Graduate Program - Students
Overview| History| Current Students| Alumni| Curriculum| Admission Requirements
Current Students
Stephen Addo, PhD Student
Mentor: Gabor Csanyi, PhD
Research Project: Role of neutrophil macropinocytosis in the pathogenesis of AAA.
Contact: saddo@augusta.edu
Elizabeth Aboagye, PhD Student
Mentor: Ben Ogola, PhD
Research Project:
Contact: eaboagye@augusta.edu
Candee Barris, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD
Research Project: Origin of Sex Differences in Mechanism of Obesity-associated Hypertension
Funding: NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship (4/23-3/26)
AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (1/23-3/23)T32 Training Grant (7/22-12/22)
Contact: cbarris@augusta.edu
Peter Biggs, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Alexander Verin, PhD
Research Project: PKM2 signaling in HDAC7-mediated lung endothelial barrier dysfunction
Contact: pbiggs@augusta.edu
Cody Bridgewater, PhD Candidate
Mentor: David Stepp, PhD
Research Project: Deletion of myostatin alters estrogen metabolism in the skeletal muscle and visceral white adipose in obese mice
Funding: T32 Training Grant (5/23/-6/25)
Contact: cbridgewater@augusta.edu
Zach Brown, PhD Candidate
Mentor: David Fulton, PhD
Research Project: Cell Specific Roles for PBKin Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Funding: AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (1/24-12/25)
T32 Training Grant (5/23-12/23)
Contact: zabrown@augusta.edu
Jaser Doja, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Joe Miano, PhD
Research Project: Interrogating Myocardin Regulation and Binding Targets
Funding: DOD Predoctorial Fellowship (1/23-12/24)
Contact: jdoja@augusta.edu
Chang Min Lee, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Jie Li, MD, PhD
Research Project: Role of the ufmylation system in the endothelium
Contact: clee8@augusta.edu
Beryl Khakina, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD
Research Project: Role of HIV viral proteins and African ancestry on neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment and hypertension
Funding: T32 Training Grant (7/24-6/26)
Contact: bkhakina@augusta.edu
Ishara M.G. Menik, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Eric Belin de Chantemele, PhD
Research Project: Role of Leptin-mediated Activation of Aldosterone-Endothelial Mineralocorticoid Axis in Salt-sensitive Hypertension
Funding: AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (1/25-12/26)
Contact: imenikhitihamimu@augusta.edu
Delphine Okoye, PhD Student
Mentor: Ben Ogola, PhD
Research Project: Functional Role of Xist deletion in Vascular Smooth Cells
Contact: deokoye@augusta.edu
Kelvin Orji, PhD Student
Mentors: Tohru Fukai, MD, PhD and Masuko Ushio-Fukai, PhD
Research Project: Crosstalk Between EnNaC and VEGFR2 as a Novel Mechanism Driving ROS-dependent Angiogenesis
Contact: korji@augusta.edu
Tamasi Roy, PhD Student
Mentor: Gabor Csanyi, PhD
Research Project: Mechanisms of venous smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching in cardiovascular diseases.
Contact: taroy@augusta.edu
Hunter Sellers, PhD Candidate
Mentor: David Fulton, PhD
Research Project: A Model of Sustained Hyperphagia and Obesity in Mice using a Brain Targeting Adeno Associated Virus
Funding: NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship (8/22-8/25)
Contact: hsellers@augusta.edu
Mitchell Shivers, PhD Candidate
Mentor: David Fulton, PhD
Research Project: A Model of Sustained Hypertension Using Adeno Associated Viruses
Funding: AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (2025-2026)
Contact: mishivers@augusta.edu
Andrew Speese, PhD Candidate
Mentor: David Stepp, PhD
Research Project: Improving muscle health, a novel approach for the treatment of obesity-induced cerebral small vessel disease
Funding: NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship (8/23-7/26)
T32 Training Grant (7/21-6/23
Contact: aspeese@augusta.edu
Douglas Sloan, PhD Student
Mentor: Gabor Csanyi, PhD
Research Project: Microplastics and brain health
Contact: dsloan2@augusta.edu
Amritha Sreekumar, PhD Student
Mentor: Gabor Csanyi, PhD
Research Project: Role of exosome-mediated intercellular crosstalk between endothelial cells and neutrophils in the development of aortic abdominal aneurysms (AAA).
Funding: AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (1/25-12/26)
Contact: amsreekumar@augusta.edu
Julia (Emily) Steinbeck, PhD Student
Mentor: Adil Rasheed, PhD
Research Project: Post-translational modifications of MLKL dictate macrophage phenotype during atherosclerosis.
Obaalologhi (Wilfred) Wilfred, PhD Student
Mentor: Huabo Su, PhD
Research Project: Molecular and functional role of Arih1 (Ariadne RBR E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 1) in cardiac development.
