Graduate Student Directory
Sakhawat Ali
PhD Student
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: My research focus is to investigate the role of PAS kinase in the regulation of NAD kinase and cellular NAD(P) levels. NAD kinase controls the cellular levels of NAD(P)(H), the sole source of cellular energy metabolism, and is required for over 300 reactions in the cell including macromolecular biosynthesis (nucleotides, proteins and fatty acids) as well as reactions that neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as a result of high metabolic activity in highly proliferating cancerous cells. Due to the clear central importance of NAD(P)(H) in cellular proliferation, we propose that NAD kinase is a key potential target in cancer treatment.
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: My research focus is to investigate the role of PAS kinase in the regulation of NAD kinase and cellular NAD(P) levels. NAD kinase controls the cellular levels of NAD(P)(H), the sole source of cellular energy metabolism, and is required for over 300 reactions in the cell including macromolecular biosynthesis (nucleotides, proteins and fatty acids) as well as reactions that neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as a result of high metabolic activity in highly proliferating cancerous cells. Due to the clear central importance of NAD(P)(H) in cellular proliferation, we propose that NAD kinase is a key potential target in cancer treatment.
Email: sakhawatali0510@gmail.com
Lucy Bowden
PhD Student
Research Lab: Berges
Research Lab: Berges
Email: bowden.lucy.c@gmail.com
Olivia Brown
PhD Student
Research Lab: Robison
Research Lab: Robison
Email: olivia.tateoka.brown@gmail.com
Tyler Brown
PhD Student
Research Lab: Wilson
Research Description: My research is centered on Staphylococcus aureus' ability to survive in a host that employs various nutritional immunity factors. We are especially interested in iron utilization and how Staph accesses sequestered host iron sources.
Research Lab: Wilson
Research Description: My research is centered on Staphylococcus aureus' ability to survive in a host that employs various nutritional immunity factors. We are especially interested in iron utilization and how Staph accesses sequestered host iron sources.
Email: browntyler55@gmail.com
Will Brugger
PhD Student
Research Lab: Davis
Research Lab: Davis
Email: steven.w.brugger@gmail.com
Diana Calvopina
PhD Student
Research Lab: Griffitts
Research Description: I am studying a molecular machine that makes the antimicrobial peptide Micrococcin. This molecular machine is made of 3 proteins, and we call it the IJN machine. We want to understand more about the IJN complex, so we can use it to make alternative peptides with biological properties, and potential medical applications such as antibiotics.
Research Lab: Griffitts
Research Description: I am studying a molecular machine that makes the antimicrobial peptide Micrococcin. This molecular machine is made of 3 proteins, and we call it the IJN machine. We want to understand more about the IJN complex, so we can use it to make alternative peptides with biological properties, and potential medical applications such as antibiotics.
Email: dianag.calvopina@gmail.com
John Carter
PhD Student
Research Lab: Johnson
Research Description: I study chromatin architecture by looking at nucleosome positioning and its relation to the underlying DNA sequence in the genome.
Research Lab: Johnson
Research Description: I study chromatin architecture by looking at nucleosome positioning and its relation to the underlying DNA sequence in the genome.
Email: jlawcar@gmail.com
Charity Conlin Jennings
PhD Student
Research Lab: Kenealey
Research Lab: Kenealey
Email: charitycjennings@gmail.com
Rachael David Prince
PhD Student
Research Lab: Erickson
Research Lab: Erickson
Email: rachaeljdavidprince@gmail.com
Spencer Ellsworth
Masters Student
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: Improper glucose allocation is at the heart of most metabolic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cancer. I am studying the proteins involved in this glucose allocation, like PAS kinase and Cbf1, to better understand how the cell makes decisions regarding glucose and what we can do to remedy these diseases.
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: Improper glucose allocation is at the heart of most metabolic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cancer. I am studying the proteins involved in this glucose allocation, like PAS kinase and Cbf1, to better understand how the cell makes decisions regarding glucose and what we can do to remedy these diseases.
Email: ellsworthspencer1@gmail.com
Kenneth Ewool
PhD Student
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: My research work focuses on two different subjects, the Dynamics of PAS kinase and the use of bacteriophages for human benefit. PAS kinase is a kinase that has been found to be at the pivotal point of glucose allocation to either metabolic respiration or lipid biosynthesis. PAS kinase acts on other kinases and transcription factors to bring about this effect. One of these is USF1, a global transcription factor, implicated in the development of dyslipidemias. Much research has been done on the involvement of USF1 in dyslipidemia. However, little to nothing is known about its effects on respiration under the influence of PAS kinase. My research focuses on how respiration is affected by USF1 in mammalian cells and how this can be leveraged for human benefits in metabolic diseases.
