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Rany Abdallah
MSTP-5, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Ayad Jaffa
Research interests: Diabetic neprhopathy, stroke, stem cell research
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Kefreya El-Koura, Lebanon/ Montreal, Canada
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Philosophy, poetry, water sports, guitar, dance

Adnan Al-Ayoubi
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-4
Mentor: Scott Eblen
Research interests: Signal Transduction, Cancer, Drug Development
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Tripoli, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: Fencing, Aikido, Squash, Traveling

Obaidullah Aseem
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor: Dr. Scott Argraves
Research interests: N/A
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan
Undergraduate Institution: Morehouse College
Interests: Soccer, Travel, Reading, Movies, Billiards

DeAnna Baker
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Gary Gilkeson
Research interests: Autoimmune disease, inflammation
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Undergraduate Institution: University of Maryland Baltimore County
Interests: Reading, watching movies

Tiffany Baker
Year: MSTP-, Med-
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: College of Charleston

Fahmin Basher
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Immunology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Orangeburg, SC
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: Reading, Cooking, Crafts, Working out, The Beach

Thomas Beckham
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: unknown (currently in Dr. Norris' lab for rotation)
Research interests: Cancer Biology, Gene Therapy, Regulation of Gene Expression
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Aiken, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Interests: Tennis, Kayaking, Cooking, Ethics

Brandon Bentzley
Year: MSTP-, Med-
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: The College of New Jersey

Jennifer Blakely
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Biochemistry, Peptide Synthesis, Immunology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Ora, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Erskine College
Interests: American Literature, Writing, Camping and Hiking, Independent and Foreign films, Baking

Aly Bourreza
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided (currently in Dr. Ogawa's lab for rotation
Research Interests: Stem Cell Treatment, Tissue Regeneration
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Easton, PA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Delaware
Interests: Running, Working out, Cooking, Going to the beach

Laura Elizabeth Briggs
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Intersts: Cardiovascular Development/Disease
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Leesburg, FL
Undergrad: University of Florida
Interests: Running, live music, birds, tennis, college football

Jonathan Butler
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Naren Banik/Dr. Craig Beeson
Research interests: Autoimmune disease, Multiple Sclerosis, T cells
Spouse/Kids: Jennifer
Hometown: El Cajon, CA
Undergraduate Institution: Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA
Interests: Travel, Surfing, Cycling

Joseph Cheng
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. James S. Norris
Research interests: Tumor biology, gene therapy
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: New York, NY
Undergraduate Institution: Dartmouth College, NH
Interests: Reading, running, swimming, cooking

Anna-Maria Clark
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor: Dr. M. Rita Young
Research interests: Oncology, Tumor Immunology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: North Charleston, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Wofford College
Interests: soccer, reading, camping, boating, foreign food, sleep

Danielle Clark
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: Marshall University

Andre C. Eaddy
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Rick Schnellmann
Research interests: Renal Failure/Cancer/Proteomics
Spouse/Kids: Son: Deontae, 6 yrs old
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Morehouse College
Interests: Water Sports

Justin Ellett
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Ken Chavin
Research interests: Liver Transplantation, Fatty Liver Disease
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Undergraduate Institution: Hampden-Sydney College
Interests:

Jamie L. Fraser
Year: MSTP-7, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Ling Wei
Research interests: Neonatal Stroke, Stem cell transplantation, infarct microenvironment in neonate
Spouse/Kids: Husband: Brent; Daughter: Zoe, 2 dogs: Scout & Sugar
Hometown: Hiram, GA
Undergraduate Institution: Agnes Scott College
Interests: playing with my husband, baby, and the dogs; gardening, reading, crocheting

Chris Gault
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Lina Obeid
Research interests: Cancer/Inflammation
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara
Interests: Traveling, Volleyball, Hiking, Politics

George Daniel Grass
Year: MSTP-1, Grad-1
Mentor: Dr. Bryan P. Toole
Research interests: Tumor Microenvironment and Signal Tranduction
Spouse/Kids: Kathryn L. Grass
Hometown: Aiken, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Charleston Southern University
Interests: Guitar, Reading, Spending time with my wife

