Teresita Padilla-Benavides, PhD Principal Investigator.
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Department
College of Integrative Sciences
Wesleyan Student SACNAS Chapter Advisor
ASBMB Maximizing Access Committee Member
Editorial roles:
Associate Editor. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Associate Editor. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
Associate Editor. Frontiers in Chemistry, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences and Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology; Cellular Biochemistry section.
Past positions:
2020. Research Assistant Professor. University of Massachusetts Medical School. Worcester, MA.
2018. Instructor. University of Massachusetts Medical School. Worcester, MA.
2017. Adjunct Professor. Mount Ida College. Newton, MA.
2016. Postdoctoral fellow. University of Massachusetts Medical School. Worcester, MA.
2014. Postdoctoral fellow. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA.
2010. Graduate student. Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional. Mexico City, Mexico.
2003-2010. Adjunct Professor Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico.
2004. BSc. Biology. Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas. Instituto Politecnico Nacional. Mexico City, Mexico.
Email: tpadillabena@wesleyan.edu
ORCID Account
Linkedln
Google scholar: Teresita Padilla-Benavides
Postdoctoral fellows
Dr. Monserrat Olea-Flores
Visiting Postdoctoral scholar from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Recent publications: Recent publications:
1) Monserrat Olea-Flores, Tapan Sharma, Odette Verdejo-Torres, Imaru DiBartolomeo, Paul Thompson, Teresita Padilla-Benavides, and Anthony N. Imbalzano. Muscle-specific pyruvate kinase isoforms, PKM1 and PKM2, regulate mammalian SWI/SNF proteins and histone 3 phosphorylation during myoblast differentiation. The FASEB Journal. 38 (11): e23702
2) 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.
3) Tapan Sharma, Monserrat Olea-Flores, and Anthony N. Imbalzano. 2023. Regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway during myogenesis by the mammalian SWI/SNF ATPase BRG1. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Vol. 11.
4) 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.
5) 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.
Past positions:
2020. PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Facultad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero.
2017-2018. Adjunct Professor. Cell culture lecture and lab. Facultad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero. Mexico
2015. MSc. Biomedical Sciences. Facultad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero.
2015-2016 Laboratory Assistant. Laboratorio de Toxicología y Salud Ambiental. Facultad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero. Mexico
2013. BSc. Biological chemistry and parasitology. Facultad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero. Mexico.
Email: Monserrat.OleaFlores@umassmed.edu
ORCID Account
Graduate Students MB&B
MSc. Jaime Carrazco-Carrillo
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, PhD student
Past positions:
2016. Master in Science. Biomedicine and Molecular Biotechnology. Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
2014. Bachelor in Science. Biology, specialty in Biotechnology. Universidad de Sonora, Campus Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
2014. Laboratory Teaching Assistant. Courses: Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Genetics. Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico, Atizapan Campus. Atizapan, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
2012. International Student Exchange. Bachelor in Science. Cellular and Molecular Biology Major. Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada
Recent publications:
1) Verdejo-Torres, O., Klein, D.C., Novoa-Aponte, L., Carrazco-Carrillo, J., Bonilla-Pinto, D., Rivera, A., Bakhshian, A., Fitisemanu, F., Jiménez-González, M.L., Flinn, L., Pezacki, A.T., Lanzirotti, A., Ortiz-Frade, L.A., Chang, C.J., Navea, J.G., Blaby-Haas, C., Hainer, S.J., Padilla-Benavides, T. 2024 Cysteine Rich Intestinal Protein 2 is a copper-responsive regulator of skeletal muscle differentiation and metal homeostasis. Preprint at Biorxiv: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.10.588959v1 . PLOS Genetics 20(12): e1011495. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011495
2) Baez-Gonzalez, A.S., Carrazco-Carrillo, J.A., Figueroa-Gonzalez, G., Quintas-Granados, L.I., Padilla-Benavides, T.*, & Octavio Reyes-Hernandez*. 2023. Functional effect of indole-3 carbinol in the viability and invasive properties of cultured cancer cells. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, Latin America special edition.
