University of Pennsylvania

Predoctoral Training Grant in Pharmacology

Alumni

A recent survey of  biomedical graduate students trained in pharmacology indicate a large proportion are engaged in research intensive careers.  Of interest, the  percentage of  alumni with careers in research (Industry/ Biotech/ Private/ Academia) were similar regardless of the student being appointed to the T32. However, a greater percentage of students who were  appointed to the T32 found themselves working in  consulting, teaching, technology transfer and research in government compared to students who were not  appointed. Details of our trainee careers are found below.  

UPDATED November 2020
2020 Graduates      
 Name 
Current Position
Thesis Advisor
Thesis Topic
Chuang, Edward Postdoctoral Fellow, Rbhs-RobertWood JohnsonMedical School Shorter, James

Exploring and enhancing themetazoan proteindisaggregasesystem tocombat misfolding of FUSand TDP-43

Jacobs, Jack Associate, McKinsey and Co. Consulting Sehgal, Amita

Anandamide and sleep in Drosophila melanogaster Insights Into Epigenetic Drug Memories

Roth, Lindsay Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania

Grinspan, Judith

Jordan-Sciutto, Kelly

A Role for TDP-43-Mediated Stress Granules in Antiretroviral Drug Facilitated Inhibition of Oligodendrocyte Maturation

2019 Graduates

     
Name
Current Position
Thesis Advisor
Thesis Topic
Allenby, Cheyenne Associate, McKinsey & Company Caryn Lerman

Investigating Stress Reactivity in Smokers

Coggins, Grace Medical Writer, PRECISIONscientia John Maris

Exploiting resistance mechanisms to RAS-MAPK inhibition in relapsed

Henrich, Ian Post-Doc., University of Pennsylvania Margaret Chou

Dysregulation of Interferon Signaling by the USP6 Oncogene as a Potential Therapeutic Target

Klichinsky, Michael

Co-Founder and VP, Carisma Therapeutics 

Carl June

Chimeric Antigen Receptor Macrophages for Cancer Immunotherapy

Louis, Lumena Postdoctoral Fellowship, Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals David Weiner

Enhancement of Immune Responses to DNA Vaccines through Novel Cytokine, IL36

Maier, Kaitlyn Analyst, Decision Resource Group Max Kelz

Uncovering the Neuronal Networks that Contribute to Anesthesia by Targeting Sleep/Wake Circuitry

Ojiaku, Christie Consulting Associate, Charles River Associates  Rey Panettieri    

Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness

Poventud-Fuentes, Izmarie

 

Clinical Chemistry Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine

Brass, Lawrence

Effect of vascular stiffening on hemostasis Cell-Type-Specific Expression Profiling of Repopulating Hepatocytes by Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP)

Wang, Amber Bioinformatics Researcher, Genentech, Inc. Kaestner, Klaus

Cell-Type-SpecificExpression Profiling ofRepopulating Hepatocytesby Translating RibosomeAffinity Purification (TRAP)

2018 Graduates

     
Name
Current Position
Thesis Advisor
Thesis Topic
Daniels, Malcolm Consultant, ClearView Healthcare Partners Ischiropoulos, Harry Structural remodeling of α-synuclein by small molecules: A novel path to neuroprotective therapeutics.

2017 Graduates

     
Name
Current Position
Thesis Advisor
Thesis Topic
Arroyo Pacheco, Alejandro Postdoctoral Fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Delikatny, Jim

Development of novelCerenkov imagingactivatable constrast probesfor in vivo imaging

Bottalico, Lisa Penn-PORT Fellow, University of Pennsylvania Blair, Ian

Tracing Androgen Metabolism with Inhibition of Aromatase in Breast Cancer: In Vitro Studies and Clinical Correlates

Rhoades, Seth Healthcare Data Scientist, Careignition Weljie, Aalim

Deciphering Chronometabolic Dynamics through Metabolomics, Stable Isotope Tracers, and Genome-Scale Reaction Modeling      

