Department of Pharmacology

  Emily MacDonald, BS

                                                 2019-2020 Honors Student in Dostmann Lab

   "Exploring the Pharmacophore of Novel Synthetic Peptide Activators of Type 1α cGMP Dependent Protein Kinase"

    May 8, 2020

Joseph P. Gallant, M.S.

2016-2017

'Natural selection and genetic variation in a promising chagas disease drug target:  Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase'

Nicholas C. Cruickshank, M.S.

2016-2017

‘The effects of hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor on catecholaminergic regulation of cardiovascular function’

Thomas Taber, M.S.

2016-2017

'Thyroid hormone receptor b (TRb) regulation of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in thyroid tumorigenesis:  determination of the TRb nuclear protein complexes that associate with the RUNX2 gene'

Thomas is pursuing his Ph.D. in Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, PA.

Daniel Gehan, M.S.

2016-2017

Solmaz Karimi, M.S.

2016-2017

Solmaz was part of the Wellman Lab.  She has been accepted at the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy and is pursing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. 

Timothy Keith, M.S.

2016-2017

Timothy Keith was part of the Nelson lab and is currently working as a Lab Technician. 

Jacob Mandell, M.S.

2016-2017

Bolu Zhou, M.S.

2016-2017

Zachary Einwag, M.S.

2016-2017 

Zachary was part of the Erdos' lab and is currently working in the Erdos' Lab at University of Vermont as a Lab Technician.

Benjamin Dahlgren, M.S. 

2015-2016 

Benjamin was part of the Nelson Lab and after graduation spent some time there as a Lab Technician.  He is currently working as Associate Scientist II, in Toxicology Formulations at BioReliance, Sigma-Aldrich Corp. in Rockville, MD. 

Jennie Hill, M.S.

2015-2016

Anes Karic, M.S.

2015-2016

Elizabeth MacNeill, M.S.

2015-2016

Megan Matthews, M.S.

2015-2016

Alice Peng, M.S.

2015-2016 

Yao Li, Ph.D.

2010-2015, Dr. Joseph Brayden’s lab
Thesis Defense October 9, 2015

"Contributions of TRPM4 and RHO kinase to myogenic tone development in cerebral parenchymal arterioles"

Yao was a member of Dr. Joseph E. Brayden's lab from Sept. 2010 to October 2015. She is a postdoc in Dr. Patrick Pagano's lab at the University of Pittsburgh.

Arsalan Syed, Ph.D.

2010-2015, Dr. George Wellman’s lab
Thesis Defense October 2, 2015

"Regulation of middle meningeal artery diameter by PACAP and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels"

Arsalan was a member of Dr. George C. Wellman's lab from Sept. 2010 to October 2015. He is a postdoc at the University of California at Davis in Dr. Manuel Navedo's lab.

Jeffrey Shortway, M.S.

2008-2014, Dr. Anthony Morielli’s lab
Thesis Defense May 2014

"The effects of alpha-subunit composition on Kv1 family potassium channel modulation by RHOA"

Jeffrey Shortway was a member of Dr. Anthony Morielli's lab from Sept. 2008 to May of 2014. He is currently an Assistant Bioreactor Scientist for Immunomedics in Morris Plains, NJ.

Andrew McKenzie, Ph.D.

2009-2014, Dr. Alan Howe’s lab
Thesis Defense June 2014

"Mechanoregulation of protein kinase activity during cancer cell adhesion and cell migration"

Andrew McKenzie was a member of Dr. Alan Howe's lab from 2009 to 2014. He is now a Postdoc at Vanderbilt University, in Professor Alissa Weaver's lab.

Michael Williams, Ph.D.

8/2007-8/2012, Dr. Anthony Morielli’s lab
Thesis Defense August 24, 2012

"Secretin-Modulated Potassium Channel Traffickling as a Novel Mechanism for Regulating Cerebrallar Synapses"

Michael worked in Dr. Anthony Morielli's lab as a technician from August 2004 to July of 2007 and then as a graduate student from August 2007 to August 2012 studying the regulation of voltage gated ion channels. Michael is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH and is studying how dysregulation of the PI3K-mTOR/PTEN pathways leads to changes in synapse formation and function.

