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Past Trainees: Pre-Doctoral

(starting from 1993, with a few selected earlier trainees)

Elizabeth Barnes

Appointment Period: 1997-2002, Grant Years: [13,14,15,16,17]
(Minority Supplement Slot)
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: Interaction between cyclin B1/CRS domain and the tumor suppressor Ptc1.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, University of Washington, Seattle

Sara Birtalan

Appointment Period: 2001-2003, Grant Years: [17,18]
Advisor during training: Dr. Partho Ghosh
Research project: Interactions of YopE with the Rho GTPase family.
Current position/institution: Scientist, Genentech, San Francisco, CA

Simon Brown

Appointment Period: 2006-2008, Grant Years: [22,23]
Advisor during training: Dr. Susan Taylor
Research project: Investigations of CAMP-Dependant Protein Kinase A (PKA) Inhibition by Beta Type Regulatory Subunit Up-Regulation in Breast Cancer
Current position/institution: Research Fellow, University of Wollongogn, Australia

Peter Carmichael

Appointment Period: 1998-1999, Grant Year: [14]
Advisor during training: Dr. Susan Taylor
Research project: Using FRET to visualize the anchoring of PKA in vivo.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, University of Texas, Austin, TX

Mira Chaurushiya

Appointment Period: 2007-2010, Grant Years: [23,24,25]
Advisor during training: Dr. Matt Weitzman
Research project: Determining the Cellular Targets of ICP0 by Tandem Affinity Purification and Mass Spectrometry Identification of ICP0 Interacting Proteins.
Current position/institution: Senior Associate, 5AM Ventures

Annie Chou

Appointment Period: 2015-2016, Grant Year: [29, 30, 31]
Advisor during training: Anthony R. (Tony) Hunter
Research project: Regulatory effects of TDP2 in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
Current position/institution: In training at UC San Diego

Jeremy Copp

Appointment Period: 2001-2003, Grant Years: [17,18]
Advisor during training: Dr. Peter van der Geer
Research project: The role of Shc in growth factor receptor signaling.
Current position/institution: R&D Director, Theragene Pharm.

James Covalt

Appointment Period: 1998-2001, Grant Years: [13,14,15,16]
Advisor during Training: Dr. Patricia Jennings
Research project: Folding of an all beta-sheet protein, IL-1beta.
Current position/institution: Professor, San Diego City College, San Diego, CA

Florence Davidson

Appointment Period: 1985-1989, Grant Years: [01,02,03,04]
Advisor during training: Dr. Ed Dennis
Research project: Structure, evolution and regulation of venom and mammalian secreted PLA2's.
Current position/institution: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Center for Cancer Research, NIH/NCI

Michele Day

Appointment Period: 2004-2007, Grant Years: [20,21,22]
Advisor during training: Dr. Susan Taylor
Research project: Deciphering the Role of RIalpha as a Tumor Suppressor.
Current position/institution: Program Manager, UC San Diego, CA

Ryan Dellinger

Appointment Period: 1997-2001, Grant Years: [13,14,15,16]
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: Speedy: a novel cell cycle regulator of the G2/M transition.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Penn State Cancer Institute, PA

Ravi Dinakar

Appointment Period: 2004-2008, Grant Years: [20,21,22,23]
Advisor during training: Dr. Xiang-Dong Fu
Research project: Role of Translocated Liposarcoma in Gene Expression and Oncogenesis.
Current position/institution: Editor-in-Chief, J Experimental Secondary Science

Kristy Drafahl

Appointment Period: 2006-2009, Grant Years: [22,23,24]
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: FGFR Kinase Activity Leads to Decreased NFkB Activity in Prostate Cancer.
Current position/institution: Research Scientist, Molecular MD

Devin Drew

Appointment Period: 1999-2001, Grant Years: [15,16]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Structural studies of the I kappa B Kinase complex.
Current position/institution: Computer Analyst

Jason Feinberg

Appointment Period: 2003-2004, Grant Year: [19]
Advisor during training: Dr. Simpson Joseph
Research project: Ribosomal Translocation as a Regulatory Point in Translational Control.
Current position/institution: Owner, JSF Consulting

John Finke

Appointment Period: 1998-2000, Grant Years: [13,14,15]
Advisor during training: Dr. Patricia Jennings
Research project: Models of protein folding and aggregation.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at University of Washington, Tacoma

Robert Freeman

Appointment Period: 1987-1991, Grant Years: [02,03,04,05,06]
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: Protein kinases and proto-oncogenes: biochemical regulators of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
Current position/institution: Professor, University of Rochester, NY
Dr. Freeman's faculty website.

