Nicholas Harmer (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Mollie Witzel (2019-2022)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at the University of Pittsburgh (MD, 2019)
Thesis Title: "Sequential Activation of Microglia and Astrocyte Cytokine Expression Precedes Alterations in Immunoreactivity Following Systemic Immune Challenge"
Subsequent Position: Clinical Psychology Graduate Student at George Mason University (PhD, 2022)
Emma Hans (2018-2021)
B.S. Neuroscience, Studio Art Minor
Subsequent Position: Post-Bacc at National Institute on Drug Abuse
Andrew Perl (2018-2019)
B.S. Neuroscience
Thesis Title: "Stress-induced Monocyte Re-distribution and Microglia Activation Underlies Development and Recurrence of Anxiety"
Current Position: Associate Professor of Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati
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Priya Sharma (2022-2023)
B.S. Neuroscience
Ana Leon Rodriguez (Fall 2022 - Winter 2023, Jan 2024 - current)
Ph.D Advanced Biotechnology (current)
M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Home University: Universidad de Malaga, Spain
Sabrina Lisboa (2015-2016)
Ph.D Pharmacology- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP
Home University: University of Sao Paulo- Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
Allison Dugan (2010-2013)
B.S. Biology, Honors
Thesis Title: "Regulation of the Central Nervous System Inflammation by Anti-inflammatory Cytokines in Activated Microglia and Impairments in Aging"
Subsequent Position: Graduate Student, University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio TX
Dunni Adekunle-Adegbite (2018-2021)
B.S. Microbiology, Biological Sciences Scholars
Nathan Klingele (2022-2023)
B.S. Neuroscience
B.S. Zoology & B.S. Biochemistry (2009) Colorado State University
Ph.D Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2009-2014)
Thesis Title: "Mechanisms and Consequences of Microglial Priming and Dysregulated M2a Responses with Age and Central Nervous System Injury"
Subsequent Position: Associate at McKinsey & Company
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: University of Alabama, Birmingham
Damon DiSabato, Ph.D.
B.S. Neuroscience and Psychology, Honors (2014) Ohio State University
Ph.D Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2014-2021)
Thesis Title: Interleukin-1 in the stressed CNS: From microglial source to neuronal destination
Current Position: Health Program Specialist at NIH (NINDS)
Thesis Title: "TGFbeta Increases CX3CR1 Expression and Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Induced Microglia Activation."
Subsequent Position: Anesthesiology Resident at St. Louis University School of Medicine
Aline Sayd Gaban (Fall 2016 - Winter 2016)
Ph.D Biomedical Research (Current)
M.A. Biochemistry
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Home University: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain
Thesis Title: "Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury Using Methylene Blue Infusion"
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Subsequent Position: Research Assistant at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Belford Center
B.S. Psychology, M.S. Psychology, Brigham Young University
Ph.D. Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2009-2013)
Thesis Title: "Chemotherapy Induced Deficits in Cognition and Affective Behavior"
Postdoctoral Researcher with Dr. Godbout (2013 - 2014)
Current Position: Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Jonathan Packer, M.S.
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2020 - current)
M.S. Experimental Psychology, (2020), Augusta University
B.S. Psychology, Political Science Minor (2017), University of North Georgia
My research focuses on the role type I interferons play in the context of TBI. More specifically, my interests lie in better understanding the consequences of TBI at the micro and macro level. Through this knowledge, I hope that we may find treatment options that allow for recovery of function in those with such injuries.
Anzela Niraula, Ph.D.
(Co-advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
B.A. Neuroscience (2011) Bates College
Ph.D Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2013-2018)
Thesis Title: Blood-borne factors regulate monocyte function during psychosocial stress: a case of corticosterone and IL-6
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Colgate University
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: Brandeis University, Boston, MA
Subsequent Position: MEDPATH at The Ohio State University
NIGMS MARC Undergraduate Student in Training
Home University: University of California, Merced
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Lynde Wangler, M.S.
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2020 - current)
B.S. Psychology, Neuroscience and Biology Minors (2018), UNC Chapel Hill
My research focuses on dissecting the interplay between the nervous and immune systems in the context of the aging brain. Specifically, I utilize transgenic murine models and pharmacological methods to examine the aging brain.
Ph.D Physiology and Pharmacology Program (2016) (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain)
B.S. Biochemistry, UCM, Spain
Home University: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
Thesis Title: "The Role of the Spleen in Re-Establishment of Macrophage Trafficking to the Brain and Anxiety in Stress-Sensitized Mice"
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at The Ohio State University (MD, 2020)
Amara Davis, M.S.
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2021 - current)
B.S. Molecular Biology and Political Science, Chemistry Minor, Eckerd College
My research focuses on the interplay between neurons and the immune system after traumatic brain injury.
B.S. Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University (2008)
Subsequent Position: Emergency Medicine Resident at Cleveland Clinic
B.S. Microbiology, Honors
Thesis Title: "Methylene Blue Reduced Brain Edema, Neuroinflammation, and Behavioral Deficits associated with a Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury."
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at The Ohio State University (MD, 2017)
Ethan Goodman, Ph.D.
