Research Trainees
Our research trainees who are undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and clinical fellows participate in local, national, and international conferences and workshops. Mentorship is provided in a highly collaborative environment to facilitate robust scientific interactions and training in the leadership skills necessary for ongoing development as the future generation of scientists in respiratory and critical care medicine.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Samuel J. Cochran, PhD
Lab: Gowdy Lab
Grad Student or Postdoc: Postdoc
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Grad school: The Ohio State University
About me: Dr. Sam Cochran completed his PhD in Environmental Science at OSU in 2022. His doctoral research investigated epidemiological associations between indoor microbial exposures and asthma outcomes, but his primary interest is the pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases related to ambient air pollutants. He is currently researching the effect of ozone inhalation on pulmonary iron homeostasis and allergic disease sensitization. He is a postdoctoral fellow being mentored by Dr. Kymberly Gowdy and Dr. Rodney Britt in the Integrative Research Training in Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Disease T32 Fellowship hosted by the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University. He is also the 2023-2024 Secretary for the Society of Toxicology Post-Doctoral Assembly Executive Board, an OK-PROS grant recipient, and a Destination OSU program mentor. In his future career, he hopes to combine his research progress and passion for mentorship as an independent investigator at an academic institution. Outside of work, he enjoys visiting National Parks, painting, playing volleyball, and spending time with his husband and two cats.
Greg Serpa
Lab: Long Lab
Grad Student or Postdoc: Postdoc
Undergrad: Ohio Wesleyan University
Grad school: Brown University
About me: My research focuses on the MEK1/MEK2 pathway in pulmonary infection and inflammation. My wife and I have two kids, with a third on the way! Our first is a 5-year-old Australian shepherd and the second is a 2-and-a-half-year-old human toddler named Theodore. My hobbies are photography, canoeing, hiking, and video games.
Natalia Vanegas
Lab: Mora-Rojas Lab
Undergrad: National University of Colombia
Grad school: National University of Colombia
About me: My research focuses on mapping the lung transcriptome and on the secretome from IPF human lung fibroblasts. I plan to Gain relevant experience, Develop core skills, Network actively, Transition to senior leadership roles. My Hobbies are music, action movies, history, meditation, and have Terrific Biorender skills!
Lorena Rosas Martinez
Lab: Mora-Rojas Lab
Grad Student or Postdoc: Postdoc
Undergrad: Biological Pharmaceutical Chemistry from National Autonomous University of Mexico (U.N.A.M.) – Mexico
Grad school: Cellular and Molecular Physiology from Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV). – Mexico
About me: My projects include using in vitro/ex vivo culture systems to test the supportive function of candidate therapeutic molecules to treat IPF disease and senescence. My plan is stay working in research as a PI. My favorite hobby in the lab is mentoring, because I believe I can have a positive influence on the lives of others. Outside the lab, I enjoy watch movies with my friends and have fun supporting Columbus Crew at the stadium.
Vandana Anang
Lab: Mebratu Lab
Undergrad: University of Delhi, Delhi, India
Grad school: University of Delhi, Delhi, India
About me: Currently, I am focusing on the identification of novel mechanisms how influenza A virus (IAV) hijacks and subverts host cellular processes to facilitate viral replication. I’m a highly motivated biologist with 8+ years of experience in molecular biology and immunology. I have rich experience of primary cell culture such as Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), T cells , PBMCs and different types of cell lines and relevant molecular techniques. I carried out invitro and in vivo studies using various cellular and molecular techniques such as western blotting, ELISA techniques, Immunocytochemical, Histochemical, DNA, RNA extraction (Including miRNA and lncRNA), flow cytometry, MACS, confocal microscopy and qRT-PCR techniques, BCG culture, live M. tb culture and so on.
My future research interest is broadly in the immune regulation of various diseases and their therapeutic development.
Benjamin Johnson
Lab: Mallampalli Lab
Undergrad: B.A.-Sociology, The American University
Grad school: Ph.D.-Biomedical Sciences, The Ohio State University
About me: I recently completed my PhD in Biomedical Sciences in 2024 at the Ohio State University. I am currently mentored by Dr. Rama Mallampalli. My primary research interests are molecular mechanisms of innate immunity and tissue injury. My current research focuses on the contribution of secreted Mitochondrial Aspartyl-tRNA Synthetase (DARS2) to inflammation in pulmonary infections and acute lung injury. Outside of the lab I enjoy cooking, reading history books, playing string-instruments and pickup basketball.
Ilknur Yurtsever
Lab: Mallampalli Lab
Undergrad: Eskisehir Osmangazi University
Grad school: Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
About me: I have spent the past 15+ years studying across different areas of biochemistry, protein biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, molecular mechanism of diseases (Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s Diseases). My current role is understanding the ubiqutination mechanism in Acute Lung Diseases.
