Join the TB Research Group at Pitt today!

We have Postdoc, Grad Student and Staff positions available.

Please contact us:

JoAnne Flynn

Chuck Scanga

patricia.grace@pitt.edu

Postdocs

Postdoc

Andrew Simonson, PhD

Flynn Lab

Andrew completed his graduate studies in Biomedical Engineering at Penn State University, where he developed anti-mycobacterial compounds capable of selectively disrupting mycomembranes. He also designed biomaterials to co-deliver them with synergistic traditional antibiotics directly to the lung. In the Flynn lab, Andrew studies the role of T cells in protection against M. tuberculosis infection during vaccination and concomitant infection. He is also interested in niche T cell populations. Outside of the lab, he enjoys golf, AFL, and playing board games.

Postdoc

Solomon Jauro, PhD, DVM, MSc

Flynn Lab | Scanga Lab

Solomon earned his DVM and MSc from the University of Maiduguri, where he characterized MRSA isolates from animals and their spillover to humans. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Pretoria, where he studied the protective effects of recombinant anthrax vaccines in cattle. At Pitt, Solomon now works with Dr. Flynn and Dr. Scanga to study the IV BCG vaccine in SIV/TB co-infection model in non-human primates. His favorite activity is watching soccer, and he supports FC Barcelona.

Graduate Students

PhD Candidate

Daniel Lane, MS

Mattila Lab

Daniel graduated with a BS in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, as well as an MS in Molecular and Cell Biology from Quinnipiac University. Daniel's research interests include host-bacterial pathogen interactions, outbreak control, and immunometabolism. Hobbies outside of work include reading, video games, and cats.

MD/PhD Candidate

Jessica Medrano

Lin Lab

MD/PhD Pitt-Tsinghua Scholar

Jiaxiang (Stella) Li

Flynn Lab

Staff

Lab Manager

Amy Fraser

Amy received her BS in Biochemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and now serves as the lab manager the Flynn lab.

Lab Technician

Carolyn Bigbee

Carolyn earned a BS in General Biology and General Chemistry from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and has been fascinated with wherever the job has led. Hobbies include gardening, photography, baking, and hanging out with my grandchildren (including the furry ones!!)

Staff Scientist

Collin Diedrich, PhD

Cat enthusiast

Imaging Analyst & Data Visualization

H. Jacob (Jake) Borish, PhD

Jake is an imaging and data visualization specialist with a background in low redshift extragalactic astronomical observations. His graduate work focused on near-infrared spectroscopy of both individual supernovae as well as the collective properties of star formation and supermassive black hole accretion in the centers of gas-rich galaxy collisions. Upon receiving his Ph.D., Jake transitioned to a role supporting applications of tomographic imaging in Dr. JoAnne Flynn’s lab at the University of Pittsburgh. Since transitioning to work on tomographic imaging, Jake has participated in projects focused on understanding the spatial and temporal aspects of the macroscopic disease pathology in tuberculosis infection. He has also facilitated the commissioning of a new PET/CT system for radiologic imaging of NHPs. When not working on science, Jake enjoys playing guitars and petting cats.

Data Manager

Jacob Klein

Jacob earned a BS in Applied Statistics and Actuarial Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is currently working on getting an MS in Biostatistics right here at Pitt. Jacob’s initial research interests at RIT were in Exercise Science and Sports Analytics. He’s thrilled to be able to work on any project using his statistical software package of choice, R. Outside of school and work, Jacob enjoys watching and playing a variety of sports, going out to trivia nights, and playing video games.

Lab Technician

Julia Chehab

Lab Technician

Luke Hood

Luke graduated from Pitt in 2024 with a BS in Microbiology. Research interests include immunology and bacterial pathology.

Technician Manager

Mark Rodgers, MS

Mark earned a BS in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from Penn State University in 2002. He earned a MS in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland in 2005. He has been a staff member since 2007 and currently is the Manager of the Research Technicians.

Imaging Analyst & Statistician

Pauline Maiello, MS

Pauline obtained her bachelor's degree in Mathematics at the University of South Florida. She later moved to Pittsburgh and received her master's degree in Statistics from the University of Pittsburgh. Pauline joined the lab in early 2013 as a PET CT analyst and has since widely expanded her role. As the lead analyst, she organizes, manages, and analyzes the majority of data produced by the various labs within the group. She also enjoys teaching responsible data management to anyone who will listen and is the self-proclaimed lab spreadsheet-police. As for hobbies, in any spare time she had before having a baby, Pauline enjoyed taking hikes, watching movies, and making jewelry.

Lab Technician

Rachel Donlan

Lab Manager

Tara Rutledge

Undergrads

Alumni

Postdocs

Alex Smith, Postdoc at UCL/Oxford

Caylin Winchell, Assistant Professor of Biology at Chatham University

Joe Zeppa, Research Associate at University of Toronto

Biniam Tebeje, Postdoc at University of Michigan

Hannah P Gideon Devanesan

Josh Mattila, Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh

Graduate Students

Nicole Grant, Associate Scientist at BlueSphere Bio

Yonne Tenorio de Menezes, Postdoc at University of Pittsburgh

Priyanka Talukdar, Scientist at Arcus Biosciences

Anthony Cadena, Senior Scientist at Tizona Therapeutics, Inc.

Eileen Wong

Sharie Keanne Ganchua, Scientist at Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

Robert DiFazio, Co-Founder & CEO at Parallel Bio

Collin Diedrich, Staff Scientist at University of Pittsburgh

Vanja Lazarevic, Senior Investigator at NIH NCI

P. Ling Lin, Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh

Chuck Scanga, Research Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh

Staff

Samantha Reed, Graduate Student at Clemson University

Janelle Gleim

Sydney Riegel

Cassaundra Ameel, Hazard Assessment Coordinator at University of Pittsburgh

Janelle Stack, Microbiologist at Allegheny County Health Department

Harris Chishti, MD Student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ryan Kelly, MD Student at University of Pittsburgh

Abby Gubernat

Ben Krouse, MD student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Erin Jarrett, Research Professional 3 at University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Jennie Vorhauer, Research Associate at BlueSphere Bio

Beth Junecko, Study Coordinator at University of Pittsburgh