Daved Fremont

Appointment Period: 1992-1993, Grant Years: [07,08]
Advisor during training: Dr. Nguyen-Huu and Dr. Ed Dennis
Research project: Crystal structure of phospholipase A2.
Current position/institution: Associate Professor, Washington University School of Medicine, Dept. Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Dr. Fremont's faculty website

Amanda Fusco

Appointment Period: 2006-2007, Grant Years: [22]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: The Role of RelB in the Regulation of PlOO Processing and DNA Binding by p52 in Cancer.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor, Mesa College

Randy Gastwirt

Appointment Period: 2003-2007, Grant Years: [19,20,21,22]
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: Spy1 Regulation of the Cell Cycle, Checkpoint Activation and Apoptosis.
Current position/institution: Naturopathic Physician

Albert Griffin

Appointment Period: 1994-1997, Grant Years: [10,11,12]
Advisor during training: Dr. Roger Tsien
Research project: Helix forming peptides as spacers and receptors for fluorescent proteins.
Current position/institution: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Justin Hammons

Appointment Period: 2011-2013, Grant Years: [27,28] (Minority Supplement Slot)
Advisor during training: Dr. Michael Burkart
Research project: Isolation, Modification, and Synthesis of Anticancer Polyketide Natural Products in Discovery of New Anticancer Therapeutics.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Scripps Institute of Oceanography

Mark Hannink

Appointment Period: 1986-1987, Grant Years: [02]
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: Functions of the v-sis and the mos oncogene family and associated genes.
Current position/institution: Professor, University of Missouri at Columbia, MO
Dr. Hannink's Faculty website.

Keely Heidtman

Appointment Period: 2005-2006, Grant Year: [21]
Advisor during training: Dr. Daniel Donoghue
Research project: Association of Hedgehog and Patched in Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Current position/institution: Research Assistant, Harvard SPH, Boston

Jessica Ho

Appointment Period: 2007-2010, Grant Years: [23,24,25]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Mechanism of Ubiquitin-Independent Protein Degradation by the Proteasome.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, The University of California San Diego, CA

Tom Huxford

Appointment Period: 1996-1998, Grant Years: [12,13]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: X-ray studies of IkBa and IkB/NFkB complexes.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor, San Diego State University
Dr. Huxford's faculty website.

Matt Jaremko

Appointment Period: 2015-2017, Grant Years: [29,30]
Advisor during training: Dr. Michael Burkart
Research project: Revealing new first-in-class molecules for the treatment of leukemia
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Cold Spring Harbor

Daniel Johnson

Appointment Period: 2016-2018, Grant Years: [30, 31]
Advisor during training: Dong Er Zhang
Research project: Characterization of CSF2 receptor in t(8;21) leukemia
Current position/institution: In training at UC San Diego

Brian Jones

Appointment Period: 2007-2009, Grant Years: [23,24]
Advisor during training: Dr. Michael Burkart
Research project: Investigations of polyketides FD-895 and spirohexenolide as anti-tumor agents.
Current position/institution: Scientist, PharmAgra Labs

Zoya Kai

Appointment Period: 2010-2011, Grant Years: [26]
Advisor during training: Dr. Amy Pasquinelli
Research project: Multi-layered regulation of let-7 miRNA biogenesis determines cellular proliferation versus differentiation.
Current position/institution: Faculty Lecturer, San Marcos State University

Mark Kamps

Appointment Period: 1985-1987, Grant Years: [01,02]
Advisor during training: Dr. Bart Sefton
Research project: The role of tyrosine protein phosphorylation in the proliferation of cells.
Current position/institution: Professor, University of California San Diego, CA

