Past Graduate Students
Graduates from 1962-1979
Graduates since 1980 (listed in reverse order by year):
Clare McCormick, Ph.D., 2009, Thesis title: Pathogenesis and Therapy of Ocular Microbial Infections. (Richard O'Callaghan Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently a Medical student at LSU.
Pratik Shah, Ph.D., 2009, Thesis title: Role of Polyamine Biosynthesis and Transport in Streptococcus penumoniae - Physiology, Pathogenesis and Vaccine Design. (Ed Swiatlo, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently on a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Megumi Mills, Ph.D., 2009, Thesis title: Characterization of PCSB of Streptococcus Penumoniae:Localization, Conservation and Immunogenicity. (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently on a Post-Doctoral Fellowship with Dr. S. Stray of UMMC Microbiology Department.
Melissa Sanders, M.S, 2009, Thesis title: The Role of Capsule and Pneumolysin in Penumococcal Ocular Infections. (Mary Marquart , Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently a Research Associate in the UMMC Department of Microbiology.
Miles Lange, Ph.D., 2009, Thesis title: Expression of Immunoglobulin Genes in the Systemic and Mucosal immune Tissues of the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). (Craig Lobb, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-3135.
Ivanka Milev-Milovanovic, Ph.D., 2008, Thesis title: Molecular Characterization of Type I and Type II Interferons and Identification of Interferon Stimulated Genes in Channel Catfish. (VG Chinchar, Chair, Advisory Committee). Currently preparing to take USMLE.
Rajagowthamee R Thangavel,. M.S., 2008, Thesis title: Influenza Virus Replication Kinetics and its Influence on Beta-Defensin and Hydrophilic Surfactant Protein Gene Expression in the Respiratory Tract of Mice. (KT Chong, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently a graduate student, Department of Microbiology, UMMC.
Mohadetheh Moulana, Ph.D., 2008, Thesis title: Development of Markers for Cytotoxic Cells in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus Punctatus. (Eva Bengten, Chairman, Supervisory Committee).
Sai Majji, M.S., 2008, Thesis title: Transcriptional Profiles of Cloned Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) Lymphoid Cell Lines and a Mixed Lymphocyte Culture. (VG Chinchar, Chair of Advisory Committee). Currently PhD student, Department of Microbiology, UMMC.
Radha Gupta, M.S., 2008, Thesis title: Differential Gene Expression in Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Response to Various Iron Sources. Currently PhD student, Department of Microbiology, UMMC.
Melissa Wilson, Ph.D., 2008, Thesis title: Independent Roles for Two Siderophores in the Virulence and Growth Cycle of Bacillus Anthracis. (J Arceneaux, Chair of Advisory Committee). Currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.
Deepak Nayak, M.S., 2007, Thesis title: Identification and Characterization of a Fc Receptor (Fcr) Homolog in Channel Catfish, (Ictalurus Punctatus). (Eva Bengten, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently PhD student, Department of Microbiology, UMMC.
Jason Evenhuis, Ph.D., 2007, Thesis title: Characterization of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) Novel Immune-type Receptors and Monoclonal Antibodies to MHC Class II B. (Norman Miller, Chairman, Chair of Advisory Committee). Currently Research Microbiologist USDA Cold Water Aquaculture Center, Kearneysville, WV 25430
Yulia V.Mishina, Ph.D., 2007, Thesis title: Inhibitory Effect of Artemisinin Compounds onLeishmania and Trypanosoma Parasites. (JC Meade, Chair, Advisory Committee. Currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Russia.
Charles Quincy Moore III, Ph.D., 2007, Thesis title: Modulation of the Immune Response Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae Following Immunization with pspA. (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently on a Post-Doctoral Fellowship with Dr. M Marquart, Department of Microbiology, UMMC.
Lisa Renee Quin, Ph.D., 2007, Thesis title: In Vivo Expression of PSPC by Streptococcus Pneumoniae and its Role in the Recruitment of Complement Regulator Factor H. (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently on the faculty of Holmes Community College in Mississippi.