These days my time is spent researching, trying to keep up with OSU culture, expanding my network and focusing my goals. Out of the office you will find me hiking, exploring the hidden gems of Ohio and USA and petting the my cute, tiny, beautiful, calm and cool son (cat).
Vijay Kumar
Lab: Sarkar Lab
Grad school: Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
About me: My current research work at Dr. Sarkar's lab involves utilizing in-vitro/in-vivo ALI/ARDS models and molecular biology techniques, to explore the signaling mechanisms and therapeutic targets against pulmonary infection and inflammation. I am experienced in techniques and analytical aspects of animal handling and experimentation, animal cell culture, molecular biology and immunohistochemistry. I aim to become an independent researcher and a mentor to the younger scientists. I enjoy cooking, hiking/trekking, watching sci-fi/fantasy movies, and just spending time with friends and family.
Ramya Akula
Lab: Rojas Lab
Undergrad: B.Tech in Computer Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India
Grad school: Ph.D. In Computer Science, University of Central Florida
About me: Ramya Akula’s research bridges data science and biomedical research, focusing on single-cell lung tissue analysis in human and murine models. She uses advanced computational methods and machine learning algorithms to decipher intricate biological phenomena associated with respiratory health and disease. Her expertise stems from a strong foundation in deep learning and NLP, where she developed tools for content evaluation, sarcasm detection, and sentiment analysis on social media platforms. She now applies similar data-driven methodologies to identify cellular interactions and map the heterogeneity of lung tissues, contributing to advancements in understanding pulmonary disorders and potential therapeutic interventions. Through her ongoing research, she continues to champion the role of data science in driving innovations in biomedical studies.
Graduate Research Associates
Michael Yaeger
Lab: Gowdy Lab
Undergrad: East Carolina University
Graduate Student (BSGP)
About me: My research focuses on how a nutrient called DHA can protect the lungs from an air pollutant called ozone. After completing my PhD, I hope to either work in industry as a scientist studying causes of diseases, or to start up my own lab with a similar focus. In my free time I enjoy playing video games, watching football, reading, or spending time with family. I also love cuddling on the couch with my dog Cooper and watching TV and movies!
Hannah Lovins
Lab: Gowdy Lab
Undergrad: Indiana Wesleyan University
Graduate Student
About me: My research focuses on how the metabolism of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), is protective against air pollution-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury. Following graduate school, my goal is to become a professor at a primarily undergraduate institution! In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, reading, and going on walks and runs with my husband and our golden retriever, Cleo!
Eryn Zuiker
Lab: Long Lab
Undergrad: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Graduate Student (Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program)
About me: I'm a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BSGP), and I'm a member of the Long Lab. My research interests are in the discovery of alternative therapeutic strategies for multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. After the completion of my PhD, I want to work in the space where industry meets clinical trials. My hobbies include running, sewing/crafting, and baking!
Jon Fritz
Lab: Englert Lab
Undergrad: Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA
Graduate Student (Biophysics)
About me: Jon is a third-year biophysics PhD candidate in the labs of Dr. Joshua Englert & Dr. Samir Ghadiali (Biomedical Engineering). He studies the molecular mechanisms of and diagnostic engineering devices for ventilator-induced lung injury. In his free time, Jon enjoys playing board & video games with friends as well as exchanging piping-hot gossip. Say hi if you see him around campus, usually in DHLRI, Fontana Laboratories, or the Union!
Siying Xu
Lab: Englert Lab
Undergrad: University of Kentucky
Graduate Student (Pharmaceutics)
About me: Siying Xu has been pursuing her graduate studies in Pharmaceutics at the College of Pharmacy since 2022 and joined Dr. Englert's research team in 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from the University of Kentucky in 2019. Her current research emphasis is on understanding the mechanisms of mTOR inhibition in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) models, with a particular interest in nanoparticle drug delivery systems. Outside of her academic and research pursuits, Siying enjoys spending quality time with her pet bunnies, affectionately named Bubble and Pudding.
Evie Schott
Lab: Gowdy Lab
Undergrad: The North Carolina State University
Graduate Student (Immunology and Immunotherapeutics)
About me: I am currently researching how ozone exposure increases the susceptibility to lower respiratory infections through altering the pulmonary microenvironment. I am hoping by the end of my PhD here at OSU, to enter back into the agricultural field specializing in infectious diseases. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy exploring Columbus with my friends and trying out new restaurants and breweries.
Zachary Miller
Lab: Mora/Rojas Lab
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Graduate Student The Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Graduate Program (I2GP) at The Ohio State University
About me: I am currently working on analyzing changes in immune cell populations and immune responses in the IPF and COPD lung, with a special focus on NK cells. I hope to provide a systemic view of how immune cell populations change within patients with these conditions and identify novel and actionable pathways of disease progression. After completion of my PhD, I hope to transition into a role at a government institution to continue my research on the intersection of lung immunology and disease pathogenicity. In my free time I enjoy working on 3D printing projects, spending time with friends, and playing the viola.