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:

Briana Clary

Education:

B.S., Biology & Psychology, East Tennessee State University

Advisor:

Dr. Candice Brown
Research Interests:

Stroke, Sepsis, and Alzheimer's Disease

Achievements:
Awards
- 2021-Present – NIH T32 Stroke and its Comorbidities Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
- 2016–2020 – Academic Performance Scholarship, West Virginia University
Name:

Alexis Crockett

Education:

B.S., Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Advisor:

Dr. Visvanathan Ramamurthy
Research Interests:

Investigate role of the small GTPase ARL13B in photoreceptor cilia

Achievements:
Awards
- 2015–2018 – Virginia Tech Presidential Scholarship Initiative Recipient Honors Charles Center Scholarship for Research
- 2015–2018 – Dean’s List, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Name:

Jacob Feldmann

Education:

B.S. Neuroscience, minor in Biochemistry, The College of William and Mary

Advisor:

Dr. Aminata Coulibaly
Research Interests:

Neutrophil Inflammatory signaling in Alzheimer's Disease

Achievements:
Awards
- 2014–2016 – Dean’s List, The College of William and Mary
- 2014–2018 – First Team National Academic Award Recipient
- 2014–2016; 2018 – Men’s Gymnastics National Academic Champion Team
- 2013 – Men’s Gymnastics Maccabiah Team
- 2011–2013 – Junior Olympic Gymnastic Nationals
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:

Anna Korol

Education:

B.S., Physical and Biomedical Electronics, National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute"

Advisor:

Dr. Valeriya Gritsenko
Research Interests:

Computational Neuroscience, Motor Control, Numerical Simulation of Dynamical Systems, Stroke Rehabilitation, Machine Learning.

Achievements:
Publications
- Korol A, Karplyk Y. 2019. Hemodynamic parameters analysis by laser doppler flowmetry. Proceedings of XVIII International Scientific and Technical Conference "Physical processes and fields of technical and biological objects", Kremenchug, Ukraine, ISSN 2305-1353, pp. 57 - 58.
- Korol A. 2018. Submillimeter bolometer sensors. Proceedings of II All-Ukrainian Student’s Scientific and Practical Conference "The science of the 21st century: challenges, priorities, prospects for research", NTUU Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine, Online resource, Volume 2, pp. 149 - 152.
- Korol A. 2017. Analysis of methods and applications for predicting epileptic seizures. Proceedings of XVIII All-Ukrainian Student’s Scientific and Practical Conference "Science and technology of the XXI century", NTUU Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine, ISSN 2411-3050, pp. 100 - 102.
Awards
- 2018 – Finalist, Global Nominee, NASA Space Apps Challenge 2018, Kyiv, Ukraine
- 2017 – Finalist, EBEC (European BEST Engineering Competition), Kyiv, Ukraine
Name:

Rachel Lee

Advisor:

Dr. Michelle Bridi
Name:

Abbey Manning

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, St. Vincent College

Advisor:

Dr. Charles Anderson
Research Interests:

Auditory processing and synaptic zinc

Achievements:
Awards
2022 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Scholar, West Virginia University

2021 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
Name:

Mason McCollum

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, Mercyhurst University

Advisor:

Dr. Charles Anderson
Research Interests:

Auditory processing and synaptic zinc

Achievements:
Awards
- 2020 – Present Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Scholar, West Virginia University
- 2020 – Present The National Society of Leadership and Success Member, West Virginia University
- 2020 – Dr. James Stevenson Scholarship Recipient, West Virginia University
- 2019-2020 – Behavioral & Biomedical Sciences T32 Associate Scholar, West Virginia University
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