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: My research work focuses on two different subjects, the Dynamics of PAS kinase and the use of bacteriophages for human benefit. PAS kinase is a kinase that has been found to be at the pivotal point of glucose allocation to either metabolic respiration or lipid biosynthesis. PAS kinase acts on other kinases and transcription factors to bring about this effect. One of these is USF1, a global transcription factor, implicated in the development of dyslipidemias. Much research has been done on the involvement of USF1 in dyslipidemia. However, little to nothing is known about its effects on respiration under the influence of PAS kinase. My research focuses on how respiration is affected by USF1 in mammalian cells and how this can be leveraged for human benefits in metabolic diseases.
Email: kwaakyekenneth8@gmail.com
Iqra Farooq
PhD Student
Research Lab: Nielsen
Research Description: A major goal of my proposed work is to determine changes in plant gene expression in response to inoculation with halophilic bacteria (salt-tolerant), when the plants grow in the presence or absence of salt and to identify the bacterial properties that contribute to plant growth enhancement. For this purpose, I'm working on the Alfalfa crop (salt sensitive) to analyze the response of halophilic bacteria in salty conditions. In Utah, where BYU is located, alfalfa is the major top crop produced. The use of halophilic bacteria inoculant to stimulate alfalfa crop productivity in saline soil would thus be of great benefit.
Research Lab: Nielsen
Research Description: A major goal of my proposed work is to determine changes in plant gene expression in response to inoculation with halophilic bacteria (salt-tolerant), when the plants grow in the presence or absence of salt and to identify the bacterial properties that contribute to plant growth enhancement. For this purpose, I'm working on the Alfalfa crop (salt sensitive) to analyze the response of halophilic bacteria in salty conditions. In Utah, where BYU is located, alfalfa is the major top crop produced. The use of halophilic bacteria inoculant to stimulate alfalfa crop productivity in saline soil would thus be of great benefit.
Email: iqrafarooq6666@gmail.com
Jono Gal
PhD Student
Research Lab: Johnson
Research Lab: Johnson
Email: jlglex99@gmail.com
Evan Harris
Masters Student
Research Lab: Grose
Research Lab: Grose
Email: harrisevan715@gmail.com
Topher Haynie
Masters Student
Research Lab: Weber
Research Lab: Weber
Email: christopher.j.haynie7@gmail.com
Jacob Herring
PhD Student
Research Lab: Tessem
Research Description: Diabetes is characterized by a decrease in functional β-cell mass. Nuclear hormone receptor 4a1 plays a role in the regulation of functional β-cell mass. My research focuses on the mechanism of Nr4a1 in the β-cell.
Research Lab: Tessem
Research Description: Diabetes is characterized by a decrease in functional β-cell mass. Nuclear hormone receptor 4a1 plays a role in the regulation of functional β-cell mass. My research focuses on the mechanism of Nr4a1 in the β-cell.
Email: herrin06@gmail.com
Taalin Hoj
PhD Student
Research Lab: Robison
Research Description: It has been estimated at 70% of bacterial infections are resistant to at least one commonly prescribed antibiotic, prompting CDC to announce that humanity has entered the “post-antibiotic era.” Among the most serious of these infections are caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobactericeae (CRE), bacteria resistant to even last-line antibiotics. I study mechanisms of resistance in CREs, the stability and evolution of carbapenem resistance, and methods of treating septicemia caused by CREs.
Email:
Research Lab: Robison
Research Description: It has been estimated at 70% of bacterial infections are resistant to at least one commonly prescribed antibiotic, prompting CDC to announce that humanity has entered the “post-antibiotic era.” Among the most serious of these infections are caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobactericeae (CRE), bacteria resistant to even last-line antibiotics. I study mechanisms of resistance in CREs, the stability and evolution of carbapenem resistance, and methods of treating septicemia caused by CREs.
