DO-PhD - Students

Graduate Programs & Facilities

Stacie Demel, Ph.D. is is in her final year of the D.O. Ph.D. Program. She received a Ph.D from the Neuroscience Program in 2008. The title of her dissertaion was "Impaired purinergic neurotransmission in mesenteric arteries in salt sensitive hypertension". Stacie received a B.S. in Biology from Penn State University. She worked as an Associate Technician at Smith Kline Beecham and carried out research at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Stacie was awarded a Ph.D. in May 2008. She carried out her Ph.D. research under the direction of her major professor, Dr. James Galligan, Professor in the Dept. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, examining the prejunctional inhibition of sympathetic neuroeffector transmission by tempol in mesenteric veins of doca-salt rats. Stacie was awarded funding for her PhD research for two years from the American Heart Association. She began her Clerkships in July 2008 at Botsford Hosptial in Farmington Hills, MI.

Kelly Janis, Ph.D. is in her final year of the D.O. Ph.D. Program. She received a PhD from the Neuroscience Program in 2008. The title of her dissertation was "Investigation of the Efficacy of Various Neuroprotection Agents for their Potential Use in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease". Kelly received her B.S. in Biology at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. As an undergraduate at Canisius College, Kelly carried out research on hormonal regulation of monocyte activity as part of a murine model for breast cancer. She was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Kelly carried out her research for the PhD in the laboratory of Dr. John Goudreau, her major professor. Her resesrch focused on investigating cannabinoid receptors which are seen to be partially protective against MPTP-induced toxicity of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease, which involves the progressive loss of these nigrostriatal dopamine (NSDA) neurons. Kelly is completing her clerkships at Bostford Hospital.

Eric Marrotte, Ph.D. received the a Ph.D in Cell & Molecular Biology Program in 2009. Eric transferred from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine after completing the first two years of medical school. Eric also has an M.S. degree in Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut. The title of his dissertation is "Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction Contributes to Imparied Wound Healing in Diabetes Mellitus". Eric Marrotte was was awarded funding for his PhD research for two years from the American Heart Association. Eric began Clerkships in the fall of 2008 at E.W. Sparrow Hospital. Eric and his wife, Carol, have son, Andrew, born October 2007.

Eric Schauberger, who is originally from Wisconsin, is a sixth year D.O. Ph.D. student in the Genetics Ph.D. Program. Eric's major professor is Susan Ewart, Professor in the Dept. of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. Eric is looking at whole genome association analysis for asthma using DNA pooling methods under Dr. Ewart's dirction. Eric gave an oral presentation at the 2009 European Respiratory Society Meeting in Vienna Austria, entitled " In silico mining to prioritize functional sequence variant". Eric received his B.S. in Genetics from Iowa State University. Before beginning the D.O. Ph.D. Program Eric worked as a research technician in a Microbiology laboratory at MSU. Eric is married to Katie Schauberger, who is a graduate of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and is practicing as a small animal veterinarian.

Christine Dugan is completing her PhD research in the Cell & Molecular Biology Program. Christine's major professors are Dr. Robert Roth and Dr. Patricia Ganey. She is carrying out research on halothane-induced heapto-toxicity of the liver. She is a graduate of Dickson College in Carlisle, PA, where she received a B.S. in Physics. Christine received an M.S. in Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, where she was a graduate assistant in the Cellular & Molecular Biodynamics Program. After receiving her Master's Degree Christine worked as a Research Specialist at the Center for Gene Therapy at Tulane Health Science Center in New Orleans and also in the Cancer Center at Tulane.

Joseph Prinsen is a 4th year D.O. Ph.D. student in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology. Joe's major professor is Bari Olivier, D.V.M. Joe is carrying out research on arrythmogenesis under the direction of Dr. Olivier. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biology. At RIT, Joe worked under the direction Dr. Nancy Wanek for 4 years pursuing research in developmental biology primarily using the mouse as an animal model. Following graduation, Joe began investigating the incidence of atrial fibrillation in the elderly population under the direction of Dr. Robert Caldwell, Surgical Clerkship Director at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.