Xiangyun He, Ph.D., 2006, Thesis title: Effects of Genetic Background on Antibody Responses to PSPA and Characterization the Role of TEX in Pathogen Fitness of Streptococcus Pneumoniae. (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently on an Internship in internal medicine with Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham, MA.
James A. Megehee, Jr., Ph.D. 2006. Thesis title: Respiratory Terminal Oxidases of the Mycobacteria. (M.D. Lundrigan, Chairman, Supervisory Committee).Currently Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Daphne Ware, Ph.D. 2005. Thesis title: The Function of Polyamines and their Transport in the Physiology and Pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae. (Edwin Swiatlo, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently working as a consultant for the Molecular Diagnostic Division of the Mississippi Department of Health in Jackson, MS.
Daniela Grigore, Ph.D. 2005. Thesis title: Characterization of Leishmania donovani proton pumps LDH1A and LDH1B using a Saccharomyces cerevesiae complementation system (John C. Meade, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently serving a residency in Medicine-Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas, El Paso, Medical Center.
Bianca Garner, Ph.D. 2005. Thesis title: Iron Acquisition Systems in Bacillus anthracis (B. Rowe Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS.
Evgueni Kountikov, Ph.D. 2005 Thesis title: Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) CD45: expression and gene organization (Eva Bengten, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Justin Thornton, Ph.D. 2005. Thesis title: Host Cell Responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae and the Virulence Protein Pneumolysin (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Postdoctoral Fellow, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Joseph Bosarge, Ph.D. 2004. Thesis title: Development of a DNA Vaccine Expressing the a-Helical Domain of PspA Capable of Eliciting Immune Responses against Streptococcus pneumoniae in a Mouse Mode of Infection. (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). House Officer Pulmonary Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Sandhya Dave, Ph.D. 2004. Thesis title: Interaction of Human Factor H with PspC of Streptococcus pneumoniae. (Larry McDaniel, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA.
Scott Long, Ph.D. 2004. Thesis title: Identification and Characterization of Anti-Virus and Apoptosis-Related Genes in the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). (V.G. Chinchar, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). GMP, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Babbette D. LaMarca, Ph.D. 2003. Thesis title: Functional Characterization of Siderophore Synthesis in Mycobacterium smegmatis: Identification of New Mycobactin Synthesis Genes. (M.D. Lundrigan, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
Linling Shen, Ph.D. 2003. Thesis title: Characterization of NK-like Cells in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). (Norman Miller, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Postdoctoral Associate, Schepens Eye Research Institution, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA.
Heon Park, Ph.D. 2002. Thesis title: Signaling Pathways Involved with T Cell Activation and Proliferation in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) . (Norman Miller, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Instructor, Dept. Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle WA.
Preetam Shah, Ph.D. 2001. Thesis title: Identification and Molecular Characterization of a Family of P-Type ATPases in Trichomonas vaginalis. (Chris Meade, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
He Zhou, Ph.D. 2001. Thesis title: Characterization of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) T Cell Receptor Genes and Alloantigen-Dependent Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes. (Melanie Wilson, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Scientist, Momenta Pharaceuticals, Cambridge, MA.
Philip Rogers, Ph.D. 2001. Thesis title: Gene Expression Profiling of the Response to Amphotericin B in Human Mononuclear Leukocytes. (Donna Sullivan, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN.
Sylvie Quiniou, Ph.D. 2001. Thesis title: Physiological and Genetic Aspects of Channel Catfish Immunity: I. Effect of Low Temperatures Stress on Distribution of Epidermal Mucus Cells as a Factor in Saprolegniosis and II. Linkage and Function of Major Histocompatibility Genes. (N.W. Miller and Melanie Wilson, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently Microbiologist, USDA-Catfish Genetic Research Unit, Stoneville, MS 38776.
Patrick Rozmajzl, Ph.D. 2001. Thesis title: Characterization of P-Type ATPase 3 from Plasmodium falciparum. (John C. Meade, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently serving with the United States Navy in Washington, D.C. as a Lieutenant Commander, Pearl Harbor, HI.
Kathy Barker, Ph.D. 2001. Thesis title: Analysis of Factors that may be involved in the Immortalization of Leukocytes from the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). (N.W. Miller, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN.
