First Year Graduate Students

Drew BarberDrew Barber return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Neuroscience
Research Advisor -

 

 

 

 

 

Traci BrownTraci Brown return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Toxicology
Research Advisor -

 

 

 

 

 

Alison KearnsAlison Kearns return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences
Research Advisor -

I received my B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State. I became interested in research as an undergraduate when I contributed to the Legume Inflammation Feeding Study, a randomized crossover feeding study that examined the effects of legumes as part of a low glycemic index diet on markers of inflammation in patients with and without a history of colon adenomas. I am currently working under the guidance of Dr. David Shepherd and am interested in how dietary factors influence the immunology of the gut.

Joshua MarceauJoshua Marceau return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences
Research Advisor -

 

 

 

 

 

Avi RascoeAvi Rascoe return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Neuroscience
Research Advisor -

I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BS in Neuroscience. As an undergrad, I had the opportunity to conduct several self-proposed research projects under excellent guidance. After finally admitting to myself my addiction for teaching and research, I decided to forgo a projected career in pediatric neurosurgery in favor of academia. When one of my mentors at UIC took a position at the University of Montana, I became aware of, and instantly attracted to, its extremely collaborative environment, high-tech equipment, and, of course, the Missoula scenery. My interests, among others, lie in the sensory systems, more specifically, the physiological characteristics of somatosensory nerve fibers and their involvement in the sensations of touch, pain, and itch on a molecular, cellular, and behavioral level. I'm looking forward to my time in Missoula.

Vaishali SatputeMonica Sanchez Contreras return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Toxicology
Research Advisor -

I am from Pereira, a town located in the coffee growing region of Colombia.  I am a medical doctor and a molecular biologist.  Before coming here, I worked as a medical researcher at the Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira for eight years on neuropsychiatric disorders.  After being involved in the molecular genetics of these diseases, I am excited to learn more about their mechanisms of toxicity, which this program allows me to do.  I started in the doctoral program in toxicology Spring 2009 and am very happy to be here.

Tonya SantoroTonya Santoro return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences
Research Advisor -

I graduated from Carroll College with a BA in biology. As a baccalaureate, I conducted research in the field of cytogenetics and, after presenting my novel research findings at several symposia, my interest in a scientific career was firmly rooted. My masters degree research involved the RNAi-mediated knockdown, as well as overall mRNA transcript level test, of a key DNA methylation toolkit gene and its transcript variants. This was the first study of its kind to be performed in the jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis. My PhD interests lie in pharmacogenomics; indeed, I chose the University of Montana so that I could pursue research in this field.

Bryan SimonsBryan Simons return to top
PhD Graduate Student, Toxicology
Research Advisor -

I graduated from Montana State University with a B.S. in Microbiology.  A Montana native, I have a great desire to help bring acknowledgement and respect to the state’s university system.  Being able to stay in Montana to complete a Ph.D. program in Toxicology is an amazing opportunity that I am very excited about.  My primary interests lies in immunology and the molecular biology of pathogens.  I am currently undergoing lab rotations to determine a specific area of interest in which to pursue my graduate studies.