Linda Heffernan-Stroud
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Lina Obeid
Research interests: Sphingosine Kinase 1 in Cancer Biology
Spouse/Kids: Zach Stroud
Hometown: Born in Savannah, GA; Grew up in Harrisburg, PA
Undergraduate Institution: George Washington University & Oxford University
Interests: Taking dogs to the park, Surfing, Painting, Hiking, Yoga, Friends

Loretta Hoover
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Steven W. Kubalak
Research interests: Retinoids and Cardiovascular Development
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Undergraduate Institution: Rockhurst University/College of Charleston
Interests: Cooking, Wine, Skydiving, Travel, Minoan Civilization

Russell William Jenkins
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Yusuf A. Hannun
Research interests: Role and Regulation of Acid Sphingomyelinase in Inflammation
Spouse/Kids: Courtney Porter Jenkins
Hometown: McLean, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia
Interests: Playing guitar, reading, running, lifting, cooking, and relaxing...

Christopher Johnson
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: University of NC at Chapel Hill

Patricia Kearney
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Chris Parsons
Research interests: Effect of SHV Infection on Human Momonuclear Cells
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: running, swimming, biking and anything having to do with coffee

Anthony Leonard
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Dr. Bernard Maria
Research interests: Brain Tumors (Glioblastoma)
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Galax, VA
Undergraduate Institution: Emory & Henry College
Interests: Reading, Music and DJ, Motorcycling, Outdoors, Boating,

Jason Lockrow
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Lotta Granholm
Research interests: Neurodegeneration
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: soccer, bocci, and the beach

Sarah Tucker Marrison
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Cancer Biology and Therapy
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Brewster, NY
Undergraduate Institution: Yale University, CT
Interests: Running, Athletics, Cooking, Baking, Reading

Ahmad Mashmoushi
Year: MSTP-2, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Gil Gilkeson, Dr. Jim Oates
Research interests: Auto-immunity REactive Intermediates
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Bsaba Al-Shouf, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: History, Physics, Arabic Poetry

Keely Morris
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Dr. Steve Tomlinson
Research interests: Complement System in Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Undergraduate Institution: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Interests: Traveling, Cooking, Running, Snow skiing

Phillip Moschella
Year: MSTP-7, Grad-5
Mentor: Dr. Dhan Kuppuswamy
Research interests: Cardiology
Spouse/Kids: Married with 1 new baby boy
Hometown: N/A
Undergraduate Institution: Wofford
Interests: Movies, Reading, Getting Some Sleep

Khaled Moussawi
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Peter Kalivas
Research interests: imaging, development, neuroscience
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: American University of Beirut
Interests: philosophy, chess

Thomas (Tom) Drakeford Mullen
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Lina Obeid
Research interests: Role of sphingolipids in mitochondrial biology and apoptosis; cancer biology; inflammation
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Graniteville, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Interests: Music (guitar/vocals), photography, running/outdoor athletics, traveling, improv comedy, medical history

Benjamin Newcomb
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: Seattle University

Michael Patrick O'Quinn
Year: MSTP-8, Grad-6
Mentor: Dr. Robert Gourdie
Research interests: Healing and regeneration of wounded myocardium
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Moore, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Wofford College
Interests: Outdoors activities (camping, hiking), traveling, history, and music

Joe Palatinus
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Robert Gourdie
Research interests: Mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography, cardiac conduction system, and wound healing
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Oak Ridge, TN
Undergraduate Institution: Davidson College
Interests: languages, 80s cars and time traveling

David Perry
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor: Dr. Yusuf A. Hannun
Research interests: Sphingosine Kinase 1
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Irmo, Sc
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, Outdoors, Guitar

Ryan Rhome
Year: MSTP-5, Grad-3
Mentor: Dr. Maurizio Del Poeta
Research interests: Cryptococcus neoformans, sphingolipids
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Clover, SC
Undergraduate Institution: University of Georgia
Interests: the non-science ones are: music, concerts, movies, going out with friends, tae kwon do

Sahar Saddoughi
Year: MSTP-3, Med-2
Mentor: Dr. Besim Ogretmen
Research interests: Cancer biology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Clifton Park, NY
Undergraduate Institution: Barnard College, Columbia University
Interests: running, rowing, reading

Jennifer Scott
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Florida

Amena Weston Smith
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Naren Banik
Research interests: I am interested in neurological and psychiatric illnesses. I hope to conduct a basic research project that will be clinically applicable to a disease with both neurological and psychiatric components.
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Undergraduate Institution: Lee University, Cleveland, TN
Interests: volunteering in the CARES clinic, making home improvements, swing and salsa dancing, going out to hear great live music when possible

