Trainees

Rafay Ahmed received his PhD from City University of Hong Kong in 2019. There he diagnosed the healing of calvarial defects by assessing the molecular and elemental changes using Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy, optical profiling and microscopies. Additionally, he developed the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy system in his lab that was used for several elemental studies including bones, teeth, thyroid, Red blood cells etc. Currently, Rafay is working as postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Nyman’s lab on the development of Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy to translate it for clinical assessment of bone matrix quality; to diagnose the reasons of fragility fractures in type 2 diabetes; fatigue testing of cortical bones using single edge notch bend specimen and assessing the ability of Raman spectroscopy to predict mechanical properties of human bone.

Erik is a 4th-year cancer biology graduate student in the Rhoades lab. He came to Vanderbilt in 2016 after completing his bachelor’s in biology (2014) and master’s in molecular science and nanotechnology (2016) at Louisiana Tech University. Erik’s master’s thesis focused on transcriptional control of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, which corresponded well to the research in the Rhoades lab.  His current research is focused on solidifying the link between Gli2 and PTHrP in tumor-induced bone disease while identifying how this interaction facilitates the development of osteosarcoma. 

Natalie is from Nashville, TN and graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she received a BA through the College Scholars Program in Cancer Biology & Cellular Metabolism. She is a graduate student in the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program and is conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Julie Rhoades. Her project focuses on myeloid cell regulation in bone metastatic disease.

Casey is a graduate student in the Microbe Host Interactions program. She is originally from New Jersey and received her B.S. in Biology from Gettysburg College. Casey worked at Janssen R&D in the Translational Oncology Disease Area Stronghold before joining the Cassat lab in 2018. Her research focuses on S. aureus metabolism and abscess formation during osteomyelitis in the context of comorbid immune-modulating conditions, including diabetes. Outside of lab, Casey enjoys running and exploring Nashville coffee shops.

Erykah is a 1st year Molecular Physiology and Biophysics graduate student in the Rendina-Ruedy lab. She came to Vanderbilt in 2022 after completing a Bachelor's in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Hampton University (2020) and IRTA Fellowship in Vaccine Immunology Program (2022). During her time at the NIH, she focused on the development of naïve B cells to make antibodies that can fight HIV mutation in anticipation for boosting and maturation using HIV trimers, leading to the development of potential vaccines. Her current research in focused on the role of lipolysis of bone marrow adipocytes and its metabolic impact on bone health. 

Mario is a PhD student in the department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology/Physiology from California State University Long Beach. In 2022, he started at Vanderbilt and in 2023 he joined the Rendina-Ruedy lab. His research focuses on osteoblast bioenergetics and bone fracture healing in Type 2 diabetes. In his free time, he enjoys eating, exercising and investing. 

Déja is a Cancer Biology graduate student at Meharry Medical College and joined the Johnson Lab through the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance in 2022. Originally from North Carolina, Déja came to Nashville in 2021 after completing her B.S. in Bioengineering at North Carolina A&T State University. Déja’s current research focuses on PTHrP and its effect on bone metastasis while also studying relevant dormancy factors as well as the interactions between the bone and immune cell microenvironment. Outside of the lab, Déja enjoys dancing, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

Dustin received his B.S. in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Arizona in May of 2015. He then spent one year working for W.L Gore Medical in Phoenix, AZ before returning to school. Dustin joined the Guelcher lab in August of 2016 and his researched is focused on the characterization of polyurethane based scaffolding for bone tissue remodeling.

Elizabeth graduated from Roger Williams University in 2021 with a degree in Engineering and specialization in Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on the mechanism by which hypertension promotes osteoclast formation. She is currently a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program at Vanderbilt.  

Tara graduated from Willamette University in 2021 with a B.S. in Physics. Tara is now a biochemistry graduate student in the Peck lab after joining the QCB program at Vanderbilt in August 2021. Tara’s research focuses on better understanding how extracellular matrix dysregulation in synthesis, deposition, and degeneration impacts musculoskeletal health, specifically in the intervertebral disc. Outside of the lab, Tara enjoys baking, CrossFit, and spending time with her friends and cat Miso.

Peyton is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University seeking a major in biochemistry. He is a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and is conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Sun Peck. Peyton’s research focuses on understanding the role of the extracellular matrix in musculoskeletal biology. He plans on pursuing a career within the medical field. Outside of the lab Peyton enjoys working out, reading, and playing with his dogs.

