Lab Members

Dr. Brian Cunniff

Brian Cunniff, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Brian completed his PhD in Dr. Nicholas Heintz’s Laboratory at the University of Vermont in 2014. He did a short postdoc with Dr. Janet Shaw at the University of Utah and completed his postdoctoral training with Dr. Tom Kirchhausen at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Brian returned to UVM in 2017 as a Faculty Scientist and was appointed to Assistant Professor (Tenure track) in 2019. 

Terri Messier

Terri Messier

Research Analyst and Lab Manager

I am a research analyst with biomedical research experience in both the academic and biotechnology sectors, including projects in several laboratories at the University of Vermont and as a group leader at Acadia Pharmaceuticals in San Diego, CA. My research interests include development of improved detection and treatment modalities in cancer by studying both genetic and epigenetic changes that result in transcriptional re-programing of cancer cells.

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Victoria Gibson

CMB Graduate Student

I am a graduate student in the Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences PhD program at UVM. I received my M.S degree from Boston University in Pathology and Laboratory Science in 2021 and my B.S in Biochemistry from SUNY Cortland in 2019. My Masters thesis work was in the Amyloid Research Laboratory at BUSM where I studied the biophysical properties of a novel amyloidogenic beta2-microblobulin variant. Alongside my masters I worked at Boston Medical Center COVID-19 Biorepository processing clinical samples and assisting in COVID-19 research studies. I am excited to be part of the Cunniff lab where I will be researching therapies and resistance mechanisms in malignant mesothelioma and other cancers. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hockey, snowboarding, and traveling.

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Nathaniel Shannon

CMB Graduate Student

I recently graduated from Saint Anselm College, Manchester NH, in 2019 with a degree in Biochemistry. My previous work was focused on cell cycle regulation in yeast cells as a way of better understanding cancer progression. In the Fall of 2019, I moved to Vermont for graduate school where I am currently in the Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences (CMB) program. I am excited to be part of the Cunniff lab where my interests include the role of mitochondrial positioning regulating gene expression patterns in normal and tumor cells as well as focal adhesion dynamics during cell migration. When I am not in lab I am out exploring Vermont by hiking, running, or even fishing.

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Randi Lynn Gravelle

CMB Graduate Student

Randi is a current student in the Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences PhD program at UVM. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (2019 Biological Sciences, B. A.) where her research focus was in altering gene expression in human pancreatic cancer cells to investigate the roles of specific genes that are upregulated in the progression of pancreatic cancer. In the Cunniff lab, Randi’s research investigates the relationship between the subcellular localization of mitochondria and the metastasis and tumorigenesis in human breast cancer cells. During her time at UNH, she studied abroad in Belize, where she studied the coral reef ecosystem and outside of the lab, Randi has a passion for nature. She loves painting and exploring the outdoors, especially snorkeling in tropical areas. Her long-term goals in life are to contribute to cancer research throughout her academic and professional career, and to travel and explore the world as much as possible.

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Ava Cote

Undergraduate Student

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Vermont majoring in microbiology. I started working in the Cunniff Lab remotely in the spring of my sophomore year. I am currently researching biomarkers of drug resistance in malignant mesothelioma for my senior thesis. Outside of the lab, I enjoy browsing retail outlets, relaxing by the beach, and folding origami. 

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Max Paganini

Undergraduate Student

I am currently completing a B.S. degree in biochemistry at UVM. My research primarily consists of analyzing the expression of various proteins in drug resistant cells through immunofluorescence microscopy. Outside of the lab and school, I enjoy spending my time in the outdoors. 

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Jackson

Jackson Lalla

Undergraduate Student

I am undergraduate student at UVM where I am completing a B.S. degree in Biology. I first began working in the Cunniff laboratory as an intern during the summer going into my senior year of high school. My research is centered around mitochondrial positioning and how it effects downstream signaling pathways, namely the ERK pathway and its role in cell migration/proliferation. Otside the lab , I enjoy backcountry skiing and Olympic weightlifting.   

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Lab Alumni

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Chloe

 

 

Chloe Palmer

Lab Technician

I recently graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS degree in Biochemistry and a minor in pharmacology. I was an undergraduate research student in the Cunniff lab throughout my time enrolled at UVM. My research interests include the ERK pathway, mitochondrial dynamics and gene expression. Outside of the lab I work at the UVMMC pharmacy and spend my time reading, swimming, and listening to my record collection. 

