Current Students

Cynthia Abban, M.D./Ph.D. Student
Dr. Patricio I. Meneses' Lab
Room 2.451
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7751
E-mail: cynthia.abban

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 is the etiological agent of cervical cancer. Following a break in the epithelium (skin), the HPV16 virus bind to its receptors in the basal epithelial cells, induces signaling events and molecules that aids in viral entry into a host cell. My research work focuses on determining the signaling molecules induced upon HPV16 binding to its target receptor. I am asking the following questions in my research study: Which receptors does the virus (HPV16) need to bind to mediate a successful viral infection? What are the signaling molecules induced when the virus binds to its receptors? We have employed a dynamin GTPase inhibitor, dynasore, using flow cytometric analysis and electron microscopy to show that the molecule dynamin is involved in viral endocytosis, Abban et al, AJT, 2008. We are yet to define the other signaling molecules that recruit dynamin to the plasma membrane to aid in endocytosis. We hope to decipher the signaling molecules mediating viral entry and use it for a rational target against human papillomavirus infection.

Sarah Dabydeen, Ph.D. Student
Dr. Patricio I. Meneses' Lab
Room 2.451
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7751
E-mail: sarah.dabydeen

Nagaraj Kerur, Ph.D. Student
Dr. Bala Chandran's Lab
Room 2.410
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7710
E-mail: nagaraj.kerur

Christiana Kwong, M.D./Ph.D. Student
Dr. Kenneth D. Beaman's Lab
Room L.120
Telephone (847) 578-8834
E-mail: christina.kwong

King Fu (Chris) Leong, Ph.D. Student
Dr. Chao-Lan Yu's Lab
Room 2.402
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7702
Email: kingfu.leong

Arun George Paul, M.D./Ph.D. Student
Room 2.416
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7716
E-mail: arun.paul

Lance Presser, Ph.D. Student
Dr. Gulam Waris' Lab
Room 2.455
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x 7755
Email: lance.presser

Srividya Venkitachalam, Ph.D. Student
Dr. Chao-Lan Yu's Lab
Room 2.402
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7702
Email: srividya.venkitachalam

Cytokine induced JAK-STAT signaling leads to expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation. However, constitutive activation of JAK-STAT results in cancer. My work focuses on how disruption of JAK-STAT negative regulation via the SOCS proteins plays a role in oncogenesis. How is SOCS regulated in cancer cells? Does SOCS act as a tumor suppressor? We believe that studies aimed towards answering these questions may provide potential targets for cancer therapy. 

Sayan Chakraborty, Ph.D. Student
Dr. Bala Chandran's Lab
Room 2.410
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7710
E-mail: sayan. chakraborty

Nitika Paudel, M.D./Ph.D. Student
Dr. Bala Chandran's Lab
Room 2.410
Telephone (847) 578-3000 x7710
E-mail: natika.paudel

Graduates
The names of students who have graduated from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology are etched into the tiles of this plaque, proudly displayed in the department.

(For a list of names, click here)

 This page was updated on 08/19/09.