Center for Clinical and Translational Science

On July 1, 2016, seven new Clinical Scholars joined the Rockefeller University Clinical Scholars Program.  They are: Drs. Chibuzo Enemchukwu, Jason Hawkes, Moonjung Jung, Youngmin Lee, Kathrine Meyers, Till Schoofs, and Norihiro Yamaguchi. Additionally, with support from the CCTS, Jose Angel Gonzalez joined the Krueger Laboratory and Oladapo Adaramola joined the Coller Laboratory as this year’s medical student trainees in Clinical and Translational Science. Below are brief biographies and research interests of the new Scholars and medical students. Please join us in welcoming them.

Jason E. Hawkes, M.D.
Krueger Laboratory

Research Interest
The study of chronic inflammatory skin and hair diseases, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata, focusing on the complex interaction among the immune response, microbiome, and inflammatory signaling pathways, and the specific molecular mechanisms driving the development of skin and hair disorders.

Chibuzo Enemchukwu, M.D.
Rice Laboratory

Research Interest
The areas of HIV prevention, treatment, and outcomes particularly in underserved communities focusing on improving uptake and access of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in LGBT communities of color, as well as on characterizing the genetic determinants associated with serious adverse events to the yellow fever 17D vaccine. Using biological specimens from affected individuals to establish a correlation between the identified mutations and the biological and clinical outcomes.

Moonjung Jung, M.D.
Smogorzewska Laboratory

Research Interest
The study of the role of DNA damage repair pathway in bone marrow failure syndromes and leukemogenesis, focusing on identifying disease modifying mutations from patients with Fanconi anemia, identifying novel mutations in patients with Fanconi anemia-like phenotypes without identifiable mutations in known FANC genes, and identifying biomarkers in Fanconi anemia patients who develop malignancies.

Youngmin Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Tuschl Laboratory

Research Interest
The study of chronic liver disease and liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, which is the liver’s common scarring response independent of the underlying etiology, focusing on the development a non-invasive score estimating fibrogenic activity and likelihood for disease progression. Analysis of patient serum for miRNA profiles and markers of liver injury, as well as complementary modalities such as liver stiffness measurements and ultrasound.

Kathrine Meyers, Dr.Ph.
Ho Laboratory

Research Interest
The study of multi-level processes and factors associated with the successful implementation of evidence-based interventions in specific clinical and public health settings. The focus will be on the development of approaches to ensure that emergent knowledge (for example, about novel HIV prevention modalities) is available to clinicians and other public health workers and to potential beneficiaries so that they can prepare for the rapid and sustained adoption of new biomedical interventions in their clinics and public health systems to maximize their health benefits as quickly as possible. Conducting research to identify structural, behavioral, and social factors that may inform optimal delivery of long-acting injectable formulations for HIV prevention by gathering data from patients participating in a Phase 3 trial.

Till Schoofs, M.D.
Nussenzweig Laboratory

Research Interest
The study of immune responses to viruses, specifically characterizing potential clinical uses of broadly neutralizing antibodies in HIV-1 infection.

Norihiro Yamaguchi, M.D.
Tavazoie Laboratory

Research Interest
The study of how cancer cells metastasize to distant organ, with a focus on unique dysregulated genes found from metastatic foci, to locate a linchpin in their downstream networks.

Oladapo Adaramola -  Year Off Medical Student
Coller Laboratory

Research Project
Integrin αvβ3 is widely expressed on many tissues and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many disorders like sickle cell disease. The objective of this study is to establish the efficacy of αVβ3 antagonists in Berkley sickle cell mice after oral administration and to compare the lab values of the hemoglobin concentration and spleen size among other factors.

Jose Angel Gonzalez - Year Off Medical Student
Kreuger Laboratory

Research Project
Genetic profiling of psoriatic arthritis in efforts to better understand the pathogenesis of disease.