Master Students
Nick Carulli
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and Earth and Environmental Science. Class of 2022.
Athlete. Wesleyan Track and Field. Ranked top 6 at the 2019 Outdoor NESCAC T&F Championships in the 110 m hurdles. Wesleyan University.
Current position:
Research assistant at Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York City, NY
Awards:
2022 travel award for the ASBMB-EB Annual Meeting
2021 SACNAS student scholarships for the 2021 National SACNAS virtual conference
2021 Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship
Past positions:
2020. Intern. Pandion Therapeutics, Watertown, MA
2019. Camp Counselor. Southboro Extended Day Program, Southborough, MA
2017. Intern. Erdman Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boston, MA
Email: ncarulli@wesleyan.edu
Elizabeth (Ella) Kim
Bachelor of Arts, Biology and Psychology Mayor, Chemistry Minor. Class of 2022
Member of Varsity Volleyball at Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.
Member of the Student Judicial Board/ Community Standards Board, Wesleyan University
Peer Health Advocate, WesWell Office of Health Education, Wesleyan University
Current position:
REsearch Associate, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Past positions:
2021. Research intern, Levine Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders. Dr. Giselle Sholler’s Lab
2021. Intern for HOPE Clinic at MGH, with Dr. Davida Schiff, Medical Director, Boston, MA
2021. Volunteer at Massachusetts General Hospital
2020. Member of Wesleyan Science Outreach
2019. Northeastern University Dialogue of Civilizations, London, England
Awards:
NESCAC All-Academic Team Fall 2020
2018 Silver on the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy Test
2018 Honor Roll, Newton South High School
Recent Publications
1) *Kim, E.Y., Verdejo-Torres, O.M, Diaz-Rodriguez, K., *Hasanain, F., and Padilla-Benavides, T**. 2024. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and Zn transport by ZIP11 shape functional phenotypes of HeLa cells. Preprint at BioRXiv: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.12.553076. Metallomics, mfae006 https://doi.org/10.1093/mtomcs/mfae006
2) Kraveka, J. M., Lewis, E. C., Bergendahl, G., Ferguson, W., Oesterheld, J., Kim, E., Nagulapally, A. B., Dykema, K. J., Brown, V. I., Roberts, W. D., Mitchell, D., Eslin, D., Hanson, D., Isakoff, M. S., Wada, R. K., Harrod, V. L., Rawwas, J., Hanna, G., Hendricks, W. P. D., Sholler, G. L. S. (under review). A pilot study of genomic-guided induction therapy followed by immunotherapy with DFMO maintenance for high-risk neuroblastoma. Cancer Reports.
Email: ekim03@wesleyan.edu
Undergraduate Students
Ari Hart
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry/Spanish double major, Chemistry minor. 2024 Class
Food Rescue Coordinator, Middletown, CT.
Long Lane Farm Co-Manager, Middletown, CT.
Farm House Manager, Middletown, CT
Past positions:
2021. Camp Counselor, Shiloh Quaker Camp, Stanardsville, VA
2020. Intern, Foggy Bottom West End Village, Washington, DC
2020. Corps Member, Americorps National Civilian Community Corps
2020. Bread for the City, Washington DC
2018. Student Conservation Association, Maine, Maryland, and DC
Awards:
Congressional Service Award- Bronze Medal
Presidential Service Award- Bronze Medal
Email: efhart@wesleyan.edu
Jocelyn Velasquez Baez
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Science in Society; Minor: Chemistry. 2023 Class
Columnist, The Indigenous Foundation, Middletown, CT
Volunteer, Middletown Health Reduction Initiative, Middletown, CT
Current position:
Watson fellow international researcher
Past positions:
2022. Intern, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (International Health), Baltimore, MD
2021. Intern, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Epidemiology), Baltimore, MD
2020. Research Assistant, University of Michigan (Pediatric Surgery), Ann Arbor, MI
2020 & 2022. Volunteer, Medical Relief Mission, Guatemala
2022 Columnist, The Indigenous Foundation, Middletown, CT
Awards:
2023. Watson Fellowship
2022. Thomas M. Arndt Wesleyan Summer Experience Grant
Recent publications:
1) Aruna Chandran, Ritika Purbey, Kathryn M. Leifheit, Kristen M. Evans, Jocelyn Velzsquez Baez, Keri N. Althoff. 2022. “County-Level Life Expectancy Change: A Novel Metric for Monitoring Public Health.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(17), 10672.