Joshua A. Smith
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurodegenerative Disorders
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Wofford College
Interests: Music, Reading, College Sports, Spanish, Technology/Computers

Brian S. Snarr
Year: MSTP-5, Med-2
Mentor: Dr. Andy Wessels
Research interests: Cell Biology and Heart Development
Spouse/Kids: Wife:Linden; Kids: Samantha 6, Spencer 4, Alexandria 4, Katherine 2, Talmage 0
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Undergraduate Institution: University of Utah
Interests: Hiking, Fishing, Golf

Adrian D. Sproul
Year: MSTP-6, Grad 4
Mentor: Shan Ping Yu
Research interests: Neuroscience, Ion channels
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: South Burlington, VT
Undergraduate Institution: Oberlin College
Interests: Music, Spanish

Kyle Strickland
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Sergey Krupenko
Research interests: Protein Science, Crystallography, Neuroscience
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Undergraduate Institution: College of Charleston
Interests: Objectivism, independent films and sociology

Erik Strungs
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests:
Spouse/Kids:
Hometown:
Undergraduate Institution: University of Minnesota

Alton Sutter
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Dr. Narendra Banik
Research interests: Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Metabonomics
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Pickens, SC
Undergraduate Institution: College of Charleston
Interests: Diving, Photography, Music, Human Rights, Imagination, Books...and I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

Mona Taleb
Year: MSTP-4, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Cunningham
Research interests: Our lab is investigating the protective effect of heat shock on drug-induced hair cell death in mouse utricles
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Cologne, Germany and Beirut, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution: McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Interests: Traveling, Ballroom dancing, Salsa, Running

Peter Hao Tang
Year: MSTP-3, Grad-1
Mentor: Dr. Rosalie Crouch
Research interests: Retinal degenerative diseases, Ophthalmology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Interests: Cycling, Volleyball, Computers, Performing Arts, Photography

Joseph Taylor
Year: MSTP-2, Med-2
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Neuroplasticity, Neurophysiology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
Undergraduate Institution: Davidson College
Interests: Running, Strength Training, Reading, Music

Juan C. Varela
Year: MSTP-7, Med-3
Mentor: Dr. Steve Tomlinson
Research interests: Tumor Immunology
Spouse/Kids: Married 7 years, 4 year old son
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Interests: Music, Soccer, and Football

Jarrett Walsh
Year: MSTP-6, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Rita Young
Research interests: TGFb signaling in angiogenesis and tumor migration
Spouse/Kids: Married, Jessica Walsh, no children
Hometown: Hardeville, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA
Interests: Music, journalism/publishing and design

Rebecca Weber
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research interests: Nutrition, Obesity, Diabetes, Chemoprevention
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate Institution: Denison University
Interests: Golf, Running, Cooking, Quality Beer, Kayaking, Reading, Foreign food, Traveling, Religion, hanging out with friend

Lee Wheless
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Anthony Alberg
Research interests: cancer biology
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Durham, NC
Undergraduate Institution: Davidson College
Interests: running, guitar, mandolin, swing dancing

Ryan Whitaker
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided (currently in Dr. Hannun's lab for rotation)
Research interests: Cancer Biology, Gene Therapy, Experimental Therapeutics
Spouse/Kids: Fiancee, Marie Dorell
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, IA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa
Interests: Movies, golf, the outdoors, cooking, going to the beach

Armina Wiggins
Year: MSTP-2, Grad-4
Mentor: Dr. Peter Kalivas
Research interests: Cocaine Induced Neuroadaptations in the Brain Reward Circuitry
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Germantown, MD
Undergraduate Institution: Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County
Interests: Singing, Playing basketball and Salsa dancing

Parker Wilson
Year: MSTP-4, Grad-2
Mentor: Dr. Ayad Jaffa
Research interests: Vascular Biology, Bioengineering
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Boston, MA
Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins
Interests: Water Polo, Triathlons

Xiaoyi (Tina) Zhang
Year: MSTP-1, Med-1
Mentor: Undecided
Research Interests: Immunotherapy
Spouse/Kids: N/A
Hometown: Lexington, SC
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Interests: Cooking, the Outdoors, Exercise