Steve Proper is a 4th year student in the D.O. Ph.D. Program in the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Steven graduated from Kettering University with a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry in December 2005. He was admitted to the D.O. Ph.D. Program in 2006. Dr. John LaPres is his major professor. At Kettering, Steven carried out research from 2003-2005 as an ORISE Fellow at NIOSH. He had varied research experiences ranging from immuno-toxicology to cancer biology to gas phase chemistry. In particular, Steve's undergraduate thesis research in the laboratory of Dr. Ray Wells, a research chemist at NIOSH's Exposure Assessment Branch, focused on the gas-phase chemistry of compounds commonly found in indoor cleaning products and how that may relate to occupational exposures. Steve lives in Saint Louis, MI with his wife Alexis, who is an Application Engineer at Dow-Corning in Midland, MI.

Tyler Voss is a 4th year D.O. - Ph.D. student in the Cell & Molecular Biology Program . His major professor is Dr. Andy Amalfitnao, D.O.,Ph.D. Tyler is working with the malaria vaccine candidate vector that has been prodiced in the Amalfitano Laboratory. Tyler received a B.S. degree in Biotechnology from Ferris State University. Tyler’s research experiences include a five month internship in the Madison Wisconsin VA Hospital Allergy Lab and also working as a research technician for Novagen and Third Wave Technologies in Madison. Tyler also worked as a research technician for Cathie G. Miller, Ph.D., Director for the Gayle Halperin Kahn Laboratory of Viral Onco-Therapeutics at the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Tyler’s research at Henry Ford focused on engineering oncolytic herpesviruses (OHV) for brain tumor therapy.

Hae-young Hawong is a 4th year student in the D.O. Ph.D. Program in the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her major professor is Dr. Seong Yu, PhD, Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Hae is examining the mechanism of microglial cell inflammation and its effect on dopaminergic cell death induced by neurotoxins such as rotenone. Hae graduated from MSU in December 2005 with two Bachelor Degrees, a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a B.S. in Mathematics. Hae is originally from South Korea. Hae was awarded the MSU Global Spartan Scholarship given to international students who show superior academic achievement. As an undergraduate research assistant, Hae worked in the laboratories of Dr. Min-Hao Kuo, investigating histone acetylation, Dr. Zachary Burton, in the summer of 2003, examining the genetic interactions of transcription factors TFIIS and TFIIF, and Dr. Cheryl Sisk, from 2004 to 2005, examining the effect of estrogen on Alzheimer’s disease.

Igor Korolev is a 4th year D.O- Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience Program. His major professor is Andrea Bozoki, M.D., Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Radiology and the Dept. of Neurology. Under Dr. Bozoki’s direction, Igor is using neuroimaging methods in conjunction with cognitive paradigms to study Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Igor collaborated on a study designed to address how people integrate landmark and layout information during spatial navigation in his freshman and sophomore years at Brandeis University where he received a B.S. in Neuroscience. A Research Associate from 2005 to 2006, Igor carried out research under the direction of Dr. Michael Kahana in the Computational Memory Lab (CML) at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focused on spatial navigation, using a virtual reality model known as “Yellow Cab." Igor is an author on a paper in Cognition that describes the “taxicab theory”. Igor was awarded the distinguished MSU University Enriched Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to new MSU graduate students with rich and unique experiences and backgrounds.

Tyrell Simkins is a 3rd year D.O. Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience Program. Tyrell is carrying out his research in the laboratory of John Goudreau, D.O., Ph.D., who is his major professor. Tyrell received a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Boise State University. He became interested in research at Utah State University when he was selected to be an assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Aust, a professor formerly from MSU in the Department of Biochemistry. In Dr. Aust's laboratory, Tyrell examined amino acids in ferritin and designed mutants of recombinant human ferritin in order to study ferroxidase activity. Data produced by Tyrell contributed to a graduate student's Ph.D. thesis. Tyrell transferred from Utah State University to Boise State University and quickly found a research opportunity there in the laboratory of Dr. Cheryl Jorcyk in the Department of Biology. He carried out research on a highly significant project to determine whether oncostatin M (OSM)-signaling plays a significant role in colorectal cancer progression. The preliminary data obtained was used by Dr. Jorcyk as the basis for an NIH grant proposal. Tyrell and his wife, Jensie, and daughter, Lucie, 4 yrs, live in Lansing. They welcomed new son Asher in May 2009.