Elaine Kao (Heatherington)

Appointment Period: 2010-2013, Grant Years: [26,27,28]
Advisor during training: Dr. Michael David
Research project: Codon Usage-based Inhibition of HIV Protein Synthesis by Human Schlafen 11.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Sanford Burnham Prebys Discovery Institute

Choel Kim

Appointment Period: 1999-2002, Grant Years: [15,16,17]
Advisor during training: Dr. Xuong Nguyen-Huu
Research project: Structure of Anthranilate Phosphoribosyltransferase from the enterobacterium Erwinia Carotovora.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, The University of California San Diego, CA, American Cancer Society Fellowship recipient

Candice Klingbeil

Appointment Period: 1993-1996, Grant Years: [08,09,10,11]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gordon Gill
Research project: Mechanism of transmembrane signal transduction.

Nicole Kruse

Appointment Period: 2003-2005, Grant Years: [19,20]
Advisors during training: Dr. Alexandra Newton and Dr. Pat Jennings
Research project: Conformational Changes in the Carboxyl Tail of Protein Kinase C and Interaction with Pin1.
Current position/institution: Scientist, Bruker Scientific

Jason Liang

Appointment Period: 2011-2013, Grant Years: [27,28]
Advisor during training: Dr. Huilin Zhou
Research project: Bridging the Double-Strand Break Process.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Genentech

Randy Lukasiewicz

Appointment Period: 2004-2006, Grant Years: [20,21]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Conserved Substrate Recognition Among SR Protein Kinases in Cancer.
Current position/institution: Product Manager, Thermo Fisher

Jeffrey Mandell

Appointment Period: 1997-1999, Grant Years: [12,13,14]
Advisor during training: Dr. Elizabeth Komives
Research project: Mapping protein-protein interactions through experiment and theory.
Current position/institution: Scientist, Ionian Technologies, San Diego, CA

Andrew Markley

Appointment Period: 2010-2011, Grant Years: [26]
Advisor during training: Dr. Jack Dixon
Research project: Use of site directed mutagenesis for detection of anti-cancer/anti-microbial activity in natural product biosynthetic gene clusters.
Current position/institution: Chief Science Officer, MRC Technologies

Erika Mathes

Appointment Period: 2007-2008, Grant Years: [23]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Mechanism of NF-Kappa-B Regulation by I-Kappa-B.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Chris McAndrew

Appointment Period: 2009-2010, Grant Years: [25]
Advisor during training: Dr. Dan Donoghue
Research project: Interaction of Spy1 with p27 and CDK2 in Cell Cycle Progression.
Current position/institution: Associate at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati

Emily Mevers

Appointment Period: Appointment Period: 2011-2014, Grant Years: [27,28, 28NCE]
Advisor during training: Dr. Bill Gerwick
Research project: Solid Tumor Anticancer Drug Discovery from Tropical Marine Cyanobacteria.
Current position/institution: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Brandon Morinaka

Appointment Period: 2009-2011, Grant Years: [25,26]
Advisor during training: Dr. Ted Molinski
Research project: Inhibitors of cdc25 Protein Phosphatase: Identification of Anticancer Lead Compounds from "Cryptic" Marine Sponges.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor, National University (Singapore)

Christine Mullen

Appointment Period: 1996-1998, Grant Years: [12,13]
Advisor during training: Dr. Patricia Jennings
Research project: Investigation of the mechanism of quaternary structure formation of glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase.
Current position/institution: Director, University of San Diego's McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Anil Narasimha

Appointment Period: 2011-2013, Grant Years: [27,28]
Advisor during training: Dr. Steve Dowdy
Research project: Regulation of G1 Cell Cycle Progression.
Current position/institution: Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA

Jacky Ngo

Appointment Period: 2003-2006, Grant Years: [19,20,21]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Investigations of SR Protein Kinase1 Interaction with ASF/SF2 in the Treatment of Leukemia.
Current position/institution: Associate Professor, Chinese University (Hong Kong)

Thien Nguyen

Appointment Period: 2015-2016, Grant Years: [29]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Regulation of gene expression by NF-kB RelA