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2019 - 2024)
B.S. Biology, Neuroscience Minor (2017), Hope College
Thesis Title: Myeloid and Neuronal Inflammatory Signaling Differentially Affects the Hippocampus after Repeated Social Defeat
Subsequent Position: Project Engineer at ABB, Columbus, OH
Starr Jiang (2017-2020)
B.S. Neuroscience, Honors
Subsequent Position: Research Assistant at Harvard University
B.S. Biology, Minors in Chemistry and Exercise Science, University of Mount Union (2014)
Subsequent Position: Graduate Student at the OSU BSGP (Ph.D Cancer Immunology 2021)
B.S. Biological Science, Minor in Psychology (2011) University of Missouri, Columbia
M.S. Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Ohio State University (2012-2015)
Thesis Title: "Cognitive Deficits after Traumatic Brain Injury are Exaggerated by Microglia-Associated Reactivity to Immune Challenge"
Subsequent Position: Marketing Coordinator at Chemline Inc., St. Louis, Missouri
Kristina Witcher, MD, Ph.D.
B.A. Biochemistry and Neuroscience (2013) Oberlin College
Ph.D. Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2014-2019)
MD (2021), Ohio State University (Medical Scientist Training Program 2013-2021)
Thesis Title: Cortical microglia undergo dynamic structural and transcriptional responses to diffuse traumatic brain injury
Current Position: Ob-Gyn Resident at University of Maryland
Sam Swanson
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2020 - current)
B.S. Neuroscience (2017), University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
My research focuses on the hypersensitivity to pain following psychological stress. I am interested in studying the communication between the peripheral immune system and the central nervous system following repeated social defeat in order to determine the mechanisms leading to allodynia.
Current Research Staff
Eric Cervantes (2022-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Caroline Sawicki, DDS, Ph.D.
(Co-advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
B.S. Pre-Dentistry (2013), University of Dayton
Ph.D Neuroscience & DDS, Ohio State University (DDS/PhD program 2013-2020)
Thesis Title: Repeated Social Defeat Stress Promotes Reactive Brain Endothelium and Microglia-Dependent Pain Sensitivity
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at University of North Carolina
Current Position: Medical Student at The Ohio State University
Thesis Title: "Regulation of Microglia in the Brain by Fractalkine signaling: Implications for inflammation-associated sickness and depression."
Subsequent Position: Business Development Manager at BioMotiv, Cleveland, OH
Shane O’Neil, Ph.D.
B.S. Neuroscience & B.A. Chemistry (2016), University of Rochester
Ph.D Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2016-2021)
Thesis Title: How Dysfunctional Microglia/Astrocyte Signaling Leads to Age-Associated Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Researcher at Duke University (Filiano Lab)
Rebecca Biltz, Ph.D.
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2019 - 2023)
B.S. Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology Minor (2019), Michigan State University
Thesis Title: P2X7 Antagonism and Neuronal Responses in Chronic Social Stress: Insights into Anxiety and Neuroinflammation
Current Position: Medical Science Liaison at UCB
Zoe Tapp-Poole, Ph.D.
(Co-Advised by Dr. Olga N. Kokiko-Cochran)
Ph.D. Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2017-2023)
B.S. Neuroscience (2017), University of Pittsburgh
Thesis Title: Neuroimmune Responses to Sleep Disturbances after Traumatic Brain Injury
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Researcher at Ohio State University (Pyter Lab)
Jacqueline Lieblein-Boff, Ph.D.
Ohio State Biochemistry Program (M.S 2005-2007, 2010-2012)
Thesis Title: "An Early-life Infection with E.coli in BALB/c mice causes long lasting deficits in Behavior, Brain Development and Microglial Reactivity"
Subsequent Postion: Senior Scientist, Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, OH
Nicolas Beckman (2020-2023)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Position: Medical Student
Bella Hohler (2024-Current)
B.S. Biology
Razeen Thammachack (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
(Co-advised by Dr. Michele Basso and Dr. John Sheridan)
B.S. Biochemistry & Chemistry (2010) Campbell University
Ph.D. Biochemistry, Ohio State University (2011-2015)
Thesis Title: “Astrocyte Mediated Regulation of Activated Microglia: Implications for Exaggerated Microglial Activation in Aged Mice Following Peripheral Inflammatory Challenge”
Subsequent Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Kara Baetz (2021-2024)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Position: Clinical research
Ziniya Shah (2021-2024)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at Saint Louis University
(Co-advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
B.A. Psychology and Biopsychology Honors (2011)
The William Paterson University of New Jersey
Ph.D Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2012-2017)
Thesis Title: Neuroimmune and Hematopoietic Regulation of Stress-induced Anxiety
Subsequent Position: Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Michelle Ouvina (2019-2022)
B.S. Neuroscience
Titikorn Chunchai, MSc (Spring 2019)
Ph.D Neurophysiology (2019)
Home University: Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Jenna Lapurga (2022-Current)
B.S. Psychology
Kristel Champa (2023-2024)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Postition:
Wenyuan (Ren) Yin, MD, Ph.D.
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
B.A. Biology (2016), Louisville University
Ph.D. Neuroscience, Ohio State University (Neuroscience Graduate Program 2017-2022)
Medical Scientist Training Program, MSTP (2016-2024)
Thesis Title: Stress-Induced Neuroimmune Activation in Female Mice and Brain Endothelia
Current Position: Medical Resident at OSU
Professor of Neuroscience
Faculty Director, Chronic Brain Injury Program
B.S. Cell and Structural Biology (1996) University of Illinois-Urbana
Ph.D. Biochemistry (2001) University of Illinois-Urbana
Postdoctoral Fellow (2001-2005) University of Illinois-Urbana
My Ph.D. training was in the laboratory of Gregory Freund, M.D. I continued at the University of Illinois as a postdoctoral fellow with Rodney Johnson, Ph.D. In 2005, I was hired as an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. In 2012, I was tenured and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, and in 2017 I was promoted to full Professor. Currently, I am in the Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, and Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair at the OSU Wexner Medical Center. My research interests are neuroimmunology, neurotrauma, and behavior.
Sammie Giammo (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience