Student Perspectives
Sebastian Bosch
Hometown: Geneseo, New York
Education Background: B.A. Integrative Biology from Skidmore College
Why did you choose the University of Rochester?
I chose the University of Rochester to pursue my graduate studies because of the emphasis on training and student development shared amongst the faculty. At larger research centers, one can often feel lost in the crowd, however, when I visited for interview weekend, I immediately sensed the warmth and feeling of community from both students and faculty. For me, UR provided the perfect environment to continue my training while forming valuable mentor-mentee relationships with esteemed faculty within my field of interest.
Darline Castro-Meléndez
Hometown: Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
Education Background: B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico Humacao Campus
Why did you choose the University of Rochester?
After being part of the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the University of Rochester for a year, I realized that this university was ideal to continue my graduate education. What I liked the most about this program is that we all have the opportunity to get to know each other as it is a relatively small program. The U of R has great variety of research and opportunities for professional development, and it’s a great location!
Erin Gibbons
Hometown: Southbury, CT
Education Background: B.S. Biological Sciences, B.S. Pathobiology, Minor Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Connecticut
Research Group: Hammes Lab
What have you enjoyed most about your training thus far?
I like that the faculty and students are here to help each other and the UofR is a collaborative environment. I also enjoy the URBest/MyHub events that help us learn about lots of different career paths for PhDs.
What is your research focus?
I study Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) which is a rare cystic lung disease that occurs exclusively in women. I mainly focus on how estrogen, immune cells, and cancer cells work together to promote cancer.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I love to run, hike, and bike and there are lots of great trails and roads in Rochester and nearby! I enjoy rock climbing and playing kickball with other grad students. I also love all the breweries, wineries, and restaurants in Rochester and the public market is great for fresh produce. Lastly, there are a lot of great festivals especially in the summer!
Cassandra Houser
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Education Background:
- BS in Biology from Loyola University Maryland
- MS in Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland
- MS in Immunology at the University of Rochester
Research Group: Lawrence Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
The comradery is amazing at URMC. I have enjoyed meeting a lot of students who support me as an individual and cheer me on in my success as a scientist. The environment encourages independent thinking and supports creativity. I have also really enjoyed taking advantage of all of the amazing core facilities in the medical center!
What is your research focus?
I study how exposure to environmental contaminants impacts CD4+ cells during T cell dependent immune responses.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I love all of the restaurants and breweries to eat at and there are lots of good places to hike, bike, and run around. I enjoy taking violin lessons from a local musician and going to live concerts!
Justin Leach
Hometown: Brockport, New York
Education Background:
- BS in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from SUNY Brockport
- MS in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester
Research Group: Dewhurst Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
My experience at the University of Rochester has been highly collaborative and team oriented. I have been able to tackle many large projects with large teams of people with very different specialties and that has been a very rewarding experience. In addition, the faculty in the Microbiology and Immunology department are always willing to assist with science related advice or career advice in general. We also have many state of the art facilities that allow us to address our scientific questions, such as a flow cytometry core, a genomics research center, and a structural biology facility equipped for X-Ray crystallography. I have personally used all of these facilities and have learned many useful techniques from the faculty that operate them.
What is your research focus?
I am primarily focused on the development of an updated Live Attenuated Influenza vaccine (LAIV) as a potential pandemic vaccine against emerging Influenza strains. LAIVs have the unique ability to elicit T cell immunity directed at conserved proteins of Influenza viruses which make it a more attractive vaccine than the flu shot for pandemic preparation. I am also involved in several collaborative projects which aim to understand the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. This includes studying the innate immune responses from infected primary lung epithelial cells, understanding ER exodosis pathways in infection, looking at the role of defective viral genomes in infection, and re-purposing FDA approved drugs to treat infection.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
Anything outdoors! There are many kayaking and hiking opportunities in western NY to take advantage of, especially in the finger lakes. Rochester also has some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the country and people come from other countries to fish here.
Michael Lutz
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biology, Le Moyne College
- M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester
Research Group: Takimoto Lab
What have you enjoyed most about your training thus far?
So far in my training I have really enjoyed learning various new techniques, from flow cytometry to radioisotope labeling. I also very much like to participate in teaching and have been a teaching assistant and guest lecturer for a number of courses for both graduate and undergraduate students.
What is your research focus?
I study the Influenza A Virus (IAV) RNA-Dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) which has been identified as a key player in the adaptation of IAVs to different species. Avian IAVs require adaptive mutations in their RdRp in order to function appropriately in mammalian cells. My research is focused on understanding how exactly these mutations in the RdRp allow for enhanced viral transcription and replication. This work has important consequences for understanding how avian IAVs adapt to humans and markers that may indicate an avian IAV has potential to jump the species barrier.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I like a little bit of everything! Rochester has a great food scene and there are a lot of restaurants, breweries and wineries around the area to enjoy. Some of my favorites include the famous Genesee Brewhouse, Belhurst Castle and Winery on Seneca Lake, and Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream. I also enjoy going outdoors and exploring the beautiful scenery around Rochester such as Letchworth State Park, Watkins Glen, and Bristol Mountain for skiing in the winter!
Mary Moran
Hometown: Niskayuna, New York
Education Background:
- BA in Biology, The College of the Holy Cross
- MS in Immunology and Microbiology, University of Rochester
Research Group: Beck Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
The collaborative environment at URMC is incredible. With my project I have been able to collaborate with dermatologists, microbiologists, virologists, and biochemists and this has really enhanced my project and training and has provided great mentorship from a diverse range of researchers. I also really enjoying attending the many seminars that are offered, either research presentations from within the URMC, invited speakers, seminars on career paths, and various workshops on career development. With the support from my mentor and committee I have also enrolled in the MPH program here at the URMC and this training has nicely complimented my PhD training.
