Predoctoral Training Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics student roster

Director

Review the focus areas, mentors and publications of current and former trainees in the Predoctoral Training Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Mayo Clinic.

Appointees

Carly A. Baehr

Mentor

Larry M. Karnitz, Ph.D.

Research focus

Regulation of base excision repair by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3)-mediated phosphorylation of uracil N-glycosylase 2 (UNG2)

View trainee’s publications

Adebowale (Wale) O. Bamidele, Ph.D.

Mentor

Karen E. Hedin, Ph.D.

Research focus

IQGAP1 and other proteins that mediate cytoskeletal interactions: Critical roles in regulating CXCR4 trafficking, signaling and disease

View trainee’s publications

Sherri M. Biendarra-Tiegs

Mentor

Timothy J. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Evaluation and modulation of cardiomyocyte subtype development from human

View trainee’s publications

Steven M. Dotzler

Mentor

Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Suppression-replacement KCNQ1 gene therapy for type 1 long QT syndrome

View trainee’s publications

Jordan M. Grainger

Mentor

Liewei Wang, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Study of genomic aberrations and drug response in breast cancer and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

View trainee’s publications

Carl T. Gustafson

Mentor

Michael J. Yaszemski, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Wnt targets and therapeutic approaches in osteosarcoma

View trainee’s publications

Katherine A Hartjes

Mentor

Timothy J. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Mapping cell-autonomous cardiogenic signatures of bioengineered cardiac progenitors according to native cardiogenesis

View trainee’s publications

Erin M. Higgins

Mentor

Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Elucidation of MRAS-mediated Noonan syndrome with cardiac hypertrophy

View trainee’s publications

Jamie D. Kapplinger, M.D., Ph.D.

Mentor

Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Enhanced classification of nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants in the sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5 (SCN5A)-encoded NaV1.5 cardiac sodium channel

View trainee’s publications

Rebecca L. Kelly

Mentor

Larry M. Karnitz, Ph.D.

Research focus

The intra-synthesis (intra-S) phase checkpoint regulates Treslin to suppress new origin firing

View trainee’s publications

Christopher Livia

Mentor

Atta Behfar, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Regenerative interventions in cardiac ischemia

View trainee’s publications

Pamela A. Long

Mentor

Timothy W. Olsen, M.D.

Research focus

Discovering molecular genetic defects underlying pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy

View trainee’s publications

Cordelia D. McGehee

Mentor

Scott H. Kaufmann, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Acquired poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor resistance in preclinical models of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

View trainee’s publications

Katherine Minter Dykhouse

Mentor

Timothy J. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Research focus

Modeling terminal differentiation of cardiomyocytes using the directed differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells to cardiomyocytes

View trainee’s publications

Drew R. Neavin, Ph.D.

Mentor

Richard Weinshilboum, M.D.

Research focus

Metabolomics and single nucleotide polymorphism analyses to identify genetic components of response to SSRIs

View trainee’s publications

Alfred D. Nelson

Mentor

Diana Gil Pages, Ph.D.

Research focus

Anti-TCR (T cell receptors) and anti-CD3 Fab homodimerization and the effects of ligand bivalency on T cell activation

View trainee’s publications

Lee R. Peyton, Ph.D.

Mentor

Doo-Sup Choi, Ph.D.

Research focus

Neuropharmacology of alcohol use disorder and psychiatric disorder

View trainee’s publications

Stephanie L. Safgren, Ph.D.

Mentor

Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico, M.D.

Research focus

The chromatin remodeler SMARCA2 cooperates with GLI1 to regulate gene expression in pancreatic cancer cells

View trainee’s publications

Tamiel N. Turley, Ph.D.

Mentor

Timothy W. Olsen, M.D.

Research focus

Identifying the genetic underpinnings of spontaneous coronary artery dissection

View trainee’s publications

Taylor M. Weiskittel

Mentor

Hu Li, Ph.D.

Research focus

Systems biology-enabled precision medicine

View trainee’s publications

Elizabeth K. Wiese

Mentor

Taro Hitosugi, Ph.D.

Research focus

Keto acids and cancer metabolism

View trainee’s publications

Career outcomes

Review career outcomes for alumni of the T32 Predoctoral Training Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (MPET) at Mayo Clinic:

Research

Former MPET T32 Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. trainees*

Academic faculty

42%

Academic staff

17%

Industry

17%

Government

8%

Other

Faculty

8%

Medical practice

0%

Other industry or medical career

8%

*Trainees supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences-funded Predoctoral Training Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (MPET) for the last 15 years.