Current Graduate Students

Neuroscience Graduate Students

Name:

Yeasmin Akter

Education:

M.S, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Advisor:

Dr. Martin Hruska

Research Interests:

Alzheimer's Disease, Synaptic Adhesion Molecules (SAM) - Eph and ephrins

Achievements:

Awards
2019-2020 - National Science & Technology Fellowship, Banglades

Publications
· Ezaz, M. M. A. #; Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Nahrin, A.; Siddika, A.; Afrose, S. S.; Nayeem, S. M. A.; Haque, M. S.; Moni, M. A.; Hosen, SMZ.; “Whole proteome screening and identification of potential epitopes of SARS- CoV-2 for vaccine design-an immunoinformatic, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation accelerated robust strategy” Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 8 February 2021, (doi: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1886171) (# Equal contribution)

· Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Siddika, A. #; Nayeem, S. M. A. #; Nahrin, A.; Afrose, S. S.; Ezaz, M. M. A.; Alam, M. S.; “Nature-derived hit, lead, and drug-like small molecules: Current status and future aspects against key target proteins of Coronaviruses” Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 4 August 2021, IF: 3.862, (doi: 10.2174/1389557521666210805113231) (# Equal contribution)

· Afrose, S. S. #; Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Tania, M.; Mei, Z; Khan, M. A.; “Targeting kinases with thymoquinone: a molecular approach to cancer therapeutics” Drug Discovery Today, 25 July 2020 (IF: 7.851) (doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.07.019) (# Equal contribution)

· Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Afrose, S. S.; Tania, M.; Khan, M. A.; “Biological role of AKT, and regulation of AKT signaling pathway by thymoquinone: perspectives in cancer therapeutics” Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 1 February 2021 (IF: 3.862) (doi: 10.2174/1389557520666201005143818) (# Equal contribution)

· Shawon, J. #; Akter, Z. #; Hossen, M. M. #; Akter, Y.; Sayeed, A.; Junaid, Md.; Afrose, S. S.; Khan, M. M.; “Current landscape of natural products against coronaviruses: perspectives in COVID-19 treatment and antiviral mechanism” Current Pharmaceutical Design, 1 January 2021 (IF: 3.116) (doi: 10.2174/1381612826666201106093912) (# Equal contribution)

· Akter, Y.; Junaid, M.; Afrose, S. S.; Hosen, SMZ.; Nahrin, A.; Alam, M. S.; Sharmin, T.; Akter, R.; Hosen, SMZ.; “A Comprehensive Review on Linum usitatissimum Medicinal Plant: Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Ethnomedicinal uses” Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 3 February 2021, IF: 3.862 (doi: 10.2174/1389557521666210203153436 )

· Abstract: Junaid, M.; Afrose, S. S.; Alam, M. S.; Akter, Y.; Nahrin A.; Sharmin, T.; Akter, R.; Hosen SMZ.; “The Constituents of Honey Propolis is a Boon for Alzheimer's Disease: A Computational Approach” SSRN Electronic Journal (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3531457)

· Abstract: Islam, S.; Akter, Y.; Mohiuddin, AKM.; Evamoni, F. Z.; Hasan, M. M.; Jafar, N. B.; Islam, M. R.; Ullah, N. M.; Howlader, M.; Roy, A. S.; “Knowledge and Awareness of Early Detection Methods and Risk Factors towards Breast and Cervical Cancer in Bangladesh” Annals of Oncology, 30 (Supplement_6), pp.mdz338-049. (IF: 32.976) (doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdz338.049)

· Book Chapter: Junaid, M. #; Akter, Y. #; Afrose, S. S. #; Tania, M.; Khan, M. A.; “Apoptotic Cell Death: Important Cellular Process as Chemotherapeutic Target. Drug Targets in Cellular Processes of Cancer: From Nonclinical to Preclinical Models, 978-981-15-7585-3, 494374_1_En, (Chapter 4)”, 1 October 2020, Springer, Singapore. (doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-7586-0_4). (# Equal contribution)
Name:

Kaitlin Bainer

Advisor:

Dr. Charles Anderson
Name:

Mikaela Barbour

Advisor:

Dr. Zachary Weil
Name:

Logan Bays

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, West Virginia University

Advisor:

Dr. Bernard Schreurs

Research Interests:

Learning, memory, synaptic plasticity, and preclinical Alzheimer's and post-traumatic stress disorder models in rodents and rabbits
Name:

Ezekiel Irewole

Education:

B.S., Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Advisor:

Dr. Bernard Schreurs

Research Interests:

Estrogen Neuroprotection, Cholesterol's Influence on Learning and Memory, Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease.