2016 Graduates

     
Name
Current Position
Thesis Advisor
Thesis Topic
Bernstein, Diana Senior Associate, MRL Ventures Fund, Merck Kaestner, Klaus Targeted Epigenetic Editing to Increase Adult Pancreaticβ-cell Proliferation

Lee, Bridgin

Associate Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Blendy, Julie Novel Targets for Reducing Nicotine Withdrawal-Induced Phenotypes: Contribution of the AMPK Pathway
O'Donnell, John   Postdoctoral Fellow, Philadelphia VA Medical Centers Robinson, Michael     Glutamate Transport affects Mitochondria and Calcium Signaling in Astrocytic Processes under Normal and Pathological Condition
Shinde, Mansi Operating Associate, 5AM Ventures Klein, Peter Phosphoproteomic characterization of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3

2015 Graduates

     
Arlauckas, Sean Senior Principal Scientist, Be Biopharma Delikatny, Edward James Near Infrared Fluorescent Choline Kinase Alpha Inhibitors for Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Patel, Kevin Analyst, Moore Capital Management  Rader, Dan Sortilin: A Protein Involved in LdlMetabolism and Atheroscelerosi

2014 Graduates

     
Cannon (Porter), Corey Associate Director U.S. I-O Market Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb  Stoffers, Doris A.  Maintaining Glucose Homeostasis in Response to Aging and Stress: The Role of Pcif1, Bmi1, and Pdx1

Carlin, Jesse

Clinical Project Lead, Vanda Pharmaceuticals

Reyes, Teresa M. High Fat Diet Affects the Dopamine Reward System: Importance of Sex and Critical Developmental Periods

Chen, Edward

Regional Associate Director, MSLs, Bristol-Myers Squibb Smyth, Emer M.  Augmenting Anti-Tumor Immunity by Targeting Macrophage COX-2 in Breast Cancer

Christian (Stonestrom), Abigail

Manager, BluePrint Research Group

Levy, Robert Oxidative Stress and Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Degradation: Mechanisms and Prevention

Gannon, Patrick

Medical Strategist, Fingerpaint Jordan-Sciutto, Kelly Assessing the Contribution Antiretroviral Therapy to Neuronal Damage and Death as a Mediator of Cognitive Decline in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders
Jochems, Jeanine

Associate Director, CSL Behring

Berton, Olivier      

HDAC6-Mediated Effects in Mouse Models of Stress and Depression
Love, Melissa Principal Investigator, Calibr,  Scripps Research  Greenbaum, Doron Explorations into Host Defense Against Plasmodium Falciparum: Mechanistic and Structure-Function Studies of Antimalarial Chemokines

McCarren, Hilary

 

Research Neuroscientist, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense

Kelz, Max

The Role of Sleep-Active Neuronal Nuclei in Volatile Anesthetic Response

Poplawski, Shane

Staff Scientist, DNA Electronics 

Abel, Edwin G.. 

The Regulation of Gene Expression During Memory Consolidation in the Hippocampus

Step (Passer), Sonia

Principal, Boston Consulting Group Lazar, Mitchell Regulation of Adipocyte Transcription by PPARgamma Ligands

Warczyk (Payne), Ania

Global Head of Marketing & Strategy, Millipore Sigma Chodosh, Lewis Role of Ceramide Kinase in Breast Cancer Progression

2013 Graduates

     

Agrawal, Trisha

Patent Agent, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Yang, Xiaolu  The Multifunctional Protein Daxx: Studies of Its Biology and Regulation, and Discovery of a Novel Function
Brewer, Michael Biologist, FDA Yang, Xiaolu SUMO: A Heavy Player in a Complex World

Falcone, Mary

Research Scientist, Keck School of Medicine at The University of Southern California Lerman, Caryn   Influence of Individual Nicotine Metabolism Rates on Cognitive Effects of Nicotine Withdrawal  