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Stacie Beuschel

Stacie Beuschel

Research Technician/Animal Specialist

I moved home to Vermont in 2002 to raise my daughter and landed in the Office of Animal Care.  In 2004 I moved into research and have studied malignant mesothelioma for the majority of those years.  In my time here I have had great fortune to work with some amazing mentors who have supported my career path and allowed me to participate in numerous continuing education opportunities with both the Jackson Laboratories, Charles River Laboratories as well as our local AALAS branch.  In our Northern Mountain Branch of AALAS I have held several officer positions, my favorite of which is the time I spent as the Branch Representative, which allowed me to bring quality, relevant programming to our branch as well as giving me the opportunity for public outreach which is a real passion of mine. For a short time I ran the Inhalation facility here at UVM and I am now working in the laboratory of Dr. Brian Cunniff and am continuing research on some promising therapies for mesothelioma.   My daughter is now going into her senior year of high school and we are looking forward to her graduation and what our future holds, both personally and professionally.  

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Amelia Lamberty

Master's degree student

I was born and raised in Moca, Puerto Rico (I chose Vermont’s eternal winters because I enjoy skiing!) and earned my B.S. in Biology from Saint Michael’s College in 2020. During my time at St. Mike’s, I participated in cellular/molecular neurobiology research where I investigated the expression pattern of the neuroactive peptide Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide throughout the brain of the Central American wandering spider. I also volunteered as an EMT with Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue and studied abroad in Chile and Israel/Palestine. My master’s project in Dr. Cunniff’s lab investigates the role of Miro1-mediated mitochondrial positioning in allergen-induced inflammation in lung epithelial cells. When I am not in the lab, I am either chasing sunsets, working in the Emergency Department, or volunteering on the ambulance.

Maggie McCoy

Maggie McCoy

Laboratory Technician

I am graduate of Syracuse university with my B.S and M.S, and a native from Fairfield VT. Previously I worked in reproductive biology labs focusing on the formation and attrition of oocytes (females eggs). My masters project focused on the effect of halogenated anesthetics on germ cell methylation. Before joining the Cunniff lab I worked as an apheresis phlebotomist at the American Red Cross. I excited to continue to gain research experience back in the green mountains, and am excited to see what the next few years have in store for me. Outside of lab I enjoy skiing, hanging out at the lake, and baking.

Stephanie Milczarek

Stephanie Stead

Research Technician

Stephanie is a graduate of Clarkson University (2015 Biomolecular Science, B.S.), and native to Round Lake, NY. Since graduating, she has gained breadth and depth in a variety of scientific settings;  Previously a Research Associate at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, she primarily worked on expanding genome-scale libraries of RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 reagents and later developing, performing, and optimizing pull-down assays to investigate genes related to myocardial infarction.  She hopes to continue building her experience with the great team at UVM and combine her passions for science, health, and lifelong learning throughout her professional life.  Outside of the lab, she loves being outdoors (hiking, mountain biking, or learning to sail) as well as experimenting in the kitchen.

Alexis Saamen

Alexis Saamen

Research Technician

Western Blotting aficionado who ventured into research after spending about 5 years working in clinical medicine in the Emergency Department, Women's Health and Oncology. I am originally from Wisconsin, attended College and Graduate School in Illinois and moved to Vermont in 2016. My favorite past times are hiking, skiing, kayaking and enjoying the beautiful outdoors of Vermont.

Haya Alshaabi

Haya Alshaabi

Research Technician
*Haya completed her undergraduate Honors College Thesis in the lab
2018 SURF Awardee

I was born and raised in Damascus, Syria.  In 2017, I joined the research laboratory of Dr. Brian Cunniff where I studied the influence of mitochondrial positioning on subcellular activities and wrote my undergraduate thesis. After graduating from UVM (class of 2019), I started working as a research technician in Dr. Cunniff’s lab and preparing to apply for medical schools. Beside my class and lab work, I am a licensed EMT and I have interned with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of Vermont. I was also a professional swimmer in Damascus’s swimming team and I enjoy playing the piano, cooking, drawing and writing journals.

Meara Heininger

Meara Heininger

Undergraduate Researcher
Biochemistry Major
2019 SURF Awardee