2) Lily Barnes, Joshua Grajales, Jocelyn Velasquez Baez, Daniel Hidalgo and Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2021. Impact of professional and scientific societies’ student chapters on the development of underrepresented undergraduate students. Frontiers in Education. Research Topic: Professional and Scientific Societies Impacting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in STEMM.
Email: jvelasquez@wesleyan.edu
Cailin Mirabella
Bachelor of Arts, Major Biology. Minor: Data Analysis, Informatics: Genomics track. 2023 Class
Member, Wesleyan Women in Science, Middletown, CT
Past positions:
2022. Study abroad. Universidad de la República Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo, Uruguay,
2020. Medical Receptionist, Dr. Katherine Chou DPM, San Francisco, CA
2017. Mentor, The Partners Program, Oakland, CA
Email: cmirabella@wesleyan.edu
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Celia Blaszkowsky
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Biology, Prospective Minor: Chemistry. 2024 Class
Member, Wesleyan Club Hockey Team, Wesleyan University
Member, Wesleyan Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, Wesleyan University
Bass Clarinet
Past positions:
2022. Research associate. Dr. Mauricio Comas Lab. Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, SLP. Mexico.
2021. Summer Counselor, Nobles Day Camp, Dedham, MA
2020. University of Chicago, transferred
2020. Editorial Guest Writer, The Society of American Magicians Magazine
2017-2019. Volunteer, Camp Arrowhead, Natick, MA
2017 Volunteer, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Awards:
2022. Wesleyan summer fellowship to visit Dr. Mauricio Comas Lab at Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, in Mexico
Email: cblaszkowsky@wesleyan.edu
Imaru DiBartolomeo
Bachelor of Arts. Major: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and Science and Society. Prospective Minor: Chemistry. 2025 Class
2022. Member, Wesleyan Math and Science Scholars (WesMaSS) Planning Committee
Past positions:
2022. ELL Tutor, Wesleyan University ELL Tutoring Program
2021. Volunteer, The Field Museum Volunteer Program
Recent publications:
1) Olea-Flores, M., Sharma, T., Verdejo-Torres, O., DiBartolomeo, I., Thompson, P., Padilla-Benavides, T., Anthony N. Imbalzano. PKM kinases regulate the mSWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes during skeletal muscle differentiation. Preprint at BioRXiv: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.10.588959v1
Awards:
2022. SACNAS National Conference travel award
2022. NIH summer fellowship to visit Dr. Anthony N. Imbalzano’s Lab at University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Past positions:
2022. Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar
2021. QuestBridge National College Match Finalist & Scholarship Recipient
Email: idibartolome@wesleyan.edu
Meili M. Stanten
Bachelor of Arts, Prospective Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Major. Class of 2024
Past positions:
2021. EMT Cadet for Harvard Ambulance Service, MA
2021. Teen Leader at NNESRE family camp on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
2021. Volunteer/Counselor at Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake, MN
2020. Captain of the Eclipse Dance Team
2020. EMT Cadet for Harvard Ambulance Service, MA
2020. Secretary of Bromfield Model United Nations
2018. Science Tutor for Bromfield Tutoring
2018 Volunteer at La Tortuga Feliz in Costa Rica.
Awards:
2022. Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship
2019. Gold on the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy Test
2018. National Spanish Honor Society, The Bromfield School, Harvard, MA
2018. Global Competency Certificate, The Bromfield School, Harvard, MA
2019. National Honor Society, The Bromfield School, Harvard, MA
2016. The Honor Roll, The Bromfield School, Harvard, MA
Email: mstanten@wesleyan.edu
Princess Asante
Bachelor of Arts, 2025 Class
WesThon executive, Middletown CT
Past positions:
2021. North Star Alexander Elementary School, STEM Program Instructor, Newark, NJ
2020. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Pre-Medical Honors Program Scholar, Newark, NJ
2021. Camp Uncommon, Camp counselor, Bristol, RI
Email: pasante@wesleyan.edu
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Yaje Nshanji
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Major. Chemistry Minor. Class of 2022
Class 2021
Current positions:
Clinical Research Coordintor at Mount Sinai, New York City. NY.
