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Tao Bo, received her Masters degree from Nankai University, China. She is working in the Sussman Lab as a research assistant. She focuses on performing surgeries for the whole lab. |
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I joined the Sussman Lab in 2005 as an undergraduate volunteer where I became an integral part of the lab researching various mechanisms underlying heart disease. After graduation I stayed and received a Masters degree studying the proliferative effects of the Pim-1 kinase on cardiac progenitor cells. That research led me to study chromosomal integrity in progenitor cells and cardiomyocytes. Specifically, how Pim-1 influences telomere length and telomerase activity two very important aspects in cellular homeostasis. Currently, I am seeking a Ph.D., which leaves me with very little spare time, if a Ph.D. is the path you seek, beware. |
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Hello! My name is Arwa Kassab. I’m a 4th year majoring in Biology. I joined Dr. Sussman’s lab in the summer of 2016. My goals are to learn more about everything in the lab. |
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I have a background in molecular biology, genetics, cardiology, microRNAs, physiology and blood donor bank from my previous labs in Brazil where I got my Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees.
In 2014, I was selected for a 1-year internship as fellow researcher for the Heart Failure Department Unit of GlaxoSmithKlein located in Philadelphia. During this time, I had the opportunity to experience the industry side of the research and gather more knowledge and experience for my professional life. It was also in 2014 that I crossed paths with Dr. Sussman during the AHA Sessions and after some time he finally hired me, and I received the title of having the longest hiring process in his entire career. Took me 3 years to finally start in the lab after some long VISA process and a broken leg healing. Since 2017 I am a post-doc in Dr. Sussman’s lab involved in unravel the potential of the interstitial cell population to repair the damaged myocardium. Keep tuned for the next chapter in this story. Aside that I believe I am a funny person, prompt to help others and I know that I still have so much to learn. To help me with that, I am surrounded by wonderful colleagues who are helping me to thrive in science and guided (or not) by an outstanding supervisor. |
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I am int’l student from Indonesia, originally pursuing for purely Mechanical Engineering. However, when transferred to SDSU, I was placed as a M.E. with Biomechanical Engineering emphasis major. The first semester in SDSU, I took Dr. Feuer’s class, he made aware of the potential of Stem Cell as the future of medicine/ therapy. It creates a spark of deep interest in biology in me. I volunteered in Dr. Sussman’s lab to learn the techniques and knowledge required to do research in lab. I am grateful to be able to volunteer in the lab since l am learning many things hands-on, at “out of class” setting. In addition, the staffs are very helpful at reinforcing what I had learned in class. My goal is to work at R&D industry hope to find a way to directly connect neural wire to a man made object (non-organic) and sustain it; by learning neuroscience and the research of stem cell. May science fiction come true! |
I joined the Sussman lab at the end of 2014 as a doctoral student with the idea to extend my knowledge in cardiovascular research. My current research projects focus on cardiac progenitor cell function in a senescence-accelerated mouse model, and characterization of potential stem cell population at the atrial-ventricular valve regions. The goal of these studies is to enhance the current understanding of heart and/or valve repair during aging or upon injury. I came to SDSU with a background of biochemical engineering and developmental biology. I received my MSc in biochemical engineering at TU Delft in the Netherlands, where I studied yeast genomics. Inspired by my growing interests in molecular and cell biology, I moved on to pursue an MS in Biological Sciences at Cal State L.A., where I worked in the Nissen lab to study the role of wdr68 in zebrafish craniofacial development and in mouse myoblast myogenesis. |
I started volunteering in the Sussman Lab during the Spring 2011 semester to expand my knowledge of science beyond the classroom. I am a senior studying Biology with minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies. I am fortunate to work under the mentorship of Shabana Din, from whom I have already learned so much. The study includes the effect of Pim on myocardial senescence. Over expression of Pim is believed to antagonize myocardial aging, while genetic deletion of Pim leads to premature myocardial aging. I assist by isolating DNA and RNA, preparing qPCR’s, running western blots, cloning, performing immunohistochemistry, and much more. The lab has a great atmosphere with fun people to work around. My ultimate goal is to apply to medical school and be able to integrate basic science in order to advance clinical therapies.
I joined the Sussman lab in the Spring of 2011. I am a senior in Biology finishing up my pre-requisites for medical school. Over the summer I began working under the mentorship of Dr. Haruhiro Toko, where I was fortunate enough to observe surgeries including myocardial infarctions and retroperfusions. I am able to apply my anatomy and physiology knowledge to the techniques used in this lab such as Western Blots, Confocal Microscopy, Immunohistochemistry and general lab duties. I enjoy the professional and social aspects of the lab because they make for an easy learning environment.
I joined the Sussman lab in Fall of 2010. I am a senior majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology and minoring in Psychology. I began working under the mentorship of postdoctoral fellows Dr. Sadia Mohsin and Dr. Mohsin Khan, where I have been able to contribute to their research projects. These projects include the modification of human cardiac stem cells to express Pim-1 Kinase to augment their potential to repair a failing heart and investigation of the effects of the ß-adrenergic system on CPC proliferation and survival. I am fortunate to be gaining such great experience working in Dr. Sussman’s lab while being able to apply my classroom knowledge. I will be able to apply this knowledge and experience to my future studies in graduate school.
![]() Bevan Johnson, Lucy Ormachea, Kathleen Wallach, and Luis Ornelas |
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My name is Zach Ehrenberg and I am a senior mechanical engineer with an emphasis in bioengineering. I am working in Dr. Sussman’s laboratory to gain a deeper understanding of the cardiovascular system while learning research techniques in a world leading cardiac research laboratory. Currently, I am assisting my mentor Megan in her ‘Cardiocluster’ project and learning other cool science and engineering things from the amazing graduate or post-doc students here. Overall, Dr. Sussman’s laboratory has revealed to me how fun research can be and how to tackle difficult biological problems. |
My name is Natalie Gude. I function as research faculty in the Sussman lab at SDSU, and help to coordinate lab operations. My current research involves revealing c-Kit biology using transgenic reporter models. I am also beginning to explore beneficial and detrimental aspects of cannabinoid signaling in the heart and lung. The Sussman lab offers a dynamic, collaborative learning environment that provides great opportunities for students and trainees at all levels to progress as research biologists. |
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