Senior and post-doctoral scientists
Erika Esquivel
Research Associate,
Lab Manager
Investigates the role of complement proteins during retina regeneration.
Modeling epigenetic modifications during
RPE reprograming
Tracy Haynes
Research Associate, Teaching Professor
Courses Taught
Principles of Human Physiology (BIO 161)
Human Physiology (BIO 305)
Cell Biology (BIO 203)
Biotechnology in the 21st Century (BIO 101)
Investigates the role of complement proteins and Wnt signaling in the induction of retina regeneration.
Raúl Perez-Estrada
Post Doctoral Scientist
Anthony Sallese
Post Doctoral Scientist
Tony obtained his PhD at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital while working on a rare lung disease called Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis. Using patient derived samples and mouse models, he characterized a disease process similar to atherosclerosis which occurs in the lungs of patients with mutations in the cytokine receptor or autoantibodies for GM-CSF. Since coming to Miami University Tony has been working on characterizing the differences in regenerative potential between the dorsal and ventral iris of the Red Spotted Newt. His group uses a number of cellular and molecular approaches both in vitro and in vivo to study the remarkable ability of these amphibians to regrow body parts.
Graduate student researchers
Alex Valentine
Alex is pursuing a degree in Cellular, Molecular & Structural Biology. Under the Diversity Enhancement Pathway Assistantship, Alex wishes to study the molecular mechanisms that govern lens regeneration in the Spanish newt.
George Tsissios
Analyzing big data for retina regeneration
Awards
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Undergraduate Research Award (URA) 2018
Sophie Ratvasky
Major: Biology (Undergrad class of '22)
Sophie is studying the role of macrophages in lens regeneration in the Spanish newt.
Awards
-
Undergraduate Summer Scholars (2021)
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DUOS (2021)
Carlos Mario Charris Dominguez
Jared Tangeman
Jared is a 5th year Ph.D. student studying ocular development & disease. Using the embryonic chicken, newt, and axolotl, he studies the epigenetic landscape governing the formation of ocular tissues, and how this landscape behaves in response to injury. Jared serves as the president of SACNAS at Miami University
Stacy Bendezu
Research International Scholar
Stacy is an international scholar from Perú, she received her BSc. in Genetics and Biotechnology from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Perú), and her current focus in data science is Transcriptomics.
In addition to regenerative biology, outside of the lab, she enjoys travel and taking wildlife photography. She plans on pursuing further graduate studies in regeneration and wants to meet an axolotl in person!
unGRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Abby Green
Major: Chemistry, Biology, and Pre-Medical Studies
Abby is studying retinal regeneration in the Spanish newt.
Awards
-
Sharon Janosik Mitchell Undergraduate Research Scholarship (2022)
Harshavardhan Sanaka
Major: Biology and Pre-medical studies, with a Medical Sociology minor
Harshavardhan is investigating the role of metabolism in the determination of cellular fate in retinal regeneration in the embryonic chicken, with a focus on hypoxic conditions.
Awards
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Undergraduate Summer Scholars (2021)
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William A Browne IV Research Fund (2022)
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Undergraduate Research Award (2022)
Lake Ernst
Major: Biology and Pre-Medical Studies
Lake is studying lens regeneration in the Spanish newt.
Awards
-
Beckman Scholars Award (2022)
Saranya Sanaka
Major: Biology / Pre-Med
Arielle is from North Carolina, and is a member of the Miami class of 2022. She is a member of the Newt Group, where she performs a number of tasks, including preparation of specialized solutions, and carrying out immunohistochemistry assays. She recently has been studying the role of macrophages in newt lens regeneration.
Awards
-
Cancer Research Award (CRA) 2018
Gabriella Theodoroudis
Major: Biology and Pre-Medical Studies, with a Spanish minor
Gabriella is studying the role of aging and regeneration in the Spanish newt, as well as the role of cell-cycle kinetics involved in the lens regeneration process.
Awards
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Sigma Xi Grant (2021)
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Undergraduate Summer Scholars (2021)
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Hughes Internship (2022)
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Stephen R. Williams Research Award (2022)
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SACNAS Travel Scholarship (2022)
Katie Schuckmann
Majors: Biology, Psychology, and Pre-Medical Studies
Katie is currently developing transgenic tools to induce lens regeneration in the Spanish newt.
Awards
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MIAMI Women Giving Circle Grant (2022)
Salam Sarfino
Majors: Biology with a Real Estate minor
Salam is studying lens regeneration in the Spanish newt.
Sofia Rebull
Major: Biology and Pre-Medical Co-Major, Chinese and Medical Sociology Minor