Frey, Alexander

Chemist, FDA Smyth, Emer M. Characterization and Targeting of Thromboxane Receptor Dimerization: A Gateway to Novel Therapeutic Developments  

Lesher (Williams), Allison 

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Hawaii    Song, Wenchao   Pathogenesis and Therapy of Complement-Mediated Kidney Disease in a Mouse Model 

Obeng-Adjei, Nyamekye

Senior Scientist, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Weiner, David Investigating and Manipulating Immune Responses to Hepatotropic Pathogens Using Synthetic DNA 

Snyder, Nathaniel

Associate Professor, Temple University      Blair, Ian  Investigations of Bioactivity, Disposition, and Metabolism of Lipids Through Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry  

2012 Graduates

     
Clinthorne, Graham Director, Scientific Communication, Vaniam Group Degrado, William F PHoQ: Structural and Mechanistic Investigations Into an Important Bacterial Sensor Kinase

Deutsch, Eric  

Senior Scientific Director, Health Interactions  Lynch, David R. Measuring Biomarkers of Friedreich Ataxia: Implications for Clinical Research  
Harbut, Michael                

Scientist, Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Greenbaum, Doron  Chemical Genetic Approaches for Elucidating Protease Function and Drug-Target Potential in Plasmodium Falciparum
Morris, Jacqueline              Research Specialist, University of Pennsylvania     Eberwine, James H.     The Transcription Factor Elk-1 is a Marker of Pathological States        

2011 Graduates

     
Hammons, Andrea      Medical Director, Evoke Neuroscience Inc.   Whitehead, Alexander Steven    Genetic Polymorphisms And Antifolate Drug Treatment Can Alter Folate/Homocysteine Metabolism And Inflammatory Protein Profile     

Onksen (Wilson), Jennifer

Senior Knowledge Expert & Team Manager, Healthcare Operations, Boston Consulting Group    Blendy, Julie        Role Of Hippocampal Neurogenesis In The Etiology And Treatment Of Mood And Anxiety Disorders 
Rieck, Sebastian Principal Scientist (Process Development), ViaCyte  Kaestner, Klaus H.                        The Generation of Fully Functional Beta-Cells by Proliferation: Lessons From Pregnancy and Hnf4alpha                               
Schutsky, Keith

Senior Research Scientist / Investigator & Group Lead,  Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Thomas, Steven A.    The Role of Stress, Glucocorticoids and Beta-Adrenergic Signaling in Averse, Hippocampus-Dependent Memory Retrieval        
Vuchak, Lisa Director, Medical Affairs, MiratiTherepeutics Meinkoth, Judy L.    Role of Rap Signaling in the Regulation of Erk Activation and Cell-Cell Adhesion     

2010 Graduates

     

Ponteen Greene, Teshell 

STEM2D Coach, Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Poncz, Mortimer Understanding And Improving Platelet-Delivered Factor (F) Viii Hemostatic Efficacy In Hemophilia A Mice

2009 Graduates

     
Buckley, Peter     Senior Scientist, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Eberwine, James H.         The Role of Retained Intron Sequences in Neuronal Dendritic Mrna 
Colon-Gonzalez, Francheska

Senior Clinical Scientist, Merck

Kazanietz, Marcelo G Intra-and Inter-Molecular Interactions Regulate the Activity of the Rac-Gaps Alpha2-and Beta2-Chimaerins

Wang, Julie 

Senior Strategy Analyst Kung, Hank F.            Development of Serotonin Transporter Brain Imaging Agents for Use in Positron Emission Tomography and Single Proton Emission Computed Tomography  

2008 Graduates

     
Ciccimaro, Eugene

Technical Sales LC/MS Application Scientists Manager, Agilent Technologies

Blair, Ian A The Absolute Quantification of Focal Adhesion Kinase Activation Loop Phosphorylation by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: A Biomarker of Src Kinase Activity
Cleck (Derenick), Jessica

