Lab Members
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Prof. Jody Rosenblatt
Principal Investigator
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Dustin Bagley
Postdoc
I originally hail from Salt Lake City, Utah where I completed my undergraduate work and doctoral training in the Molecular Biology PhD program at the University of Utah, under the supervision of Jerry Kaplan studying membrane trafficking and iron metabolism, in yeast and mammalian systems. I came to Jody’s lab as a postdoc at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2017 via Naples and Milan, where I worked in the groups of Andrea Ballabio and Pier Paolo Di Fiore studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of genetic diseases in the context of autophagy and endocytosis. Currently, in Jody’s group, we are studying the mechanics of asthma focusing on the epithelium and the damage done to it by bronchoconstriction events using tissue culture, precision-cut ex vivo lung slices and mouse models, hoping to implement a novel therapeutic approach to an old problem. email
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John Fadul
Postdoc
I am a native of Manila. I completed my bachelor’s degree at the University of the Philippines, before moving to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City for my PhD in Oncological Sciences. There I worked with Dr. Stephen Lessnick, studying the transcriptional regulation of cell identity in Ewing sarcoma, a pediatric bone-associated cancer. Currently, I investigate how cancer cells exploit basal cell extrusion to invade using various vertebrate systems. We believe that a clearer understanding of the earliest metastatic steps is pivotal to how we diagnose and treat malignancies. Outside the lab I enjoy nature, novels and short fiction, film, and modern art. email
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Faith Fore
PhD candidate
I studied Biochemistry with the University of Zimbabwe, crossed oceans to Indonesia where I earned a master's in Immunology with Universitas Airlangga, and the thirst for knowledge deepened, which resulted in me joining the Rosenblatt lab as a PhD student. I am currently working on the role of extrusion in asthma, where I focus on extrusion of rhinovirus and its contribution to airway smooth muscle remodelling. If you find me vlogging, editing videos, reading a novel, or lost in the beauty of nature, just know that I have some time to spare. email
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Lily Gates
PhD candidate
I first joined the Rosenblatt lab in my third year of my Biochemistry MSci at King's College London. During this time, I researched potential signalling pathways of epithelial cell extrusion. I enjoyed it so much that I continued the project into my fourth year of my Masters, and now I am a PhD student in this lab, focusing more on the role of starvation on extrusion and the maintenance of the epithelial monolayer. When I am not in the lab, I'm playing football, reading or by the sea! email
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Konstantinos Kalyviotis
Postdoc
I am a Molecular Biologist with a PhD in Bioengineering from Imperial College London, specialising in the development of cutting-edge imaging tools to visualise and quantify the intricate processes of life within living cells. My research spans multiple biological scales, and I am currently focused on deciphering the mechanics and signalling pathways of single cells involved in cell extrusion - a fundamental process that drives epithelial cell death, maintaining balance across species, from simple organisms like sea sponges to humans. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and taking long walks in nature. email
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Fatima Lugtu
PhD candidate
I’m a joint PhD student in the Rosenblatt and Elosegui-Artola labs, exploring how the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix influence epithelial tissue morphology. Before starting my PhD, I completed an Integrated Masters in Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield and worked as a research assistant at the University of Cambridge, focusing on stem cell research. My curiosity about mechanobiology led me to pivot and pursue a PhD in this fascinating field that perfectly combines biology and physics. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and eating good food - as a passionate foodie I’m always in search of my next culinary adventure! email
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Saranne Mitchell
Postdoc
Currently, I investigate biomechanical cues that may predict and drive cell extrusion at the individual cell level. Using mathematical programs and a variety of microscopy techniques including wide field, confocal, and quantitative phase I am able to explore mechanical cues in epithelial cell culture. When I am not researching, I enjoy skiing, painting, reading, and a good glass of wine. email
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Tobias Russell
Postdoc
I did my PhD flirting between rheumatology & immunology at the University of Leeds. Where I was investigating how two populations of mesenchymal stem cells were being driven by aberrant immune cell activation to over repair tissue damage at the spinal enthesis, leading to remodelling of the bone and attached ligaments into a diseased state. The idea of tissue remodelling after damage is where I tie in with the Rosenblatt lab, where I will primarily be working on the remodelling of the smooth muscle in the airway which plays a role in bronchoconstriction. Outside of the lab you might find me outside in the wild somewhere or getting injured playing any number of sports. email
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Alexandros Sanchez-Vassopoulos
PhD candidate
Prior to joining the Rosenblatt Lab, I completed my Master’s in Translational Neuroscience at Imperial College, specializing in neuronal regeneration and repair following spinal cord injury. During my time here, I will be investigating how senescent epithelial cells lose their potential to extrude and thus accumulate in epithelial tissue as we age, contributing to tissue dysfunction. By elucidating this process, we can selectively eliminate senescent cells, by restoring their potential to extrude, leading to the restoration of tissue functionality and healthy aging. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, a good movie and quality time with friends and family. email
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Anastassia Tchoumakova
PhD candidate
I joined Rosenblatt lab in my second year of Biochemistry BSc at King's College London. Before I got to know the team and worked on the project alongside Saranne Mitchell, I knew I was very interested in cancer research. But it was only after my summer internship and a part-time job at Rosenblatt's Lab I realized I wanted to pursue my career in this field. I am currently working on epithelial cell extrusion regulation by modulating cell stiffness and writing my dissertation about that. For recharging, I would choose travel, design, football and yoga! email
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Isabel Uwagboe
Postdoc
Past Members
Alexandra Berr, postdoc
Carlos Pardo-Pastor, postdoc
Laura Akintche, MRes student/research assistant
Alice Lefever, MRes student
Katharine Rushbrook, MRes student
Anna Etzenberger, MRes student
Teresa Zulueta-Coarasa, postdoc
Lachlan Beckingham, postdoc
Neshika Wijewardhane, MRes Student
Karolina Sek, undergraduate
Sabrina Bouhafs, undergraduate
Swapna Gudipaty, postdoc/lab manager
Merry Joseph, undergraduate
Nadja Redd, undergraduate
Polly Redd, undergraduate
Franco Jin, undergraduate
Kaitlyn Fox, undergraduate
Danielle Hedeen, PhD student
Crystal Davey, postdoc
Kristina Fox, undergraduate
Conan Kinsey, postdoc
Gloria Slattum, PhD student/postdoc
George Eisenhoffer, postdoc
Yapeng Gu, postdoc
Thomas Marshall, postdoc
Jean-Marie Delalande, postdoc
Daniel Andrade-Sanchez, PhD student
Patrick Loftus, undergraduate
Jael Lindblom, MD fellow