Email:
taalinrasmussen@gmail.com
Lydia Howell
PhD Student
Research Lab: Davis
Research Lab: Davis
Email: lydiajhowell@outlook.com
Misha Iqbal
PhD Student
Research Lab:
Research Lab:
Email: mishaiqbal855@gmail.com
Kyson Jensen
PhD Student
Research Lab: Griffitts
Research Description: The ability of microorganisms to adapt to environmental stressors is the key to their ability to occupy different ecological niches. No one microorganism can specialize to cope with every possible environmental stressor. This principle accounts for much of the diversity and niche specialization we commonly see in bacteria. The overall objective of my project is to understand the mechanism by which microorganisms adapt to environmental stressors, specifically towards toxic heavy metals. We have previously isolated closely related bacterial strains of the genus Mesorhizobium from both regular soils and heavy metal (serpentine) soils in northern California. While isolated strains are closely related, those from serpentine soils are significantly more tolerant to Ni. The aim of this project is to examine and identify molecular contributors to metal tolerance and evaluate how these tolerance mechanisms influence fitness in the absence of metal stress. This work will enhance our understanding of mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance and may provide clues about evolutionary pathways giving rise to this trait.
Research Lab: Griffitts
Research Description: The ability of microorganisms to adapt to environmental stressors is the key to their ability to occupy different ecological niches. No one microorganism can specialize to cope with every possible environmental stressor. This principle accounts for much of the diversity and niche specialization we commonly see in bacteria. The overall objective of my project is to understand the mechanism by which microorganisms adapt to environmental stressors, specifically towards toxic heavy metals. We have previously isolated closely related bacterial strains of the genus Mesorhizobium from both regular soils and heavy metal (serpentine) soils in northern California. While isolated strains are closely related, those from serpentine soils are significantly more tolerant to Ni. The aim of this project is to examine and identify molecular contributors to metal tolerance and evaluate how these tolerance mechanisms influence fitness in the absence of metal stress. This work will enhance our understanding of mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance and may provide clues about evolutionary pathways giving rise to this trait.
Email: kysonjensen@gmail.com
Abigail Johnson
PhD Student
Research Lab: O'Neill
Research Description: Cell therapies are currently revolutionizing how we treat disease. CAR T cells are one of these therapies, where a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is engineered with a highly specific binding domain that activates the T cell's cytotoxic abilities. This allows for specific targeting and elimination of cancer cells. We are developing cell therapies based on the CAR T cell concept that can effectively target and treat cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Research Lab: O'Neill
Research Description: Cell therapies are currently revolutionizing how we treat disease. CAR T cells are one of these therapies, where a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is engineered with a highly specific binding domain that activates the T cell's cytotoxic abilities. This allows for specific targeting and elimination of cancer cells. We are developing cell therapies based on the CAR T cell concept that can effectively target and treat cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Email: abigail.kay.johnson@gmail.com
Daniel Johnson
Masters Student
Research Lab: Wilson
Research Lab: Wilson
Email: danielj96dj@gmail.com
Andrea Kokkonen
Masters Student
Research Lab: Evans
Research Description: I am looking at the evolutionary history of 9 subspecies of cutthroat trout. These fish are a popular native fish of western North America and their relationships to each other are still unresolved despite years of studies. I am looking to delineate these subspecies, specifically those in the Great Basin interior, by using RNA-seq to both examine expressed gene sequences and create a phylogenetic tree that finally resolves a centuries-long debate.
Research Lab: Evans
Research Description: I am looking at the evolutionary history of 9 subspecies of cutthroat trout. These fish are a popular native fish of western North America and their relationships to each other are still unresolved despite years of studies. I am looking to delineate these subspecies, specifically those in the Great Basin interior, by using RNA-seq to both examine expressed gene sequences and create a phylogenetic tree that finally resolves a centuries-long debate.
Email: andrealeenak@gmail.com
Jessica Lewis
PhD Student
Research Lab: McCleary
Research Description: I am interested in studying how phages interact with their hosts and am focusing on mapping the regions important for phage attachment in FhuA and PhoE-dependent phages. These phage receptors are outer membrane transporters that transport iron and inorganic phosphate into the cell, both of which are important for cell growth. Some well studied phages (T1 and T5) target FhuA and we are interested in comparing the binding sites utilized by our phages. Little, however, is known regarding which PhoE sites are necessary for phage attachment and which phage genes encode for a PhoE-dependent receptor binding protein. We are also interested in analyzing the impact phage receptor binding proteins have had on phage evolution. Better understanding how phages attach to their hosts, and what tactics they use to evolve, could aid in the development of more advanced phage therapeutics.
