RESEARCH STAFF
RESEARCH STAFF
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Roger W. Kittendorf Research Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Scientific Director, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Principal Investigator, Antonetti Lab
Email: dantonet@med.umich.edu
Associate Research Scientist
My focus has been on investigating the molecular mechanisms of tight junction protein occludin in retinal angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy. This research is expected to provide new insight into the nature of blood vessel growth and maturation and identify new targets for therapeutic intervention that are effective against both growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Another project is to test the role of lipids in neovascularization in high fat and diabetes conditions by using laser-induced branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) mouse model in vivo and by using primary endothelial cells (ECs) angiogenesis model in vitro to evaluate the role of rate-limiting enzymes for steps of lipid metabolism, such as hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). The results may provide novel targets in ECs fatty acid metabolism to treat pathological retinal angiogenesis.
Hobbies: Group Fitness-Cardio and strength training, table tennis, pickleball, and travel.
Email: xuwen@med.umich.edu
Associate Research Scientist
In vivo models of angiogenesis and functional assessments for studying retinal vascular pathophysiology during diabetes and other vascular diseases.
Email: chengmao@med.umich.edu
Postdoctoral Fellow
Working on understanding the mechanisms by which Norrin promotes restoration of the blood-retinal barrier
Email: gonzalla@med.umich.edu
Senior Research Laboratory Specialist
Research focuses on developmental and reparative angiogenesis in the brain and retina. Model systems being used to investigate questions focused on these critical physiological processes include mouse, zebrafish, and in-vitro primary endothelial cell culture. Current work seeks to further understand the role of the choline transporter FLVCR2(mfsd7c) and the iron containing protoporphyrin heme.
Hobbies: I enjoy all activities centered around being outside and enjoying the natural world.
Email: alesta@med.umich.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aamer obtained a Bachelor's in Computer Science. His work focused on determining whether mutating the Occludin S471 homologous region in BICD2 affects cell co-localization and reduces its binding affinity to the motor protein Dynein in U2OS cells. In his time in the lab, he designed research experiments, transfected U2OS cells with wild-type and mutant BICD2 constructs, performed immunostaining, visualized protein localization using Leica SP8 confocal microscopy, and presented findings to the principal investigator. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school.
Hobbies: Aamer loves spending time with family and enjoys long walks on the beach.
Email: aameralm@umich.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Adam is an undergraduate student who recently graduated with his Bachelor's of Science in Neuroscience, hoping to pursue a medical degree. In the lab, his current lab work relates to Wnt signaling in the retina and the key signaling pathways involved in barrier restoration.
Hobbies: In his free time, he enjoys performing traditional Arab dance and spending his days at coffee shops.
Email: habash@umich.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ethan recently graduated with a Bachelor's in Neuroscience. During his time in the lab, he completed an honors thesis studying the effects of norrin treatment on BRB integrity, neural, and visual changes associated with diabetes in rat models. He will be continuing this work as a research assistant next year while applying to medical school.
Email: hendry@umich.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Carissa is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Her research interests focus on investigating FLVCR2 and its role in choline and heme transport. She is especially interested in the downstream effects of these transport pathways on developmental and reparative angiogenesis. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school.
Email: ckundich@umich.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I'm Claudia Ramirez, an undergraduate neuroscience student. I work under Laura Gonzalez and her research regarding norrin as a potential therapy for the restoration of vascular permeability.
Email: claudir@umich.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ilana is a second-year undergraduate studying public health sciences on the pre-med track.
Email: ilanarav@umich.edu
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