Youssef Kousa is a 3rd year D.O. Ph.D. student in the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Youssef was awarded the MSU University Distinguished Fellowship. MSU awards this fellowship to new MSU graduate students to recognize their academic achievement, leadership potential, and contribution to a diverse educational community. His major professor is Dr. Brian Schutte, Ph.D. His research project focuses on "IRF6 Insertion/Deletion Mutations in Van der Woude Syndrome". Youssef is the 2008-2009 - American Medical Student Association (AMSA) President. He graduated summa cum Laude from Kean University with a BS degree in biology. He received an MS degree in Biotechnology from Kean University carrying out research on microsymbionts. He was president of the Class of 2005 and an Intern with the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, which addresses Global Warming, Religious Reconciliation, Global Public Health, and World Poverty. In the summer of 2005 Youssef Kousa went to Liaoning Province in China and became the first Kean student to conduct international research. With Dr. Xiaobo Yu, Youssef investigated the scientific method as it pertains to the natural sciences, and successfully excavated a 125-million year old fossil fish. Youssef and his wife, Evon Tawadrous, have a new son, David Noah, born February 2008.

Joyce Chyong-jy Liu is a 3rd year D.O. Ph.D student in the Genetics Program. Dr. Andy Amalfitano, D.O.,Ph.D. is her major professor. Joyce is is the Research Chair for SOMA the Student Osteopathic Medical Association at MSU COM. Joyce earned a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry with academic honors from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA degree from Texas Tech University. Joyce, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, has been pursuing research for more than fours years. As an undergraduate at the University of Texas she carried out research on methods for constructing expanded porphyrin compounds. While pursuing an MBA at Texas Tech Joyce decided to pursue some research on the side and worked in the laboratory of Dr. Johannes Everse. Her research there involved the examination of peroxidase enzymes and whether they played a key role in the neurodegerative processes in Parkinson's Diesase. Her results produced two posters, one which came in first place at the Howard Hughes Medical Instuitute Research week at Texas Tech University. In 2006 Joyce joined the laboratory of Dr. Xuelian Luo at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Joyce carried out studies on Mad2 spindle checkpoint proteins utilizing X-ray crystallography.

Dionisa Quiroga is a 3rd year D.O. Ph.D. student in the Cell & Molecular Biology Program . Her major professor is Dr. Andy Amalfitano, D.O.,Ph.D. Dionisia graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Physiology. Dionisia was a McNair SROP Scholar as an undergraduate and carried out research in the laboratory of Professor Uhal of Physiology testing an evaluating knockdown strategies at reducing or abrogating ACE-2 activity in cultured mouse lung epithelia cells. Dr. Uhal's laboratory is a cell biology lab studying cell death in pulmonary fibrosis. Dionisia participated in the MSU Study Aboard Program traveling to Australia focusing on studying the delivery of health care there.

Andrew Taylor is a 3rd year student in the D.O. Ph.D. Program and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Bioethics. Andrew has many interests related to the philosophy of medicine which include: bioethics, metaphysics (personal identity and material constitution), philosophy of the mind (especially consciousness), and philosophy of science. He graduated from Michigan State University with Bachelor's degrees in Zoology and Philosophy. Andrew carried out research under the direction of Dr. Fred Dyer, Chairperson and Professor of Zoology. The work in Dr. Dyer's lab is focused on the mechanisms, ecology, and evolution of animal behavior. The primary emphasis is on visually guided behavior in honey bees and the complex decision-making in other organisms including humans. Andrew is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where his parents reside.

