Predoctoral Trainees
Natalie West
Mentor Name: Clifton D. Fuller, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Radiation Oncology
Project Title: Improved monitoring of radiation-induced bone injury using advanced magnetic resonance imaging
"I am interested in the T32 program for its intrinsic resources related to clinical and translational sciences that I can leverage to advance my project and training toward a career in medical physics."
Gemalene Sunga
Mentor: Simon W. Young, D.D.S., M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Project Title: Biomaterial-based immunomodulation of the tumor immune microenvironment plus radiotherapy
“My goal as a researcher is to contribute to understanding that will ultimately help improve health care and systems for all people - which I believe can only be realized by the intersection of scientific research and clinical medicine. The T32 program allows its trainees opportunities for clinical shadowing, didactic interdisciplinary coursework, and community engagement. Together, I know these experiences will be invaluable to fostering translational scientists that work with clinical and community impact in mind."
Maryam Elizondo
Mentor: Kai Sun, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Genetics
Project Title: The Role Of HIF1α-MMP14 Axis In Shaping An Unhealthy Microenvironment In Fat Surrounding Skin Wounds
"The T32 Program emphasizes the importance of translational research informed by clinical experience. As an MD/Ph.D. candidate beginning my independent research project, the T32 is the perfect bridge between my two-degree paths. It allows me to devote clinical time to practicing my hands-on skills in Dermatology. More broadly, the opportunity to regularly meet with like-minded researchers conducting their unique translational projects will inspire me to pursue research directions closer to the “bench-to-bedside” goal we all strive toward."
Jacob Mattia
Mentor: Dr. Wenbo Li, Ph.D.
Department: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Project Title: Understanding Down Syndrome via the Lens of 3D Chromatin Topology
"As a physician scientist in training and a brother whose sibling has Down syndrome, I am deeply interested in the intersection between science and medicine. Through the T32 program, I am excited to develop the skills necessary to conduct translationally significant research that can provide a direct impact on patients and their families."
Morgan Riba
Mentor: Stephanie Watowich, Ph.D.
Department: Immunology
Project Title: Evaluating Antigen Spread After cDC1 Vaccination
"The T32 program provides resources, insight, and connections to help me achieve my long-term goal of becoming a physician scientist. As a T32 trainee, I’m surrounded by peers and mentors who share a commitment to improving patient lives through research."
Trey Waldrop
Mentor: Emil Schueler, Ph.D.
Department: Radiation Physics
Project Title: Unlocking the Immunogenic Potential of FLASH-RT for Hypoxic Tumors
"As an MD/PhD student, my goal is to perform impactful research that can be aimed at alleviating patient suffering. The T32 Program will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of how ideas move between the laboratory and the clinic and what role I can play in advancing scientific and clinical knowledge. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to growing as a translational scientist and clinician through the program."
Sarah Ghalayini
Mentor: Natividad Fuentes, Ph.D.
Department: Cancer Biology
Project Title: Elucidating the role of membrane dynamics in mediating immune dysfunction within the tumor microenvironment
"I am confident that the T32 Program is the best next step in my training as it will provide me with the necessary foundation and an environment conducive to developing into the translational scientist and empathetic clinician I aspire to be."
Xingzheng (Jason) Sun
Mentor: George Lu, Ph.D.
Department: Bioengineering, Rice University
Project Title: Developing trans-kingdom gene delivery by intracellular bacteria to enable in vivo tumor cell reprogramming
"I want to be trained as a better researcher and lead my project to a more clinical approach."
Romeesa Khan
Mentor: Louise McCullough, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Neurology
Project Title: Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of MMPs for Delayed Stroke Treatment
"The T32 program highlights the importance of translational research and its direct contribution to clinical advancement. As someone who has seen how the lack of translational research can hinder treatment and diagnoses in the clinic, I hope to utilize the resources offered by the TL1 fellowship to expand on my knowledge of performing robust translational research, as well as to move increasingly towards a more “bench-to-bedside” outlook on research, to contribute to the stroke treatment field."
Brandy Walker, M.S.
Mentor: Rachel K. Miller, Ph.D.
Department: Pediatrics
Project Title: Deciphering the Role of Dnmbp in Kidney Development: Implication for CAKUT
"The CCTS T32 Training Program will broaden my perspective of the resources and strategies available to understand fundamental processes involved in patient-oriented research, as well as give me the knowledge, opportunities, and collaborations needed to traverse the intersection between fundamental and clinical research."
Postdoctoral Trainees
Antonio Pagan, Ph.D.
Mentor: Katherine Loveland, Ph.D.
Department: Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Project Title: Pilot testing a military-culture adapted group treatment program for military-dependent, autistic young adults and their parents
"I wanted to be a part of the program to learn and continue to grow in the incredible UTHealth learning environment."
Madigan Snyder, Ph.D.
Mentor: Aaron Cox, Ph.D.
Department: Metabolic & Degenerative Diseases
Project Title: GABP regulation of beta cell proliferation in pancreatic islets
"I am eager to join the T32 program to strengthen my translational research skills through a combination of laboratory work and clinical exposure. The program’s focus on immersive coursework and collaborative training will greatly accelerate my development as an independent scientist."
Hugo Lee, Ph.D.
Mentor: Xi Chen, Ph.D.
Department: Experimental Therapeutics
Project Title: Targeting the proteostasis network in KRAS-mutant cancers
"I chose the T32 program for its ability to support my development as an independent scientist in translational research. With the additional support from my co-mentor and clinical mentor, it will create a broader and more in-depth training experience that would otherwise be unavailable to me."
Ritu Bohat, Ph.D.
Mentor: Dr. Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Stem Cell Transplantation Research
Project Title: Enhancing CAR-NK Potency and Persistence with MyD88/CD40 Costimulation
"I am highly motivated to join the T32 training program to further my career aspiration of becoming a leading scientist. The program’s comprehensive training in translational and clinical cancer research aligns perfectly with my commitment to developing rapid and accessible cancer treatment. This opportunity will provide me with the essential expertise to drive impactful translational research and make meaningful contributions to advancing cancer therapies."
Kaira Church, Ph.D.
Mentor: Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Cancer Biology
Project Title: Optimizing RNA interference in the form of engineered exosomes to identify novel therapeutic targets for retinal disease
"Working exclusively as a research scientist, it is hard to find a direct connection between work in the lab and patient care. Therefore, decided to join the CCTS T32 program because it provides a unique, collaborative atmosphere, bridging the gap between research and clinical care by supplying postdocs the opportunity to work one-on-one with clinicians to better aid in their training as a translational scientists."
Lacin Yapindi, Ph.D.
Mentor: Faye M. Johnson, M.D., Ph.D.
Department: Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology
Project Title: Advancing treatment for Rb-deficient cancers
"T32 program is a unique opportunity to engage in clinical observations to understand the difficulties associated with treatment of cancer patients, which is the key to the development of safe and efficient therapies. The offered coursework and translational science seminars provide an invaluable platform to build a foundation in translational thinking and fill gaps in knowledge regarding clinical translation. I believe the postdoctoral translational research along with the T32 training program will help me achieve my long-term career goal of becoming an independent translational scientist."
Former Trainees
Samuel Mulder
Current Position: PhD Student
Nicolas Moreno
Current Position: MD/PhD Student
Lea Stitzlein
Current Position: PhD Student
Grace Isakson-Murley
Current Position: MD/PhD Student
Meagan Conner, Ph.D.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Stephen Farmer
Current Position: PhD Student