What is your research focus?
My project is investigating how S. aureus virulence factors alter the skin epithelium to increase viral permissiveness as a way to better understand the viral complications in patients with atopic dermatitis.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
Rochester has a lot of great parks where I enjoy trail running, great restaurants to go with friends and family, and I absolutely love getting ice cream at Pittsford Farms Dairy.
Joseph Murphy
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
Education Background:
- B.Sc. Biology and Chemistry from Maynooth University.
- M.Sc. Translational Oncology from Trinity College Dublin.
- M.S. Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester
Research Group: Gerber lab
What have you enjoyed most about your training thus far?
I really enjoy our labs interface between bench science and the clinic. Our close collaborations with both surgeons and medical oncologists here at URMC allow us to develop research projects that directly target unmet clinical needs with the ultimate goal of delivering better therapies to cancer patients. Our lab group is truly a multidisciplinary team that creates a unique environment to come up with novel ideas, making it a very exciting and fulfilling place to do research!
What is your research focus?
My research focus is on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma which has an extremely poor prognosis. The microenvironment of this disease is full of immunosuppressive cells, predominantly myeloid cells such as tumor associated neutrophils. I work on targeting these neutrophils in order to alleviate this immunosuppression and allow T cells to combat tumor cells.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I enjoy martial arts, rock climbing and generally being outdoors. I also play for Roc City Hurling which keeps me connected to sport from home. Rochester also has loads of festivals and events happening year round such as the Jazz fest, the Lilac festival, Party in the Park etc. which are always highlights!
Mike Sportiello
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Education Background: B.S. in Chemistry from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Research Group: Topham Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I chose Rochester because it has high impact research, and though that's true, it's not the full story. The truth is that people here are as excited to share their research with you as they are to have a beer with you. They're as inquisitive about your research as they are about your personal life. They're just good people, and I wanted to be a part of that learning environment. I love being able to ask questions and decide how to actually answer them.
What is your research focus?
My research focus is resident memory CD8 T cells in the context of respiratory virus immunity.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I love hiking the Adirondacks, going to breweries, participating in health justice activism, and playing with my two cats and one fish.
Ian Stone
Hometown: St. Paul, MN.
Education Background: I have a background in viral immunology - I got a B.Sc. in genetics and cell biology at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and then tech-ed for 3 years in an academic lab.
Why did you choose the University of Rochester?
I chose the University of Rochester because when I interviewed the community felt great (friendly and welcoming), the research is high quality, funding is good, and there's a focus on intellectually stimulating work here as well as more freedom for PhD students in their research as compared to other places.
What is your research focus?
I will continue to focus on viral immunology here as there is a strong foundation on that topic.
Katie Tomberlin
Hometown: Brainerd, MN
Education Background:
- B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota—Duluth.
- M.S in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Dziejman Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I have really enjoyed seeing my own progress throughout the program. As an undergraduate I worked in a breast cancer lab and didn’t have a strong background in microbiology. Between the classes I have taken here and my work in lab I have become much more comfortable with the contents of a microbiologist’s toolkit.
What is your research focus?
I study a Type III Secretion System found in some strains of Vibrio cholerae, a human pathogen. This secretion system is encoded in a genomic island containing a variety of genes involved in colonizing the host small intestine and causing disease. I’m interested in identifying which genes in this island are required for colonization and the functions they encode.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I enjoy going for walks or biking by the Erie canal and through the many parks around Rochester. If you like to get outdoors, there’s a lot of great places to camp, hike, and fish near the city. There’s also a ton of breweries, wineries, and restaurants in the area. Coming from a smaller town, I was blown away by all the tasty food you can find here.
Taylor Uccello
Hometown: Westford, Massachusetts
Education Background:
- BS in Biology from Stonehill College
- MS in Immunology and Microbiology from University of Rochester
Research Group: Gerber Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
The scientific collaborations, valuable friendships, and supportive mentorship within the Department of Immunology and Microbiology make this program truly unique. While there are many aspect of the Department that I am thankful for, what I have enjoyed most during my time at the University of Rochester is the endless amount of support that I have received from my primary thesis advisor as well as other scientific mentors within the Department.
What is your research focus?
I am studying colorectal cancer and therapies that utilize the immune response to target and destroy tumor cells. My project consists of two key aims related to this devastating disease. The first aim entails understanding the immune microenvironment that potentially dictates why some patients with rectal cancer respond to radiation therapy, while other patients do not. The second aim of my project is exploring how immunosuppressive intratumoral sympathetic nerves interact with the immune response in the tumor microenvironment to promote immunosuppression and subsequent tumor progression. For both these models I utilize an orthotopic mouse model of rectal cancer and a clinically relevant short course radiotherapy regimen.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
When I am not working in lab I enjoy being active outside. Some of my hobbies include visiting the horses and taking riding lessons at a barn in Mendon Ponds, and rock climbing with fellow graduate students. In the summer I take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy camping, spending time in the water, and playing kickball with the Rochester Kickball League.
Megan Ulbrich
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Education Background: B.S. in Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh
Research Group: Dziejman Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
My favorite part of the training at UR has been the availability of mentorship and the collaborative atmosphere within our department and throughout the university. Fellow students and faculty are both committed to helping you learn and develop skills as a scientist.
What is your research focus?
Characterizing type 3 secretion system effector proteins secreted by Vibrio cholerae during infection.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I enjoy baking, gardening, napping with my cat, and taking advantage of Rochester’s beautiful parks and trails.