CURRENT MEMBERS
Amanda Doran, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Postdoctoral fellowship, Tabas Lab, Columbia University Medical Center
Cardiology fellowship, New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center
Internal Medicine Residency, New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center
M.D., University of Virginia
Ph.D., McNamara Lab, University of Virginia
B.A., Wellesley College
Email: amanda.c.doran@vumc.org
Jamshedur Rahman, M.Sc., Ph.D.
research assistant professor
Ph.D., Nagoya University, School of Medicine
M.Sc., University of Dhaka
B.S., University of Dhaka
Hobbies: Gardening and hiking
Email: j.rahman@vumc.org
Jean Wassenaar, M.D., Ph.D.
instructor in Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
M.D., University of California, San Diego
Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
B.A., Johns Hopkins University
Hobbies: Spending time with her kids, cooking, gardening, and cycling
Email: jean.w.wassenaar@vumc.org
Matthew Dungan, B.S.
graduate Student
Lab Member since: May 2021 Matriculating Program: Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
Ph.D. Candidate: Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University
Undergraduate: William & Mary (B.S. in Biology and Finance)
Hobbies: Skiing, playing with his dog (Ranger), ceramics, and running
Email: matthew.m.dungan@vanderbilt.edu
Azuah Gonzalez, B.S.
graduate Student
Lab Member since: May 2021 Matriculating Program: Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
Ph.D. Candidate: Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University
Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Cruz (B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
Hobbies: Playing video games, hiking, playing with her dogs (Sox & Pepper), and going to Costco
Email: azuah.l.gonzalez@vanderbilt.edu
Emma Hope, B.S.
graduate Student
Lab Member since: September 2024
Matriculating Program: Medical Scientist Training Program Ph.D. Student: Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University
Undergraduate: University of Georgia (B.S. in Genetics)
Hobbies: Hiking, baking, lifting, and taking care of my plants
Email: emma.hope@vanderbilt.edu
Justin Adler
undergraduate researcher
Lab Member since: September 2023
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Major: Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Medicine, Health, & Society
Hobbies: Swimming in the ocean and playing the guitar
Email: justin.m.adler@vanderbilt.edu
Pranoy Sangowdar
undergraduate researcher
Lab Member since: September 2023
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Major: Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Medicine, Health, & Society
Hobbies: Powerlifting, mountain biking, procrastinating
Email: pranoy.sangowdar@vanderbilt.edu
Hunter Smith
undergraduate researcher
Lab Member since: September 2024
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Major: Molecular & Cellular Biology
Hobbies: Lifting, hiking, and going to any lake
Email: hunter.c.smith@vanderbilt.edu
Michael Paa Kwesi Ackon
undergraduate researcher
Lab Member since: September 2024
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Video gaming, working out, playing soccer, and shopping
Email: michael.p.ackon@vanderbilt.edu
Past Members
Kristin Fuller, B.S.
Research Assistant II
Lab Member since: August 2022 - August 2024
Undergraduate: Michigan State University (B.S. in Genomics and Molecular Genetics)
Hobbies: Fishing, trying new restaurants, and going to sporting events
Email: kristin.fuller@vumc.org
Katherine Gu
Undergraduate Researcher
Lab Member since: August 2022 - May 2024
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Major: Biochemistry and Chemical Biology
Hobbies: Centrifugation, lifting heavy things, and loud street wear pants
Email: katherine.gu@vanderbilt.edu
Karry Su, B.A.
Undergraduate Researcher
Lab Member since: January 2022 - May 2023
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Major: Medicine, Health, & Society and Biology
Hobbies: Jeni’s ice cream, traveling, and being a TN native
Email: karry.su@vanderbilt.edu
Cristina Youwakim, B.S.
Research Assistant iI
B.S., Pennsylvania State University
Hobbies: yoga, painting, poorly taking care of house plants, volunteering with the Red Cross, and playing with her dog (Yogi)
Laura Katunas
Undergraduate Researcher
Senior, Vanderbilt University