Current Students

Our studies focus on the regulation of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase multi-enzyme complex (PDHc), in which dysfunctions can lead to genetic defects causing type-2 diabetes and some forms of cancers.  Understanding the multi-enzyme regulation mechanism and interactions could lead to a potential for rational drug design.

Ras proteins are a family of proteins that function as molecular switches that control many intracellular signaling networks. One member of this Ras superfamily of genes is the Rab family of proteins. Rab proteins are small GTP-binding molecules that are heavily involved in many functions such as the docking and fusion of many transport vesicles with their target locations. The Rab11 proteins include three isoforms. These isoforms are Rab11a, Rab11b and Rab11c/Rab25. Many of Rab11a functions are currently already known. These functions include the recycling of thromboxane receptor-B and internalizing B2-adrenic receptors. Rab25 is known to be involved in colon cancer, ovarian and breast cancer and is major player in cancer pathogenesis. However not much is known about Rab11b function. What is known about Rab11b is that Rab11b associates with myosin and carries a huge cargo with many proteins to localize at the plasma membrane. However many of these proteins have not been identified. I am particularly focusing on identifying the proteins that are in the Rab11b vesicles cargo. 

I am interested in intestinal homeostasis and how the intestinal epithelium and immune system communicate.  Specifically I am interested how the microbial signals relayed by the intestinal epithelium regulate innate immune cells.

Medicinal chemistry research focused on the design and development of novel antibacterial compounds. Currently studiying the synthesis of new and potent Fluorinated inhibitors of the enzyme Lpxc, an essential component in the formation of the gram negative cell wall . In the future this can provide an effective treatment against  gram negative bacteria infections.
 

My primary research advisor is Dr. Lalancette and collaborate with Dr. He both of whom specializes in cobalt complex and graphene respectively. My current research interest entails improving upon the electronic, electrochemical, chemical, and optical properties of graphene nanomaterials by functionalizing it with cobalt complexes. I have began work on synthesizing a new and improved cobalt complex by intercalating it with graphene quantum dots with hopes of improving the aforementioned properties. As a result, possible applications include early detection of cancerous tumors and also a tool in drug delivery.

Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying demyelination following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We study a cell's response to concussive injuries to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms at play that contribute to the breakdown of homeostasis and ultimately cell death. This work can help shed light on the effects of TBI that contribute to neurodegeneration following injury. 
 

Our research primarily focuses on the achromatic, or black to white, dimension. We study in particular, lightness constancy, which is how the observer’s perceived lightness (black to white spectrum) stays roughly constant under varying illumination levels. We have done work in the past with lightness constancy in a two-dimensional scene and three dimensional scene, seen through a veiling luminance (e.g. such as sun glare or fog), or layer of light. We have found several correlations that explain why a 3-D scene produces better constancy than a 2-D scene: (1) when shadows were present in the 3-D scene, lightness constancy went up (objects were perceived more accurately for the shade of gray they actually are). (2) When colored objects were added to the 3-D scene, lightness constancy improved, while lightness constancy did not improve for a 2-D scene. (3) Achromatic curved objects also improved lightness constancy. Regarding work done in the chromatic (color) dimension, we are doing work with chromatic induction. Chromatic induction is a phenomenon that occurs when a color induces or produces, a tint of its opposite color, on a neighboring, neutral area. What we are working on is trying to figure out how much color/saturation does a background have to have for you to start experiencing chromatic induction. In other words, we want to know the threshold. Finally, work has been done on perceived illumination of a field. Using a vision tunnel, we found that perceived illumination (brightness) is anchored to the highest luminance (the most amount of light that is being reflected by a surface), rather than the average luminance, as previously believed by theorists.
 

Currently, Jessica is collaborating with with a PhD student in the Attachment and Attraction Lab, where they are investigating attachment styles in people suffering from autoimmune diseases.  In sum, they expect to find that a relationship exists between insecure attachments and having an autoimmune disease, as well as evidence of increased anxiety and avoidance levels while symptomatic.  Moreover, they expect to see insecure attachments exacerbated when romantic relationships are not supportive of the person when they are symptomatic. 

My research focuses on investigating novel mediators of PNS myelination. Currently, we are focusing on a possible receptor of pro-BDNF, SorCS2, and its role in myelination by Schwann cells using in vitro models.