Lauren “Ande” Hesser, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2023-2024
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, 2018-2023
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2014-2018
Robert Patry, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2020-2023
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Microbiology, University of Georgia, Szymanski Lab, 2016-2020
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Microbiology, University of Alberta, 2009-2014
Alejandro Soto
Senior BS/MSE in Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Leadership Alliance Research Fellow, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2023
Anjali Mirmira
Research Technician, University of Chicago Chemistry, Szostak Lab
B.A. in Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2020-2023
Nidhi Talasani
Medical Student, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
B.S. in Biology, University of Chicago, 2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2020-2023
Alex Trickey
R&D Molecular Associate, Tempus Labs, Chicago, IL
B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Spanish, University of Chicago, 2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2020-2023
Shijie Cao, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Hubbell & Nagler Lab, 2019-2023
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington, Woodrow Lab, 2013-2018
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, University of Washington, 2013-2018
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Pharmacy, Fudan University, 2009-2013
Mohamed Bashir Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist, ClostraBio, Chicago, IL
Project Manager, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2019-2022
Research Assistant Professor, O-HNS Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center, 2010-2019
Research Professional, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, 2009-2010
Senior Research Professional, Team Leader and Interim Principal Investigator, The University of Chicago, 2005-2009
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, 2000-2005
PhD, Immunology/Biochemistry, Saarland University, Germany, 1993-1998
MS, Analytical Biochemistry, University of Khartoum, Sudan
BS, Food Science and Technology, Alexandria University, Egypt
Yanlin Su
Research Associate, ClostraBio, Chicago, IL
Research Technical Assistant, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2020-2022
Biotechnology Certification, Oklahoma Community College, 2011
Lisa Maccio Maretto, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2020-2022
PhD in Chemical Sciences focused on Mucosal Immunology at the Center of Research in Clinic Biochemistry and Immunology (CIBICI), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, 2020
Diploma in Biochemistry from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, 2014
Evelyn Campbell, PhD
Data Science Preceptor, The University of Chicago
Graduate Student, Committee on Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2016-2022
Ph.D Thesis: “An atopic microbiota mediates intestinal inflammation through TLR4 signaling” 2022
B.S. in Biology, Rider University, New Jersey, 2016
Andrea Kemter, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, ALK, Horsholm, Capital Region, Denmark
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2016-2022
Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology, Immunology and Infection Research, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, 2016
Diplom in Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitaet Bonn, Germany, 2011
Matthew Sabados
Healthcare Consultant, Simon-Kucher & Partners, Chicago, IL
B.S. in Biology, The University of Chicago, 2022
Undergraduate Research Assistant, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2018-2022
Matthew Bauer
Neurobehavioral Phenotyping Research Assistant II, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
Laboratory Manager, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2017-2021
B.S. in Biochemistry, Illinois State University, 2017
Sung Min Choi Hong
Ph.D. program in Chemical Engineering, West Virginia University
Technical Research Specialist, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2017-2020
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2017.
Andrew Thompson
Technical Research Specialist, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2018-2020
B.S. in Microbiology, Purdue University, 2018.
Taylor Feehley, PhD
Chief Operating Officer, Xanadu Bio
Senior Director, Strategy, Omega Therapeutics, Boston, MA, 2021-2022
Senior Director, Corporate Strategy and Development, Vedanta Biosciences Inc, Cambridge MA, 2019-2021
Senior Research Analyst, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, New York, New York, 2017-2019
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Virgin Lab, Washington University, St Louis, 2016-2017
Ph.D Thesis: “Commensal bacteria and their metabolites prevent sensitization to food antigens” 2017
Graduate Student in Immunology, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2011-2016
B.A., Biology, University of Chicago, 2010
Delegate to 2015 Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, Lindau, Germany2015
AAI Lefrancois-Biolegend Memorial award for outstanding abstract in mucosal immunology
One of Forbes’ “30 under 30” bright young scientists.
Shan Wang
Lecturer at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University
Posdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2017-2019
Ph.D., Microbiology, South China University of Technology, P. R. China, 2012 Thesis: “Characteristics and mechanism of immune cells’ death in cell-in-cell structures”
M.S. Med, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Wenzhou Medical University, P. R. China, 2009 Thesis: “An intracellular cell death distincted from entosis”
B.S. Med, Clinical Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Medical College, P. R. China
Elliot Culleen
Medical Masters Program, University of Vermont
Research Technician, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2017-2019
B.A., Immunology, University of Chicago 2017
Catherine Plunkett, Ph.D.
Supervisor/Scientist, Bio-Techne, Minneapolis, MN
Postdoctoral Researcher, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, 2019-2021
Post-doctoral Scholar, Northwestern University, 2018-2021
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2016-2018
Ph.D., University of Otago and Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, New Zealand, 2016. Thesis: “IL-25 mediated immune regulation of intestinal homeostasis and microbial commensalism”
Bmedsci., Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Victoria University of Wellington and Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, New Zealand, 2009
Pedro Belda-Ferre, Ph.D.
Senior Manager of R&D, Helix, San Diego, California
Project Scientist, University California San Diego, 2020-2021
Post-doctoral Scholar, University California San Diego, 2018-2020
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2016-2018
Ph.D., Biotechnology, University of Valencia, 2015 Thesis: “Omics approaches to study the oral microbiome”
M.S., Molecular and Cell Biology, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain. 2010
B.S., Pharmacy, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain. 2010
Emily Beltran
NIH-Oxford-Cambridge Scholar
Medical Student at Rush Medical College, Chicago IL, 2019-2023
Research Assistant at Rockefeller University, Breslow Lab, 2017-2019
B.S. University of Chicago 2017.
