Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics (PHA)
Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics
PHA Contact Info
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799
Phone: (301) 295-3223
FAX: (301) 295-3220

Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics Labs
Cox Lab
Name: Cox Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position:
Title:
Profile
COX, BRIAN M., Ph.D. | Professor (USU) | C2127 | 295-3260 |
Gouty, Shawn, M.A. | Research Biologist. (USU) | C2067 | 295-3330 |
Cote Lab
Name: Cote Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position:
Title:
Profile
COTE, THOMAS E., Ph.D. | Associate Professor (USU) | C2019 | 295-3907 |
Santhappan, Rema, Ph.D. | Research Associate (HJF) | C2022 | 295-3224 |
Day Lab
Name: Day Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position:
Title:
Profile
DAY, REGINA, Ph.D. | Professor (USU) | C2023 | 295-3236 |
Ognoon, Mungunsukh, Ph.D. | Postdoctoral Fellow (HJF) | C2042 | 295-9872 |
McCart, Elizabeth | Research Associate (HJF) | C2048 | 295-9743 |
Marquez, Ana | Graduate Student (USU) | C2048 | 295-3439 |
Murali, Pavitra | Research Associate (USU) | C2051 | 295-3438 |
George, Jeffy | Research Associatre (HJF) | C2051 | 295-3438 |
Feng Lab
Name: Feng Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: National Faculty
Title:
Profile
YING-HONG FENG, MD, PhD | Associate Professor (USU) | C2063 | (301) 295-3232 |
Huaiyan Cheng, MD | Research Associate (HJF) | C2063 | (301) 295-9859 |
Iordanskiy Lab
Name: Iordanskiy Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: USU Staff
Title:
Profile
SERGEY IORDANSKIY, PhD | Assistant Professor | AFRRI-46/4429B | (301) 295-0580 |
Natallia Mikhalkevich, PhD | Research Associate | AFRRI-46/4429 | (301) 295-3730 |
Kortum Lab
Name: Kortum Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position:
Title:
Profile
Kortum, Robert, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor (USU) | C2027 | 295-3249 |
Lucki Lab
Name: Lucki Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: National Faculty
Title:
Nugent Lab
Name: Nugent Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: USU Staff
Title:
Profile
Nugent, Fereshteh | Associate Professor (USU) | C2129 | 301-295-3243 |
Kassis, Haifa | Postdoctoral Research Associate (HJF) | C2024 | 301-295-3908 |
Langlois, Ludovic | Postdoctoral Fellow (HJF) | C2018 | 301-295-3221 |
Authement, Michael | Graduate Student (STU) | C2018 | 301-295-3221 |
Shepard. Ryan | Graduate Student (STU) | C2024 | 301-295-3908 |
Shewmaker Lab
Name: Shewmaker Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: National Faculty
Title:
Profile
Shewmaker, Frank, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor (USU) | C2125 | (301) 295-3527 |
Rhoads, Shannon Yee, Debra | Lab Manager Technician | C2040 C2040 | (301) 295-3229 (301) 295-3229 |
Singh Lab
Name: Singh Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: USU Staff
Title:
Profile
Name | Designation | Bldg/Rm | Telephone | |
Vijay K. Singh, PhD | Professor | 42/3118 | (301) 295-2347 | vijay.singh@usuhs.edu |
Alana Carpenter | Research Assistant (HJF) | 42/3117A | (301) 295-9263 | alan.carpenter.ctr@usuhs.edu |
Oluseyi Fatanmi | Research Biologist (USU) | 42/3117 | (301) 295-3873 | oluseyi.fatanmi@usuhs.edu |
Stephen Wise | Research Assistant (HJF) | 42/3120 | (301) 319-4725 | stephen.wise.ctr@usuhs.edu |
Sara Nakamura-Peek | Research Assistant (HJF) | 42/3117A | (301) 295-9233 | sara.nakamura-peek.ctr@usuhs.edu |
Jatinder Singh | NRC Senior Associate | 42/4420 | (301) 295-9889 | jatinder.singh.ctr@usuhs.edu |
Doreswamy Kenchegowda | Postdoctoral Fellow (HJF) | 42/3120 | (301) 295-9289 | doreswamy.kenchegowda.ctr@usuhs.edu |
Lalitha Kurada | Postdoctoral Fellow (HJF) | 42/3117 | (301) 295-0083 | lalitha.kurada.ctr@usuhs.edu |
Shubham Mittal | Intern | 42/3117 | (301)295-3873 | shubham.mittal@usuhs.edu |
Snow Lab
Name: Snow Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: National Faculty
Title:
Profile
Snow, Andrew, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor (USU) | C2013 | 295-3267 |
Swadhinya Arjunaraja, Ph.D. | Postdoctoral Fellow (HJF) | C2033 | 295-9742 |
Batsukh Dorjbal, Ph.D. | Postdoctoral Fellow (HJF) | C2033 | 295-9742 |
Camille Lake | Graduate Student (EID) | C2033 | 295-9742 |
Kelsey Voss | Graduate Student (EID) | C2037 | 295-9744 |
1. Signal regulation and physiological relevance of specific T cell apoptosis pathways

We are also investigating novel links between metabolic programming and apoptosis sensitivity in human T cells. Our recent work indicates that while excessive anabolic metabolism (i.e. glycolysis) leaves effector T cells more susceptible to RICD, catabolic metabolism (i.e. autophagy) can protect T cells derived from distinct memory compartments from death induced by cytokine withdrawal. We have delineated specific molecular mechanisms responsible for these changes in cell death sensitivity, and continue to investigate how specific metabolic programs affect T cell viability. Our work illuminates how metabolic changes govern T cell survival, and may explain why certain memory T cells give rise to a larger, more robust effector response (via reduced cell death) that better protects the host when challenged with a pathogen or tumor.
2. Novel immunological disorders linked to mutations in CARD11

In collaboration with Dr. Joshua Milner (NIH) and others, we are also investigating loss-of-function (LOF) CARD11 mutations in atopic patients with severe eczema. We recently described 4 families with distinct, hypomorphic CARD11 mutations that dominantly interfere with WT CARD11 signaling, resulting in impaired NF-kB and mTORC1 signaling. Extensive structure-function studies of the CARD11 molecule continue in my lab, drawing from an expanding list of natural mutations in human patients. Using cell transfection systems, murine models and primary patient lymphocytes, my lab also continues to investigate how both GOF and LOF CARD11 mutations perturb signaling, differentiation and function of B and T cells.
Symes Lab
Name: Symes Lab
Department of Primary Appointment: Pharmacology
Position: USU Faculty
Title:
Profile
AVIVA J. SYMES, PhD | Professor | C2126 | (301) 295-3234 |
Milan Rusnak DVM, PhD | research scientist | C2045 | (301) 295-3235 |
Nagesh Shanbhag, MD, PhD | post-doctoral fellow | C2045 | (301) 295-3235 |
Peter Attilio | PhD student | C2045 | (301) 295-3235 |
Zachary Janatpour | MD PhD student | C2045 | (301) 295-3235 |
Alexandra Yaszemski | PhD student | C2045 | (301) 295-3235 |