Post Docs
Keitaro Hase, MD, PhD
Degrees: MD, Hiromae University School of Medicine (2009); PhD Hokkaido University (2020)
Project/Interest: Uveitis
Ryo Terao, MD, PhD
Degrees: MD, University of Tsukuba (2008); PhD University of Tokyo (2020)
Project/Interest: Impact of aging on eye disease pathology.
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.
Tim Lee
PhD student, Developmental Biology
Undergrad: BE in Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University (2015)
Project: Deciphering the role of AMPK in mouse photoreceptors
Yoon Lee
PhD Rotation Student, Developmental Biology
Undergrad: Brandeis University (2019)
Joseph Lin
MSTP MD/PhD student, Neurosciences
Undergrad: B.S. in 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.
Chas Pfeifer
PhD student, Neurosciences
Undergrad: B.S. Neuroscience, University of Rochester (2017); B.M. Classical guitar performance, Eastman School of Music (2017)
Project: 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.
Zelun Wang
MSTP MD/PhD student, Neurosciences
Undergrad: Rice University (2016)
Project: I study the effect of aging on immune and signaling processes involving macrophages that contribute to neurodegeneration in the eye. I am also interested in retinal ganglion cell subtypes and their susceptibility to disease.
Undergraduate Students
Ray Wang
Washington University
Staff
Andrea Santeford
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; Zika virus and ocular infection; the role of fibroblast growth factors in vascular neogenesis.
Dan Du
Research Technician II
Degrees: B.A. Biochemistry with a minor in Computer Science, Washington University in St. Louis (2021)
Projects/Interests: Role of inflammatory cells in aging and Alzheimer models.
Darksha Usmani
Research Assistant
Degrees: M.S. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology ( Dr. Harisingh Gour University Sagar)
Projects/Interests: Corneal wound healing and mantainance