Graduate Students

Amin Ahmadisharaf

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BC Computer Software Engineering, Qazvin University, Iran

Research Field:
Molecular Modeling and Simulation

Mentor:
Dr. Jeff Comer

Hometown:
Tehran, Iran

Research Project:
Simulation of synthesis of boron-based materials

Cesar Aparicio

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Chemistry, Kansas State University; MS Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Biomedical Nanotechnology

Mentor:
Dr. Matt Basel

Hometown:
Guanajuato, Mexico

Research Project:
Synthesis and characterization of antiviral and anticancer nanoparticles

Bailey Fritz

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS and DVM, Veterinary Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Production Animal Pharmacology and Pain Management

Mentor:
Dr. Michael Kleinhenz

Hometown:
Westmoreland, Kan.

Research Project:
NSAID pharmacology in production animals

Sandun Gajaweera

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Research Field:
Biophysics

Mentor:
Dr. Jeff Comer

Hometown:
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Research Project:
Self-assembly of amino acids on graphene

Chandler Hansen

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Animal Science and Industry, Kansas State University; MS Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Anatomy Education

Mentors:
Drs. Matt Basel and Pradeep Malreddy

Hometown:
Goddard, Mo.

Research Project:
Anatomy education

Thitikan Jirakittisonthon

Previous Degrees/Schools:
DVM, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; MS Veterinary Biomedical Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Extracellular Vesicles

Mentor:
Dr. Mark Weiss

Hometown:
Bangkok, Thailand

Research Project:
EVs: A platform for biotherapeutics, clinical translation

Dongoh Lee

Previous Degrees/Schools:
MS, DVM, Chungbuk National University

Research Field:
Ion Transport

Mentor:
Dr. Bruce Schultz

Hometown:
Jeonju-si, Republic of Korea

Research Project:
Investigation of the Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

Maria Lou

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Animal Science, University of Florida; MS Animal Science, University of Minnesota

Research Field:
Swine Behavior and Welfare

Mentor:
Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Hometown:
Miami, Fla.

Research Project:
Pain management strategies in livestock

Jeeva Patabendige Rathnaweera

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Applied Biology, Rajarata University-Sri Lanka; MS, Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky.

Research Field:
Cell Physiology

Mentor:
Undecided - Currently rotating in Dr. Meena Kumari's lab

Hometown:
Kandy, Sri Lanka

Research Project:
Undecided

Jacob Schumacher

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Animal Science and Industry, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Production Animal Pharmacology and Pain Management

Mentor:
Dr. Hans Coetzee

Hometown:
Garden Plain, Kan.

Research Project:
Pain management in young calves during processing

Keshari Sudasinghe

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS General Biology, Minnesota State University; MS, Cardiovascular Physiology, Minnesota State University

Research Field:
Cancer Biology

Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Hall

Hometown:
Bandarawela, Sri Lanka

Research Project:
Neuroprotective effects of intermittent fasting on brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease

Rashmi Thapa

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Nepal Polytechnic Institute, Purbanchal University, Biratnagar, Nepal

Research Field:
Vaccine Immunology

Mentor:
Dr. Jishu Shi

Hometown:
Kathmandu, Nepal

Research Project:
Novel marker vaccines against swine infectious diseases

Mikaela Weeder

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Animal Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Pharmacokinetics

Mentor:
Dr. Michael Kleinhenz

Hometown:
Sheridan, Wyo.

Research Project:
Optimization of analgesic drug regimens for goats with lameness

Zachary White

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Kinesiology, Kansas State University; MS Kinesiology, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Exercise Physiology and Neuroscience

Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Hall

Hometown:
Emporia, Kan.

Research Project:
Mechanisms of exercise-induced protection against Alzheimer's disease

Sarah DeVader

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Animal Science and Industry, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Tumor Physiology

Mentor:
Dr. Masa Tamura

Hometown:
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Research Project:
To be determined

Madeline Hall

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Animal Science, University of Tennessee; DVM, Kansas State University (in progress)

Research Field:
Animal Behavior and Welfare

Mentor:
Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Hometown:
Decatur, Ill.

Research Project:
Using a swine model to evaluate early life stress impact on brain development and neural plasticity

Ally Leslie

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS Animal Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Cattle Reproductive Physiology and Clinical Pharmacology

Mentor:
Dr. Mike Kleinhenz

Hometown:
Inman, Kan.

Research Project:
Alternative injection techniques for reproductive management drugs in cattle

Andrew Horn

PhD candidate

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS & MS, Kinesiology, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Oxygen Transport

Mentors:
Drs. David Poole and Brad Behnke

Hometown:
Wellington, Kan.

Research Project:
Respiratory muscle vascular function in health and cardiovascular disease models

Nathan Kenney

MS candidate

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Kinesiology, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Kinesiology

Mentors:
Drs. Tim Musch and David Poole

Hometown:
Overland Park, Kan.

Research Project:
Effects of cardiovascular physiology

Kushan Kompalage

PhD candidate

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Biochemistry, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Research Field:
Analytical Separations, Bioanalytical Chemistry and Microfluidics

Mentor:
Dr. Christopher Culbertson

Hometown:
Gampaha, Sri Lanka

Research Project:
Corticosteroid and prostaglandin analysis by UPLC-MS/MS

Liza Rogers

Concurrent BS/MS student

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Kinesiology & Integrative Physiology, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Exercise and Neuroprotection

Mentor:
Dr. Stephanie Hall

Hometown:
Gardner, Kan.

Research Project:
Exercise and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Kiana Schulze

PhD candidate

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS & MS, Kinesiology, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Cardiorespiratory Physiology

Mentors:
Drs. Tim Musch and David Poole

Hometown:
Shawnee, Kan.

Research Project:
Oxygen-related mechanisms of exercise intolerance in pulmonary hypertension

Ramona Weber

PhD candidate

Previous Degrees/Schools:
BS, Life Science, Kansas State University

Research Field:
Cardiovascular Physiology and Oxygen Transport

Mentors:
Drs. Tim Musch and David Poole

Hometown:
Hanover, Kan.

Research Project:
Soluble guanyl cyclase activator and stimulator effects on chronic heart failure