Past positions:
2022. Teaching Assistant. Undergraduate Intro Chemistry. Wesleyan University.
2022. Communications and Media Officer/Intern. Kindred Health Mission Inc. Mount Vernon, NY.
2022. Vice President, Wesleyan African Student Association. Wesleyan University.
2022. Social Media Influencer. Wesleyan Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students. Wesleyan University.
2020. Public Relations Office. Wesleyan African Student Association. Wesleyan University.
2019. Intern. Doctor Bijou Nfor Podiatry PC. Mount Vernon, NY.
2018. Volunteer Scholar, GWU Cancer Research Center. Washington, DC.
2017 Intern. Congressman Jose E. Serrano Congressional Office. Washington, DC.
Awards:
2022 Wesleyan University Scott Biomedical Prize Awarded to a member or members of the molecular biology and biochemistry senior class who have demonstrated excellence and interest in commencing a career in academic or applied medicine. .
2021 Wesleyan University ASBMB student chapter travel award 2017 Intern. Congressman Jose E. Serrano Congressional Office. Washington, DC.
2021 Wesleyan University Dr. Neil Clendeninn Prize award. Established in 1991 by George Thornton, Class of 1991 and David Derryck, Class of 1993, for the African American student who has achieved academic excellence in biology and/or molecular biology and biochemistry. This student must have completed his or her sophomore year and in that time have exemplified those qualities of character, leadership, and concern for the Wesleyan community as shown by Dr. Neil Clendeninn, Class of 1971.
Recent publications:
1) Teresita Padilla-Benavides, Monserrat Olea-Flores, Yaje Nshanji, May T. Maung, Sabriya A. Syed, and Anthony N. Imbalzano. 2022. Differential requirements for different subfamilies of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes in myoblast cell cycle progression and expression of the Pax7 regulator. BBA – Gene Regulatory Mechanisms.
Email: ynshanji@wesleyan.edu
Lauren Greenberg
Bachelor of Arts, Science in Society Major and Global Engagement Minor. Class of 2022
Current position:
Accepted to the University of Rochester Nursing Program
Tutor, EduMate NYC.
Media Liaison/Volunteer, Covid-19 Action Coalition.
Wesleyan Tutor, Habitat for Humanity, and Wesleyan Refugee Project. Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, Middletown, CT
NORDSAC Secretary, National Organization for Rare Disease Chapter, Middletown, CT
Past positions:
2018. Volunteer, St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, NY
2018. Academic Tutor, North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, Westbury, NY
2018-2019. Camp Counselor.
2016. Georgetown University, Summer High School Medical Program, Washington, D.C
Email: lgreenberg01@wesleyan.edu
Melat Amde Gebremeskel
Bachelor of Arts. Class of 2025
Email: mgebremeskel@wesleyan.edu
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Alyssa Carlson
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Biology and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Minor in Chemistry. Class 2021
Current positions:
Medical Doctor student SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, New York, NY.
Past positions:
2023. Research assistant at Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York City
2020-2021. Undergraduate Research Assistant. Padilla-Benavides’ Lab. Wesleyan University.
2020-2021. Wesleyan Student SACNAS Chapter Board Member. Secretary.
2018-2020. Undergraduate Research Assistant. Devoto’s Lab. Wesleyan University.
2019-2020. Wesleyan College of Integrative Sciences Summer Research Fellow
2019. Course Assistant in Molecular Biology for Dr. Olson and Dr. MacQueen
2019. Peer tutor in Cell Biology for Dr. Johnson.
2019. Founder of Allies for Diversity
2019. Cardinal Connections Mentor. Wesleyan University.
2019. Founder of Single Parent Family Support Group. Middletown Mutual Aid Collective, CT.
Awards:
2021. Wesleyan Butterfield Prize. Established by the Class of 1967 and awarded to the graduating senior who has exemplified those qualities of character, leadership, intellectual commitment and concern for the Wesleyan community shown by Victor Lloyd Butterfield, 11th president of the University.
2021. Wesleyan Hawk Prize. The gift of Philip B. Hawk, Class of 1898, as a memorial to his wife, Gladys, to the students who have done the most effective work in biochemistry.
