Doisy Scholars

Rafael Cancado de Faria
Rafael Cancado de Faria
2nd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Susana Gonzalo

Rafael obtained both his B.S. in Biochemistry and M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Brazil.

Rafael’s research is focused on defining the role of genomic instability-induced inflammation in metabolic disorders, tissue degeneration, and organismal decline in Progeria, a devastating premature aging disease.

Outside of the Lab, Rafael enjoys spending time with his family and friends, volunteer activities in the community, and playing music.

Haley Carlson
Haley Carlson
4th Year Graduate Student
Mentor: David Ford

Haley obtained her B.S. in Biochemistry from the College of Saint Scholastica in northern Minnesota.

Haley’s current research project involves studying proteomic changes resulting from chlorolipid treatment of human cells.

In her free time, Haley likes to play Animal Crossing, read, and walk around outside.

Amelia Fox
Amelia Fox
3rd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Fran Sverdrup

Amelia obtained her B.S. in Biology from Murray State University in Kentucky.

Amelia’s research project is focused on investigating the p38 regulatory components involved in differentiation dependent DUX4 activation in Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Outside of the lab, Amelia enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Christy Hadfield
Christy Hadfield
2nd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Kyle McCommis & Reza Dastvan

Christy received both their B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology from Saint Louis University.

Christy’s current research project is on solving the structure of the mitochondrial pyruvate transporter MPC complex and investigating possible inhibitors with therapeutic impacts in cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and obesity.

In their free time, Christy likes to pursue various hobbies including skateboarding, rollerblading, crocheting, sewing, and fictional creative writing.

Cassie Kukla
Cassandra Kukla
4th Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Enrico Di Cera

Cassie received her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Saint Louis University. After graduation, she worked in the Tavis lab in the MMI department for one year as a lab technician, before joining the Biomedical Sciences Core program.

Cassie’s research focuses on the structural enzymology of coagulation factors and their complexes. Currently, she studies the role of the catalytic Ser in allostery.

When not in the lab, Cassie enjoys riding her bike in Tower Grove Park, cooking, and trying new restaurants in the St. Louis area.

Hannah Lupton
Hannah Lupton
2nd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Fran Sverdrup

Hannah received her B.S. in chemistry and M.S. in pharmaceutical science and medicinal chemistry from SIUE.

Hannah’s current research project is focused on the design, synthesis, and in-depth biochemical evaluation of p38-targeting isoform specific PROTACs as novel therapeutics for FSHD and other diseases that involve p38.

In her free time, Hannah likes to read, travel, spend time with family and friends, hike, forage for mushrooms, and go kayaking.

Reagan McGuffee
Reagan McGuffee
3rd Year M.D./Ph.D. Student
Mentor: David Ford

Reagan obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Reagan’s research project involves investigating potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles of plasmalogens, particularly in the setting of sepsis.

Other than research, Reagan enjoys hiking, fishing, and making stained glass art.

Barbara Teodoro Castro
Barbara Teodoro Castro
3rd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Susana Gonzalo

Barbara obtained both her B.S. in Biochemistry and M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Brazil.

Barbara’s research interests focus on investigating the impact of progerin expression on telomere stability and inflammation.

In her free time, Barbara loves spending time with family, especially with her daughter, and walking outside.

Rachel Weiss
Rachel Weiss
3rd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Kyle McCommis

Rachel obtained her B.S. in Molecular Biology from Loyola University-Chicago.

Rachel’s current research is focused on determining the connection between glycogen accumulation and cardiac hypertrophy.

Outside of lab, Rachel enjoys reading, volunteering at the animal shelter, and spending time outside.

Jaclyn Whalen
Jaclyn Whalen
2nd Year Graduate Student
Mentor: Fran Sverdrup

Rachel obtained her B.S. in Molecular Biology from Loyola University-Chicago.

Rachel’s current research is focused on determining the connection between glycogen accumulation and cardiac hypertrophy.

Outside of lab, Rachel enjoys reading, volunteering at the animal shelter, and spending time outside.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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