Research Honors Thesis Student, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2014-2017
Honors Thesis: “High fiber diets expand barrier strengthening commensal bacteria that prevent food allergen sensitization”
Lucie Fallone
Doctoral Student, CIRI Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Walzer Lab, Lyon, France
Research Internship, CIML, Malissen Lab, Marseille, France, 2020
Research Internship, Institute of Functional Genomics, Leulier Lab, Lyon, France, 2019-2020
Research Internship, CIRI Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Walzer Lab, Lyon, France, 2019
Research Internship, University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, Chicago, IL, 2016-2017
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Master, Biosciences, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, France 2016-2019
James Lawson
Software Engineer, Tata Consultancy Services, Chicago, IL
Washington and Lee University: Undergraduate Class of 2021
Student Intern, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2016
Hepp Computer Science Award Winner – 2016
Caitlin Yee
Research Associate, Vera Institute of Justice, New York, New York
Clinical Criminal Legal Specialist, The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), 2021-2020
Master of Social Work – MSW, Columbia University, 2021
Social Work Intern, The Bronx Defenders, New York, New York, 2020-2021
Research Assistant, Social Intervention Group, New York, New York, 2019-2021
Social Work Intern, NYC Department of Education – P.S. 199, Bronx, New York, 2019-2020
Programs Communications Fellow at Chicago United, 2017-2018
B.A., Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago, 2017
Undergraduate Research Assistant, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2015-2016
BCSD Summer Fellow, 2015. Project: “The role of commensal-mediated TLR4 signals in protection against food allergy susceptibility”
Rosita Aitoro
Post-doctoral Scholar, University of Naples Federico II
Post-doctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, 2015-2016
Ph.D., Human Reproduction, Development and Growth, University of Naples Federico II, 2015
Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Naples/The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2014-2015
B.S., Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 2011
Diana Bouhassira
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Class of 2018
University of Chicago Pritzker Summer Research Program, Nagler Lab
B.S., Chemistry, Haverford College, 2013
Sandeep Pawar
Senior Director and Head, Strategy & Operations – Life Sciences, Tempus Labs, San Francisco
Consultant, Navigant Consulting, Chicago, IL, 2015-2019.
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2014-2015
Ph.D. in Molecular and Integrative Physiology University at Urbana Champaign, 2013.
M.S. Biotechnology, Madras University Chennai, India, 2007.
B.S. Biotechnology, Indore University Indore, India, 2005.
Pehga Johnston, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist, Toxicology at BD, Vernon Hills, IL
Principal Scientist, Scientific/Medical Affairs at BD, Vernon Hills, IL, 2017-2019
Postdoctoral Fellow in Gerding Lab at Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 2015-2017
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2014-2015
Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, 2013
B.S.,Biology, Central Washington University, 2004
Andrew Stefka
Clinical Research Specialist for Myeloma Program, UChicago Medicine
Lab Manager and Senior Research Technologist, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2008-2014
B.S., Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 2005.
M.S., Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, 2007.
Lucy Mailing, Ph.D.
Freelance Science Communicator
Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2019
B.A., Biology, Kalamazoo College, class of 2015
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Nagler Lab
Honors Thesis “Effects of bacterial metabolite butyrate and fiber-free diet on allergic phenotype in a murine model of peanut allergy”
Severine Cao
Resident in Dermatology, University of Michigan
Harvard Medical School, Class of 2018
B.A., Biology, The University of Chicago, 2013
Undergraduate Research Assistant, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2012-2013
Honors Thesis “Commensal bacteria induce barrier protective responses to prevent food allergen sensitization”
Prabhanshu Tripathi, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Senior Scientist, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, New Delhi, India 2016-2020
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Gothenburg, Sweden 2013-2015
Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2011-2013
Ph.D., Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India, 2011
Goo-young Seo, Ph.D.
Sr. Advisor, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA
Instructor, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Kronenberg Lab, San Diego, CA, 2018-2022
Postdoctoral Fellow, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Kronenberg Lab, San Diego, CA, 2014-2018
Research Professor, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea, 2013-2014
Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2011-2013
Ph.D., Kangwon National University, Korea
Onyinye Iweala, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, UNC Food Allergy Initiative | Thurston Arthritis Research Center
Clinical Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Fellow in Allergy/Immunology at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2015
Resident in Internal Medicine, Mass General Hospital, Boston MA
Medical Scientist Training Program, Harvard Medical School:
M.D., Harvard Medical School, 2010
Ph.D., Biological and Biomedical Science Program, Nagler Lab, HMS, 2009
Ph.D. thesis “The enterohepatic microenvironment modulates immune responses to vaccination”
Graduate student in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2002-2009
A.B., Harvard University, 2002
Undergraduate honors thesis “Influence of helminth infection on oral vaccines
Kabir Matharu, M.D.
Specialist in Internal Medicine, One Community Health, Sacramento CA
M.D., University of California at Davis, 2013
Research Assistant, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2007-2008
B.S., Cornell University, 2007
Donald Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Scientific Director, Evidera, Lexington, MA
Ph.D., Biological and Biomedical Science Program, HMS, 2007
Graduate Student in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Nagler Lab, 2001-2007
Ph.D. Thesis “Preventing intolerance: the induction of non- responsiveness to dietary and microbial antigens in the intestinal mucosal”. J. Immunol. 2005
B.S., University of Maine, 1999