MSBS in Bioinformatics Alumni

	Ahmed S.听Al-Khudhair Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Tammy Morrish Thesis:听"Inter-and-Intra-Populated Genetic Variations in Humans" Ahmed successfully defended his thesis on November 4, 2014听and听is currently pursuing a PhD in Molecular Medicine (MOME track) at UT.听听 "While earning my master鈥檚 degree, I learned skills and knowledge听on combining biological data to form a comprehensive picture听of cellular activities. The field of bioinformatics has evolved such听that the most pressing task now involves the analysis and听interpretation of various types of data, including nucleotide and听amino acid sequences,听protein domains, and protein structures.听听 My next plans and professional听objectives are very clear. 听 It is my desire to be a high profile researcher听in the fields of genetics,听molecular and cellular biology,听gene microarrays, genomics and proteomics.听The Masters program was my initial step."听
	Oluwatomisin "Tomi" Atolagbe Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Guillermo Vazquez Thesis:听"RNA-sequencing analysis of polarized macrophages derived from wild-type mice with macrophage-specific loss TRPC3 function"听听 Tomi successfully defender her thesis on July 11, 2017. She is now a Research Assistant in Dr. James Allison's Lab at the听MD Anderson Cancer Center.
	Patrick Brennan听 Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis Title:听"An Investigation of Personal Ancestry Using Haplotypes" 听 Patrick successfully defended his thesis on July 13, 2017 and is听now a听Bioinformatics Analyst at Nationwide Children's Hospital听in听Columbus听where he applies听bioinformatics tools听to听pediatric cancer and rare diseases. 听 "The bioinformatics program has definitely helped with my career.听In my experience, employers look for bioinformatics candidates with听good programming experience. I started the program with no programming听experience, but I learned a lot during my thesis with Dr. Fedorov.听The programming knowledge gained during my thesis was enough 听to qualify me for bioinformatics positions."
听	听 Heather P. Brown Thesis Advisor:听Dr. R. Travis Tayler Thesis:听"Homology-Based Structural Prediction of the Binding Interface听Between the Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus Restriction Factor TRIM79听and the听Flavivirus Non-Structural 5 Protein"听 Heather successfully defended her thesis on December 1, 2016.听 She is now an adjunct professor at听Jackson College in Michigan.
听	听 Sharmistha Chakrabortty, PhD听 Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov听 Thesis:听"SNPs and Indel Analysis in Human Genome using Computer Simulation and Sequencing Data" 听 She is now a graduate research assistant at听Iowa State University.
听	听 Subhanwita Ghosh Thesis Advisor:听Dr. David Kennedy Thesis: "Regulatory Mechanisms of Cardiotonic Steroids in Chronic Kidney Disease" 听 Subhanwita successfully defended her thesis on July 10, 2017.听
听	听 Deepti Gurung听 Thesis advisor: Dr. Robert听Blumenthal Thesis:听"Evolution of recombination: RecBCD in Bacteria" Contact:听deepti.gurung@rockets.utoledo.edu Deepti successfully defended her thesis on August 14, 2019.听 I am staying in听University of Toledo (dedicating additional years of education and training),听to pursue my doctorate degree in Cancer Biology. I am in Dr. Jing Yuan Liu's lab. My major project is to understand dynamics of my protein of interest, 14-3-3-饾瀭, for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. 听Our approach to solve this problem employs both computational and experimental methods.听
听	听 Prabhjot Kaur听 Thesis advisor: Dr. Sadik Khuder Thesis:听"Identifying a Biomarker听for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" 听 Prabhjot successfully defended her thesis on July 9th, 2019.
听	听 Caroline Lambert听 Thesis Advisor:听Dr. R. Mark Wooten Thesis:听"Identification and Description of Burkholderia pseudomallei Protiens that bind Host Complement-Regulatory Proteins via in silico in vitro Analyses"听听 Caroline successfully defended her thesis on August 1, 2018.
听	听 Oluwatobi "TOBI" Lasisi听 Thesis advisor: Dr. Sadik Khuder Thesis:听"Identifying a biomarker for Sjogren disease"听听 Tobi successfully defended his thesis on July 8, 2019. He is now a Research Assistant at Wayne State University.听听 "I work as a Research Assistant at the sleep research lab,听department of听Pulmonary & Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, School of Medicine Wayne State University. My PI is Dr Safwan Badr who is also the chair of the department. Most of our projects or researches are funded by NIH and the VA (Veteran Affairs). We conduct sleep research studies on patients with both obstructive and central sleep apnea; where we investigate several therapeutic interventions, one of which is the use of acetazolamide in addition to CPAP-Continuous positive airway pressure (goal standard) , to achieve better treatment outcome.听 I perform night studies which involves the use of听spirometry, PSG (polysomnography) and ventilators.听I conduct raw data analysis (my bioinformatics background has really helped) and also assist in manuscript writing."