Recent publications:
1) Monserrat Olea-Flores, Julia Kan, Alyssa Carlson, Sabriya A Syed, Cat McCann, Varsha Mondal, Cecily Szady, Heather M Ricker, Amy McQueen, Juan G Navea, Leslie A Caromile, Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2022. ZIP11 Regulates Nuclear Zinc Homeostasis in HeLa Cells and Is Required for Proliferation and Establishment of the Carcinogenic Phenotype.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Cellular Biochemistry section. Special topic on Bioinorganic Chemistry of Metals in Cell Function and Disease.
2) May T. Maung, Alyssa Carlson, Monserrat Olea-FLores, Lobna Elkhadragy, Kyle Schachtschneider, Napoleon Navarro-Tito, and Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2021 Molecular basis of copper dysregulation and its relationship with human pathologies. FASEB Journal. 35: e21810.
Email: alcarlson@wesleyan.edu
ORCID account
MSc. Varsha Mondal
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
Past positions:
2017. Master of Science in Biotechnology. Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal (Central) University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India
2015. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biotechnology. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Recent Publications:
1) Monserrat Olea-Flores, Julia Kan, Alyssa Carlson, Sabriya A Syed, Cat McCann, Varsha Mondal, Cecily Szady, Heather M Ricker, Amy McQueen, Juan G Navea, Leslie A Caromile, Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2022. ZIP11 Regulates Nuclear Zinc Homeostasis in HeLa Cells and Is Required for Proliferation and Establishment of the Carcinogenic Phenotype.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Cellular Biochemistry section. Special topic on Bioinorganic Chemistry of Metals in Cell Function and Disease.
2) Mondal, V., Vaishnava, A. (2019). In Vitro Regeneration of Aloe Vera – A medicinally important plant. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6(7):250-255.
Email: vmondal@wesleyan.edu
Kexin (Veronica) Zhang
Bachelor of Arts, Prospective Double Major: Biology and Economics, Prospective Minor: Data Analysis. Class of 2023
Editor Wesleyan Business Review, and Language Partner for Mandarin College of East Asian Studies, Wesleyan University.
Past positions:
2019. Healthcare Simulation Center and Summer Premed Research TREK. Hartford Hospital, CT.
2016. Research Assistant. Thomas E. Starzl Organ Transplantation Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
Awards:
2020 Registration Scholarship SACNAS
2020 Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship
Publications:
1) Teresita Padilla-Benavides, Monserrat Olea-Flores, Tapan Sharma, Sabriya A. Syed, Hanna Witwicka, Miriam Zuniga Eulogio, Kexin Zhang, Napoleon Navarro-Tito, and Anthony N. Imbalzano. 2023. Differential Contributions of mSWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeler Sub-Families to Myoblast Differentiation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(14), 11256.
Email: kzhang@wesleyan.edu
Lily Barnes
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Major. Class of 2022
Violin & Music Theory Independent Study under Hunter Holmes, Claire Garza, and Victor Koszman.
Past positions:
2020. Undergraduate Research Assistant at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
2020 Scardello. Cheesemonger, shift leader
2019. Wesleyan North End Action Team
2018. Teenage Communication Theatre
2015. Summer intern Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital.
Awards:
2021 ASBMB Undergraduate Research Award
2021 Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship
Publications:
1) Lily Barnes, Joshua Grajales, Jocelyn Velasquez Baez, Daniel Hidalgo and Teresita Padilla-Benavides. Impact of professional and scientific societies’ student chapters on the development of underrepresented undergraduate students. Frontiers in Education. Research Topic: Professional and Scientific Societies Impacting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in STEMM.
