Student Alumni

  • Zachary Frey, BS (Neuroscience Major) - April 2023. Senior Thesis title: “Characterizing Jamestown Canyon virus infection of primary rat neurons and dependence on Lrp1.” Current: Research Technician, Hartman Lab.

  • Bayley Fields, MPH - April 2023. Essay title: “Genetic Polymorphisms in LRP1, a newly identified receptor for emerging Bunyaviruses.”

  • Madeline Schwarz, PhD - April 2023. Thesis: “Lrp1 is an essential host factor for Rift Valley fever virus and other bunyaviruses.” Defense: 3/6/23. Current: Scientist at Abound Bio.

  • Zachary Koenig - MS degree awarded April 2020. Thesis: “Type III Interferon Control of Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection at Epithelial Cell Barriers.” Current: PhD student at University of Cincinnati (fall 2020 start)

  • Devin Boyles - MS degree awarded December 2019. Thesis: “Determining the cellular targets and resulting pathology of Rift Valley Fever virus infection of the rat CNS and reproductive system using microscopy.” Current: Biological Import Specialist, University of Pittsburgh.

  • Tiffany Thompson - MPH degree awarded June 2017. Essay: "A Literature Review of the Histology of Rift Valley Fever Virus Neurological Disease Comparing Rodent and NHP Models to Human Disease."

  • Joseph Albe - MPH degree awarded April 2017. Thesis: "Viral encephalitis: phenotyping leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system as a result of Rift Valley fever virus infection."

  • Noah Salama - MS degree awarded April 2017. Thesis: "Analysis of peripheral immune responses for the development of an encephalitis non-human primate animal model for new world alphaviruses." Current: MD/PhD student at University of Rochester.

  • Aaron Walters - MS degree awarded December 2016. Thesis: "The effect of infection route on disease outcome in rats infected with Rift Valley fever virus." Current: US Well Services in Bryan, TX.

  • Michael Kujawa - MS degree awarded April 2016. Thesis: "Understanding the neuropathogenesis of Rift Valley Fever using in vitro and in vivo models." Current: IBC Coordinator and Biosafety Specialist, Biorisk Management Branch, Occupational Health and Safety, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

  • Jonathan Berback - MPH-PEL degree awarded December 2015. Thesis: "Antiviral activity of primary human trophoblast conditioned media against Rift Valley Fever virus." Current: Infection Preventionist, UPMC Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA

  • David Jung - MPH-PEL degree awarded December 2015. Thesis: "Efficacy and Cytotoxicity of Novel Antiviral Compounds Against Rift Valley Fever Virus." Current: Epidemiology Surveillance Coordinator, Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services, Dallas, TX.

  • Amy L. Caroline - MS degree awarded April 2013. Thesis: "Characterization of the humoral immune response in rats and non-human primates exposed to aerosolized virulent Rift Valley Fever virus."

 
 

Staff Alumni

  • Matt Demers (Research Technician/Lab Manager)

  • Joseph Albe (Research Technician)

  • Devin Boyles (Research Technician)

  • Jeneveve Lundy (Veterinary Technician)

  • Michael Kujawa (Research Technician)

  • Jen Symmonds (Veterinary technician)

  • Aaron Walters, MS (Research Technician)

  • Tiffany Thompson, MPH (Research Technician)

  • Amy L. Caroline (Research Technician)

  • Jacquelyn M. Bales (Research Technician)

  • Diana Powell (Veterinary Technician)

  • Laura Bethel (Research Technician)