Genetics
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Contacts
AMSAxGenetics Research Liaison: Ayesha Ahmad
Genetics Faculty Contact: Michael Markey, PhD.
Research Opportunities
Summer Genetics Scholars Program - American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Foundation
Six week summer program
Applications open on January 23rd, 2023
Wright State University - Center for Genomics Research (CGR)
Dr. Michael Markey - Director of the Center for Genomics Research
Dr. Markey conducts research in genomics across neuroscience, toxicology, and molecular biology. His current projects include studies on the genetics of motion sickness, the body's response to physical training, epigenetic RNA modifications, alternative splicing in melanoma, and single-cell gene expression in neurons
Departmental Research Resources
Dr. John Paietta
Current research:
Using a molecular genetic approach to study the sulfur regulatory system of a filamentous fungus
Studying regulatory interactions and organization of the eukaryotic multigene network
Dr. Kwang-Jin Cho
Current research:
Molecular mechanisms of K-Ras interaction with the plasma membrane, and discovery of compounds and proteins that regulate K-Ras plasma membrane interaction
May be helpful in future anti-cancer therapies
Dr. Michael Craig
Current research:
Analysis of microRNA expression changes in response to exercise in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, during aging, and associated with muscle inflammation in end-stage osteoarthritis
Office of Naval Research MURI Initiative with the University of Alabama, Birmingham and the Salk Institute aimed at identifying the epigenetic mechanisms underlying athletic performance changes occurring in response to moderate and high-intensity exercise
Dr. Madhavi Kadakia
Current research:
Signaling pathways regulated by p63 and its role in cancer
Dr. Michael Leffak
Current research:
The study of proteins and DNA sequences that control DNA replication in eukaryotic cells and the relationship of replication to human disease.
Causes and consequences of break induced replication at microsatellite DNAs
Dr. Weiwen Long - Associate Professor; Associate Chair, BMB
Current research:
ERK3 signaling in cancer progression and metastasis
FBXL16 as an oncogenic F-Box protein in human cancers
Dr. Long's research focuses on growth factor and steroid receptor/coactivator signaling in cancer progression and metastasis. His lab investigates ERK3, an atypical MAP kinase that promotes lung cancer invasiveness by phosphorylating SRC-3. ERK3 is upregulated in lung and breast cancers, suggesting a role in metastasis, and current studies aim to elucidate its signaling pathway, role in tumor progression using mouse models, and interaction with SRC-3 in anti-hormone resistance. Additionally, the lab explores FBXL16, an oncogenic F-Box protein that stabilizes key oncoproteins by antagonizing SCF E3 ligases, to understand its role in non-small cell lung and breast cancer progression.
Dr. Oleg Paliy - Associate Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology - Research Lab Website
Current research:
Role of gut microbes in human health and GI diseases
Gut microbiota as a modulator of diet and nutrition
Host-microbial interactions of pathogenic and commensal enterobacteria
Metabolic interactions in complex microbial communities
Dr. Paliy's research focuses on the critical role of gut microbes in human health, with particular emphasis on their involvement in gastrointestinal diseases such as IBS, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Dr. Paliy is particularly interested in understanding how the human gut microbiota mediates the effects of diet on both human physiology and the immune system. A key aspect of this work involves studying how gut microbial communities degrade dietary nutrients and how these processes influence overall health. Additionally, Dr. Paliy employs network analysis to examine microbiota composition, functional capacity, and metabolite transformations to gain a deeper understanding of their roles in maintaining health and contributing to disease.
Dr. Hongmei Ren - Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Current research:
Lipid metabolism and its association with autophagic clearance of mitochondria and homeostasis
Lipid metabolism’s effects on cardiac and skeletal muscle function
Dr. Ren's research focuses on lipid metabolism, mitophagy, and muscle function, with an emphasis on therapeutic targets for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Her lab discovered that increasing lipin1 expression prevents muscle damage, reduces degeneration and fibrosis, improves cardiac and skeletal function, and extends survival in mdx:lipin1Tg mice. Currently, they are exploring gene delivery to evaluate lipin1 as a potential DMD treatment.
Dr. Daniel T. Organisciak
Current research:
Vision loss from retinal photoreceptor cell degeneration
Looking at how long term light environment and genetics impacts this process
Dr. Paula Bubulya
Current research:
Defining mechanistic functions for Btf, TRAP150, and SON in fundamental cellular processes including nuclear speckle organization, gene regulation, and cell cycle control
Dr. Shulin Ju - Associate Professor Biological Sciences - Research Lab Page
Current research:
Characterizing the functions of proteins involved in familial Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) in order to target them for drug design
Dr. Ju's research focuses on characterizing fALS-related proteins as potential drug targets using interdisciplinary approaches, including molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, and genetic screening. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder causing motor neuron degeneration, leading to muscle weakness and respiratory failure within 2–5 years. With no effective treatment available, ~10% of cases are familial (fALS), inherited in a Mendelian fashion. Dr. Ju seeks students interested in research credit hours (starting in the summer) or those committed to long-term involvement over multiple semesters.
Dr. Ola Kolawole
Current research:
Focus on understanding mechanisms of virus-host cell interactions and virus evolution in order to develop antivirals
Focus on respiratory diseases and diarrheal diseases
Dr. Quan Zhong - Associate Professor Biological Sciences - Research Lab Page
Current research:
How several neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins disrupt highly conserved cellular processes
Focus on a-synuclein, which when misfolded creates the Lewy bodies found in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Zhong's lab uses yeast as a genetic model to study alpha-synuclein toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases. Most opportunities require a multi-semester commitment or a full-time summer experience. The lab prioritizes students with a strong interest in molecular and cellular research and prefers those with prior experience for easier integration into ongoing projects.
Conferences
American Society of Human Genetics
October 14th-18th, 2025, Boston, Massachusetts
Past Conferences:
Clinical Genetics Advanced Practice Provider Conference
September 12th-14th, 2023, Milwaukee, WI
Abstract Submission Deadline: CLOSED
Midwest Genetics Annual Meeting
September 19th-20th, 2023, TBD
Abstract Submission Deadline: CLOSED
2023 Annual American Society of Humans Genetics
November 1st-5th, 2023, Washington, D.C.
Abstract Submission Deadline: CLOSED
2023 iSPE Facilities of the Future Conference
January 31st - February 1st, 2023, North Bethesda, MD
Abstract Submission Deadline: CLOSED