Email: lbarnes@wesleyan.edu
Bavly Halaka
Bachelor of Arts, Neuroscience Major. Class of 2024
Intern IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, New Haven, CT
Volunteer Save the Children of The Developing World, Volunteer, Bayonne, NJ
Past positions:
2020. Volunter. CarePoint Health Hospital, Bayonne, NJ
2020 Virgin Mary and St. John Church, Bayonne, NJ
2020. Video editor. Misheal Boulos Media Production, Bayonne, NJ
2020. Tutor. Zaniac Learning Jersey City, NJ
Awards:
2021 Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep Scholars. Three-Year Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)
WesMaSS Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Quest Bridge National College Match Scholarship Recipient
Email: bhalaka@wesleyan.edu
Annie Yu
Bachelor of Arts, Neuroscience & Behavior Major. Class of 2022
Past positions:
2021. Eco Facilitator, Wesleyan Office of Sustainability, Middletown, CT
2021. Remote Summer Intern, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
2019. Summer Intern, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA
2019. Volunteer, VNA Hospice, Needham, MA
2019. Ecorep, NYU Office of Sustainability, New York, NY
2018. Summer Intern, EMD Serono, Billerica, MA
Email: ayu@wesleyan.edu
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M.Sc. May T. Maung
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
Past positions:
2019. Research scholar. University of Connecticut, CT
2019. Master in Science in Biomedical Engineering. Center for Integrative Materials Discovery, University of New Haven, West New Haven, CT
2018. Biomedical Engineer. Molecular Diagnostics LLC
2015. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. University of Medicine 1, Yangon. Myanmar, Burma.
Awards:
2020 Registration Scholarship SACNAS
2018. Competitive grant from CT Next (Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem) 2015. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. University of Medicine 1, Yangon. Myanmar, Burma.
Recent publications:
May T. Maung, Alyssa Carlson, Monserrat Olea-FLores, Lobna Elkhadragy, Kyle Schachtschneider, Napoleon Navarro-Tito, and Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2021 Molecular basis of copper dysregulation and its relationship with human pathologies. FASEB Journal. 35: e21810.
Email: mmaung@wesleyan.edu
ORCID account
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Sabrina Sharmin
PhD student, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
Past positions:
2020. Master of Science in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
2018. Bachelor of Science in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Shahjalal. University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Email: ssharmin@wesleyan.edu
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Julia Kan
Bachelor of Arts, Double major in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and Art Studio (Concentration in Drawing). Class of 2022
Residential Life Community Advisor Coordinator, Wesleyan University
Musical Mentoring Program at Oddfellows Playhouse
Wesleyan University Orchestra
Member of Notably Sharp (Coed A Cappella)
Past positions:
2020-2021. Undergraduate Research Assistant. Padilla-Benavides’ Lab. Wesleyan University.
2019. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Wesleyan University
2021 House Manager, Asian/Asian-American (AAA) House, Wesleyan University
2017. Intern. Camvi Technologies, Burlington, MA
Recent publications:
1) Monserrat Olea-Flores, Julia Kan, Alyssa Carlson, Sabriya A Syed, Cat McCann, Varsha Mondal, Cecily Szady, Heather M Ricker, Amy McQueen, Juan G Navea, Leslie A Caromile, Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2022. ZIP11 Regulates Nuclear Zinc Homeostasis in HeLa Cells and Is Required for Proliferation and Establishment of the Carcinogenic Phenotype.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Cellular Biochemistry section. Special topic on Bioinorganic Chemistry of Metals in Cell Function and Disease.
Awards:
2021 Research in the Sciences Fellow, Wesleyan University
2021 University of Massachusetts Medical School Summer Undergraduate Research Program
2020 Registration Scholarship SACNAS
2020 Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship
Email: jkan@wesleyan.edu
Bryan Guarin
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Class 2021
Past positions:
2020-2021. Wesleyan Student SACNAS Chapter Board Member. President.
2018-2021. Teaching Assistant, Introductory Chemistry I and II for Dr. Davis and Dr. Roberts. Wesleyan University
2017- 2021 Wesleyan Mathematics and Science Scholar (WesMaSS), Wesleyan University
Past positions:
2020-2021. Undergraduate Research Assistant. Padilla-Benavides’ Lab. Wesleyan University.
2019-2020. Undergraduate Research Assistant. O’Neil’s Lab. Wesleyan University.
2015. Research Intern, Prabhakar Lab. University of Miami- Miami.
2019-2020 Chemistry Stockroom Worker, Wesleyan University.