Aurita Antao, Ph.D. 2000. Thesis title: Identification and Characterization of MHC Class I Genes in the Channel Catfish. (V.G. Chinchar and M. Wilson, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently Technical specialist, IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies).
Wenming Zhu, Ph.D. 1999. Thesis title: Cloning and Characterization of Iron Acquisition Genes from Mycobacterium smegmatis. (M.D. Lundrigan, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Research Scientist, Anti-Infectives Investigation Section, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Jinghe Mao, Ph.D. 1999. Thesis title: Molecular Analysis of Vertebrate Iridoviruses Viral Gene Expression Regulation, and Taxonomic Studies. (V.G. Chinchar, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Division of Natural Sciences, Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS.
Jeff Hogan, Ph.D. 1999. Thesis title: Antiviral Cytotoxic Cells in the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). (V.G. Chinchar, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Tor Stuge, Ph.D. 1998. Thesis title: Functional and Phenotypic Characterization of Channel Catfish Cytotoxic Cells Generated in Mixed Leukocyte Culture. (L.W. Clem and N.W. Miller, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Inst. of Medical Biology, University of Tromso, Norway.
Peter Srdjan Askovic, Ph.D. 1998. Thesis title: Molecular Properties of the Activation Domain of the ZEBRA Protein. (R. Baumann, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently a senior project manager for Rosetta BioSoftware, Seattle, WA.
Michael Rycyzyn, Ph.D. 1997. Thesis title: Activation Events in Channel Catfish Lymphocytes. (N. Miller, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Senior Research Scientist, Cellular Biology, Centocor, Malvern, PA.
Ronald Holton, Ph.D. 1997. Thesis title: The Epstein-Barr Virus Deoxythymidine Kinase: Identification, Computer Analysis, Cloning, Protein Analysis and Enzyme Kinetic Studies. (G.A. Gentry, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
Christopher Luft, Ph.D. 1996. Thesis title: Characterization of Hsp70 and p53 in Channel Catfish; Are They Involved in Cellular Immortalization? (M. Wilson and N.W. Miller, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently Research Biologist, Amphora Discovery Corp, Durham, NC.
Julia Cay Jones, Ph.D. 1996. Thesis title: The Organization, Structure, and Transcriptional Regulation of Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable Gene Segments of the Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus. (C.J. Lobb, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently a student in the Pharmacy school at the University of Tennessee-Memphis, TN.
Tereza Ventura-Holman, Ph.D. 1996. Thesis title: Variable Region Gene Structure and Physical Organization of the Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Locus of the Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. (C.J. Lobb, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Director, the Stem Cell Laboratory, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
Wangsen Cao, Ph.D. 1996. Thesis title: Studies of Human Herpesvirus Type 6: In Vitro Generation of Antibody (Fab) to HHV-6, HHV-6 Transactivation of HTLV-1 & HHV-6's Effects on Host Cellular Gene Expression. (D.C. Sullivan, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Carolyn Harper, Ph.D. 1995. Thesis title: Effects of Pristane on Polyamine and Cytochrome P-450 Activity. (M.A. Cuchens, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS.
Sara Davis-Hayman, Ph.D. 1995. Thesis title: Characterization of the Heat Shock and Oxidative Stress Responses of Trichomonas vaginalis. (W.B. Lushbaugh, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Domestic Engineer, Johnson City, TN.
Russ Hayman, Ph.D. 1995. Thesis title: The Structure and Genomic Organization of the Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Diversity and Joining Gene Segments in the Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus. (C.J. Lobb, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.
Mark Wooten, Ph.D. 1995. Thesis title: The Role of Oleic Acid in Low Temperature Suppressed T Cell Proliferation. (J.E. Bly, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH.
Frederik van Ginkel, Ph.D. 1994. Thesis title: Production and Enzymatic Fragmentation of Antibodies and B Cell Activation in Channel Catfish. (L.W. Clem and N.W. Miller, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently an Assistant Professor, in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Jing-Gung Chung, Ph.D. 1992. Thesis title: The Role of DNA Adduct Formation in the Induction of Lymphoid Malignancies. (M.A. Cuchens, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical College, Taeching, Taiwan.