Research Lab: McCleary
Research Description: I am interested in studying how phages interact with their hosts and am focusing on mapping the regions important for phage attachment in FhuA and PhoE-dependent phages. These phage receptors are outer membrane transporters that transport iron and inorganic phosphate into the cell, both of which are important for cell growth. Some well studied phages (T1 and T5) target FhuA and we are interested in comparing the binding sites utilized by our phages. Little, however, is known regarding which PhoE sites are necessary for phage attachment and which phage genes encode for a PhoE-dependent receptor binding protein. We are also interested in analyzing the impact phage receptor binding proteins have had on phage evolution. Better understanding how phages attach to their hosts, and what tactics they use to evolve, could aid in the development of more advanced phage therapeutics.
Email: lewisjessica919@gmail.com
Brandon Lopez
Masters Student
Research Lab: Berges
Research Lab: Berges
Email: jacklopez1002@outlook.com
Kayla Maas
Masters Student
Research Lab: Robison
Research Lab: Robison
Email: kaylamaas1253@gmail.com
Ashley Miller
Masters Student
Research Lab: Nielsen
Research Description: Did you know that we can inoculate plants against abiotic stressors like salt? I study an incredible interaction between alfalfa plants and select salt-loving bacteria called halophiles. Alfalfa (like most crop plants) is salt-sensitive. However, when salty soil with alfalfa seedlings is inoculated with special halophiles like H. Elongata 1H9 the alfalfa grows an average of 8X more plant mass than plants grown in salty soil without bacterial inoculation. In our lab we seek to find out how this interaction leads to increased growth. I am particularly interested in how 1H9 (bacteria) + salt influences gene expression within alfalfa root and shoot tissues. I hope that our research will be instrumental in improving agriculture productivity in the increasingly salty soils around the world.
Research Lab: Nielsen
Research Description: Did you know that we can inoculate plants against abiotic stressors like salt? I study an incredible interaction between alfalfa plants and select salt-loving bacteria called halophiles. Alfalfa (like most crop plants) is salt-sensitive. However, when salty soil with alfalfa seedlings is inoculated with special halophiles like H. Elongata 1H9 the alfalfa grows an average of 8X more plant mass than plants grown in salty soil without bacterial inoculation. In our lab we seek to find out how this interaction leads to increased growth. I am particularly interested in how 1H9 (bacteria) + salt influences gene expression within alfalfa root and shoot tissues. I hope that our research will be instrumental in improving agriculture productivity in the increasingly salty soils around the world.
Email: miller.ashley.kay@gmail.com
Carlos Moreno
PhD Student
Research Lab: Weber
Research Description: My research focuses primarily on the role of an inhibitory co-receptor called CD5 found on the surface of T cells in the context of periodontitis and cancer immunotherapy development. CD5 has been shown to attenuate T cell receptor signaling and inhibit T cell activation. Additionally, the Weber lab has shown that the metabolic profile of CD4+ T cells deficient in CD5 is altered. Specifically, the rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in CD5 knockout T cells are increased and several intracellular metabolites are significantly different. Also, preliminary data indicates that CD5KO T cells have increased levels of cytokine production post-stimulation. We aim to determine whether CD5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of periodontitis, and we are generating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells deficient in CD5 and characterizing their functionality.
Research Lab: Weber
Research Description: My research focuses primarily on the role of an inhibitory co-receptor called CD5 found on the surface of T cells in the context of periodontitis and cancer immunotherapy development. CD5 has been shown to attenuate T cell receptor signaling and inhibit T cell activation. Additionally, the Weber lab has shown that the metabolic profile of CD4+ T cells deficient in CD5 is altered. Specifically, the rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in CD5 knockout T cells are increased and several intracellular metabolites are significantly different. Also, preliminary data indicates that CD5KO T cells have increased levels of cytokine production post-stimulation. We aim to determine whether CD5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of periodontitis, and we are generating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells deficient in CD5 and characterizing their functionality.
Email: carlosmoreno943@gmail.com
Melinda Moss
PhD Student
Research Lab: Griffitts (MMBIO) & Taylor (NDFS)
Research Description: Lactose is a by-product of cheese and whey protein manufacturing that is generally considered a low-value ingredient in the food industry. Rare sugars on the other hand are highly valued due to their low-glycemic index and reduced calories, and in recent years a lot of work has been done to find and understand the enzymes that can convert abundant sugars like fructose to rare sugars. The goal of my project is to optimize the conversion of dairy lactose to rare sugars by cloning and expressing the enzymes required to hydrolyze the lactose and subsequently convert the resulting glucose and galactose into the rare sugars allulose and tagatose respectively.
