Lerner Research Institute News
Read about the latest advances from Lerner Research Institute scientists, including new findings, grant awards, innovations and collaborations.

Publications
Dr. Sreetama Basu, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Suh’s lab in the Department of Neurosciences, published a review in Brain Plasticity about the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in alcohol withdrawal seizures.
Dr. Anugraha Gandhirajan, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Vaccharajani’s lab in the Department of Inflammation & Immunity, was first author on an article published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research titled, “Ethanol Exposure Attenuates Immune Response in Sepsis via Sirtuin 2 Expression.”
Dr. Sweta Parab, a research scholar from Dr. Matsuoka’s lab in the Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, was first author on an article published in eLife titled, “Endothelial cell-type-specific molecular requirements for angiogenesis drive fenestrated vessel development in the brain.”
Dr. Shashi Shekhar Singh, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Dasarathy’s lab in the Department of Inflammation & Immunity, was first author on an article published in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry titled, “Multiomics-Identified Intervention to Restore Ethanol-Induced Dysregulated Proteostasis and Secondary Sarcopenia in Alcoholic Liver Disease.”
Dr. Shiju Thomas, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Wilson’s lab in the Department of Ophthalmic Research, published a review in Experimental Eye Research about 3D technologies in in vitro corneal models.
Awards
Dr. Defne Bayik, a research associate from Dr. Lathia’s lab in the Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, received a Pathway to Independence Award from the National Cancer Institute to investigate the sex-specific role and therapeutic targeting of immunosuppressive myeloid cells in glioblastoma.
Dr. Joyce Chelangat Bore, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Baker’s lab in the Department of Neurosciences, won the Best Poster Award at the NYC Neuromodulation 2020 Online Conference for her poster about the long-lasting effects of subthalamic nucleus coordinated reset deep brain stimulation in Parkinsonism.
Dr. Krishnendu Khan, a research associate from Dr. Fox’s lab in the Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, won the Research Award in the basic sciences category at the virtual Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio conference for his poster about the structure and assembly of human multi-tRNA synthesase complex and its role in novel mechanisms of disease association.
Lucas Osborn, a graduate student from Dr. Claesen’s lab in the Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, received the VeloSano Trainee Dream Experiment Award to study how gut microbial metabolites can be targeted to slow the progression of glioblastoma.
Dr. Fatemeh Ramezani, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Cresci’s lab in the Department of Inflammation & Immunity, won a poster of distinction award at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Science & Practice conference for her poster about tributyrin’s utility in protecting intestinal health following antibiotic and bacterial exposure.
Graduations & Departures
Dr. Jasmine Gajeton, a former student from Dr. Stenina’s lab in the Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Hyperglycemia-induced miR-467 in Regulation of Inflammation in Health and Disease.”
Dr. Stetson Thacker, a former student from Dr. Eng’s lab in Genomic Medicine, successfully defended his dissertation titled, ““An Exploration of the Molecular Pathogenesis of the Autism Component of PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS): Towards an Understanding of PTEN Variation on PHTS Phenotype Diversity.”