Benjamin O'Connor

Appointment Period: 2008-2010, Grant Years: [24,25]
Advisor during training: Dr. Jean Wang
Research project: Regulation of Alternative Splicing by c-Abl.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, The University of California San Diego, CA

Chris Phelps

Appointment Period: 2000-2001, Grant Year: [16]
Advisor during Training: Dr. Gouri Ghosh
Research project: Regulation of NF-kB mediated transcription.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Harvard

Steven Phelps

Appointment Period: 2002-2003, Grant Year: [18]
Advisor during training: Dr. Simpson Joseph
Research project: The role of ribosomal A site binding and mRNA translocation in gene expression and cell growth.
Current position/institution: Staff Scientist, Illumina

Rebecca Phillips (Dubois)

Appointment Period: 2001-2004, Grant Years: [17,18,19]
Advisor during training: Dr. Partho Ghosh
Research project: Pseudomonas toxins as cytotoxic agents.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor, UC Santa Cruz

Taha Rakhshandehroo

Appointment Period: 2015-2017, Grant Years: [29, 30, 31]
Advisor during training: Dr. David Cheresh
Research project: Manipulating αvβ3 expression to suppress tumor stemness
Current position/institution: In training at UC San Diego

Andrew Rudd

Appointment Period: 2017-2018, Grant Year: [32]
Advisor during training: Dr. Neal Devaraj
Research project: In Situ Synthesis of Ceramides as a Cancer Therapeutic
Current position/institution: Currently in training in the Devaraj Lab.

Sharmin Schauble

Appointment Period: 2002-2004, Grant Years: [18,19]
Advisor during training: Dr. Susan Taylor
Research project: Novel Mitochondrial Substrates of PKA and Their Role in Apoptosis.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor, Doane University

Elizabeth Lea Scheppke Smoot

Appointment Period: 2010-2011, Grant Years: [26]
Advisor during training: Dr. David Cheresh
Research project: The role of Notch signaling in tumor angiogenesis and blood vessel maturation.
Current position/institution: Communications Director, Lowy Medical Institute

Jon Steichen

Appointment Period: 2011-2012, Grant Years: [27]
Advisor during training: Dr. Susan Taylor
Research project: Structural and Biochemical Effects of Phosphorylation of Protein Kinase A (PKA).
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Scripps Institute

Derek Toomre

Appointment Period: 1995-1997, Grant Years: [11,12]
Advisor during training: Dr. Ajit Varki
Research project: Structural and functional analysis of oligsaccharides with a novel and versatile fluorescent tag.
Current position/institution: Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Assistant Member, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Professor, Yale University
Dr. Toomre's faculty website.

Kirsten Vroom (Limmer)

Appointment Period: 2004-2007, Grant Years: [20,21,22]
Advisor during training: Dr. Michael David
Research project: Transcriptional Regulation of Schlafen (slfn) Proteins by Interferons in Malignant Transformation.
Current position/institution: Clinical Fellow, MA General Hospital

Philip Wedegaertner

Appointment Period: 1987-1991, Grant Years: [02,03,04,05,06]
Advisor during training: Dr. Gordon Gill
Research project: Tyrosine kinase activity in the epidermal growth factor receptor.
Current position/institution: Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kimmel Cancer Center (NCI-designated), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Wedegaertner's faculty website.

Chris White

Appointment Period: 1994-1996, Grant Years: [10,11]
Advisor during training: Dr. Elizabeth Komives
Research project: Expression and characterization of small fragments of thrombomodulin.
Current position/institution: President, White Labs, San Diego, CA

Kevin Wilhelmsen

Appointment Period: 1998-2002, Grant Years: [14,15,16,17]
Advisor during training: Dr. Peter Vandergeer
Research project: CSF-1 receptor regulation.
Current position/institution: Postdoc, Netherlands Cancer Institute

Lilly Wong

Appointment Period: 2002-2004, Grant Years: [18,19]
Advisor during training: Dr. Patricia Jennings
Research project: Activation of C-Terminal Src Kinase (Csk) Induced by Conformational Changes.
Current position/institution: Senior Scientist, Celgene, San Diego