Achievements:

Awards
2020 - Royal African Award for outstanding achievement in academic excellence, Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) of His Imperial Majesty (H.I.M.), the Ooni of Ife.

2018 - Faculty Prize for the best graduating student in the Faculty of Science (2016/2017 Academic Session), Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University.
Name:

Matthew Kays

Education:

B.S., Immunology and Medical Microbiology, West Virginia University

Advisor:

Dr. Aminata Coulibaly

Research Interests:

Metabolic relationship between neurons and neutrophils
Name:

Rachel Lee

Advisor:

Dr. Michelle Bridi
Name:

Lindsey Morais

Advisor:

Dr. Morgan Bridi
Name:

James Scripter

Education:

B.S., Biology, Westfield State University

Advisor:

Dr. Martin Hruska

Research Interests:

I am researching the effects of the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling pathway on Thalamocortical Axon development and examining the mechanisms of Thalamocortical Axon projections by observing guidance cues in JNK cTKO brains.

Achievements:

Awards
● 2020 – Inductee, National Society for Leadership and Success

● 2020 – Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering T32 Training Program Trainee, West Virginia University

● 2012 – Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout

Publications
● Cunningham JG, Scripter JD, Nti SA, Tucker ES. 2021. Early construction of the thalamocortical axon pathway requires JNK signaling within the ventral forebrain. bioRxiv.
Name:

Rebekah Thurn

Education:

B.S., Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Montana State University

Advisor:

Dr. James Mahoney

Research Interests:

Neuromodulatory interventions as adjuctive treatments for substance use disorder

Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. Candidates

Name:

Brandon Kirby

Advisor:

Candice Brown

Research Interests:

Effects of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion on cerebral microvasculature

Achievements:

Publications
1. Rehabilitation after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Optimizing Outcomes; Divine Nwafor, Brandon D. Kirby, Jacob D. Ralston, Mark A. Colantonio, Elochukwu Ibekwe, Brandon Lucke-Wold; Journal of Vascular Diseases; Received: 12 January 2023; Accepted 02.2023
2. Active Hexose-Correlated Compound Restores Gene Expression and Protein Secretion of Protective Cytokines of Immune Cells in a Murine Stress Model during Chlamydia muridarum Genital Infection; Tesfaye Belay, Rajnish Sahu, Elisha Martin, Kristin Brown, Courtney Rolen, Shomonique Hankins, Brianna Punturi, Maya Patterson, Chase Chambers, Brandon Kirby, Jonathan Butchar; Infection and Immunity 89 (5), e00786-20; 2021
3. Generation of a highly attenuated strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for commercial production of alginate; Meagan E Valentine, Brandon D Kirby, Thomas R Withers, Shannon L Johnson, Timothy E Long, Youai Hao, Joseph S Lam, Richard M Niles, Hongwei D Yu; Microbial Biotechnology 13 (1), 162-175; 2020
4. Generation of In-Frame Gene Deletion Mutants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Testing for
Virulence Attenuation in a Simple Mouse Model of Infection; Meagan E Valentine, Brandon D Kirby, D Yu Hongwei; JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), e60297; 2020
5. Culture of small colony variant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and quantitation of its alginate; Roy Al Ahmar*, Brandon D Kirby*, D Yu Hongwei; JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), e60466; 2020 (*Co-first authorship)
6. Efficacy of aerosolized rifaximin versus tobramycin for treatment of pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in mice; Brandon D Kirby, Roy Al Ahmar, T Ryan Withers, Meagan E Valentine, Monica Valentovic, Timothy E Long, James R Gaskins, Hongwei D Yu; Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy 63 (7); e02341-186; 2019
7. Pyrimidine biosynthesis regulates the small-colony variant and mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through sigma factor competition; Roy Al Ahmar, Brandon D Kirby, Hongwei D Yu; Journal of Bacteriology 201 (1); e00575-18; 2019
Name:

MacKinzie Smith

Education:

B.S., Biology and Chemistry, Davis & Elkins College

Advisor:

Dr. Bernard Schreurs

Research Interests:

Effects of adverse childhood experiences on modification of the eyeblink reflex