.
Revised March 14, 2008 (vgl & gbi)
Program in ToxicologyCurrent Positions of Recent Toxicology Ph.D. Graduates |
| 2007 | |
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Erik K. Rushton, Ph.D. Tufts University, B.S. 1998 Advisor: Jacob Finkelstein, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Nanoparticle Toxicity and Oxidative Stress Assessed through Pulmonary Cell Models. Current Position: Toxicologist, ExxonMobil |
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Rosemarie Marchan, Ph.D. N. Carolina Central University, B.S. 2002 Advisor: Ned Ballatori, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Role of the Multidrug Resistance-Associated Glutathione Transport During Apoptosis. Current Position: Postdoctoral Student, Dortmund, Germany |
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Julian Castaneda, Ph.D. University of Florida, B.S/B.A. 2002 Advisor: David Pearce, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Characterization of the Humoral Autoimmune Response in Batten Disease and the Cln3-/- Murine Model. Current Position: Veterinary Student at Cornell University |
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Sean C. Gehen, Ph.D. Brigham Young University, B.S. 2002 Advisor: Michael OReilly, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Novel Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Checkpoint Activation and Maintenance in Hyperoxia. Current Position: Senior Toxicologist at Dow Agro Sciences. |
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John P. Norman, Ph.D. SUNY-Fredonia, B.S. 2002 Advisor: Harris Gelbard, M.D. Thesis Title: The HIV-1 Neurotoxin Tat Rapidly Induces the Unfolded Protein Response and Mitochondrial Hyperpolarization: A Unifying Mechanism for Neuropathogenesis and Treatment Current Position: Juris Doctoral Candidate at Yeshiva University School of Law |
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Peter F. Vitiello, Ph.D. Lafayette College, B.S. 2002 Advisor:Michael OReilly, Ph.D. Thesis Title: P21 Regulation of Cell Survival and Death in Response to Hyperoxic Stress Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rochester |
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Zhihui (Gerald) Zhong, Ph.D. Nanjing University, B.S. 1999, M.S. 2001 Advisor: Berislav Zlokovic, M.D. Thesis Title: Neurovascular and Neuronal Protective Activities of Protein S and Activated Protein C in Models of Acute or Chronic Disorders of the Nervous System Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rochester |
| 2006 | |
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Tara L. Arndt, Ph.D. University of Washington, B.S. & B.A. 2001 Advisor: Patricia Rodier, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Eyeblink Conditioning in Autism and Fetal Valproate Syndrome Current Position: MD/PhD Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine |
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David G. Farrer, Ph.D.
Brigham Young University, B.S. 2001 Advisor: Michael McCabe, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Target Cells and Key Mediators in Lead-Induced Immune Modulation Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Oregon State University |
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Yu (Agnes) Luo, Ph.D. Nanjing University, M.S. 1999 Advisor: Howard Federoff, M.D., Ph.D. Thesis Title: Function and Mechanisms of Nurr1 in the Midbrain Dopaminergic System Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania |
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Geniece McCollum-Lehmann, Ph.D. St. John Fisher College, B.A. 1998 Advisor: Michael McCabe, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Function and Mechanisms of Nurr1 in the Midbrain Dopaminergic System Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rochester |
| 2005 | |
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Pheona Radcliffe, Ph.D. Boston University, B.A. 1992 Advisor: William Tank, Ph.D. Thesis Title: The Transcriptional Regulation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene Expression in Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at CIIT Centers for Health Research |
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Elizabeth P. Ryan, Ph.D. Bowling Green State University, B.S. 1996 Advisor: Richard Phipps, Ph.D. Thesis Title: B Lymphocyte Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2: Implications for Humoral Immunity and Cancer Current Position: Research Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine |
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Carissa R. Filbrandt Childs, Ph.D. Eckerd College, B.S. 1999 Advisor: Thomas Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: The Blood Brain Barrier as a Target of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Toxicity Mediated by the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor Current Position: Law Student at SUNY Buffalo Law School |
