Research group
Iulia M. Lazar, Professor
Iuliana’s research is focused on advancing the technologies of mass spectrometry, proteomics and microfluidics for enabling a detailed exploration of the biological mechanisms that control cancer cell cycle progression and biological signaling. Beyond research, she likes music, sunsets, tall mountains, SciFi movies and discovering new places.
Iuliana’s research is focused on advancing the technologies of mass spectrometry, proteomics and microfluidics for enabling a detailed exploration of the biological mechanisms that control cancer cell cycle progression and biological signaling. Beyond research, she likes music, sunsets, tall mountains, SciFi movies and discovering new places.
Shreya Ahuja, Ph.D. candidate
Shreya earned her M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Fergusson College/Pune University in India. At Virginia Tech, her research is centered on identifying cancer markers indicative of metastasis. In her spare time, Shreya really enjoys hiking and going on road trips. She also loves cooking and decorating the house.
Shreya earned her M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Fergusson College/Pune University in India. At Virginia Tech, her research is centered on identifying cancer markers indicative of metastasis. In her spare time, Shreya really enjoys hiking and going on road trips. She also loves cooking and decorating the house.
Arba Karcini, Ph.D. candidate
Arba earned her B.Sc. degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Her research is focused on studying biological signaling transactivation processes that lead to aberrant cancer cell proliferation. Outside the lab, Arba likes to paint and read classical literature. Her favorite painter is impressionist Claude Monet and her favorite writer is Victor Hugo.
Arba earned her B.Sc. degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Her research is focused on studying biological signaling transactivation processes that lead to aberrant cancer cell proliferation. Outside the lab, Arba likes to paint and read classical literature. Her favorite painter is impressionist Claude Monet and her favorite writer is Victor Hugo.
Yunqian Zhang, Ph.D. candidate
Yunqian earned her B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Central South University in Hunan, China.
Yunqian earned her B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Central South University in Hunan, China.
Sophia Francisco, B.Sc. candidate
Sophia is a student in Biological Sciences. She is interested in identifying potential protein targets of cancer cells for cytostatic cancer therapies. Her hobbies include running, reading, drawing, and walking dogs at the animal shelter.
Sophia is a student in Biological Sciences. She is interested in identifying potential protein targets of cancer cells for cytostatic cancer therapies. Her hobbies include running, reading, drawing, and walking dogs at the animal shelter.
Joshua Haueis, B.Sc. candidate
Joshua is a Systems Biology student in the Academy of Integrated Sciences at Virginia Tech. His research is focused on the development of a Boolean model for the ERBB2/EGFR signaling pathway. Outside of the lab, he likes to hike, ski, and cook.
Joshua is a Systems Biology student in the Academy of Integrated Sciences at Virginia Tech. His research is focused on the development of a Boolean model for the ERBB2/EGFR signaling pathway. Outside of the lab, he likes to hike, ski, and cook.
Alexis Richardson, B.Sc. candidate
Alexis is a student in Biological Sciences who aims to characterize membrane-bound cell surface receptors in breast cancer cells. Her hobbies include working out, taking pictures, cooking and spending time with family.
Alexis is a student in Biological Sciences who aims to characterize membrane-bound cell surface receptors in breast cancer cells. Her hobbies include working out, taking pictures, cooking and spending time with family.
Alumni
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Graduate Students
Graduate and Undergraduate Student Trainees (Short-term, interdisciplinary training projects)
- Maryam Moarefian. Project: "Modeling Microfluidic Flows in Miniaturized Devices" (2020).
- Diego F. Cortes Bermudez. Project: “Peptide Retention and Separation on SCX Microfluidic Chips; Glycoproteomics” (2010-2011).
- Jarod L. Kabulski. Project: “Testing of Integrated Microfluidic Platforms with MALDI-MS Detection” (2010).
- Xiuli Mao. Project: “Implementation of MALDI-MS Detection on Glass Microchips” (2009-2010).
- Jenny M. Armenta. Project: “Differential Protein Expression Analysis Using Stable Isotope Labeled Reagents on Bench-top and Microfluidic Platforms” (2006-2008).
- Abdulilah Dawoud Yaseen. Project: “Analysis of Phosphoproteins on Microfluidic LC Platforms” (2006-2007).
- Jung Hae Yoon. Project: “Cancer Cell Culture and Proteomic Profiling” (2004-2005).
Graduate Students
- Jingren Deng, Biological Sciences (2018). Project: "Microfluidic Approaches for Probing Protein Phosphorylation in Cells."
- Nicole Smith, Biological Sciences (2017). Project: “Analysis of Altered Signaling Pathways in SKBR3 Cells Treated with Kinase Inhibitors."
- Call Scott, MD, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (2016). Project: "Impact of Treatment of Cancer Cells with Drugs on Cross-Signaling Pathways."
- Wooram Lee, Biological Sciences (2013). Project: “Protein Set for Normalization of Spectral Count Data in Proteomics.”
- Milagros J. Tenga, Biological Sciences (2012). Project: “Proteomic Map of ER+ Breast Cancer Cell Cycle.”
- Debby Reed, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (2011). Project: “Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices."
- Yang Xu, GBCB/Biological Sciences (2009). Thesis: “Quantitative Approaches for Protein Differential Expression Analysis."
- Nileshwari Vaghela, Biological Sciences (2007). Thesis: “Proteomic Analysis of the Flavonoid Biosynthetic Machinery in Arabidopsis Thaliana.”
