Post Docs
Tim Lee, PhD
Degrees: Ph.D. Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine (2024); B.E. in Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University (2015)
Project/Interests: Deciphering the role of AMPK in mouse photoreceptors
Chas Pfeifer, PhD
Degrees: Ph.D. Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine (2023); B.S. Neuroscience, University of Rochester (2017); B.M. Classical guitar performance, Eastman School of Music (2017)
Project/Interests: Investigating the contribution of microglia to diabetic retinopathy progression in various mouse models and characterizing the role of pericytes in retinal microvascular structure and function.
Taku Yamamoto, MD, PhD
Degrees: MD, Hokkaido University (2013); PhD Hokkaido University (2023)
Project/Interest: Retinal Glia; Immunological approach to aging via uveitis
Mitsukuni Yoshida, MD, PhD
Degrees: MD, Washington University (2021); PhD Washington University (2019)
Project/Interest: Aging, Metabolism, Circadian Rhythms
Graduate Students
Jason Colasanti
PhD student, Molecular Cell Biology
Undergrad: University of Maryland–College Park
Project: The single greatest risk factor for cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease is increasing age. Therefore, my goal is to better understand how our bodies age. Currently, I am investigating cellular senescence and how it plays a role in physiological dysfunction and age-related diseases.
Medical Students
Henok Getahun
Medical Student, MD5 Research Program
Degrees: B.A. Biology Washington University in St. Louis (2020)
Joseph Lin, PhD
Medical student
Degrees: Ph.D. Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine (2023); B.S. Biology, Case Western Reserve University (2016)
Project: I am interested in studying how aging affects the eye with a specific focus on treatments for age-associated diseases that can cause vision loss.
Helen Rossmiller
Medical Student
Degree: B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2022)
Wilson Wang, MPhil
Medical student, MD5 Research Program
Degrees: MPhil Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, UK (2019), B.A. Chemistry, Williams College (2018)
Project: Currently, I am studying the ophthalmic clinical outcomes regarding eye diseases due to aging, the rare ophthalmic disease RVCL, and retinal eye pathologies. In particular, I am interested in clinical trial development and the role of innovative imaging and treatment modalities in the eye.
Staff
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/aptelab/files/2024/04/Shuntaro-headshot-0aab27cc2535bce9-924x1024.jpg)
Shuntaro Ogura, MD, PhD
Staff Scientist
Degrees: PhD, Nagoya City University (2017)
MD, Nagoya City University (2010)
Project/Interests: Elucidating the mechanism of retinal disorders including diabetic retinopathy and AMD
Andrea Santeford, MS
Research Laboratory Supervisor
Degrees: M.S. Biology-Molecular and Cellular Regulation, St. Louis University (2005); B.S. Biology, University of Missouri (2003)
Projects: Molecular regulation of macrophage aging; determinants in choroidal neovascularization and novel therapeutic targets, uveitis.
Darksha Usmani, MS
Research Assistant
Degrees: M.S. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology ( Dr. Harisingh Gour University Sagar)
Projects/Interests: Corneal wound healing and maintenance
Shinobu Yamaguchi Smithson, MS
Senior Research Technician
Degrees: MS Bioethics (in progress), BS (2019), AS Biotechnology (1996)
Projects/Interests: Aging, Metabolism, Circadian Rhythms
Undergraduate Students
Kenta Kato
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Current School/Program: Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Biology (Biochemistry track)
Minor: Anthropology