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
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2019 - current)
B.S. Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology Minor (2019), Michigan State University
My research focuses on the neuroinflammatory responses related to social stress by utilizing a murine model of repeated social defeat. I am particularly interested in using pharmacological techniques to asses how they alter those responses when receiving repeated stress.
Razeen Thammachack (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Kristel Champa (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Thesis Title: "Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury Using Methylene Blue Infusion"
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Amara Davis
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.
Current Research Staff
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
Michelle Ouvina (2019-2022)
B.S. Neuroscience
Current Position: Medical Student at The Ohio State University
Subsequent Position: Project Engineer at ABB, Columbus, OH
Andrew Perl (2018-2019)
B.S. Neuroscience
Kara Baetz (2021-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Ziniya Shah (2021-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
B.S. Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University (2008)
Subsequent Position: Emergency Medicine Resident at Cleveland Clinic
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
Priya Sharma (2022-2023)
B.S. Neuroscience
Ana Leon Rodriguez (Fall 2022 - Winter 2023)
Ph.D Advanced Biotechnology (current)
M.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Home University: Universidad de Malaga, Spain
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 & DDS, Ohio State University (DDS/PhD program 2013-2020)
Thesis Title: Repeated Social Defeat Stress Promotes Reactive Brain Endothelium and Microglia-Dependent Pain Sensitivity
Subsequent Position: Pediatric Dentistry Resident and Post-Doctoral Fellow at NYU
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
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
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
Subsequent Position: MEDPATH at The Ohio State University
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at the University of Pittsburgh (MD, 2019)
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Lynde Wangler
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.
Jonathan Packer
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.
Sabrina Lisboa (2015-2016)
Ph.D Pharmacology- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP
Home University: University of Sao Paulo- Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
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)
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
NIGMS MARC Undergraduate Student in Training
Home University: University of California, Merced
Thesis Title: "TGFbeta Increases CX3CR1 Expression and Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Induced Microglia Activation."
Subsequent Position: Anesthesiology Resident at St. Louis University School of Medicine
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)
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: Brandeis University, Boston, MA
Ethan Goodman
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2019 - current)
B.S. Biology, Neuroscience Minor (2017), Hope College
My research focuses on the bi-directional communication between the peripheral immune system and the central nervous system. More specifically, I assess the neuroinflammatory profile caused by stress sensitization and the subsequent implant of hematopoietic stem progenitor cells on the spleen and the reoccurrence of anxiety-like behavior in a murine model.
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: University of Alabama, Birmingham
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Mollie Witzel (2019-2022)
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
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)
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.
Ph.D Physiology and Pharmacology Program (2016) (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain)
B.S. Biochemistry, UCM, Spain
Home University: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
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
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)
Dunni Adekunle-Adegbite (2018-2021)
B.S. Microbiology, Biological Sciences Scholars
Nathan Klingele (2022-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
(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
Nicholas Harmer (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
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)
(Co-advised by Dr. Michele Basso and Dr. John Seridan)
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
Wenyuan (Ren) Yin, 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 - current)
Thesis Title: Stress-Induced Neuroimmune Activation in Female Mice and Brain Endothelia
Current Position: Medical Student at OSU
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)
Subsequent Position: Research Assistant at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Belford Center
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 at Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
Nicolas Beckman (2020-2023)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Position: Medical Student
Jenna Lapurga (2022-Current)
B.S. Psychology
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.
Emma Hans (2018-2021)
B.S. Neuroscience, Studio Art Minor
Subsequent Position: Post-Bacc at National Institute on Drug Abuse
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
Titikorn Chunchai, MSc (Spring 2019)
Ph.D Neurophysiology (2019)
Home University: Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Starr Jiang (2017-2020)
B.S. Neuroscience, Honors
Subsequent Position: Research Assistant at Harvard University