3) Carlson, A., Carrazco-Carrillo, J.A., Loder, A., Elkhadragy, L., Schachtschneider, K.M., and Padilla-Benavides, T. 2022. The Oncopig as an emerging model to investigate copper regulation in cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23 (22), 14012.
Awards:
2022. Scholarship to attend to the 2022 SACNAS pre-conference 1st annual C.O.L.O.R. retreat in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2016. Honorable Mention. Master in Science Thesis. ENCB-IPN. Mexico
2016. Research Fellowship, Mexican National Research Council. Mexico
2013. Research Fellowship, Mexican Academy of Sciences. Mexico
Email: jcarrazcoca@wesleyan.edu
Arianna McDaniels
Bachelor of Arts, Biology. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Past positions:
2024. Research Associate Scientist. AtlasXomics, New Haven, CT.
2021. Medical Sciences Teaching Assistant. West Haven High School | West Haven, CT.
2021. Undergraduate Researcher, Possidente & Sheppard Labs. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY. 2018 Biology Lab Intern. Gendron Lab. Yale University, New Haven, CT.
Awards:
2021. Skidmore Career & Development post-grad award.
2017-2021. S3M Scholar, Skidmore College.
2021. SGA leadership award.
2018-2019. Skidmore College Summer Research Grant
2017. OHSSP Early College Spring Semester University of New Haven
2016. Yale Student Summer Research Institute.
2016-2017. Early College Program, University of New Haven.
2015. Early College Program, Southern Connecticut State University.
Recent publications:
1) Kartiganer, Z., Rojas, G., Riccio, M., Tyree, A., Noronha, K., Wetzel, M., Barnett, J., McGann, J., Garbarino, J., Massucci, D., Chafi, N., Decker, S., McDaniels, A., Sabina, J., Levchenko, D., Perez, J., Ng, C., Wang, K. 2023. Improved Cell-Type Identification and Comprehensive Mapping of Regulatory Features with Spatial Epigenomics 96-Channel Microfluidic Platform. GEN Biotechnology, Vol. 2, No.6.
2) McDaniels, A. & Sheppard, K. 2020. Resurrection of Ancestral Aspartyl‐tRNA Synthetases. The FASEB Journal, 34(S1), 1–1.
Email: amcdaniels@wesleyan.edu
PhD Rotation Students
Master Students
Undergraduate Students
Denzel Bonilla-Pinto
Bachelor of Arts, Prospective major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry & Neuroscience and Behavior. 2026 Class.
WesMaSS Member
Past positions:
2022 Volunteer, FBLA – Future Business Leaders of America, Benjamin O. Davis High School.
2022 President, French Honor Society, Benjamin O. Davis High School
Recent publications:
1) Verdejo-Torres, O., Klein, D.C., Novoa-Aponte, L., Carrazco-Carrillo, J., Bonilla-Pinto, D., Rivera, A., Bakhshian, A., Fitisemanu, F., Jiménez-González, M.L., Flinn, L., Pezacki, A.T., Lanzirotti, A., Ortiz-Frade, L.A., Chang, C.J., Navea, J.G., Blaby-Haas, C., Hainer, S.J., Padilla-Benavides, T. 2024 Cysteine Rich Intestinal Protein 2 is a copper-responsive regulator of skeletal muscle differentiation and metal homeostasis. Preprint at Biorxiv: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.10.588959v1. PLOS Genetics 20(12): e1011495. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011495
Awards:
2023. Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship, Wesleyan University
2021. QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship Recipient
Email: dbonillapint@wesleyan.edu
Kavya Panjwami, Visiting undergraduate student Mukerji lab
Bachelor of Arts: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. 2026 Class.
Awards:
2025. Summer program scholarship, Albany Medical College; Barroso lab.
2024. Research in the Sciences Summer Fellowship, Wesleyan University
Email: kpanjwani@wesleyan.edu
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Alexis Gerwe
Bachelor of Arts: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Art History Minor. 2027 Class.