Ying Ruan, M.S.

7/2007-10/2010, Dr. Alan Howe’s lab
Thesis Defense October 25, 2010

“Identification of 14-3-3 epsilon as a novel in vivo substrate”

Ying was a graduate student in Dr. Alan Howe's lab. She is currently a Clinical Technician at Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D.

7/2005-10/2010, Dr. George Wellman’s lab
Thesis Defense August 30, 2010

“Role of voltage-dependent calcium channels in subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced constriction of intracerebral arterioles”

Matt was a Postdoctoral Associate in the laboratory of Dr. Fernando Santana in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Washington, following his Postdoctoral Associate position here in the laboratory of Dr. George Wellman in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont. He also completed a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California at Davis with Dr. Manuel F. Navedo. He is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Rachael Hannah, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)

9/2007-5/2010, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense March 10, 2010

“Prominent influence of potassium channel activity on brain arteriolar diameter”

Rachael was an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Nelson here in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont. In January 2011, she became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Presque Isle, ME.

Kara Held, Ph.D. (Cell & Molecular Biology)

9/2005-5/2010, Dr. Wolfgang Dostmann’s lab
Thesis Defense March 23, 2010

“Characterization of the spatiotemporal regulation of cyclic guanosine-3’,5’-monophosphate in vascular smooth muscle cells”

Kara is currently a Laboratory Manager at Harvard University. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Associate in the laboratory of Dr. William Sessa in the Department of Pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Bernhard Nausch, Ph.D.

1/2004-2/2010, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense January 28, 2010

“Regulation of Urinary Bladder Smooth Muscle Function by Muscarinic Receptors and Ion Channels”

Bernhard was a Postdoctoral Associate in the laboratory of Dr. Gary Mawe in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology here at the University of Vermont, and a postdoc at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta Canada. He is currently a Junior Manager for Pharmacology and Toxicology at Bionorica, a pharmaceutical company specializing in phytopharmaca in Germany.

Megan Doczi, Ph.D. (Neuroscience)

9/2004-11/2009, labs of Drs. Deborah Damon and Anthony Morielli
Thesis Defense November 11, 2009

“Subcellular distribution of a voltage-gated potassium channel: the effect of localization on channel function”

Megan was a Postdoctoral Associate in the laboratories of Drs. Cynthia Forehand and Rodney Parsons in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology here at the University of Vermont. Currently she is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Norwich University.

Emilee Connors, Ph.D.

9/2003-9/2009, Dr. Anthony Morielli’s lab
Thesis Defense August 21, 2009

“Positive Trafficking Pathways of a Voltage Gated Potassium Channel”

Emilee was a Postdoctoral Research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Richard Lewis in the Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford University, Stanford, CA. She is currently a Senior Medical Writer at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MAP Pharmaceuticals, in the Greater Boston Area, MA.

Shiv Kumar Raidas, M.S (Cell & Molecular Biology Program)

9/2003-8/2008, Dr. Wolfgang Dostmann’s lab
Thesis Defense January 5, 2009

“The interactions of cGMP-dependent protein kinase with novel peptidic substrates and inhibitors”

Shiv is currently a Research Associate in Analytical Chemistry, Protein Chemistry Sciences, at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY.

Lee Stirling, M.S.(Cell & Molecular Biology Program)

Dr. Anthony Morielli’s lab
Thesis Defense (2009)

“Dual roles for RhoA/Rho-kinase in the regulation trafficking of a voltage-sensitive potassium channel”

Lee is currently a Client Relations Specialist in the Business Development & Outreach office of Laboratory Services at The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT.

Phani Gummadidala, M.S.

