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.
Technicians
Alison Lloyd
Alison has previously obtained a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. She joined the lab as a technician in the Summer of 2024. She developed an interest in virology as an undergraduate researcher in a phage lab. Aside from being in the lab, Alison enjoys reading and hanging out with her dog, Nugget.
Alison has previously obtained a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. She joined the lab as a technician in the Summer of 2024. She developed an interest in virology as an undergraduate researcher in a phage lab. Aside from being in the lab, Alison enjoys reading and hanging out with her dog, Nugget.
Gina Cowser
Gina is a recent graduate of Chatham University, where she earned a B.S. in Human Biology with a minor in Psychology. Her interest in viruses began through bacteriophage research at Chatham and expanded during her time as a SULI Fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She is fascinated by virus–host interactions and the role viruses play in shaping microbial communities. When shes not in the lab, she enjoys hiking, reading, and crafting.
Gina is a recent graduate of Chatham University, where she earned a B.S. in Human Biology with a minor in Psychology. Her interest in viruses began through bacteriophage research at Chatham and expanded during her time as a SULI Fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She is fascinated by virus–host interactions and the role viruses play in shaping microbial communities. When shes not in the lab, she enjoys hiking, reading, and crafting.
Graduate Students
Damiana Bradley-Slagle
Damiana rotated in the Dembowski lab in the Spring of 2024 and joined later that semester. Previously, she earned her B. S. in Biology from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Damiana is currently studying how the HSV-1 protein UL36 modifies cellular PCNA. In her free time, Damiana enjoys reading, crocheting, and binging TV shows.
Damiana rotated in the Dembowski lab in the Spring of 2024 and joined later that semester. Previously, she earned her B. S. in Biology from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Damiana is currently studying how the HSV-1 protein UL36 modifies cellular PCNA. In her free time, Damiana enjoys reading, crocheting, and binging TV shows.
Sabrina Rutan
Sabrina joined the Dembowski lab in the Spring of 2024, following a rotation in the Fall 2023 semester. She received a B.S. in Biochemistry with minors in Mathematics and Criminal Justice from the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg. In the lab, Sabrina is studying the effects of infected cell type on viral genome interactions and regulation of gene expression. Outside of the lab, Sabrina enjoys drawing, knitting and watching Korean dramas.
Sabrina joined the Dembowski lab in the Spring of 2024, following a rotation in the Fall 2023 semester. She received a B.S. in Biochemistry with minors in Mathematics and Criminal Justice from the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg. In the lab, Sabrina is studying the effects of infected cell type on viral genome interactions and regulation of gene expression. Outside of the lab, Sabrina enjoys drawing, knitting and watching Korean dramas.
Casey Campbell
Casey rotated in the Dembowski lab in the Fall of 2025 and joined the lab following the 2026 Spring semester. She graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in May of 2025 with a B.A. in Biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. In the lab, Casey is currently investigating the role of host DNA ligases in HSV-1 infection. In her free time, she enjoys doing word puzzles, watching movies, and building legos.
Casey rotated in the Dembowski lab in the Fall of 2025 and joined the lab following the 2026 Spring semester. She graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in May of 2025 with a B.A. in Biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. In the lab, Casey is currently investigating the role of host DNA ligases in HSV-1 infection. In her free time, she enjoys doing word puzzles, watching movies, and building legos.
Undergraduate Students
Katie Fodale
Katie is a biology major with minors in French and biochemistry. She also plays for the Duquesne University golf team. Katie is in the Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program as she plans to pursue a career in medicine after graduating in 2028. She is active in Society of St. Vincent de Paul, MEDLIFE, and Health Professions Society. For leisure, Katie enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with friends.
Katie is a biology major with minors in French and biochemistry. She also plays for the Duquesne University golf team. Katie is in the Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program as she plans to pursue a career in medicine after graduating in 2028. She is active in Society of St. Vincent de Paul, MEDLIFE, and Health Professions Society. For leisure, Katie enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with friends.
