Current DSTP Trainees

Entered dual-degree program: June 2018

Biography: Charles received his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Hawaii. Charles chose Dr. Andrew Jakymiw as his Ph.D. mentor and is working on optimizing delivery of therapeutics via cell penetrating peptides to treat oral cancer. Toward this end the first part of his project is to optimize a unique peptide (599), developed by the lab, to both bind to and effectively chaperone/transport siRNA or miRNA into cells for treatment of oral cancer by targeting the oncoprotein CIP2A. He has generated eight 599 peptide variants and tested them for binding, protection, and release of siRNA via gel shift assays, delivery into cells via Fluorescence microscopy, and effectiveness at altering CIP2A expression by qPCR and western blot analysis. This comparative assessment has led to further development of 599 and its variants and a patent application by Charles and his mentor.

Charles enjoys most things outdoors especially hiking, gardening, and woodworking. He also enjoys cooking and spending time with his family and four dogs (2 labradors and 2 pugs). Though he enjoys living in beautiful coastal South Carolina, and previously Hawaii, he misses the winters of Pennsylvania.

Dissertation advisor: Dr. Andrew Jakymiw

Peer-reviewed publications: Holjencin C., Feinberg C, Hedrick T, Halsey G, Williams RD, Patel P, Biles, E, Cummings JC, Wagner C, Vyavahare N, and Jakymiw A Advancing peptide siRNA carrier designs through stereochemistry and D-Amino acids modifications to enhance gene silencing Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids (in review).

Entered dual-degree program: June 2020

Biography: Christina graduated cum laude receiving her BS double majoring in Biology in Sociology from Loyola University Maryland. During her undergraduate training she was inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society as well as Tri Beta Biology Honor Society, in which she served as president. She was also very active on campus as a Social Impact Fellow and advocate at an organization called Healthcare for the Homeless. She conducted undergraduate research investigating the influence of black tea on macrophage activity and was a Hauber Research Fellow at Loyola. After graduation, she took a gap year where she focused on clinical research in the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland Medical School.

Christina is a big foodie, so she is always up for trying new places to eat and finding recipes to try online. She also is an avid NFL fan, and is always up for throwing the ball around in the park or on the beach. She also likes to play the piano and enjoys scrapbooking in her free time.

Entered the dual-degree program: June 2019

Biography: Dustin graduated with a BS in Biotechnology from North Dakota State and then an MS in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University-AZ. After completing his rotations, Dustin decided to join Dr. Hai Yao's research lab. The Yao lab is a multidisciplinary, highly collaborative environment, which is what attracted Dustin to join the lab with a focus on the TMJ. He has worked on various projects, including joint metabolite diffusion assessment, TMJ computational modeling and finite element modeling, dental bone graft materials, patient CBCT morphometric analysis, and his primary project—the long-term cryopreservation of the TMJ articular disc. Currently, Dustin’s project centers on the long-term cryopreservation of the TMJ disc utilizing vitrification. His research aims to achieve long-term preservation that maintains high cell viability and minimizes changes in the structure and mechanical function of the tissue. He employs microCT, metabolic activity assessments, mechanical evaluations, microscopy, computational modeling, gene expression, and more. His efforts have led to patent applications and a successful F30 grant application.

Dustin is married and has two children. His wife is a dentist in the greater Charleston area and constantly helps him navigate dental issues. He spends most of his free time with his family, taking trips, playing with Legos, or challenging his children in Mario Kart.

Dissertation advisor: Dr. Hai Yao

Peer-reviewed publications: Wang S, Mueller D, Chen P, Pan G, Wilson M, Sun S, Chen Z, Lee T, Damon B, Hepfer RG, Hill C, Kern MJ, Pullen WM, Wu Y, Brockbank KGM, Yao H. Viable Vitreous Grafts of Whole Porcine Menisci for Transplant in the Knee and Temporomandibular Joints. Adv Healthc Mater. 2024 Sep;13(22):e2303706. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202303706. Epub 2024 Apr 2. PMID: 38523366; PMCID: PMC11368656.

Entered the dual-degree program: June 2023

Biography: Ashlyn Soule is a dual-degree D.M.D./Ph.D. candidate at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she is supported by an NIH/NIDCR T32 Institutional Training Grant. She began the program in June 2023 and is conducting her dissertation research under the mentorship of Dr. Caroline Westwater. Her research investigates how tetracycline antibiotics affect the gut microbiota, bile acid signaling, and adolescent bone turnover, integrating microbiome analytics and molecular biology to tackle critical questions at the intersection of host-microbe interactions and skeletal development.

Ashlyn graduated summa cum laude from Clemson University in December 2022 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Microbiology. During her time at Clemson, she participated in multiple research projects, including studies on the oral microbiome in the Richards Laboratory and health-focused innovations in the Dean Laboratory. Her work has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications centered on oral streptococci and the supragingival mycobiome in pediatric populations with HIV exposure.

In addition to her academic and research achievements, Ashlyn has held various leadership roles, including serving as a Young Ambassador to the American Society for Microbiology and as Secretary of the American Dental Education Association at MUSC. She has also worked as a peer-assisted learning leader, student biologist, and dental intern, establishing a strong foundation in both the scientific and clinical aspects of oral health.

Ashlyn's long-term goal is to become a clinician-scientist, contributing to translational research that advances oral and systemic health. Her interdisciplinary training and commitment to service reflect her dedication to improving patient outcomes through science, education, and leadership.

Dissertation advisor: Dr. Caroline Westwater

Peer-reviewed publications:

•           O'Connell LM, Blouin T, Soule A, Burne RA, Nascimento MM, Richards VP. (2022). Optimization and Evaluation of the 30S-S11 rRNA Gene for Taxonomic Profiling of Oral Streptococci. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 88(13):e0045322.

•           O'Connell LM, Mann AE, Osagie E, Akhigbe P, Blouin T, Soule A, Obuekwe O, Omoigberale A, Burne RA, Coker MO, Richards VP. (2023). Supragingival mycobiome of HIV-exposed-but-uninfected children reflects a stronger correlation with caries-free-associated taxa compared to HIV-infected or uninfected children. Microbiology Spectrum, 11(6):e0149123.

•           Mann AE, Aumend C, Crull S, O'Connell LM, Osagie E, Akhigbe P, Obuekwe O, Omoigberale A, Rowe M, Blouin T, Soule A, Kelly C, Burne RA, Coker MO, Richards VP. (2024). HIV Infection and Exposure Increases Cariogenic Taxa, Reduces Taxonomic Turnover, and Homogenizes Spatial Differentiation for the Supragingival Microbiome. Research Square [Preprint], rs.3.rs-4720457.