9/2004-1/2009, Dr. Karen Lounsbury’s lab
Thesis Defense January 30, 2009

“Role of nuclear factor κB in regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and angiogenesis”

Phani was a lab research technician in the lab of Dr. Mercedes Rincon in the Department of Immunobiology here at the University of Vermont. Currently she is a Research Associate in the Department Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina.

Jaclyn TeRiele, M.S.

9/2003-3/2008, Dr. Deborah Damon’s lab
Thesis Defense March 24, 2008

“The contribution of artemin and ephrinA signaling to sympathetic vascular innervation”

Jackie is currently a Counselor in the North Country Science & Technology Entry Program at SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY, and the Laboratory Manager for the Biology Department at St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY.

Sarah Hale, Ph.D. (Cell & Molecular Biology)

9/2002-4/2008, Dr. Karen Lounsbury’s lab
Thesis Defense February 15, 2008

“Effects of Erythropoietin and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 on Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α”

Sarah was a Research Associate in the laboratory of Dr. George Osol in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences here at the University of Vermont, following her Postdoctoral Associate position here in the laboratory of Dr. Karen Lounsbury in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont. She is currently a Manager in Medical Training at Biogen Idec in the Greater Boston Area, MA.

Lydia Nausch, Ph.D.

9/2004-12/2007, Dr. Wolfgang Dostmann’s lab
Thesis Defense December 15th, 2007

“Novel insights into PKG activation and cGMP signaling in response to nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide in vascular smooth muscle cells”

Lydia was an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellow here in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Nelson in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont until December 2012. She is currently living in der Oberpfalz, Germany.

Patricia Rose, RPh, M.S., Ph.D.

9/2001-6/2007, Dr. Karen Lounsbury’s lab
Thesis Defense August 27, 2007

“Gene Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle: Models of Hypertension and Angiotensin II Signaling”

Pat was an Assistant Professor in the Hofstra School of Medicine, Hempsted, NY, following her NIH Postdoctoral Fellow position here in the laboratory of Dr. Karen Lounsbury in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont. She is currently in the Miami /Fort Lauderdale area, Florida.

Jeff Layne, Ph.D.

9/2003-5/2007, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense May 4, 2007

“The Role of the Transcription Factor NFAT in the Regulation of UBSM Contractility”

Jeff is currently a Senior Research Scientist at Phenomenex, Inc., Torrance, CA, following his NIH Postdoctoral Fellow position here in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Nelson in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont.

Sharon Cawley, Ph.D. (Cell & Molecular Biology)

9/2001-5/2007, Dr. Wolfgang Dostmann’s lab
 Thesis Defense March 5, 2007

“The Intracellular Dynamics of Guanosine-3’,5’-monophosphate (cGMP)in Vascular Smooth Muscle”

Sharon was a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School. She received the Ruth L. Kirshstein National Research Service Award. She is a past Instructor at the Harvard Medical School in Anesthesia and Critical Care. Currently she is a Post Doctoral Scientist for Acceleron Pharma in, Cambridge, MA.

Jonathan Markey, M.S.

9/2004-5/2006, Dr. Anthony Morielli’s lab
Thesis Defense August 16th, 2006

“Analysis of Kv1.2-cortactin interactions using FRET-based microscopy”

Jonathan is currently working on his Ph.D. He is a Research Assistant for Ebert-May Lab at Michigan State University and the Program Coordinator for the Summer Experience for Undergraduates at Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC).

Edmund Nesti, Ph.D.

9/2001-10/2006, Dr. Anthony Morielli’s lab
Thesis Defense August 14th, 2006

“Kv Channel Regulation Via Ubiquitin Dependent Endocytosis”

Edmund is currently a Pharmacologist at the Division of Neurology Products Office of New Drugs at the FDA in Silver Springs, MD.

Christy Barlow, Ph.D. (Cell & Molecular Biology)

9/2002-5/2006, Dr. Karen Lounsbury’s lab
Thesis Defense August 2, 2006

“Role of Oxidant and Asbestos-induced CREB Activation in the Pathogenesis of Lung Disease”

Christy is currently a Postdoctoral Associate in the laboratory of Dr. Richard Anderson in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.