Gwen is a 1^st year cancer biology graduate student in the Johnson lab. She is originally from Westfield, IN and received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Gwen worked in the Graduate Research Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN before joining Vanderbilt through the IGP in August 2021. Her research focuses on the effects of immunotherapy treatment on the skeleton in breast cancer metastasis. Outside of the lab, Gwen enjoys baking, trying new coffee shops, and staying active through climbing, strength training, and sand volleyball.

Jeremy graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2019 and worked at Cornell and Roswell Park Cancer Institute before attending Vanderbilt. He is interested in how cancers initiate, and the molecular mechanisms of how they begin this process, especially in difficult environments. He joined Vanderbilt IGP in fall 2021, and is currently a graduate student in the Rachelle Johnson lab, where he will be researching PTHrP and its role in breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis to bone.

I received my PhD from Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi, India in 2020. My thesis work was focused on lipid metabolism in tuberculosis. I was trying to find out how Mtb rewires its physiology to adapt to lipid rich niche which it faces in human granuloma post infection. I joined Beth’s lab in January 2021 as a post-doctoral researcher. Currently, I am studying the importance of lipid metabolism in the maintenance of bone homeostasis.

Jenna attended Fordham University where she majored in Biological Sciences and completed a research thesis on the ecology of the black-legged tick, the major vector of Lyme disease. After graduating in 2014, she worked as a research technician at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and assisted in projects studying Huntington's disease. She joined the IGP in 2017 and the Cassat lab in 2018. Her project focuses on how inflammation generated during the innate immune response to S. aureus osteomyelitis affects osteoclast differentiation and function.

Ericka was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a dual degree in Physiology and Neurobiology and Pathobiology and a Research Master’s degree in Physiology and Neurobiology. Her Master’s thesis and undergraduate work focused on delineating the neural cell lineages and signaling pathways driving oncogenesis in supratentorial ependymoma. She is now a student in the MSTP at Vanderbilt, with plans to become a physician-scientist. She is pursuing her PhD work in the Peck lab, with plans to study neural implications in contribution to heterotopic ossification formation. She hopes to couple her work in Bone Biology with a career as an orthopedic surgeon-scientist.

Outside of lab, Ericka is passionate about running and runs for the Green Racing Project, an elite distance team based in Vermont. She loves puns and spending time outside - especially walking her cat, Ozzie.

Nyah is a fourth-year undergraduate student here at Vanderbilt University who joined the Peck Lab in the Spring of 2021. Originally from Michigan, Nyah came to Nashville to pursue a higher education that would prep her for entering the medical field. Majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society, she plans on attending Diagnostic Medical Sonography school after graduation to become a registered Sonographer. Inspired by a personal experience with a family member with Heterotopic Ossification, Nyah joined the Peck Lab with the goal of learning more and quickly became interested in the other various projects in the lab, including research involving neurodegenerative diseases and their effects on bone health. Outside of the lab, Nyah enjoys working out, trying new things, and spending time with her puppy, friends, and family.

Rachel McKee is a research histologist living and working in Nashville, TN. She graduated from Indiana University-Purdue and became an ASCP board-certified histotechnologist in 2005. Rachel worked in a hematopathology clinical laboratory prior to joining the Schoenecker lab in 2021. Her current research focuses on the role of coagulation and inflammation processes in orthopaedic healing. Outside of the lab, Rachel is a visual artist whose practice includes painting, photography, and ceramic sculpture.

Working in this lab has really given me a lot of confidence in my abilities. I feel very fortunate I’ve been given the opportunity to go from solid foundations to empowerment to change and enhance the directions I’ve been given, from PCR genotyping to colony management and beyond. My understanding of not just bones but aspects of the healing process have grown in ways I would never have expected. Feeling the heart-pumping excitement of realizing you’re a part of a group that’s discovering puzzle pieces necessary for survival never before found by others is without compare.

Sasi graduated with a Masters in BME from University of Akron, Ohio in 2010. After a brief stint in the industry with Philips Respironics (Monroeville, PA) as an Engineering Assistant, he joined the Nyman lab in August 2011. He assists with the research studies for Dr. Nyman, VCBB collaborators, Vanderbilt Orthopaedic department, and other industry projects; besides overseeing the daily operation and management of the Bone Biomechanics laboratory. He has strong technical skills with hands-on experience in Micro-CT, 1H NMR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM imaging, and biomechanical testing of bone.

Tony attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he graduated with his B.S. in Biology. He also earned his Master of Laboratory Investigation from Vanderbilt University. His current research consists of studying how disseminated tumor cells exit dormancy and metastasize to the bone by using transgenic mouse models, qPCR, Western blotting, and other techniques.