Awards:
2017. Joshua and Amy Boger Endowed Wesleyan Scholarship
2017. Questbridge National College Match Finalist
Email: bguarin@wesleyan.edu
Hayley Lipson
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Major. Certificate: Jewish and Israel Studies. Class of 2021
Current position: Master’s in Public Health. George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington DC
Past positions:
2021. Temporary Research Assistant. Rutgers NJ Medical School.
2020. Undergraduate Research Assistant. Padilla-Benavides’ Lab. Wesleyan University.
2020. Board Member. Chabad, Wesleyan University.
2020. Member. Cardinals for Israel, Wesleyan University.
2020. Intern in the Data Coordinating Center at the Department of Infectious Diseases at NJ Medical School. Member of Varsity Softball, Wesleyan University.
2020 Intern. NAMI Mercer, Hamilton
2019. Intern. Division of Psychiatric Neuro-imaging, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2018. Camp Counselor. Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake, Verbank, NY
2015. Scholar. Waksman Student Scholars Program, East Brunswick, NJ
Email: hlipson@wesleyan.edu
Shellaina J. V. Gordon
Current position: PhD student University of Melbourne, Australia.
Past positions:
2023. Fullbright scholar University of Melbourne, Australia.
2022. Bio Intern at Coral Genomics in San Francisco
2021. Undergraduate student at Northeastern University. Biochemistry Major.
2018-2019. Undergraduate Research Assistant. Padilla-Benavides’ Lab. UMMS
2018-2019. Undergraduate Associate (Northeastern University)
Awards:
2021 Fullbright Future Scholarship at the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne (Australia)
2020 Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
2019 Travel Award SACNAS
2019 Travel Award Experimental Biology
2019 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
2019 Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship for Undergraduates ASBMB
2018 Charles Irwin Travelli Award
2018 Travel Award ABCRMS and Outstanding Presentation Award at ABCRMS
2018 Honors Early Research Award from Northeastern’s Honors Program
Recent publications:
1) Tavera-Montañez, C., Hainer, S.J., Cangussu, D., Gordon, S.J.V., Reyes-Gutierrez, P., Xiao, Y., Navea, J.G., Imbalzano A. N., Fazzio, T.G., and Padilla-Benavides, T. 2019. The classic metal-sensing transcription factor MTF1 promotes myogenesis in response to copper. Preprint at BioRXiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/534271 FASEB Journal. 33 (12): 14556-14574. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201901606R.
2) Gordon, S. J., Xiao, Y., *Paskavitz, A. L., Navarro-Tito, N., Navea, J. G., and Padilla-Benavides, T. 2019. Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells. Journal Visualized Experiments. (147): e59519. https://doi.org/10.3791/59519
3) Gordon, S.J.V., Fenker, D., Vest, K.E. and Padilla-Benavides, T. 2019. Manganese influx and expression of ZIP8 is essential in primary myoblasts and contributes to activation of SOD2. Preprint at BioRXiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/494542. Metallomics. 11: 1140-1153. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MT00348C .
Email: shellainagordon@gmail.com
Daniella Cangussu
2017-2019. Research Associate Padilla-Benavides Lab UMMS 2018 Honors Early Research
Recent publications:
1) Tavera-Montañez, C., Hainer, S.J., Cangussu, D., Gordon, S.J.V., Reyes-Gutierrez, P., Xiao, Y., Navea, J.G., Imbalzano A. N., Fazzio, T.G., and Padilla-Benavides, T. 2019. The classic metal-sensing transcription factor MTF1 promotes myogenesis in response to copper. Preprint at BioRXiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/534271 FASEB Journal. 33 (12): 14556-14574. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201901606R.
Email: daniellacangussu@gmail.com
Cristina Tavera
Graduated Medical Doctor, Class 2023. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
2017-2019. Undergraduate Associate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Padilla-Benavides Lab UMMS
Awards: 2017 Travel Award SACNAS
Recent publications:
1) Tavera-Montañez, C., Hainer, S.J., Cangussu, D., Gordon, S.J.V., Reyes-Gutierrez, P., Xiao, Y., Navea, J.G., Imbalzano A. N., Fazzio, T.G., and Padilla-Benavides, T. 2019. The classic metal-sensing transcription factor MTF1 promotes myogenesis in response to copper. Preprint at BioRXiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/534271 FASEB Journal. 33 (12): 14556-14574. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201901606R.