Josue Zambrano-Carrasco, PhD Candidate
Mentor: Huabo Su, PhD
Research Project: RBX1-CRLs are essential for perinatal heart development by regulating Hippo-YAP signaling
Funding: AHA Predoctoral Fellowship (1/23-12/26)
Contact: jzambranocarras@augusta.edu
Alumni
2024
WonMo Ahn
Degree: PhD 2024 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Gabor Csanyi, PhD
Dissertation: “Activation of receptor-independent fluid-phase pinocytosis promotes foamy monocyte formation in atherosclerotic mice”
Suhib Alhusban
Degree: PhD 2024 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Brian Annex, MD
Dissertation: “Glucosamine Mediated Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway Activation Utilizes ATF4 to Promote “Exercise-Like” Angiogenesis and Perfusion Recovery in PAD"
Zsuzsanna Bordan
Degree: PhD 2024
Advisor: David Fulton, PhD
Dissertation: “PDZ-Binding Kinase, a Novel Regulator of Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension”
Steve Haigh
Degree: PhD 2024
Advisor: David Fulton
Dissertation: “The Role of Galectin 3 in Pulmonary Artery Hypertension”
David Kim
Degree: PhD 2024 (With Distinction), MD current
Advisor: Neal Weintraub, MD
Dissertation: “Identification of human-specific novel long non-coding RNA in neointima formation”
Taylor Kress
Degree: PhD 2024 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Eric Belin de Chantemele
Dissertation: "Role of HIV-Derived Proteins Expressed by CD4+ T Lymphocytes and of the Integrase Inhibitor Dolutegravir in the Development of HIV-Associated Cardiometabolic Disorders"
2023
Brandee Goo
Degree: PhD 2023, MD current
Advisor: Neal Weintraub, MD
Dissertation: The Role of Histone Deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) in Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Obesity and Aging
2022
Rebekah Tritz
Degree: PhD 2022
Advisor: Brian Stansfield, MD
Dissertation: Leveraging the Bioenergetic Profile in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Kareem Abdelsaid
Degree: PhD 2022 (With Distinction)
Advisors: Masuko Ushio-Fukai, PhD and Tohru Fukai, MD, PhD
Research Project: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein stimulates macropinocytosis in murine and human macrophages
Caleb Padgett
Degree: PhD 2022/ MD Current
Advisor: David Stepp, PhD
Dissertation: The Roles of Circadian Disruption and Reactive Oxygen Species Overproduction in the Development of Obesity-Associated Cardiovascular Disease
2021
Tyler Benson
Degree: PhD 2021 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Neal Weintraub, MD
Dissertation: The Role of the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) in Ethnic Susceptibility to Cardiometabolic Disease
Alec Davila
Degree: MD/PhD 2021
Advisor: Zsolt Bagi, PhD
Dissertation: Microvascular dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
2020
Huiping Lin
Degree: PhD 2020 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Gabor Csanyi, PhD
Dissertation: Cell drinking: a closer look at how macropinocytosis drives cholesterol uptake in atherosclerotic vessels
Rodney Littlejohn
Degree: MD/PhD 2022
Advisor: Huabo Su, PhD
Dissertation: The Role of Neddylation in Early Cardiac Development
2019
Xueyi (Shirley) Li
Degree: PhD 2019
Advisor: David Fulton, PhD
Dissertation: Dissecting the Roles of Galectin-3 in pulmonary hypertension
Aluya Oseghale
Degree: PhD 2019
Advisor: Julia Brittain, PhD, & Betty Pace, PhD
Dissertation: Therapeutic reactivation of fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell disease: development of a novel prodrug AN-233
2017
Huijuan (Emily) Dou
Degree: PhD 2017
Advisor: Zsolt Bagi, PhD
Dissertation: ADAM17 and age-related vascular dysfunction
Esraa Shosha
Degree: PhD 2017 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Ruth Caldwell, PhD
Dissertation: Neurovascular degeneration following retinal ischemia reperfusion injury: Role of Arginase 2
Jian Peng Teoh
Degree: PhD 2017
Advisor: Il-man Kim, PhD
Dissertation: Beta-adrenergic receptor/Beta-arrestin-mediated microRNA maturation regulatory network: A new player in cardioprotective signaling
2015
Yusi Wang
Degree: PhD 2015
Advisor: David Fulton, PhD
Dissertation: Dissecting the Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cardiovascular Disease
2014
Christine Gross
Degree: PhD 2014
Advisor: Steve Black, PhD
Dissertation: The role of the transcription factor, Sox18, in pulmonary endothelial barrier function
Shuiqing Qiu
Degree: PhD 2014
Advisor: David Stepp, PhD