Research Lab: Griffitts (MMBIO) & Taylor (NDFS)
Research Description: Lactose is a by-product of cheese and whey protein manufacturing that is generally considered a low-value ingredient in the food industry. Rare sugars on the other hand are highly valued due to their low-glycemic index and reduced calories, and in recent years a lot of work has been done to find and understand the enzymes that can convert abundant sugars like fructose to rare sugars. The goal of my project is to optimize the conversion of dairy lactose to rare sugars by cloning and expressing the enzymes required to hydrolyze the lactose and subsequently convert the resulting glucose and galactose into the rare sugars allulose and tagatose respectively.
Email: melinda_moss@hotmail.com
Colleen Newey
Masters Student
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: My research is investigating the role of the protein PAS Kinase in the development of stress granules, which are involved in a variety of diseases included ALS and cancer. I hope to better understand this pathway so it could be used as a target against these diseases.
Research Lab: Grose
Research Description: My research is investigating the role of the protein PAS Kinase in the development of stress granules, which are involved in a variety of diseases included ALS and cancer. I hope to better understand this pathway so it could be used as a target against these diseases.
Email: colleennewey@gmail.com
Nagama Parveen
Masters Student
Research Lab:
Research Lab:
Email: nparveenani@gmail.com
Abigail Pearse
Masters Student
Research Lab: Davis
Research Lab: Davis
Email: abigail2bop@hotmail.co.uk
Hyrum Pech
Masters Student
Research Lab: Chaston
Research Lab: Chaston
Email: hyrum.pech@gmail.com
Abraham Quaye
PhD Student
Research Lab: Poole
Research Description: Hemorrhagic enteritis is a viral disease of turkeys characterized by bloody diarrhea and immunosuppression caused by turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV). An avirulent THEV strain called VAS that does not cause the disease in turkeys but retains some immunosuppressive ability is currently used as a live vaccine. Due to the immunosuppressive traits of VAS, vaccinated turkeys are more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections than unvaccinated cohorts, leading to substantial economic losses. My research focuses on identifying the VAS genes mediating its immunosuppressive traits and studying the mechanism of action of such genes. Ultimately, we hope to engineer a novel THEV strain with no immunosuppressive characteristics to be used as an improved vaccine.
Research Lab: Poole
Research Description: Hemorrhagic enteritis is a viral disease of turkeys characterized by bloody diarrhea and immunosuppression caused by turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV). An avirulent THEV strain called VAS that does not cause the disease in turkeys but retains some immunosuppressive ability is currently used as a live vaccine. Due to the immunosuppressive traits of VAS, vaccinated turkeys are more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections than unvaccinated cohorts, leading to substantial economic losses. My research focuses on identifying the VAS genes mediating its immunosuppressive traits and studying the mechanism of action of such genes. Ultimately, we hope to engineer a novel THEV strain with no immunosuppressive characteristics to be used as an improved vaccine.
Email: quayeabraham29@gmail.com
Luke Ramirez
Masters Student
Research Lab: Johnson
Research Lab: Johnson
Email: jlukemorris@gmail.com
Joshua Ramsey
Masters Student
Research Lab: Berges
Research Lab: Berges
Email: sonofachef@hotmail.com
Naomi Sharman
PhD Student
Research Lab: Pickett
Research Description: Balanced inflammation is a crucial process for protecting our bodies against threats. However, when inflammation becomes dysregulated, illnesses such as cancers and autoimmune diseases can develop. I'm using bioinformatics to compare gene expression in cancer and autoimmune disease to gain more insights about inflammation, and hopefully improve current treatments. In addition to a broad transcriptomic survey of inflammation, I'm specifically investigating anti-inflammatory lifestyle modification as a potential cancer-prevention treatment.
Research Lab: Pickett
Research Description: Balanced inflammation is a crucial process for protecting our bodies against threats. However, when inflammation becomes dysregulated, illnesses such as cancers and autoimmune diseases can develop. I'm using bioinformatics to compare gene expression in cancer and autoimmune disease to gain more insights about inflammation, and hopefully improve current treatments. In addition to a broad transcriptomic survey of inflammation, I'm specifically investigating anti-inflammatory lifestyle modification as a potential cancer-prevention treatment.
Email: naomi.rapier.sharman@gmail.com
Miranda Sharp
Masters Student
Research Lab: Davis
Research Lab: Davis
Email: mir.wilson.97@gmail.com
Sidney Sithole
PhD Student
Research Lab: Berges
Research Lab: Berges
Email: sidney.sithole@yahoo.com
Madison Wagley
Masters Student
Research Lab: Berges
Research Lab: Berges
Email: madisonc.college@gmail.com
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