Email: ctavera@wpi.edu
Ifeoluwa Adelugba
Current position: Albany Medical College
Past positions:
2019. Research Assistant at the New York State Department of Health
2018. Kerala, India. Community health assessment at a hospice center for cancer patients
2017. Undergraduate Research Assistant from Siena College, Padilla-Benavides’ Lab.
Awards:
2018 Summa Cum Laude Siena College
2017 Travel Award SACNAS
Recent publications:
Cat Mccann, Michael Quinteros, Ifeoluwa Adelugba, Marcos N. Morgada, Aida R. Castelblanco, Emily J. Davis, Antonio Lanzirotti, Sarah J. Hainer, Alejandro J. Vila, Juan G. Navea and Teresita Padilla-Benavides. 2022. The mitochondrial Cu+ transporter PiC2 (SLC25A3) is a target of MTF1 and contributes to the development of skeletal muscle in vitro. Novel Approaches to Study Metals in Molecular Biology.
Email: adelugi@amc.edu
Arjun Baronia
Current position: Undergraduate student at Washington University in St. Louis
2016. High School volunteer Padilla-Benavides’ Lab, UMMS
Email: abaronia108@gmail.com
Feliz Imasuen
2018 Undergraduate Associate from Roxbury Community College, Padilla-Benavides’ Lab UMMS
Email: fgimasuen@yahoo.com
Joseph Lee
Current position: Masters student in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University
Past positions: Undergraduate Intern University of Massachusetts Medical School, Dept of Neurology
2016. Undergraduate Associate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Padilla-Benavides’ Lab UMMS.
Recent publications:
1) Vest, K.E., *Paskavitz, A.L., Lee, J.B., and Padilla-Benavides, T. Dynamic changes in copper homeostasis and post-transcriptional regulation of Atp7a during myogenic differentiation. Metallomics. 10: 309-322. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7mt00324b
Email: jlee733@jh.edu
Boris Nakamura
Current position: Student at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
2016. Undergraduate Associate from Mount Ida College, Padilla-Benavides’ Lab UMMS.
Email: bnakamura@mountida.edu
Amanda Paskavitz
Current position:
MD/PhD Candidate at Wayne State University School of Medicine
Past positions:
2021. Research Technician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
2018-2019 Research Technician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
2015 Undergraduate Associate from Skidmore College, Padilla-Benavides’ Lab UMMS.
Awards:
2015. 2nd place UMMS summer research poster session
Recent publications:
1) Gordon, S.J.V., Xiao, Y., Paskavitz, A.L., Navarro-Tito, N., Navea, J.G., and Padilla-Benavides, T. Atomic absorption spectroscopy as a tool to measure intracellular Zn pools in mammalian cells. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2019, 147, e59519. doi: 10.3791/59519
2) Paskavitz, A.L., Quintana, J., Tavera-Montañez, C., Xiao, Y., Navea, J.G., and Padilla-Benavides, T. Differential expression of Zinc transporters accompanies the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. 2018, 49, 27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.04.024
3) Vest, K.E., Paskavitz, A.L., Lee, J.B., Padilla-Benavides, T. Dynamic changes in copper homeostasis and post-transcriptional regulation of Atp7a during myogenic differentiation. Metallomics. 2018, 10, 309-322. doi: 10.1039/c7mt00324b
4) Padilla-Benavides, T., Nasipak, B.T., Paskavitz, A.L., Haokip, D.T., Schnabl, J.M., Nickerson, J.A., and Imbalzano, A.N. Casein kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation of Brahma-related gene 1 controls myoblast proliferation and contributes to SWI/SNF complex composition. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2017, 292, 18592-18607. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.799676
5) Samuchiwal, S.K., Balestrieri, B., Paskavitz, A., Raff, H., Boyce, J.A. Endogenous PGE2 Amplifies IL-33 Production By Macrophages through an EP2/EP4-cAMP-Epac-Dependent Pathway. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2017, 139, 2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2016.12.854
6) Borgatta, J., Paskavitz, A., Kim, D., Navea, J. G. Comparative evaluation of iron leach from fly ash from different source regions under atmospherically relevant conditions. Environmental Chemistry. 2016, 13, 4. doi: 10.1071/EN16046
Email: apaskavi@bidmc.harvard.edu