainali, Department of Physics

Advisor: Dr. Denise Wingett, Department of Biological Sciences

My research focus is on detection methods of post-concussion serum and plasma proteins in conjunction with post-concussion symptom resolution across the recovery process. With millions of youth participating in sports each year, rates of resultant concussion are high as is the cost of care burden.  Identifying a protein detection method with higher sensitivity/specificity than conventional methods may prove useful to better diagnose concussion, reduce risk of premature return to play, and improve potential for finding correlations between blood proteins and symptom resolution.

Advisor: Dr. Ken Cornell, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Advisor: Dr. Jay Radke, Boise VA Medical Center

Advisor: Dr. Allan Albig, Department of Biological Sciences

My lab studies Notch signaling, which is an essential pathway used during a variety of development processes within cells. The research that I do focuses on the biochemical properties associated with the different amino acid regions of the Notch Intracellular Domain (NICD). Specifically, I assess the importance of different regions on the dimerization and transcription of the different NICDs across the four Notch receptors.

Advisor: Dr. Eric Hayden, Department of Biological Sciences

Catalytic RNA molecules known as ribozymes help reinforce the RNA World hypothesis, suggesting that RNA molecules were the first forms of early life on earth. However, one drawback is that an RNA molecule capable of accurately replicating its own sequence has yet to be discovered. My research focuses on developing generative predictive models utilizing machine learning and ribozyme libraries, to better understand the relationship between genotype and phenotype of RNA molecules.

Advisor: Dr. Allan Albig, Department of Biological Sciences

Notch Signaling is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway in all eukaryotic cells which controls cell development. Post translational modifications (PTMs) of Notch receptors play a role in cancer malignancy but this is yet to be fully explored. I am using in vitro cell culture models to study how phosphorylation of Notch intracellular domain by Src Kinase impacts malignancy in cancer cells. These findings will help to provide a potential therapeutic target in cancer cells.

Advisor: Dr. Eric Hayden, Department of Biological Sciences

My research focuses on using catalytic RNA molecules (ribozymes) as models to study the driving forces of evolution of pre-cellular life on Earth. I have been using mutated pools of group I introns from Azoarcus and Phormidium and have been measuring their molecular fitness under different environmental conditions.

Advisor: Dr. Cheryl Jorcyk, Department of Biological Sciences

Advisor: Dr. Brad Morrison, Department of Biological Sciences

Advisor: Dr. David Estrada, Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Owen McDougal, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

My research looks at the degradation of bioactive ingredients (more specifically vitamin C, vitamin B5, vitamin B9, and iron) in protein bars and powder. I plan to develop a kinetic model to predict the degradation of these bioactive ingredients using extraction techniques from the different matrices and quantification through primarily HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography).

Advisor: Dr. Daniel Fologea, Department of Physics

My research focuses on preparation and characterization of liposomes, loading with drug simulators by active and passive methods, and load assessment by fluorescence spectroscopy; liposomes provide a valuable tool for medical applications. My research also involves work with bilayer lipid membranes; these include electrophysiology experiments on lysenin channels and how hypo-osmotic stress and pore forming toxins will adjust the lipid order in red blood cells’ membranes. Investigation into the biophysical and transportation properties of lipid bilayers is essential in understanding key cellular processes.

Advisor: Dr. Ken Cornell, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Currently in Lab Rotations

Advisor: Dr. Owen McDougal, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

My research focuses on the use of pulsed electric field (PEF) technology in the dairy industry. Currently, I am working on the use of PEF application to whey proteins to improve the efficiency of industrial spray drying for less time, energy, and water usage. Functional property and protein structure analysis will determine the impact of PEF technology on whey proteins and powder production.

Currently in Lab Rotations

Advisor: Dr. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Department of Biological Sciences

My research involves using in-vitro and in-vivo models to analyze natural compounds and their effects on the inflammasome in chronic disease. Currently, we are analyzing the effects of natural isoprenoids on murine colitis, and if these compounds affect immune cell gene expression and tissue integrity. We are also looking at these natural isoprenoids and their effects on murine derived macrophages by seeing how these compounds affect reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pro-inflammatory environments.

Currently in Lab Rotations

Advisor: Dr. Owen McDougal, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Kratom is a federally unregulated and increasingly popular herbal supplement that is marketed as a safer and more natural alternative to opioids. These opiate-like effects are attributed to kratom’s alkaloid content in which over 50 types have been identified. However, only mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine have been extensively studied. My research focuses on quantifying variation in the alkaloid content of commercially available kratom products via HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Additionally, I will be exploring the biologic effects of various minor indole and oxindole alkaloids identified in kratom by developing a pharmacokinetic profile. Our goal is to inform future legislation as kratom’s influence over consumers continues to grow.