Awards:
2025. Wesleyan Summer Grant
Past positions:
2023. Captain and Member, American School in London Rowing Team, London, UK.
2023. Electronics and Integration Lead, ASL Robotics, London, UK.
2023. Advanced Research, American School in London, London, United Kingdom
Email: agerwe@wesleyan.edu
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Hugh Hamilton Tevis
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience & Biology Majors and Chemistry minor. 2027 Class.
2025. Certification Connecticut EMT Responder
Wesleyan Men’s Varsity Lacrosse & Wrestling
Past positions:
2022. Shadowing Dr. Amy Wasterlain, Orthopedics. Middlesex Hospital
Awards:
2025. Wesleyan Summer Grant
2023. Choate Rosemary Hall International Student Mentor & Prefect, Wallingford, CT
2023. Founder & President Choate Rosemary Hall Fishing Club, Wallingford, CT
Email: htevis23@wesleyan.edu
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Miki J. Lynch
Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. 2027 Class.
Past positions:
2024. Research Assistant, Weir Lab at Wesleyan University, Middletown CT
2024. Writer, Wesleyan University Inclusion in STEM Initiative, Middletown CT
Awards:
2025. University of Pennsylvania Summer Undergraduate Internship Program, Philadelphia PA
2024. Research in Sciences Summer Fellowship, Middletown CT
Email: mjlynch@wesleyan.edu
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Alexandra Valverde
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Major; Economics Minor. Pre-Medicine. 2027 Class.
Doula, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Hartford CT
Past positions:
2023. Peer Advocates Project, CT
2023. Yale New Haven Health Hospital, New Haven, CT
2022. Summer Soccer Camp, West Haven, CT
2022. Intern, National Leadership Academics, CT
2022. Intern, Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrion, Lima, Peru
Awards:
2021-2023. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
2021-2023. All Scholar Athlete Academic Award
2023. Member National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientist
Email: avalverde@wesleyan.edu
Ephraim Hickey
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Major; & Neuroscience and Behavior. 2027 Class.
2025. Volunteer, Middlesex Health Emergency Department
2024. Certified State of Connecticut Emergency Medical Technician
Past positions:
2025. Research Assistant, Shabtai Lab at Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Center, Hamden CT
2024. Research Assistant, Health of Communities Project at Community Health Inc., Middletown CT
2022. President, Hamden High School Class of 2023, Hamden CT
Email: echickey@wesleyan.edu
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Alexander Rios
Bachelor of Arts, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Major. 2027 Class.
2025. Latinx Mentor, Wesleyan University- Latin American Student Organization, Middletown, CT
2024. Teacher Fellow, Wesleyan University-National Education Equity Lab, Middletown, CT
Past positions:
2025. Summer Health Professions Education Program: Home Student, Columbia University, Manhattan, NY
2024. Hospital Volunteer, Saint Joseph Medical Center, Yonkers, NY
2022. NYS Regents Tutor Volunteer, Yonkers Partners in Education, Yonkers, NY
Email: arios01@wesleyan.edu
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Visiting Scholars
Opportunities for international students are available
High School Students
Sanjay Rajan
South Windsor High School, 2027
Past positions:
2025. Emergency Medical Technician Certification
2024. Duke Advanced Medical Neuroscience Coursera certificate
2024. Yale Center for Clinical Investigation Exposures Summer Program, CT
2024. Volunteer for CompleteCare nursing home at Fox Hill center, CT
Awards:
2025. Finalist. International Genius Olympiad
2025. 3rd place. Yale Neuroscience Brain Bee Competition
2024. Finalist. Pfizer Computational Biology, Life Science Division
2024. 2nd place. Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission’s Environmental Science Awards Science Fair
2024. Winner. Capital Region Science Olympiad Invitational Experimental Design
2024. University of Connecticut Experimental Design event
Recent publications :
1) Conference proceedings: Rajan, Smriti, and Sanjay Rajan. “A Novel Approach to Preventing the PrPSc Induced Neurotoxicity Which Characterizes Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Through the Inhibition of Glypican-1.” Neurology, vol. 103, no. 7_Supplement_1, Oct. 2024. Presented at the American Academy of Neurology Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, July, 19-20, 2024.
Opportunities for creative and proactive volunteer high schoolers are always available. You must be over 16 YO to apply.