Lisa is a B cell biologist with research interests in hematopoiesis, V(D)J rearrangement, and cancer. Her work spans basic aspects of lymphocyte development in the mouse model and translational work on cancers of B lineage origin in man. She combines expertise in molecular and cellular biology to characterize the transcription factors that guide the specification of uncommitted hematopoietic progenitors to the B lymphocyte lineage and how this transcriptional cascade is perturbed in disease states.

Qi comes to us from Tongji Medical College, China. Qi is a skilled molecular biologist who is studying the mechanisms that regulate the functional integrity of stem cells. Her first-authored paper was published in the November 2008 issue of JI, and featured prominently in oral presentations at both Keystone and AAI meetings in 2009. And, oh yes, she's about to have a baby - our first lab baby!!!

Patti, a native of the Philippines (yes, Pgh is on the chilly side), is interested in the control of cell cycle regulation. Excessive cell cycling or loss of stem cell quiescence is linked to impaired self-renewal of HSCs, malignant transformation, and even hematopoietic failure. Patti is studying the role of the transcription factor E47 in the regulation of HSC proliferation, and the specific target genes through which E47 acts in vivo.

Lela has a long-standing interest in the B cell cancer chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in part because of the high incidence of CLL in her home country of Georgia. Here, Lela's work focused on the transcription factor E2A/E47 as an essential target gene in survival and proliferation of primary human CLL cells. Currently at the NIH under Tony Fauci's umbrella, Lela focuses on B cell activities in HIV patients.

Kristy's interest in cancer biology led her to examine the biological consequences of V(D)J rearrangements in NK cell precursors to mature NK cell activity in normal and disease circumstances. Her first-authored paper was published in JI. Kristy is now doing quite well in her studies at Lake Erie College of Medicine and is tackling her first clinical rotations. She looks forward (?) to Step II of the boards.

Jen's work on V(D)J recombination in B cells earned her co-authorship on our J Exp Med paper. Now in her last year of med school at Penn State, Jen is preparing for residency. Second most recent update from her: "I'm rather disappointed with the lack of cool immunologic disorders and the overwhelming amount of runny noses and coughs." Most recent update: "I had my meeting this week with one of the deans to go through all of my records...It's amazing the things the school knows about me."

Tony's experience as a two time Science Olympic participant and plant pollination biologist - humorously self-described as a glorified bee - says it all. While in the lab, Tony got a student scholarship for his senior year and co-authorship on 2008 JI paper. Tony has officially joined Bob Hendrick's lab for his thesis work, an experience he finds far more predictable than the nuances of home ownership. Congrats to Tony and Kerry on their recent nuptials!

Mike worked with us throughout his junior and senior years at Pitt, defining the expression of the transcription factor E47 in B cells from normal and diseased patients. Following a year of postgraduate research, Mike jumped into grad school where his thesis project in Scott Waldman's lab focuses on adenoviral based cancer vaccine targeting.

Yanille's summer project focused on the molecular regulation of transcription factors that are important for B cell development. After graduating from Benedict College and then working in pharma for a bit, we have successfully lured her back to Pitt. Yanille has just started her first year in the PhD program in Infectious Disease and Microbiology.

In her summer project, Shakira showed that the transcription factor E47 is required to initiate V(D)J recombination in B cells. Following a stint on flu vaccine work with the US Dept of Health & Human Services, Shakira is excelling in the PhD program in Pathobiology at Penn State. Most recent update: "Campus life is not as weird as I thought it would be."

Using his experience in the chemistry department as a springboard, Jason applied his research skills to a biological problem. His work focused on characterizing a specific gene pathway that regulates hematopoietic stem cell function and longevity. Having several AP credits under his belt positioned Jason well for early graduation.

While in the lab, Elizabeth studied one molecular mechanism underlying chromosomal translocation. Her worked led to key figures in Kristy's 2008 JI paper. Elizabeth was working with the Allegheny County Health Department last we knew.

Preslav, known to many as the mysterious Bulgarian, joined the lab before there even was a lab. While helping to build the lab and seed lab philosophy, Preslav performed construction on his dream - establishing Machine Age recording studio.