Co-Advisors: Dr. Eric Hayden, Department of Biological Sciences & Dr. Sven Buerki, Department of Biological Sciences

My research involves studying the biomolecular mechanisms that underpin phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental stressors within the keystone species, Artemisia tridentata, also known as sagebrush. Utilizing a genotype by environment experiment we subjected sagebrush clones to drought and heat conditions to model the increased severe weather events due to climate change. Through analyzing the changes in gene expression, levels of microRNA, genome rearrangements and cis-regulatory elements within the differentially expressed genes I hope to gain an understanding on how this ancient species regulates its genome in response to stress.

Advisor: Dr. Ken Cornell, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

My research focuses on the antiviral effects of the Cold Atmospheric Pressure plasma array (CAP-array). I currently study two surrogate viruses, Human Coronavirus-229E (HCOV-229E) and Feline Calicivirus (FeCalV) that model Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). CAP-array has been shown to safely and effectively treat a variety of surfaces contaminated by viruses and bacteria. The efficiency of CAP is due to its ability to create reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). These bioactive species mediate chemical changes to nucleic acids, lipids and proteins. I aim to investigate the molecular mechanism, by which CAP-array exerts its virucidal effects.

Advisor: Dr. Juliette Tinker, Department of Biological Sciences

My research focuses on an AB₅ toxin called ‘ArtAB’, which originates from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium phage type DT104. DT104 strains are heavily antibiotic resistant and infect both humans and animals. I plan on understanding how ArtAB contributes to Salmonella pathogenesis, such as how it acts as an enterotoxin and immunomodulator. This will include investigating ArtB (the B-subunit alone) for potential antigenicity and adjuvanticity.

Advisor: Dr. Julia Oxford, Department of Biological Sciences

My current research is focused on investigating the association between the TGF-β signaling pathway, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in conjunctival epithelial cells. Ocular fibrosis, specifically conjunctival fibrosis, remains one of the largest areas of unmet need in ophthalmology and is the greatest obstacle to a successful glaucoma filtration surgery. Previous research investigated creating biomimetic models of wound healing ligament, recellularizing bone ECM bioscaffolds and seeding mouse muscle cells on to graphene film (2D) and graphene foam (3D). These biomimetic models could serve as a platform to investigating treatments for soft tissue injuries.

Advisor: Dr. Jay Radke, Boise VA Medical Center

My research pertains to investigating the differences in alveolar macrophage (AM) inflammatory responses from Adenovirus 14 (Ad14) and an emergent strain Adenovirus 14p1 (Ad14p1) which can induce Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and progress to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). To investigate this, we use different biologically relevant MicroRNA (miRNA) in Ad14 and Ad14p1 to look at AM pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. I am currently examining 10 miRNAs that have biological relevance in the NF-κB dependent transcription pathway and with cytokines and chemokines. I also plan to use this project to help improve the Syrian Hamster model as an organism for studying viral pathogenesis including SARS-CoV-2.

Advisor: Dr. Julia Oxford, Department of Biological Sciences

Co-Advisors: Dr. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Department of Biological Sciences and Dr. Juliette Tinker, Department of Biological Sciences

Advisor: Dr. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Department of Biological Sciences

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. GABA imbalance has been reported in many diseases including autoimmune and anxiety-related disorders. My research includes in vitro work as well as murine models of multiple sclerosis and combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Increasing GABAergic activity has been observed to alleviate symptoms and decrease inflammatory responses in these diseases. I utilize a modified bacteria with increased GABA production to investigate its impact on the GABAergic system and modulation of gut microbiota, immune response, and ultimately disease progression.

Advisor: Dr. Greg Hampikian, Department of Biological Sciences

I am currently working with Dr. Hampikian and his lab staff on analysis of wastewater for viral RNA determination, which includes detection of SARS-COVID and flu. This laboratory analysis consists of extraction of RNA and qPCR to quantify and determine if there is an increase of viral activity in the community. I am also beginning research on the forensic use of the human microbiome. Studies have suggested that the human microbiome can be used to associate an individual with a crime, or association a victim of a crime with a location. Current research with regards to the forensic application of the human microbiome have both limited sample sizes and challenges with meaningful association.