Research Interests: Collective cell migration, cell polarity, cell adhesion, kinases and phosphatases in cell migration, non-muscle myosin II, tissue morphogenesis, mechanobiology, tumor invasion and metastasis
Yujun Chen
Postdoctoral Fellow
B.S. Hainan University, China
Ph.D. Tongji University, Shanghai, China
Research Interests: Serine-threonine Protein phosphatase complexes in border cells and collective migration, live imaging techniques, optogenetic tools
Luke Messer
Graduate Student
B.S. University of Alabama in Huntsville
Research Interests: Regulation of Rap1 activity in collective migration and cell morphogenesis, tissue-collective interactions, signaling pathways in migration
Emily Burghardt
Graduate Student
B.A. Northern Michigan University
Research Interests: Dynamic collective cell migration in a growing tissue, RNA-sequencing, genetic regulation of border cell motility
Caleb Kutz
Undergraduate Research Student
Biology Major
Research Interests: Kinases in collective cell migration and cancer
Funding: JCRC Cancer Research Award (Spring 2022), OURCI (Fall 2022), JCRC CRA (Spring 2023)
Claire Richardson
Undergraduate Research Student
Biology Major, Nutrition Major
Research Interests: Nuclear shape and its influence on collective cell migration, applications to cancer and human health
Funding: Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Award Fall 2021, JCRC Cancer Research Award Spring 2022 (past: OURCI research award), K-INBRE Semester Scholar 2022-2023
Sydney Tobis
Undergraduate Research Student
Biology Major
Research Interests: Genetic regulation of cell migration and morphogenesis, applications to cancer and human health
Funding: K-INBRE Freshman Scholar 2021-2023
Gabriela Beachey
Fly Food Prep ‘Chef’
Biology Major
Alumni in Reverse Chronological Order (Kansas State University and Cleveland Clinic):
Nirupama Kotian (KSU Graduate Student, PhD 2022) – currently a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Gibson (Hoefgen) Shaver (OURCI Fellowship, K-INBRE Semester Scholar, KSU Undergraduate Research Student 2020-2022). Currently applying to PhD graduate programs.
Juliet Her, KS-LSAMP RiPS Student 2021 (Virtual). Currently an undergraduate student at Donnelly College, Kansas City, KS.
Matthew Ho, Summer Intern (2021). Currently an undergraduate student and researcher at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Hannah Coggeshall (Arts & Sciences Fellowship, OURCI Fellowship, JCRC Cancer Research Awardee, 2020, 2021, KSU Undergraduate Research Student, 2018-2021). Currently a medical student at the University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS.
Manuel Garcia (KSU Undergraduate Research Student, 2018-2021). Currently a medical student at the University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS.
Carmen Del Real (KSU-LSAMP RiPS 2017, KSU-Bridges to the Future 2018, KSU Developing Scholar, JCRC Cancer Research Awardee 2020, K-INBRE Semester Scholar 2020-2021; KSU Undergraduate Researcher 2018-2021). Masters at Kansas State University, working and preparing to apply for medical school.
Elijah Gardner (KSU-LSAMP RiPS 2019). Currently applying to medical professional programs.
Marissa Komp (KSU Undergraduate Research Student, JCRC Cancer Research Awardee, 2017-2019). Veterinary Medicine Student, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2019-present.
Loan Tang (KSU Undergraduate Researcher, K-INBRE Freshman Scholar, 2016-2018). Currently a consultant.
Oshadhi Athukorala Arachchige (KSU Research Technician 2017-2018) – currently working in Sri Lanka.
Kevin Preuss (KSU Lab Manager 2017-2018) – currently in business school, San Antonio, TX and Program Integrator at Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
Adelina Parral (KSU Bridges/DSP student 2017-2018) – currently a graduate student at Denver University, master of international human rights program.
Ketki Sawant (CSU Graduate Student 2010-2015/PhD 2015/KSU Postdoctoral Fellow 2016) – currently an Application Scientist and Lab Operations Manager at LabSimply, San Diego, CA.
George Aranjuez (CWRU Graduate Student 2010-2015, PhD 2015) – currently a Research Associate at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
Ashely Burtscher (Research Technologist at Cleveland Clinic 2011-2015) – currently a Research Technologist in the Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic.
Sushmita Mukherjee (Postdoctoral Fellow at Cleveland Clinic 2009-2011) – currently Clinical Operations Portfolio Lead, Global Clinical Trial Strategy & Operations, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Kelly Shibuya (Medical Student, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, 2014) – currently a medical resident in Hawaii.
Lauren Knox (2016-2017 Undergraduate Research Student) – currently a medical student at Drexel University Medical School.
Heather Foy (Intern 2016) – currently working in healthcare.
Kristen (Hylen) Curren (2016 summer student K-State SUROP program: from Benedictine College) – currently working in health care.
Mouktika Ayyagari (2013 Undergraduate Researcher: from Case Western Reserve University).
Joanne Berry (2013 Visiting Undergraduate Volunteer: from Ohio Northern University).
Elizabeth Kudlaty (2010-2011 Undergraduate Researcher: from Northwestern University) – currently a medical resident at Northwestern University, Department of Medicine.
Derek McCalla (2011 Undergraduate Researcher: from Oakwood University) – currently a physician.
Emily Lewis (2010 Undergraduate Researcher: from Ohio State University) – received M.S. in Plant Biology/Conservation from Northwestern University.
Connie Tzou (2008-2010 Undergraduate Researcher: from Case Western Reserve University) – PhD from University of Washington School of Public Health.
Nicole Molander-Barraza (2012 Undergraduate Researcher in Case Western Reserve University ACES program: from Florida International University).
The McDonald Lab 