Paul Beach is a 2nd year D.O. Ph.D. student in theNeuroscience Program. His major professor is Andrea Bozoki, M.D., Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Radiology and the Dept. of Neurology. Paul is very interested in investigating pain and cognitive processing in patients with disorders of consciousness. Paul, from Sturgis Michigan, graduated from Albion College in May 2008 with a BS in Biology and minored in Neuroscience. He was member of the Prentiss M. Brown Honors Institute. Paul is very interested in behavioral neurology, specifically neurolinguistics and aphasic patients using EEGs and MEGs. As an undergraduate at Albion Paul worked under the direction of Dr. Dr. Molly Duman-Scheel on on several studies examining the role of netrons in axon growth in the developing invertebrate nervous system. He presented his research at the Society for Developmental Biology at the annual meeting in Ann Arbor, MI. Paul worked as a teaching assistant at Albion, also, for introductory biology courses and was a member of the Albion College Step Ahead Program tutoring 20 high school students in an introductory biology class to prepare them for sciences at the college level.

Darin Quach is a 2nd year D.O-PhD student admitted to the Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Biology. Darin's major professor is Dr. Robert Britton, PhD. Darin is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego and has a B.S. in Bioengineering and Biology. Since 2006, he has be working as a Research Specialist and Lab Manager at San Diego State College in the laboratory of Kelly S. Doran, Ph.D. In Dr. Doran's laboratory, Darin explored the molecular mechanisms utilized by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) to evade host innate immune defenses. Darin also examined the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis. He is an author on a paper in the journal Microbial Pathogenesis resulting from his work at San Diego that was published in January 2008 entitled "CAMP factor is not essential for systemic virulence of Group B Streptococcus" Darin would like to continue research for his PhD in the field of microbial pathogenesis and immune response

Emila Boffi admitted to the Medical Anthropology Ph.D. program received a BS in Anthropology from the University of Michigan in May. She has carried out cultural anthropological research in India for one summer. She has been involved in women’s health research at the University of Michigan. Emilia’s goal is to pursue a career as a cultural anthropologist working in the field of community health, either in a segmented population, i.e., native Indians, or in a wider urban setting.

My-Trang Dang is a 1st year D.O-PhD student. She received a BS in Human Biology from MSU in May 2009. She has been carrying out research in the laboratory of Todd Ciche. My-Trang has been admitted to the PhD. Program in the Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Biology .

Hannah Giunta is a first year DO PhD student pursuing a PhD in in Philosophy and Bioethics. She graduated in May 2009 from Bradley University in Peoria with two Bachelor degrees, one in Biology and one in Psychology. She has pursued a very eclectic education, taking courses in the humanities and bioethics as well as the basic sciences. At Wesleyan University, before transferring to Bradley University, Hannah earned a music major. Her education also includes seeking an epidemiology and public health certification from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that she plans to complete in 2009. She has been admitted as a PhD student in the Department of Philosophy and will pursue a program in Bioethics.

Karl Heddrich is a first year DO PhD student pursuing a PhD in the Neuroscience Program. He received a BS in Genomics and Molecular Genetics in 2007 from MSU and a BS in Psychology in 2006. From 2008 to present Karl has been working as a Laboratory Technician for the Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Karl has been admitted to the PhD Program in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. He is interested in pursuing research in immunology or AIDS.

James Taulbee is a first year DO PhD student. He has completed his a 2^nd year of medical student at MSUCOM. During his first year in medical school James decided to pursue a research project in the laboratory of Dr. John Goudreau, DO, PhD and carried out research there for over a year. This experience convinced him that he really would like to combine research with medicine and begin training to be a physician scientist. James received a BS in Human Biology from MSU in 2004. He has been admitted to the PhD program in the Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Biology.

Yirong Zhu is a first year DO PhD student. He graduated in May 2009 from Carleton University in Minnesota with a B.A. in Chemistry. He has been admitted as a PhD student to the Cell & Molecular Biology Program at MSU. He was awarded the Dell Scholarship for being comeptatively the highest scoring student in the 2009 DO PhD class. He gradauted with nearly a 4.0 GPA.

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