- Hetal A. Sarvaiya, Biomedical Engineering (2006). Thesis: “Mass Spectrometric Characterization of the MCF7 Cancer Cell Line: Proteome Profile and Cancer Biomarkers.”
Graduate and Undergraduate Student Trainees (Short-term, interdisciplinary training projects)
- Sarah Bogart, B.S., Systems Biology. "Investigating the role of Boolean modeling in describing a network of the cell cycle and corroborating mass spectrometry data" (Fall 2020-Spring 2021).
- Alexis Richardson, B.S., Biological Sciences. Project: “Identification of Structural Characteristics and Functional Motifs in Cancer Cell Surface Receptors” (Spring 2019-Spring 2021).
- Sophia Francisco, B.S., Biological Sciences. Project: “Cell Surface Receptors and Associated Pathways in Cancer” (Spring 2019-Fall 2020).
- Nick Gulakowski, B.S., Systems Biology. Project: “Boolean Modeling of Dysregulated Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer Cells” (Fall 2019-Spring 2020).
- Michael Haverty, B.S., Systems Biology. Project: “Boolean Modeling of Dysregulated Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer Cells” (Fall 2019-Spring 2020).
- Lavanya Venkatesan, B.S. candidate, Biological Sciences (Fall 2019-Spring 2020).
- Morgan Johnson, B.S., Biological Sciences. Project: "Identification of single-point mutations in breast cancer cell surface receptors" (Spring 2018-Spring 2019).
- Wayne Glore, B.S., Nanoscience. Project: “Visualization of Membrane-Bound Receptor Proteins in Cell-Lines” (Spring 2018-Fall 2018).
- Carly Estrada-Palma, B.S., Biochemistry. Project: “Membrane Protein Complexes Involved in Proliferative Cancer Cell Signaling” (Fall 2015-Spring 2017).
- Joshua Feazell, B.S. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: Literature Survey on Cancer and Proteomics (Fall 2016).
- Morgan Julian, B.S., HNFE/Psychology. Project: “Development of Fast Protein Proteolytic Digestion Protocols” (Summer 2015-Fall 2016).
- Nicole Smith, M.S., Biological Sciences. Project: “Study of Protein Phosphorylation in Breast Cancer Signaling Pathways” (Spring 2014-Summer 2015).
- Faranak Zamani, B.S. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “Development of MRM-MS detection methods for phosphopeptides.” (Fall 2015).
- Khaled Adjerid, Ph.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineering. NSF/IGEP trainee. Project: “Proteome Study of a Darkling Beetle” (Spring 2015).
- John Brabender, B.S. candidate, Engineering. (Spring 2014)
- Carrie Hansen, B.S., Biological Sciences. Project: “Searching for Protein Phosphorylation in Breast Cancer Cell Extracts” (Summer 2013-Spring 2014).
- Xin He, Ph.D. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “MAPK Signaling Pathways in Cancer Cells” (Fall 2013).
- Max Tomlin, Auburn High School, Auburn, VA, senior. NSF trainee. Project: “Proteomics and Microfluidic Techniques in Biological Research” (Summer 2013).
- Emily Siegel, B.S. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “Mass Spectrometry Data Analysis for Facilitating the Quantitation of PTMs” (Summer 2013-Fall 2013).
- Aschvin Chawan, Ph.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineering. NSF IGERT trainee. Project: “Transport Proteins in SKBR3 cells” (Spring 2013).
- Lisa Anders, M.S. candidate, Biomedical Engineering. NSF IGERT trainee. Project: “Microfluidic Sample Preconcentration and Transport” (Fall 2012).
- Yoonji Ha, B.S. Candidate, Biochemistry. Project: “Study of Protein Glycosylation” (Fall 2011-Fall 2012).
- Melinda House, B.S. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “Study of Protein Phosphorylation” (Fall 2011-Spring 2012).
- Elizabeth Savage, M.S. candidate, Biomedical Engineering, NSF IGERT trainee. Project: “Improvement of MS Detection Limits on Microfluidic Devices” (Spring 2012).
- Ravi Kappiyoor, Ph.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineering, NSF IGERT trainee. Project: “Measurement of EOF Induced Microfluidic Flows in Microchip LC Devices” (Spring 2011).
- Josh Nicholson, Ph.D. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “Impact of DNA Copy Numbers on Protein Expression Levels in Cancer” (Fall 2009).
- Reza Sohrabi, Ph.D. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “Breast Cancer Biomarkers: a Compilation of Data” (Summer 2007).
- Kavita Poddar, Ph.D. candidate, Human Nutrition, Foods & Exercise. Project: “Cancer Cell Culture for MS Proteomics and Biomarker Identification” (summer 2006).
- Lin Liu, M.S. candidate, Biological Sciences. Project: “Proteomic Profiling of Bacillus subtilis Extracts” (2005-2006).
- Phichet Trisiripisal, Ph.D. candidate, Electrical Engineering. Project: “Development of LC Microfluidic Structures for Proteomic Applications” (2003-2006).
- Danielle Shapiro, B.S. candidate, University of Maryland, Bioengineering/Bioinformatics Summer Institute-Research Experience for Undergraduates at VBI/Virginia Tech. Project: “Phosphoprotein Analysis: Experimental & Computational Approaches” (Summer 2008).
- Amanda Kim, B.S. candidate, Mechanical Engineering. Project: “Fabrication of Glass Microfluidic Devices” (Spring 2006).