Research training in the Cottle Group
My laboratory develops cell-based gene therapy technologies and point-of-care devices to improve the lives of patients with inherited metabolic diseases. Our research employs cutting edge techniques from life sciences and bioengineering principles to solve challenging biomedical problems. As the Principal Investigator for the lab, I am devoted to preparing the next generation of the most capable and ethically responsible bioengineers by providing opportunities for quality research training, professional development, and outreach service activities. I possess extensive experience in instructing and mentoring students across a wide spectrum of educational levels, ranging from high school to doctoral candidates.
PhD Graduates
Ilayda Ates, PhD, “Investigating the potential of a cell-based gene editing therapy for inherited metabolic liver disease,” July 2023, (Major advisor).
Current role: Postdoctoral Researcher at Bayer AG
Tanner Rathbone PhD, “Nonviral Approaches for delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 into hepatocytes for treatment of inherited metabolic disease,” May 2022, (Major advisor).
Current role: Scientist, Process Development at CRISPR Therapeutics
MS Graduates
Sarah Minich, (thesis MS) “Multiplex gene editing in hepatocytes as a therapeutic approach for familial hypercholesterolemia,” May 2023, (Major advisor).
Current role: Senior Development Associate at Editas Medicine
Meridith Reeves, (thesis MS) “Optimizing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown of Angptl3 in liver cell lines and mouse hepatocytes,” August 2022, (Major advisor)
Current role: Senior Development Associate at Editas Medicine
Quan Le, (thesis MS) “Portable U-bent optical fiber biosensor for detecting microcystin-LR,” May 2022, (Committee member)
P. Hudson Bridges., (Non-thesis MS) “Design considerations for therapeutic gene editing using site-specific nucleases and repair templates,” May 2018, (Major advisor)
Daniel Infante, (Non-thesis MS) “Increasing sulfatase solubility in recombinant escherichia coli,” May 2018, (Committee member)
Dr. Tanner Rathbone, May 2022
Dr. Ilayda Ates, August 2023
Current Graduate Advisees
Pramita Suresh, (MS) “Investigating APAP diet mediated selection of gene edited hepatocytes in the liver in vivo,” May 2024, (Major advisor)
Callie Stuart, (PhD), “ Multiplex gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 in hepatocytes combined with APAP selection in a mouse model of familial hypercholesterolemia,” August 2024, (Major advisor)
Olumide Adebayo, (PhD), “Point-of-care at home diagnostic monitoring for Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia,” May 2027, (Major advisor)
Postdoctoral Advising
Lawrence Fernando PhD, “Optimization of donor templates for HDR-mediated gene modification in hepatocytes for therapeutic correction of metabolic liver disease,” (2017-2020).
Departmental Honors Students
Pramita Suresh, (BS) “Cypor gene knockdown using CRISPR Cas9 gene editing,”
May 2022, (department honors thesis)
Charles Arnold, (BS) “Lipid nanoparticle transfection using microfluidic platform,” December 2022, (department honors thesis)
Trina Pham, (BS) “Ethical considerations heritable germline gene editing,”
May 2022, (department honors thesis)
Taylor Bryson, (BS) “Comparison of CRISPR-Cas9 and -Cpf1 nucleases for design and activity,”
May 2019, (departmental honors thesis)
Undergraduate Student Advising
Ethan Addlestone
Taylor Bryan
Kienan Salvadore
Gabriel Nadolski
Allen Khodab
Angeline Chen
Asia Paguntalan
Campbell Yates
Chase Bailey
Elizabeth O’Neil
Jonathan Chiu
Keeghan Shropshire
KelseyMosshard
Meredith Reeves
Shiloh Eyabi
Alyssa Labdon
Jennie Bryant
Lauren Hawthorne
Louis Schenk
Pauline Bisaccio
Sarah Minich
Jeffrey Scott Lynn
Tarah O’Sullivan
Thomas Dempster
Tyler Matts
Willaim Betsill
Yvette Ramirez
Zoe Brynes
Dani Donadio
Dawson Jernigan
Amelia Morton
Zion Lesesne
Alyssa Swiss
Justin Gibson
High School Student
Hannah Frankel, (High school) “Transfection of porcine valvular interstitial cells with plasmid DNA and RNA for bioprosthetic heart valve replacements,” May 2017, (Thesis Advisor)