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.
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: "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
Subsequent Position: Project Engineer at ABB, Columbus, 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)
Subsequent Position: Medical Student at the University of Pittsburgh
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
Mollie Witzel (2019-2022)
B.S. Neuroscience
Razeen Thammachack (2023-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
NIGMS MARC Undergraduate Student in Training
Home University: University of California, Merced
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: Brandeis University, Boston, MA
Kara Baetz (2021-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Ziniya Shah (2021-Current)
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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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.
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
Ana Leon Rodriguez (Fall 2022 - Winter 2023)
Ph.D Neurophysiology (2019)
Home University:
Eric Cervantes (2022-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
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: Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Thesis Title: "TGFbeta Increases CX3CR1 Expression and Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Induced Microglia Activation."
Subsequent Position: Anesthesiology Resident at St. Louis University School of Medicine
Nicolas Beckman (2020-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Dunni Adekunle-Adegbite (2018-2021)
B.S. Microbiology, Biological Sciences Scholars
Nathan Klingele (2022-Current)
B.S. Neuroscience
Priya Sharma (2022-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
Aline Sayd Gaban (Fall 2016 - Winter 2016)
B.S. in Biological Sciences
M.A. Biochemistry
Ph.D Biomedical Research (Current)
Home University: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
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
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
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: University of Alabama, Birmingham
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)
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
Current Position: Pediatric Dentistry Resident and Post-Doctoral Fellow at NYU
Physiology and Pharmacology Program (2012-current) (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain)
B.S. Biochemistry, UCM, Spain
Home University: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
OSUMC SUCCESS Program Summer Student
Home University: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Emma Hans (2018-2021)
B.S. Neuroscience, Studio Art Minor
Subsequent Position: Post-Bac at National Institute on Drug Abuse
Jenna Lapurga (2022-Current)
B.S. Psychology
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)
Starr Jiang (2017-2020)
B.S. Neuroscience, Honors
Subsequent Position: Research Assistant at Harvard University
Kristina Witcher, MD, Ph.D.
B.A. Biochemistry and Neuroscience (2013) Oberlin College
Ph.D & MD, Ohio State University (2014-2021)
Medical Scientist Training Program, MSTP (2013-2021), NGP (2014-2019)
Thesis Title: Cortical microglia undergo dynamic structural and transcriptional responses to diffuse traumatic brain injury
Current Position: Ob-Gyn Resident at Maryland
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
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.
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)
Andrew Perl (2018-2019)
B.S. Neuroscience
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: Post-Doctoral Researcher at OSU (McTigue Lab)
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.
Current Position: Medical Student at The Ohio State University
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
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.
Titikorn Chunchai, MSc (Spring 2019)
Ph.D Neurophysiology (2019)
Home University: Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Michelle Ouvina (2019-2022)
B.S. Neuroscience
Subsequent Position: MEDPATH at The Ohio State 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
Current Position: Assistant Professor at University of Ilinois Urbana-Champaign
Zoe Tapp-Poole
(Co-Advised by Dr. Olga N. Kokiko-Cochran)
Neuroscience Graduate Program, NGP (2017 - current)
B.S. Neuroscience (2017), University of Pittsburgh
My research concerns the affect of stress on recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). I am particularly interested in the consequences of sleep disruption as a stressor and how it may alter recovery after TBI in relation to inflammation, neuropathology, and behavioral deficits. Specifically, we focus on how microglia and astrocytes may contribute to altered recovery after post-injury sleep disruption.
(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
B.S. Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University (2008)
Subsequent Position: Emergency Medicine Resident at Cleveland Clinic
Wenyuan (Ren) Yin, Ph.D.
(Co-Advised by Dr. John Sheridan)
B.A. Biology (2016), Louisville University
Ph.D. Neuroscience, Ohio State University (2017-2022)
Medical Scientist Training Program, MSTP (2016 - current), NGP (2017 - 2022)
Thesis Title: Stress-Induced Neuroimmune Activation in Female Mice and Brain Endothelia
Current Position: Medical Student 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.
Subsequent Position: Research Assistant at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Belford Center