Name: Ramesh Ganju
Email: ramesh.ganju@osumc.edu
Department: Pathology
Preferred Method of Contact: Faculty Email
Previous Mentoring: Yes (funded)
Category of research: Basic
Research Description: The primary focus of the laboratory is to delineate the molecular mechanisms that regulate breast cancer progression and metastasis using various animal model systems. We are analyzing the role of chemokine receptors, CXCR4/CCR5, in breast cancer. We are also developing innovative strategies to block breast cancer progression/metastasis. In this regard, we have shown that a novel molecule, SLIT that binds to the Robo receptor, has anti-tumorigenic properties.
Specific areas of Research Emphasis: Cancer Biology; Cancer Therapy; Immunology; Infectious Disease
Name: O. Hans Iwenofu
Email: hans.iwenofu@osumc.edu
Department: Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics
Preferred Method of Contact: Faculty Email
Previous Mentoring: No (Never applied)
Category of research: Translational
Research Description: Sarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors of unknown histogenesis. The discovery of the causal relationship between small non-coding ~25 nucleotide single stranded RNA’s called microRNA’s and cancer has opened new vistas in the biology of solid organ tumors. Under a collaborative effort between Drs. Guttridge and Iwenofu, we are exploring the role of microRNA’s in sarcomagenesis and would welcome the opportunity to work with an interested medical student or clinical fellow who is interested in translational project involving sarcomas. This unique experience would expose the student/fellow to the full gamut from clinical oncologic orthopedics/surgical oncology, musculoskeletal radiology, oncologic surgical pathology of soft tissue and bone sarcomas to bench side in Dr. Guttridge’s Laboratory. The student will also be exposed to weekly multidisciplinary sarcoma tumor board and monthly sarcoma research meetings.
Specific areas of Research Emphasis: Cancer Biology
Name: Jose Otero
Email: jose.otero@osumc.edu
Department: Pathology
Preferred Method of Contact: Faculty email
Previous Mentoring: No
Category of research: Basic; Translational
Research Description: The mission of an experimental neuropathology laboratory is to seek fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Our particular focus is in the understanding of developmental and neoplastic disorders of the CNS. A major goal of a laboratory is to elucidate the etiologies of perinatal breathing disorders such as apnea of prematurity, CCHS, and, ultimately, the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is a tragic disorder affecting 1 in 2000 infants. It is the second most common cause of infant death in the U.S., and although its incidence has decreased since adopting the “back to sleep” campaign, our epidemic of prematurity (which increases SIDS risk) threatens to increase the incidence of this disease. The goal of the laboratory is to develop a diagnostic screen that would be able to identify children at risk of perinatal breathing disorders such as apnea of prematurity or SIDS, and to triage their treatments most effectively. Dr. Otero proposes to use induced pluripotent stem cells to model development of human breathing neurons. This “disease in a dish” model will help us understand how these neurons develop and can give us a tool to study genetic causes of apnea such as CCHS. Additional approaches include next-gen sequencing and animal modeling (i.e., transgenic mouse technology) of these disorders.
Specific areas of Research Emphasis: Cancer Biology; Molecular Genetics; Biomedical Informatics; Pediatrics/Adolescence; Trauma; Tissue Repair and Regeneration; Neuroscience; Neurologic Disorders; Cells; Organ Systems & Integrative Biology
Name: Vijay Pancholi
Email: vijay.pancholi@osumc.edu
Department: Pathology
Preferred Method of Contact: Faculty email; In person
Previous Mentoring: No (never applied)
Category of research: Basic
Research Description: The focus of my lab is to understand the molecular and cellular bases of gram-positive bacterial pathogenesis including those of MDR S. aureus, and pathogenic Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pneumoniae and Clostridium difficile. Under this major domain, we have focused presently in three major aspects: (1) Role of regulatory system- (constituted by ser/thr/tyr kinases and phosphatases)-mediated posttranslational modifications in disease pathogenesis. (2) development of smalmolecule based novel therapeutic agent for MDR gram-positive pathogens (3) exploitation of certain phosphatases to develop antitumor therapy. Prospective students may want to choose any of these projects on a short term (summer) or a long term basis (throughout the year).
Specific areas of Research Emphasis: Infectious Disease; Microbial Pathogenesis; Other Molecule Biology, Genetics, & Therapeutics
Name: Debra Zynger
Email Address: Debra.Zynger@osumc.edu
Department: Pathology
Preferred Method of Contact: Faculty Email
Previous Mentoring: Yes (funded)
Category of research: Clinical
Research Description: My main research interest is urologic oncology including cancers of the prostate, kidney, bladder, testis and adrenal. Additionally, I conduct research in breast cancer. My research focuses on the diagnosis, staging and prognostication of cancer, both with and without the use of protein and molecular biomarkers. I have clinical projects which can be conducted by medical students either concentrated in the summer months between M1/M2 or by working a few hours per week throughout the academic year for M1-M4 students. My goal for each medical student is to author a publication and thus far every student has achieved this. I work directly with students, mentoring them throughout the project. No prior medical knowledge or experience is needed, although undergraduate research is helpful. Students with proficiency in excel, experience with databases or a background in statistics are especially encouraged to apply.
Specific areas of Research Emphasis: Cancer therapy