Duby Okonkwo

Duby
Okonkwo
Graduate Student
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program
Jon Shoenecker Lab
duby.okonkwo@vanderbilt.edu

Meghan Graber

Meghan
Graber
Graduate Student
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program
Amy Major Lab
meghan.k.graber@vanderbilt.edu

Paul Kastner

Paul
Kastner
Graduate Student
Microbe-Host Interactions Graduate Program

I grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated from Geneva College with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry. I am driven by a deep-seated curiosity concerning Nature's most remarkable survivors and chemists: microbes! In my free time I enjoy swing dancing, cooking, hiking, and adventures.

Vanderbilt Laboratory for Biosynthetic Studies

In my project, I aim to provide insight into the unique biosynthetic potential of cave-dwelling microorganisms and contribute to the discovery of novel antibiotics.

 

Publications on PubMed.gov

paul.d.kastner@vanderbilt.edu

Max Van Belkum

Max
Van Belkum
Graduate Student
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program

Max is originally from Oahu, Hawaii and was raised in Destin, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida where he earned a B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science and a B.S. in Nutritional Science, two degrees he believed would equip him to study the intestinal microbiome. He then spent two years as a molecular biology research scientist at a startup biotechnology company in Gainesville, FL before committing to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Medical Scientist Training (MD/PhD) Program in Nashville, TN.

In his free time, Max plays ping-pong and tennis, goes to trivia, spends time with friends and explores Nashville.

(615) 353-0087
MCN
1161 21st Ave. S
Byndloss Lab
Room / Suite
A5303
Nashville
Tennessee
37232

Max has longstanding interests in the intersection of intestinal function, microbiota, mucosal immunology, metabolism, nutrition, microbiology, and human disease. He is interested especially in the potential role of microbiota in metabolic syndrome and in the etiology of the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in individuals below 50 years of age. He plans to become an academic gastroenterologist physician-scientist with clinical duties and a laboratory to one day bridge the exploding basic science findings in the microbiome field with the relative dearth of clinical treatments currently derived from them.

max.r.van.belkum@vanderbilt.edu

The intestinal microbiome of preterm infants

Kyle Enriquez

Kyle
Enriquez
VI4 Culture and Community liaison
Microbe-Host Interactions Graduate Program
Eric Skaar Lab

Immunocompromised hosts are a growing population with underserved, yet specific, needs with regards to infectious disease incidence and clinical outcomes. I work to understand the fundamental biochemical, microbiological, and clinical factors that influence infectious outcomes in these highly vulnerable host populations through basic science research on MRSA biofilms in the context of nutritional immunity, and through clinical research on infectious diseases in the post-transplant population.

kyle.t.enriquez@vanderbilt.edu

Yasmine Toudji

Yasmine
Toudji
Graduate StudentToudji, Yasmine
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program
Rathmell Lab
yasmine.t.toudji@vanderbilt.edu

Kyungeun Kim, B.S., M.S.

Kyungeun
Kim
Graduate Student
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program
Mogilenko Lab
kyungeun.kim@vanderbilt.edu

Alex Blatt

Alex
Blatt
Treasurer
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program

Alex is from Sausalito, California and graduated from the University of San Diego earning a B.A. in Biochemistry in 2022. He immediately joined Vanderbilt University through the IGP and the Pua lab in 2023. In his free time he enjoys playing the piano.

(615) 875-6166
Medical Center North
1161 21st Avenue South
Room / Suite
C2119 MCN - Pua Lab
Nashville
Tennessee
37232

I investigate the function of T cell extracellular vesicles and their contribution towards the pathophysiology of allergic airway inflammation and disease using both molecular and cellular approaches.

alexander.blatt@vanderbilt.edu

I study how cytokine cargoes are associated with T cell extracellular vesicles and together how they enhance cellular immune function. I love playing the piano and I also enjoy playing pickleball, tennis, and going rock climbing with friends when it's not extremely hot outside.

Alyssa Jarabek

Alyssa
Jarabek
MPI Vice President
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program

Alyssa grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Valparaiso University in Indiana for her dual B.S. in Chemistry and Biology. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, singing, sewing, and reading.

Zinkel Lab

Alyssa's research focuses on understanding the role of inflammation and dysregulation of immune signaling pathways in bone marrow failure diseases such as myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemias.

 

Publications on PubMed.gov

alyssa.jarabek@vanderbilt.edu

My research focuses on the role of infection and inflammation on TET2-mediated disease progression using the model of innate immune memory. My hobbies are cross-stitching, playing piano and other musical activities, and spending time with my many pets.

Isabella Sirit

Isabella
Sirit
Graduate Student
Molecular Pathology & Immunology Graduate Program

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Westfield, Indiana. In May 2022 I graduated from Purdue University where I obtained my Bachelor's in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology. During my undergraduate career, I worked with Dr. Majid Kazemian on EBV-associated cancers. Following my graduation from Purdue, I joined Vanderbilt in 2022 through the IGP!

Peek Lab

In the Peek lab, we are interested in the pathogenesis of H. Pylori induced gastric cancer. My research focuses on the role of different immune factors, such as STING, on disease progression.

Publications on PubMed.gov

isabella.sirit@Vanderbilt.Edu