Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Dr. Jill Dembowski, Ph.D.
Dr. Dembowski completed her graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh where she investigated mechanisms of alternative pre-mRNA splicing regulation in the nervous system. She then performed her postdoctoral work at Carnegie Mellon University where she investigated protein-RNA interactions and eukaryotic ribosome assembly. Continuing her interests in nucleic acid-protein interactions, she then pursued a second postdoctoral position at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where she developed proteomic and imaging techniques to study protein recruitment to viral DNA. Dr. Dembowski joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Duquesne University in 2019.
Dr. Dembowski completed her graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh where she investigated mechanisms of alternative pre-mRNA splicing regulation in the nervous system. She then performed her postdoctoral work at Carnegie Mellon University where she investigated protein-RNA interactions and eukaryotic ribosome assembly. Continuing her interests in nucleic acid-protein interactions, she then pursued a second postdoctoral position at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where she developed proteomic and imaging techniques to study protein recruitment to viral DNA. Dr. Dembowski joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Duquesne University in 2019.
Technician
Daniel Fromuth
Daniel is currently pursuing a M.S. in Biotechnology at Duquesne. He previously worked in the McCormick lab at Duquesne where he earned a B.S. in biology. He joined the Dembowski lab in the summer of 2022 as a technician. In his free time, Daniel enjoys watching movies, hiking, and golfing.
Daniel is currently pursuing a M.S. in Biotechnology at Duquesne. He previously worked in the McCormick lab at Duquesne where he earned a B.S. in biology. He joined the Dembowski lab in the summer of 2022 as a technician. In his free time, Daniel enjoys watching movies, hiking, and golfing.
Graduate Students
Joseph Heath
Joseph joined the Dembowski lab in the Spring of 2021, following a rotation in the Fall 2020 semester. Previously, he received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In the lab, Joseph studies the role of host factors on viral transcription during infection. In his free time, Joseph enjoys playing video games, cooking, playing the guitar, and watching movies or TV.
Joseph joined the Dembowski lab in the Spring of 2021, following a rotation in the Fall 2020 semester. Previously, he received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In the lab, Joseph studies the role of host factors on viral transcription during infection. In his free time, Joseph enjoys playing video games, cooking, playing the guitar, and watching movies or TV.
Jessica Packard
Jessica is a graduate student in Duquesne's biology Ph.D. program, rotated in the lab Spring 2020, and joined later that semester. She received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Jessica is currently studying how PCNA contributes to the regulation of viral DNA replication. In her free time, Jessica enjoys hiking, working out, bike riding, and napping.
Personal Website: www.jesspackard.weebly.com
Jessica is a graduate student in Duquesne's biology Ph.D. program, rotated in the lab Spring 2020, and joined later that semester. She received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Jessica is currently studying how PCNA contributes to the regulation of viral DNA replication. In her free time, Jessica enjoys hiking, working out, bike riding, and napping.
Personal Website: www.jesspackard.weebly.com
Undergraduate Students
Maria Werner
Maria Werner is a biology major in the class of 2025 at Duquesne University with a minor in Catholic studies. She joined the Dembowski Lab in her freshman year with an interest in virology. At Duquesne, she is involved in the Honors College, Beta Beta Beta, Gamma Phi Beta, Student Advisory Committee, and MSF Doctors Without Borders. She is also a Team Leader for Orientation and has a job in Conference and Events Services on campus. Maria is on the pre-medical track and hopes to enter the field of pathology. In her free time, Maria enjoys reading, cooking, working out, and golfing.
Maria Werner is a biology major in the class of 2025 at Duquesne University with a minor in Catholic studies. She joined the Dembowski Lab in her freshman year with an interest in virology. At Duquesne, she is involved in the Honors College, Beta Beta Beta, Gamma Phi Beta, Student Advisory Committee, and MSF Doctors Without Borders. She is also a Team Leader for Orientation and has a job in Conference and Events Services on campus. Maria is on the pre-medical track and hopes to enter the field of pathology. In her free time, Maria enjoys reading, cooking, working out, and golfing.
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Zehra Mehdi
Zehra Mehdi is a biology major in the class of 2023 (future December graduate), at Duquesne University with a minor in Biochemistry, a concentration of Physiology, and in the Honors College. She previously worked in a joint project with Dr. Woodley and Dr. Dembowski on “Seeking Novel Antiviral Compounds from Salamander Skin” in the Summer of 2022. She continued to work with Dr. Woodley on “Seeking Novel Antimicrobial Compounds from Salamander Skin.” She joined the Dembowski Lab in her senior year Fall 2023 semester working on an immortalized cell line and antiviral work. She is an early accepted student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) class of 2028. In her free time, Zehra enjoys doing kung fu, drawing, traveling, and watching movies or tv shows. |
Former Lab Members
Summer Undergraduate Students
Zehra Mehdi - Duquesne University - Summer 2022, 2023
Victor Hermosillo - Duquesne University - Summer 2023
Undergraduate Alumni
Holly Barwatt - 2021 graduate
- Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology
- Currently works at Health Services Advisory Group as a data analyst
Nathanial Boeckman - 2023 graduate
- Currently attending Virginia Tech pursuing a PhD in Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Sciences
Raegen Esenwein - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis and is currently pursuing a PharmD at Duquesne University
Julia Gibson - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis and is currently working as a Lab Technician at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
Maya Williams - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis
Rotation Students
Shane Cowan - Spring 2020
Meghan Wells - Spring 2021
Technicians
Mitchell Harancher
- Currently at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine pursuing a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
Zehra Mehdi - Duquesne University - Summer 2022, 2023
Victor Hermosillo - Duquesne University - Summer 2023
Undergraduate Alumni
Holly Barwatt - 2021 graduate
- Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology
- Currently works at Health Services Advisory Group as a data analyst
Nathanial Boeckman - 2023 graduate
- Currently attending Virginia Tech pursuing a PhD in Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Sciences
Raegen Esenwein - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis and is currently pursuing a PharmD at Duquesne University
Julia Gibson - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis and is currently working as a Lab Technician at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
Maya Williams - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis
Rotation Students
Shane Cowan - Spring 2020
Meghan Wells - Spring 2021
Technicians
Mitchell Harancher
- Currently at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine pursuing a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