Dissertation: Increasing muscle mass by deletion of myostatin improves metabolic and vascular function in obese (db/db) mice
Jutamas Suwanpradid
Degree: PhD 2014
Advisor: Ruth Caldwell, PhD
Dissertation: Roles of arginase in oxygen-induced retinopathy
Chintan Patel
Degree: PhD 2014 (With Distinction)
Advisor: Ruth Caldwell, PhD
Dissertation: Activation of arginase and the endothelin system in models of ischemic retinopathy
Ashlee Tipton
Degree: PhD 2014
Advisor: Jennifer Sullivan, PhD
Dissertation: Blood pressure impacts the renal T cell profile of male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats
2013
Krystal Brinson
Degree: PhD 2013
Advisor: Jennifer Sullivan, PhD
Dissertation: Sex differences in renal inner medullary nitric oxide synthase regulation and nitric oxide synthase contribution to blood pressure control in hypertension
Shawn Elms
Degree: PhD 2013
Advisor: Ruth Caldwell, PhD
Dissertation: Insights Into the Arginine Paradox and the Role of Arginase in Diabetic Retinopathy
2012
Wararat Kittikulsuth
Degree: PhD 2012
Advisor: Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Dissertation: Regulation of renal medullary endothelin B receptor function by angiotensin II: evidence of sex differences
Jin Qian
Degree: PhD 2012
Advisor: David Fulton, PhD
Dissertation: Physiological consequences of ENOS subcellular targeting
Frank Spradley
Degree: PhD 2012
Advisor: Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Dissertation: Mechanisms of Diet-Induced Hypertension and Vascular Disease Risk in Dahl Rats
2011
Saurabh Aggarwal
Degree: PhD 2011
Advisor: Steve Black, PhD
Dissertation: Vascular dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension: Role of protein kinase G-1α nitration
Deepesh Pandey
Degree: PhD 2011
Advisor: David Fulton, PhD
Dissertation: Post-translational regulation of NADPH oxidase 5 (Nox5) mediated via phosphorylation and SUMOylation
Jinling Yang
Degree: PhD 2011
Advisor: Ruth Caldwell, PhD
Dissertation: Signaling Mechanism of Blood-Retinal Barrier Regulation: Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
2010
Mohammed (Irfan) Ali
Degree: PhD 2010
Advisor: David Stepp, PhD
Dissertation: Peripheral insulin resistance mediates microvascular dysfunction in obese mice via increased NAD(P)H oxidase isoform one mediated superoxide production
Alexis Simpkins
Degree: MD/PhD 2010
Advisor: Edward Inscho, PhD
Dissertation: Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition attenuates vascular remodeling and is protective against cerebral ischemia
2009
Jan Foster
Degree: PhD 2009
Advisor: Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Dissertation: Regulation and actions of nitric oxide in the renal medullary thick ascending limb during type 1 diabetes mellitus
2008
Matthew Socha
Degree: PhD 2008
Advisor: Edward Inscho, PhD
Dissertation: SPARC mediates renal injury in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mouse models
Joseph Poole
Degree: MD/PhD 2008
Advisor: Frank Treiber, PhD
Dissertation: Impact of genetic predisposition and environmental stress on measures of preclinical essential hypertension
Maninder (Marlina) Manhiani
Degree: PhD 2008
Advisor: Edward Inscho, PhD
Dissertation: The role of cytochrome P450 epoxygenase enzymes in renal injury and inflammation with salt sensitive hypertension
Pimonrat Ketsawatsomkron
Degree: PhD 2008
Advisor: Mario Marrero, PhD
Dissertation: The role of PTP-1B in vascular insulin resistance
2007
Vanessa Bundy
Degree: PhD 2007 (MD 2011)
Advisor: Paule Barbeau, PhD
Dissertation: From adipokines to atherosclerosis: The role of adipose tissue in inflammation and etiology of vascular disease
Kyu Tae Kang
Degree: PhD 2007
Advisor: Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Dissertation: Novel nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism of vasorelaxation in small arteries from hypertensive rats
Anuran Chatterjee
Degree: PhD 2007
Advisor: John Catravas, PhD
Dissertation: Hsp-90 inhibitors in sepsis and sepsis-induced acute lung injury
2006
Chunying Li
Degree: PhD 2006
Advisor: Richard Venema, PhD
Dissertation: Enos regulation by physophorylation and protein-protein interactions
2004
Elizabeth (Dabbs) Loomis
Degree: MD/PhD 2004
Advisor: Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Dissertation: Mechanisms of ET-1-mediated oxygen radical production in the rat aorta
Daniel Platt
Degree: PhD 2004
Advisor: Ruth Caldwell, PhD
Dissertation: Molecular mechanisms of high glucose -induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression in retinal endothelial cells