Renee Pulver-Kaste, Ph.D.

9/2000-5/2005, Dr. Karen Lounsbury’s lab
Thesis Defense January 21st, 2005

“Calcium-Dependent Gene Modulation in Vascular Smooth Muscle”

Renee is currently a Senior Associate Director in the Research department at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Danbury, CT.

Carolyn (Sawyer) Ellenberger, Ph.D.

9/1998-5/2005, Dr. Wolfgang Dostmann’s lab
Thesis Defense May 13, 2005

“Construction of fret-based cGMP indicators and their use to reveal the spatial and temporal dynamics of cGMP in vascular smooth muscke cells”

Carolyn has used her writing skills and scientific knowledge for the Genzyme Corp. as a Scientific Publications Manager for the Transplant Sales and Marketing Team, then as a Medical Writer and Scientific Communications Manager for the Gaucher Disease Medical Affairs Team. Carolyn is currently Head of Operations at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA and has been with the company since 2008. Her current responsibilities include internal communications, budget mangement, research and IT project management, drug discovery course delivery, and general departmental problem resolution.

Kristen Pavelock, Ph.D.

9/1996-6/2003, Dr. Victor May’s lab
Thesis Defense September 16, 2002

“Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptor Expression, Regulation and Function in Vascular and Neuronal Networks”

Kristen is currently a pharmacist at Shaw’s Osco, Colchester, VT.

JodiAnne (Hale) Wood, Ph.D.

9/1997-9/2001, Dr. John McCormack’s lab
Thesis Defense August 3, 2001

“Analytical and Pharmacokinetic Studies with Cytochlor and Tachpyr,
 Two Novel Anti-Cancer Agents”

Jodi is currently a Senior Research Scientist in the Center for Drug Discovery at Northeastern University, Boston, MA.

Gerald Herrera, Ph.D. (Molecular Physiology and Biophysics)

9/1997-5/2001, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense March 28, 2001

“Regulation of Urinary Bladder Smooth Muscle Function By Subcellular Calcium Signals and Calcium-Dependent Potassium Channels”

Gerry is currently the Vice President of Research and Development at Med Associates, Inc., St. Albans, VT, and is President of Catamount Research & Development, Inc., St. Albans, VT. In addition, he is an Adjunct Assistant Professor here in the Pharmacology Department at the University of Vermont.

Andrá Stevenson, Ph.D.

9/1997-5/2001, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense April 10, 2001

“Dynamic Regulation of Calcium-Dependent Transcription Factors by Differential Calcium Signaling Modalities in Smooth Muscle”

Andrá is currently a Senior Research Scientist in Pharmacology at Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ.

Laura (Cartin) Jaggar, Ph.D.

2/1995-7/1998, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense December 16, 1999

“Coupling of Ca2+ to CREB Activation and Gene Expression in Intact Cerebral Arteries from Mouse: Roles of Ryanodine Receptors and Voltage-Dependent Ca2+ Channels”

Laura is currently a Secondary School Science Teacher in Memphis, TN, after a Postdoctoral Associate position in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Tennessee, Memphis.

Lynne M. Robertson, Ph.D.

9/1994-6/1999, Dr. John McCormack’s lab
Thesis Defense June 10, 1999

“Development of a Monolithic Transdermal Drug Formulation”

Lynne is currently President of Gwen Ryan Solutions, LLC, Bridgewater, NJ, and a regulatory consultant at Novaquest.

David Hill-Eubanks, Ph.D.

2/1995-7/1998, Dr. Mark Nelson’s lab
Thesis Defense July 24, 1998

“Molecular Aspects of Adriamycin Action: Evidence for a Functionally Inducible Temperature-sensitive p53 Mutant in a Murine Lymphocytic Leukemia Cell Line”

David is currently a Research Assistant Professor here in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Nelson in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont following his Postdoctoral Associate position here in Dr. Nelson’s lab.