听	听 Joseph S. Mainsah Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis Title: "Determination of Early听Human Intercontinental Migration from听Genomic IBD Segments Flow Analysis".听听 Joseph successfully defended his thesis on September 27, 2016.
听	听 Arnab Saha Mandal Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis Title:听"Computational Analysis of the Evolution of Non-Coding Genomic Sequences" 听 Arnab successfully defended his thesis on June 24, 2013 and听is currently a PhD Student in Bioinformatics at the听 Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute听for Child and Maternal Health,听University of Calgary. "I always had an innate curiosity about applying programming skills to biological problems, but I never had a career insight into this multidisciplinary field. My admission to the MSBS program in bioinformatics听provided an ideal platform. The coursework covered a comprehensive breadth听of genetics, molecular biology, cellular signaling mechanisms, biostatistics etc. I co-authored four publications from Dr. Fedorov's lab, and received awards thereafter from University of Toledo as well as my current institution, the University of Calgary. The growing deluge of genomic datasets is creating an urgent need for experts in computer programming, biology, genetics, mathematics and statistics. As a result, bioinformatics skills are widely sought after in academia and industry. I am glad to have graduated from the bioinformatics program at UT, that helped me imbibe the skills, knowledge, tenacity and resilience to proceed forward."
听	听 Jenna McGowan Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Ritu Chakravarti Thesis:听The antigenicity of the 14-3-3zeta protein 听 Jenna successfully defended her thesis on July 26, 2018. She is currently a Research Assistant in听Physiology and Pharmacology Department at the University of Toledo.
听	听 Diego A. Morales听 Thesis Advisor:听Dr. James Willey Thesis:听"A Bioinformatical Approach to COPD" 听 Diego successfully defended his thesis on October 19, 2016. He is currently a Data Analyst at the听University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
听	听 Maryam Nabiyouni,听PhD Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis:听"Mega-scale Bioinformatics Investigation of Codon Bias in Vertebrates" 听 Maryam successfully defended her thesis on June 3, 2011. She is currently a Senior Automation Scientist at Bluestar Genomics, inc.听 "I just completed my PhD in Bioengineering at the University of Toledo College of Engineering under supervision of Dr. Sarit B. Bhaduri where I investigated the biomedical applications of magnesium-phosphate nanoparticles. My earlier bioinformatic dgree has definitely differentiated me from other scientists in biological or computer sciences, as it has given me the skills to understand both sides. I feel privileged to have a degree in bioinformatics as in the era of excessive biological information there is a growing need for scientists with background in bioinformatics."
	Rajan "Raz" Paudel听 Thesis advisor: Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis:听"Study of lnRNA exon-intron structure conservation in human and mouse" Rajan successfully defended his thesis on July 1, 2019. He currently is employed at Agriplex Genomics as a Senior Data Analyst. 听
	Theodor B. Rais, MD Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis Title:听"Conserved signals of non-coding RNA across 73 gene associated with Autistic Spectrum Disorders" Theodor successfully defended his thesis on April 24^th, 2009. Currently, Dr. Rais is an Associate Program Director for Residency Training Program In Psychiatry, Ocean County听Medical Center, Brick, New Jersey, and a Professor of Psychiatry at Hackensack Meridian听Health Seaton Hall Medical School, South Orange, NJ, and a Professor of Psychiatry听at Rowan Osteopathic Medical School, Stratford, NJ. 听鈥淭he MSBS program helped me to have a more comprehensive understanding of the听medical field and stay updated with the genomic psychiatry breakthroughs.听I still find it difficult to bridge between the Basic Science, people, and the clinicians who want concrete improvements in patient care.鈥�
	Yvette Unoarumhi听 Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Jyl Matson Thesis title:听"Evolution of a Bacteria Global Regulator-Lrp" 听 Yvette successfully defended her thesis on April 12, 2016.听听 Yvette completed an Internship at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, OH and is currently in the process of interviewing to find her new position. "While at UT, I worked on the evolution of a global regulator; Leucine responsive regulatory protein (Lrp), and it was a very rewarding experience.听The program is indeed challenging, but in a rewarding way, and at the end it pays off.听I am grateful for the seasoned professors I worked with who constantly听encouraged me to do my best. Upon graduation, I was awarded听the Best Graduating Student in Basic Science Research award,听in addition to the publication of my research thesis in a scientific journal.听 Lastly, the BIPG program creates a unique opportunity with an edge."
	Cole J. White Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Heather Conti Thesis Title:听"Beta-Defensin3 Mediated Regulation of Transcriptional Changes During Oropharyngeal Candidiasis" 听 Cole successfully defended his thesis July 18, 2018. 听 "I am a fourth-year medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am finishing my clinical rotation at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, OH. I will be applying for an internal medicine residency position this fall."
