Our Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Research Trainees

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. 

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.

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.

Beatriz Tlatelpa Romero 

Lab: Mora Lab

Undergrad: B.Sc. in Biology, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Mexico
Grad school: M.Sc. in Medical Research, BUAP; Ph.D. in Experimental Pharmacology in Health, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

About me: I am Dr. Beatriz Tlatelpa Romero, a biologist trained at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), where I began my research career studying therapeutic effects in animal models of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. My undergraduate work focused on testing a surfactant enriched with an anti-fibrotic molecule.

During my master's studies at BUAP, I further explored the molecular mechanisms potentially involved in the effects of pulmonary surfactant in an in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis using TGF-β. Later, during my doctoral training at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), I specialized in experimental pharmacology in health. My work included the extraction of porcine pulmonary surfactant and the organic synthesis of the anti-fibrotic molecule. In 2023, I published a top-view review article discussing the role of pulmonary surfactant in diffuse interstitial lung diseases.

By joining the Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine division at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, I hope to continue investigating the complex mechanisms involved in pulmonary diseases, particularly focusing on unanswered questions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

For fun, I enjoy reading scientific literature and traveling.

Pankaj Kumar 

Lab: Mebratu Lab

Undergrad: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, India
Grad school: CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India

About me: I am Dr. Pankaj Kumar, a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at The Ohio State University. I earned my Ph.D. in Molecular and Cancer Biology from the CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India, where I developed a strong foundation in molecular oncology and cellular signaling.

My doctoral research focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression, multidrug resistance, and tumor metastasis. Currently, my postdoctoral research investigates the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase ARIH2 in acute lung injury (ALI), using both in vitro and in vivo models.
Over the years, I have gained extensive expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology techniques, along with experience in small animal handling and xenograft tumor models. I have been honored with several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Keystone Symposia Travel Award, the Carl Storm International Diversity Fellowship, and the ICMR International Travel Grant. My work has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals such as Cancer Research, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Cancer Reports, Toxicology In Vitro, and Cells.

In addition to my research, I am actively involved in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. I am deeply committed to scientific outreach and collaborative, interdisciplinary research aimed at advancing translational approaches for treating ALI, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and inflammatory diseases.

Nilay Mitash

Lab: Mora/Rojas Lab

Undergrad: Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (formerly: Allahabad Agricultural Institute- Deemed University), Allahabad, India
Grad school: Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India

About me: Dr. Nilay Mitash is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the lab of Prof. Dr. Ana Mora at the Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University. He earned his Ph.D. in 2016 from the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India, where his research explored the clinical relevance of microRNA expression in urinary bladder tumor metastasis. His work identified and profiled microRNAs involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition and apoptosis, revealing strong associations with tumor grade, stage, and recurrence in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Dr. Mitash has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Fellowship, India’s National Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Abstract Scholarship (2022), presented by the ATS Assembly on Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. His work has been featured in respected peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Innate Immunity, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Immunology, and Journal of Visualized Experiments.

With deep expertise in molecular biology, Dr. Mitash specializes in cell and 3D tissue culture, small RNA quantification and analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry, along with hands-on experience in small animal handling. His research is driven by a commitment to interdisciplinary, translational approaches for developing treatments for fibrotic lung diseases.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Mitash is passionate about mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Smriti Chaurasia 

Lab: Mora/Rojas Lab

Undergrad: Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
Grad school: Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate for Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, India

About me: Dr. Smriti Chaurasia brings over 13 years of research experience in diverse areas of immunology, including autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, cancer immunology, and inflammatory disorders. Her current research focuses on investigating the role of immune cells in cellular senescence and lung fibrosis.

During her PhD, Dr. Chaurasia studied the immune response to two outer membrane proteins—OmpA and OmpD—of Salmonella typhimurium, along with their HLA-B*27:05–restricted peptides. This work involved synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) isolated from patients with Reactive Arthritis (ReA) and Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy (uSpA).

She has also contributed to the development of adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors, including cloning T-cell receptors (TCRs) from mutating tumors and screening for neo-antigen specific TCRs across various human cancers, as well as in a murine colorectal cancer model.

Dr. Chaurasia is highly skilled in a wide range of immunological and molecular biology techniques, including flow cytometry, cell isolation and culture, immunoassays, mutation analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, retroviral transfection and transduction, gene sequencing, in vitro transcription (IVT), and CRISPR-Cas9–based gene editing.
Her work bridges fundamental immunological research with translational applications in fibrosis, inflammation, and immunotherapy.

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.