Director, Promotional Regulatory Affairs, AstraZeneca 

Blendy, Julie Alterations in Gene Expression at Key Points in the Addiction Cycle

Kawadler, Holli            

Senior Director, External Relations, The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute            Yang, Xiaolu     The Role Of Caspase-8 In T Cell Receptor Signaling      

2007 Graduates

     

Lau, Alan                  

Research Scientist, 1Globe Health Institute   Chou, Margaret M. Non-Clathrin Endocytosis: Mechanisms Of Regulating Arf6 And Its Endocytic Pathway

2006 Graduates

     

Atkins (Fournier), Alaina

Health Communications Specialist, Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality   Assoian, Richard Rac-Dependent Regulation of Cyclin D1 Gene Expression by Integrins and
E-Cadherin in Mammary Epithelial Cells        
Gupta, Rana       Assistant Professor, UT Southwestern Medical School              Kaestner, Klaus The Role of HNF-4alpha in the Pancreatic Beta-Cell
Orlando McCormack, Kelly   Assistant Professor, Immaculata University  Pittman, Randall The Role of RHO Kinase in Preparing Apoptotic Corpses for Phagocytosis

Santiago-Walker, Ademi         

Senior Director, Cancer Interception Leader, Oncology Translational Research, Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Meinkoth, Judy Isozyme-Specific Roles of Protein Kinase C in Thyroid Cells
Waxman, Elisa            Scientist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia  Lynch, David NMDA Receptor Biochemical and Activity-Dependent Regulation of P38 MAPK
,and Glutamate Transporter EAAC1

2005 Graduates

     

Bauman, David

Head of Pulmonary Hypertension Discovery, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Penning, Trevor
Identification and Validation of Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases as Targets
for Inhibitor Design in Human Prostate
Crowley, James     Assistant Professor, Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill                        Lucki, Irwin Pharmacogenomic Determinants of the Antidepressant-Like Effects of
Citalopram in the Mouse Tail Suspension Test
Williams (Romm), Michelle   Senior Research And Development Scientist, Agilent Technologies       Blair, Ian Cyclooxygenase-2 Dependent Lipid Hydroperoxide-Induced DNA Damage

2004 Graduates

     

Fryer, Benjamin

Co-Founder, Pluristyx, Inc.           Field, Jeffrey cGMP Dependent Protein Kinase (PKG) Phosphorylation of p21 Activated Kinase (PAK) at Serine 21 Regulates Nck/Pak Binding, VASP/Pak Association
and Cell Morphology
McNabb (Siegel), Leilah Visiting Research Specialist, Cancer Center, University of Illinois,  Berrettini, Wade Analysis of the G-olf Locus on Human Chromosome 18 for a Role in Psychiatric Illness
Norris, Erin               Senior Research Associate, Rockefeller University   Lee, Virginia Post-Translational Modifications of Alpha-Synuclein Protein by Oxidative and Nitrative Stress Mechanisms and their Effects on the Pathogenesis of
Stewart (Flores), Sheryl  Managing Medical Writer, Merck & Co.         Assoian, Richard Antimitogenesis by Prostacyclin Linked to Regulation of Skp2 Gene Expression

2003 Graduates

     

Gupta, Kushol

Research Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania Loll, Patrick Structural Insights into the Mechanism and Inhibition of Prostaglandin H2 Synthase-1                                         
Kruger, Ryan               Vice President, Head, Cancer Epigenetics Research Unit, GSK McCafferty, Dewey Sortase: Characterization, Substrate Specificity and Mechanism
Robens-Masuda, Jeffrey Editorial Development Manager, Springer Nature   Chou, Margaret C. The First Insights into the TRE17 Oncogene: A Potential Link Between Actin Remodeling and Vesicular Trafficking

2002 Graduates

     
Fueyo, Joanna Visiting Scholar, Bioinformatics, Boston University

Weiser, Jeffrey Neal

IN SILICO Discovery of Antimicrobial Targets