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Russell Garrett, Ph.D. Univ. of SW Louisiana, B.S. 1997 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: A Role of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor in Hematopoietic Precursors: Consequences to the Knockout Phenotype and 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Exposure Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Pennsylvania |
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Donna Wai Ling Lee, Ph.D. UC Santa Cruz, B.A. 1999 Advisor: Lisa Opanashuk, Ph.D. Thesis Title: PCB Neurotoxicity: Oxidative Stress as a Mechanism for Neurodegeneration and Compromised Behavioral Function Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Buck Institute |
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David M. Lehmann, Ph.D. Colorado State University, B.S. 2000 Advisor: Harold Smith, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Role of Phosphorylation of Apobec-1 Complementation Factor, ACF, in Ethanol-stimulation of ApoB mRNA Editing Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rochester |
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Jason M. Roper, Ph.D. Western Michigan University, B.S. 1997 Advisor: Michael OReilly, Ph.D. Thesis Title: The Response of Alveolar Type II Epithelial Cells to Oxidative Stress from Hyperoxia Current Position: Staff Toxicologist at WIL Research Laboratories |
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Madhuri Singal, Ph.D. SUNY-Syracuse, B.S. 1998 Advisor: Jacob Finkelstein, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Mechanism of Aerosil200 Particulate Induced Inflammatory Gene Expression in Alveolar Epithelial Cells Current Position: Manager, Respiratory Sciences Program, Research Institute for Fragrance Materials |
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Mary A. Williamson, Ph.D. Stony Brook University, B.S. 1996 Advisor: Lisa Opanashuk, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor Expression in Cerebellar Granule Neurons: Implications for Development and Neurotoxicity Current Position: Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical Laboratory Outreach at Boston University |
| 2004 | |
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Christine Hammond, Ph.D. Allegheny College, B.S. 1998 Advisor: Ned Ballatori, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Mechanisms and Physiological Significance of Glutathione Export During Apoptosis Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Rochester |
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Christopher Helt, Ph.D. Penn State University, B.S. 1997 Advisor:Michael OReilly, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Activation and Role of the p53/p21 Pathway during Hyperoxic Stress Current Position: Senior Research Scientist at Colgate-Palmolive Company |
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Gary Minsavage, Ph.D. Kings College, B.S. 1999 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Identification and Characterization of Phosphorylated Sites that are Required for Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) DNA Binding and Transactivation Current Position: Senior Toxicologist at ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences |
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Christine Palermo, Ph.D. SUNY Geneseo, B.S. 1999 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Identification and Mechanism of Action of Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor Inhibitors in Green Tea Extract Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Tulane University |
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Amber Wyman, Ph.D. University of Washington, B.S. 1998 Advisor:Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Identification and cCharacterization of Murine Bone Marrow Cellular Targets for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Current Position: Biology Instructor at Finger Lakes Community College |
| 2003 | |
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Ruth Reeves, Ph.D. University Massachusetts, Amherst, B.S. 1996 Advisor: Deborah Cory-Slechta, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Mechanisms of TriadimefonÐinduced Behavioral Sensitization and Neurotoxicity in Adult and Developmental Mouse Models Current Position: Safety Pharmacologist at Sepracor, Inc. |
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Tenea Watson, Ph.D. Mary Baldwin College, B.S. 1998 Advisor: Jacob Finkelstein, Ph.D. Thesis Title: An Immunoregulatory Role for Clara Cell Secretory Protein Current Position: Research Scientist at Gilead Sciences, Inc. |
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Junguo Zhou, Ph.D. W. China University of Medicine, B.S. 1993 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Mechanistic Studies of Species- and Gene-specific Activities of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Current Position: Senior Regulatory Toxicologist at Bayer CropScience |
| 2002 | |
