Marjan Rafat, PhD

Marjan
Rafat, PhD
Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Assistant Professor of of Radiation Oncology
https://wag.app.vanderbilt.edu/PublicPage/Faculty/Details/42260
Vanderbilt University
2414 Highland Ave
ESB 426
Nashville
Tennessee
37212
Lab Website
https://my.vanderbilt.edu/rafatlab/

Our research combines engineering and biomedical science to elucidate the mechanisms driving breast cancer recurrence and metastasis. Our laboratory examines the relationship between tumor cells, normal tissues, and the immune system to better understand how each component contributes to metastasis and relapse after therapy. Specifically, we study the collateral effect of radiation and surgery of normal tissues on tumor and immune cell migration patterns, inflammatory responses following tissue damage, and changes in extracellular matrix remodeling of the tumor microenvironment and surrounding normal tissues resulting from therapy. We analyze the physical, chemical, and biological cues that influence cancer metastasis and recurrence to make discoveries at the interface of engineering and medicine.

Publications on PubMed.gov

marjan.rafat@vanderbilt.edu

Breast cancer; Cell motility and migration; Normal tissue response to radiation; Tumor microenvironment; Immune modulation

Matt Alexander, MD, PhD

Matt
Alexander, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
https://medicine.vumc.org/person/matt-alexander-md-phd
Lab Website
https://wag.app.vanderbilt.edu/PublicPage/Faculty/Details/47052

Dr. Alexander’s laboratory is focused on the role of adaptive immunity in the pathogenesis of hypertension and associated cardiovascular disease. Current projects are focused on the role of counter-regulatory immune mechanisms in hypertension, including determining the role of novel regulatory T cell subsets in the pathogenesis of hypertension and microvascular dysfunction. We perform cutting edge basic and translational research integrating vascular biology and immunology using a variety of approaches including molecular biology, physiology, highly dimensional single cell analysis, and human genetics. Our laboratory is also integrated with the translational research infrastructure in the Divisions of Clinical Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Medicine to enable novel studies on human tissues and cells. Ultimately, the goal of Alexander laboratory is to fundamentally advance our understanding of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases to develop new therapies for the benefit of the tremendous number of individuals affected by these conditions.

Publications on PubMed.gov

matt.alexander@vumc.org

Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, immunology, vascular biology

Graduate Student Spotlight: Laura Hesse

VI4 Curation Team
July 28, 2020
Graduate Student Spotlight - Laura Hesse
Laura Hesse is from southern Indiana and graduated from Michigan State University in 2017 with her B.S. in Microbiology. She joined the Skaar Lab the following year, where she studies nutrient metal homeostasis in Acinetobacter baumannii... Click the image on the left to continue reading.

Postdoc Spotlight: Allison Norlander, Ph.D.

VI4 Curation Team
July 21, 2020
Postdoc Spotlight - Allison Norlander
Allison Norlander is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and received her B.S. in microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh. Allison then earned her Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University studying the impact of salt on T helper 17 cells in hypertension with Dr. Meena Madhur and Dr. David Harrison. She joined Peebles lab in 2017 and currently studies the influence of prostacyclin on T regulatory cells in allergic inflammation... Click the image on the left to continue reading.

Faculty Spotlight: Timothy L. Cover, M.D.

VI4 Curation Team
July 14, 2020
Timothy L. Cover, M.D. is a Professor of Medicine and Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Cover received a B.S. degree in Biology from Muhlenberg College and an M.D. degree from Duke University. Following an Internal Medicine residency at Penn State University, he completed an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at University of Colorado... Click Dr. Cover's photo to continue reading.

Spotlight: Denison Lab

June 17, 2020
Members of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation are making extraordinary advances in health and medicine. VI4 is developing therapies for the treatment of infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. At the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic is the laboratory of VI4 member, Dr. Mark R. Denison .... Click the image on the left to continue reading.

Faculty Spotlight: Wonder Puryear Drake, M.D.

VI4 Curation Team
June 16, 2020
VI4 Faculty Spotlight with Wonder Puryear Drake, M.D.
Wonder Puryear Drake, M.D. is a Professor of Medicine and Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Drake completed her B.S. at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama and then her M.D. right here at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Drake is interested in exploring the etiology as well as pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory states, particularly sarcoidosis.... Click Dr. Drake's photo to continue reading.

Megan Behringer, PhD

Megan
Behringer, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology
Steven and Bunny Fayne Dean’s Faculty Fellow in Biological Sciences
https://wag.app.vanderbilt.edu/PublicPage/Faculty/Details/46320
Lab Website
http://behringerlab.wixsite.com/index

Dr. Megan Behringer is a biologist in the Department of Biological Sciences and an Associate Director of the Vanderbilt Microbiome Initiative. Her laboratory employs experimental evolution combined with genomic analysis to study how environmental factors affect the creation of genetic variation (i.e. mutation) and influence how microbes adapt and diversify in novel complex environments. Among other environmental factors, these changes may be influenced by nutrient availability or limitation, spatial homogenization or structure, and the presence or absence of community members. Her laboratory also applies these concepts to pathogen/microbiome interactions, investigating eco-evolutionary feedbacks between disease-causing and disease-preventing organisms.

Publications on PubMed.gov

megan.g.behringer@Vanderbilt.Edu

Microbiology, Genomics, Evolution, Population Genetics, Bacterial Genetics, Microbiome, Urinary Tract, Stress resistance, Mutation

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