Becca Pollack
Becca is a Biology major at Duquesne with honors in Biochemistry, English, and Public Health. Her goal is to go to medical school after she graduates and become an orthopedic surgeon. Becca is President of the SoSE Peer Mentoring Program, and is also an active member of Duquesne’s Chapter of Girls Inc, Tri-Beta, HPS, and oSTEM. In her free time, she likes to read, spend time with her friends, and go scuba diving.
Becca is a Biology major at Duquesne with honors in Biochemistry, English, and Public Health. Her goal is to go to medical school after she graduates and become an orthopedic surgeon. Becca is President of the SoSE Peer Mentoring Program, and is also an active member of Duquesne’s Chapter of Girls Inc, Tri-Beta, HPS, and oSTEM. In her free time, she likes to read, spend time with her friends, and go scuba diving.
Former Lab Members
Previous Graduate Students
Dr. Jessica Packard
Dr. Packard received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 2019 and a PhD from Duquesne University in 2024. She completed her dissertation in the Dembowski lab, titled “Manipulation of Cellular Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) during Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection”. Dr. Packard is currently a postdoctoral associate at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Packard received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 2019 and a PhD from Duquesne University in 2024. She completed her dissertation in the Dembowski lab, titled “Manipulation of Cellular Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) during Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection”. Dr. Packard is currently a postdoctoral associate at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Joseph Heath
Dr. Heath received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and a PhD from Duquesne University in 2025. Joey completed his dissertation, "Role of Cellular Proteins in the Regulation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Gene Expression and DNA Replication," in the Dembowski Lab. He is currently a STEAM Instructor at Neshannock Township School District.
Dr. Heath received a B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and a PhD from Duquesne University in 2025. Joey completed his dissertation, "Role of Cellular Proteins in the Regulation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Gene Expression and DNA Replication," in the Dembowski Lab. He is currently a STEAM Instructor at Neshannock Township School District.
Summer Undergraduate Students
Anika Katkich - Duquesne University - Summer 2024
Victor Hermosillo - Duquesne University - Summer 2023
Undergraduate Alumni
Kendall Pask - 2026 graduate
- Currently attending Duquesne University School of Nursing
Hanna Pawela - 2025 graduate
- Currently taking a gap year and working towards medical school
Maria Werner - 2025 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis and is currently attending Campbell University - School of Osteopathic Medicine
Zehra Mehdi - 2023 (Dec) graduate
- Currently attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
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 attending Duquesne University College of Medicine
Maya Williams - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis
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
Rotation Students
Marissa Alpern - Fall 2025
Michael Borowicz - Fall 2023
Meghan Wells - Spring 2021
Shane Cowan - Spring 2020
Technicians
Mitchell Harancher
- Earned a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, currently a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Daniel Fromuth
- Currently a molecular technologist at Castle Biosciences in Pittsburgh, PA
Anika Katkich - Duquesne University - Summer 2024
Victor Hermosillo - Duquesne University - Summer 2023
Undergraduate Alumni
Kendall Pask - 2026 graduate
- Currently attending Duquesne University School of Nursing
Hanna Pawela - 2025 graduate
- Currently taking a gap year and working towards medical school
Maria Werner - 2025 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis and is currently attending Campbell University - School of Osteopathic Medicine
Zehra Mehdi - 2023 (Dec) graduate
- Currently attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
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 attending Duquesne University College of Medicine
Maya Williams - 2023 graduate
- Completed her senior honors thesis
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
Rotation Students
Marissa Alpern - Fall 2025
Michael Borowicz - Fall 2023
Meghan Wells - Spring 2021
Shane Cowan - Spring 2020
Technicians
Mitchell Harancher
- Earned a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, currently a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Daniel Fromuth
- Currently a molecular technologist at Castle Biosciences in Pittsburgh, PA