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Kyong Hong, Ph.D. University of California Ð Davis, B.S. 1996 Advisor: Barry Stripp, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Cell Lineage Relationships within Conducting Airway Epithelium Current Position: Scientist at SONY Corporation |
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Thomas K. Lee, Ph.D. University of Rochester, B.S. 1995 Advisor: Ned Ballatori, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Role of Glutathione in Hepatic Transport of Xenobiotics Current Position: Pathology Resident at Johns Hopkins University Hospital |
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Raymond C. Rancourt, Ph.D. Cook College, B.S. 1990 Advisors: Peter Keng, Ph.D. / Michael OReilly, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Characterization of the Growth, Arrest and Toxicity in Lung Epithelial Cells Exposed to Hyperoxia Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at National Jewish Medical Center |
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Huei-Ju Ting, Ph.D. National Taiwan University, B.S. 1993 Advisor: Chawnshang Chang, Ph.D. Thesis Title: The Cloning and Characterization of Androgen Receptor Coregulators, Supervillin and Gelsolin Current Position:Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Rochester |
| 2001 | |
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Kevin J. French, Ph.D. Lehigh University, B.S. 1996 Advisor: Barry Goldstein, M.D. Thesis Title: Cytochrome P450cam as a Biocatalyst: Studies on the Benign Synthesis of 2-ethylhexanoic Acid Current Position: Senior Research Scientist at Apogee Biotechnology Co. |
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Larry J. Jolievette, Ph.D. Southern University, B.S. 1995 Advisor: M. W. Anders, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Computational Modeling of the Microsomal Glutathione Transferase-I-catalyzed Reaction of Glutathione with Halogenated Alkenes Current Position: Head Investigator at GlaxoSmithKline |
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Francis G. Murante, Ph.D. St. John Fisher, B.S. 1981 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Characterization of Alterations to Hematopoietic Stem Cells by TCDD Current Position: Scientist at Vaccinex |
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Daniel A. Nazarenko, Ph.D. University of Scranton, B.S. 1994 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Determination of the Developmental Expression and Activation of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor in TCDD-responsive LacZ Transgenic Mice Current Position: Associate Director at Fulcrum Pharmaceutical Developments Inc. |
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Elizabeth A. Lipscomb Nazarenko, Ph.D. Wittenberg University, B.A. 1993 Advisor: Robert Freeman, Ph.D. Thesis Title: The Role of SM-20 in Neuronal Cell Death Current Position:Staff Toxicologist at Integrated Laboratory Systems |
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Patrick D. Sarmiere, Ph.D. Ithaca College, B.A. 1996 Advisor: Robert Freeman, Ph.D. Thesis Title: The Role of SM-20 in Neuronal Cell Death Current Position:Staff Toxicologist at Integrated Laboratory Systems |
| 2000 | |
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Dawn Clifton, Ph.D. Northeast Missouri State University, B.S. 1995 Advisor: Lee Ann Sporn, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Host Cell Responses to Infection with the Obligate Intracellular Parasite Rickettsia rickettsii Current Position:Scientist, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
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Steven D. Dertinger, Ph.D. Rochester Institute of Technology, B.S. 1998 Advisor: Thomas Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: : Influence of Aryl hydrocarbon-mediated Events on the Genotoxicity of Cigarette Smoke Constituents Current Position: Director of Research at Litron Laboratories |
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Gregory Mango, Ph.D. University of Rochester, B.A. 1994 Advisor: Barry Stripp, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Role of Clara Cells in Prevention of Oxidant-induced Lung Injury: Importance of Clara Cell Secretory Protein Current Position: Criminalist at Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Central Laboratory |
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Sang-ki Park, Ph.D. Seoul National University, M.S. 1992 Advisor: Tom Gasiewicz, Ph.D. Thesis Title: : Role of Phosphorylation in Proper DNA Binding Conformation and Transactivation of Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor Current Position: Assistant Professor at St. Johns University |
| Penelope A. Rice, Ph.D. Florida State University, M.S. 1993 Advisor: Susan Stevens, Ph.D. Thesis Title: Modulation of Bacterial Infections by the Sympathetic Nervous System Current Position: Toxicologist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration |










