	Yuriy R. Yatskiv听 Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Alexei Fedorov Thesis Title:听"Haplotype Analysis of an Archaic Denisovan Genome" 听 Yuriy successfully defended his thesis on August 18, 2016. 听 He is currently pursuing an MBA degree at UT, College of Business and Innovation.
	Ahmad Alimadadi Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Bina Joe Thesis Title: "Application of Bioinformatics and Machine Learning Approaches听 in Cardiovascular Medicine" Ahmad successfully defended his thesis on July 21, 2020. He is currently employed as an Associate Bioinformatics Specialist at La Jolla institute for Immunology.听 "In this position I will be in charge of the analysis of NGS data in the field of immunology, cancer, and atherosclerosis. I may also get involved in the vaccine and COVID-19 research."
	Ammar Eljack Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Sadik Khuder Thesis Title:听"Potential Genetic Biomarkers for Dilated Cardiomyopathy using Genomic Data" Ammar successfully defended his thesis on May 1, 2020. "Currently I'm doing cardiology fellowship at Baylor Scott and White, The Heart Hospital-Plano- Texas. I have done with Internal medicine board at Beaumont Hospital Dearborn".
	Melissa Curtis Thesis Advisor: Dr.听James Burkett Thesis Title: "The effects of Developmental Pyrethroid Pesticide Exposure in Mouse Brain using Multiomics" Melissa successfully defended her Thesis on April 22, 2021 "I'll be working as a Research Assistant after I graduate. I plan to apply for other Bioinformatic jobs that are in Ann Arbor, to get some industry experience. After about 6-12 months I'm going to start studying for the MCAT and preparing to apply for medical school as well."
	Sachin Aryal, Thesis Advisor:听Dr.听Bina Joe Thesis Title:听"Applications of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning for Cardiovascular Diseases" Sachin successfully defended his Thesis on June 25, 2021 听"I am starting Ph.D. program at the University of Toledo in department of Physiology and Pharmacology (Molecular Medicine track) from this fall. I will be working in Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence Lab within the department."
	John Dillion, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Heather Conti Thesis Title: "Head and neck radiotherapy induces a transcriptional profile associated with inflammation and damage" John successfully defended his Thesis on April 30, 2021 "I will be moving on to my PhD with my advisor Dr. Heather Conti in the fall of this year."
	Joyeeta Dutta, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Sadik Khuder Thesis Title:听"Identifying a Biomarker for Systemic Sclerosis Using Existing Genomic Data" Joyeeta successfully defended her Thesis on April 20, 2021 "听I have joined the American Medical Association as a Senior Research Associate I in the Medical Education Outcomes Project Ofc." 听
	Ishan Manandhar, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Bina Joe Thesis Title: "Artificial intelligence-based clinical classification of diseases: Utilizing gut microbiota as a feature for supervised learning and diagnostic screening of inflammatory bowel disease" Ishan successfully defended his Thesis on June 23, 2021
	Alexander McCartney, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Sadik Khuder Thesis Title: "Identifying Multiple Sclerosis Biomarkers Using Existing Omics Data" Alexander successfully defended his Thesis on April 1, 2021 "I'm applying for jobs in a few different fields. I'm thinking I may be going into teaching HS biology/physical science, but I'm not sure"
	Scott Miruzzi, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Robert Smith Thesis Title:听"Bilirubin Exerts Hormonal Regulation on Transcription of Genes through Modulation of Key Coregulator Protein Recruitment" Scott successfully defended his Thesis on April 19, 2021
	Bhuwan Rai, Thesis Advisor:听Sadik Khuder Thesis Title:听"Data Pooling to Investigate the Abundance of Gut Microbiome Composition in Autoimmune Disease" Bhuwan successfully defended his Thesis on April 12, 2021
	Kaitlyn Zigulis, Thesis Advisor: Randall Worth Thesis Title:听"Expression of FcgammaRIIA Across Species" Kaitlyn successfully defended her Thesis on August 3, 2021 She is currently a Pathology Technician at ProMedica in Microbiology.听
	Alex Joyce, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Robert Smith Thesis Title:听Analysis of AKT1 activity in Alzheimer's Disease and Schizophrenia though Kinopedia, an interactive application for kinome array data Alex successfully defeded his Thesis on April 1, 2022 He is currently in the Ph.D program at OSU.听
	Vineet Reddy, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Robert Smith/Dr. Rammohan Shukla Thesis Title: Single Cell Transcriptomic-informed Microcircuit Computer Modelling of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Vineet successfully defended his Thesis on April 18, 2022
	Evelyn Bates, Thesis Advisor:听Dr. Robert Smith/Sinead O'Donovan Thesis Title:听Single Cell Transcriptomic-informed Microcircuit Computer Modelling of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Evelyn successfully defended her Thesis on April 20, 2022