Carolina Esquer

Hi! My name is Carolina, I am a Research Associate in Dr. Sussman’s lab. I am currently working on a murine vaping study using a SCIREQ exposure system. I am interested in learning about the damage vaping has on the cardiopulmonary system and how it could affect our community here at SDSU. I also perform primary cell isolations and micro surgeries for the ongoing studies in the lab. It’s an exciting time to be in science and I’m grateful for the mentorship and the experiences I’ve had here in the Sussman laboratory lab with their ongoing projects. It’s an exciting time to be in science and I look forward to being part of Dr. Sussman’s team.
Fareheh Firouzi

My name is Fareheh Firouzi. I am a PhD student in Cell and Molecular Biology at SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program. In 2015, I joined Dr. Sussman’s laboratory at the SDSU Heart Institute, studying cardiac regeneration and repair. As a member of Sussman lab I have had the great opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge as a scientist. Working in Dr. Sussman’s lab with interesting projects and wonderful people has been the greatest experience of my academic endeavor. 
Oscar Echeagaray

My name is Oscar Echeagaray. I am a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Dr. Sussman laboratory. Before being a doctoral student, I joined the Sussman lab as a volunteer and I found cardiac research captivating. However, my research opportunities have been diverse and include contributions in cancer immunotherapy, innate immunity and most recently the cardiopulmonary effects of vaping at a single cell resolution. My dissertation is centered on the effects of aging on cardiac cell identity and heterogeneity both in vivo and after culture adaptation in human and murine models. I regularly generate bulk and single cell RNA libraries for the ongoing projects in the lab and I lead the bioinformatic analysis efforts in the Sussman lab. Our group is very collaborative, and I enjoy working with my lab mates. As I get closer to complete my doctoral degree, I am thankful for Dr. Sussman’s mentorship and feel privileged by the continuous interactions I have with brilliant current and former lab mates, students, staff and mentors.
Grant Shain
Hi! My name is Abraham Grant Shain (I go by Grant). I am a first year CMB Masters student, and completed my undergraduate here at SDSU with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Dr. Sussman’s lab has been and continues to be an incredible facility for me to develop my scientific skill set . I am currently investigating the effects of vaping on the lung via pentachrome and immuno-staining, with a specific project soon to come. Lastly, I am thankful to have such intelligent and helpful labmates. 
Clarissa Savko
My name is Clarissa Savko and I am a first year Master’s student in Cellular and Molecular Biology here at SDSU. I graduated from SDSU with my Bachelor’s degree in Biology in May of 2020. As a first generation college student, I am honored to continue pursuing my education in graduate school despite it being such foreign territory to me. I was inspired to go on this journey by my time spent as an undergraduate volunteer in Dr. Sussman’s lab where I learned valuable scientific skills and lessons from some of the best mentors out there. I look forward to the opportunity to apply all that I’ve learned to my own research project studying damage to the cardiopulmonary system resulting from chronic exposure to e-cigarette vapor. 
Natalie Gude

Natalie Gude

 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.