George Massad, Ph.D. 1992. Thesis title: Physiology and Genetics of Iron Acquisition by Aeromonas species. (R. Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Now living in Charlotte, NC.
Abbe Vallejo, Ph.D. 1992. Thesis title: Antigen Processing and Presentation in Channel Catfish Immune Responses. (L.W. Clem and N.W. Miller, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Sarira Pourbohloul, Ph.D. 1990. Thesis title: Effects of Saturated Fatty Acids on T Cell Function. (T.M. Buttke and L.W. Clem, Chairmen, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Northern Virginia Community College, Sterling, VA.
Catherine Ellsaesser, Ph.D. 1989. Thesis title: Identification and Characterization of High and Low Molecular Weight Species of Channel Catfish Interleukin 1. (L.W. Clem, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Manager, Six Sigma Implementation, Entergy Corporation, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Port Gibson, MS.
Sameer Barghouthi, Ph.D. 1989. Thesis title: Purification of Amonabactin, a Siderophore in Aeromonas hydrophila: Cloning and Mutagenesis of an Amonabactin Gene (amoA). (R. Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Assistant Professor, National Agricultural Research Center, Ramallah, West Bank.
Meng-Chun Wang-Yang, Ph.D. 1989. Thesis title: Differential Effects of Membrane Perturbants on Murine B and T Cell Functions. (L.W. Clem, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Instructor (Research), Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX.
Lenora Garrett, Ph.D. 1989. Thesis title: Mechanisms of Action of Pristane as a Promoter of Chemically-Induced Lymphoid Malignancies. (M.A. Cuchens, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, School of Dentistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
David Pascual, Ph.D. 1987. Thesis title: Intramolecular Heterogeneity Exists in Certain, but not all, Murine IgM Antibodies. (L.W. Clem, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.
Steven Evans, Ph.D. 1985. Thesis title: Metabolism of Reduced Trace Metals in Streptococcus mutans: Uptake of Ferrous Iron and Toxicity of Cuprous Copper. (R. Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Research Scientist, Mycogen Corporation, San Diego, CA.
Mark E. Martin, Ph.D. 1985. Thesis title: Characterization of a Manganese or Iron Accepting Superoxide Dismutase from Streptococcus mutans. (R. Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO.
Kenneth L. Bost, Ph.D. 1984. Thesis title: Role of the Peyer's patches in Carcinogenesis of Lymphocytes by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. (M.A. Cuchens, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Professor and Belk Distinguished Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
Marie L. Hoover, Ph.D. 1984. Thesis title: Characterization and Regulation of Staphylococcal Protein A - Induced Responses of Human T Lymphocytes. (S.W. Chapman, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Adv. Bio. Med. Labs, Cinnaminson, NJ.
Jeff Lodge, Ph.D. 1982. Thesis title: Characterization of the Ferrisiderophore Reductase Systems of the Phenolate Producing Organisms, Bacillus subtilis and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. (R. Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Rochester Research Institute, Rochester, NY.
Robert C. Giles, Ph.D. 1982. Thesis title: Intramolecular Heterogeneity of Hybridoma-Derived IgM Antibodies. (L.W. Clem, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Scientific Director, Genescreen, Inc., Dallas, TX.
Robin A. Robinson, Ph.D. 1981. Thesis title: Biological, Biochemical and Molecular Investigations of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Oncogenesis. (D. O'Callaghan, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Director of Vaccines, Novavax Inc., Rockville, MD.
Steven Dauenhauer, Ph.D. 1982. Thesis title: A Biochemical and Biological Investigations of Defective Interfering (DI) Particles of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-l). (D. O'Callaghan, Chairman Supervisory Committee). Currently Director of Microbiology, VA Medical Center, Shreveport, LA.
Carmen V. Sciortino, Ph.D. 1980. Thesis title: Studies of Iron Mobilization and Metabolism in Cultured Primary Rat Heart Muscle Cells. (R. Byers, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Director for Clinical Microbiology, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
John McGowan, Ph.D. 1980. Thesis title: Purification and Characterization of Cellular and Herpes viral-induced Deoxythymidine Kinases. (G. Gentry, Chairman, Supervisory Committee). Currently Deputy Director, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD.