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.
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.
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.
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.
Anika Katkich
Anika Katkich is a Duquesne University biology major in the class of 2026 with a concentration in molecular biology, as well as minors in biochemistry and mathematics. She joined the Dembowski Lab during her sophomore year in the Fall of 2023. Anika is a member of the Honors College, Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program, Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society, American Cancer Society, American Chemical Society, Doctors Without Borders: Friends of MSF, Health Professions Society, Operation Smile, and Phi Eta Sigma. Anika plans to attend medical school and hopes to continue research throughout her career. In her free time, she volunteers at UPMC Mercy Hospital, tutors student athletes, and enjoys listening to music, drawing, and exercising.
Anika Katkich is a Duquesne University biology major in the class of 2026 with a concentration in molecular biology, as well as minors in biochemistry and mathematics. She joined the Dembowski Lab during her sophomore year in the Fall of 2023. Anika is a member of the Honors College, Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program, Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society, American Cancer Society, American Chemical Society, Doctors Without Borders: Friends of MSF, Health Professions Society, Operation Smile, and Phi Eta Sigma. Anika plans to attend medical school and hopes to continue research throughout her career. In her free time, she volunteers at UPMC Mercy Hospital, tutors student athletes, and enjoys listening to music, drawing, and exercising.
Hanna Pawela
Hanna Pawela is a Duquesne University biology major in the class of 2025 with a concentration in physiology and minors in biochemistry and mathematics. She joined the Dembowski Lab during her junior year in the Spring of 2024. Hanna is a captain and member of the Duquesne Women's Lacrosse team. She is also involved on campus as Treasurer of Omicron Delta Kappa and Morgan’s Message and a member of Tri Beta, Doctors Without Borders, Phi Eta Sigma, and Younglife. Hanna is on the pre-medical track and hopes to further her research in her career as a physician. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, going on drives, reading, and exercising.
Hanna Pawela is a Duquesne University biology major in the class of 2025 with a concentration in physiology and minors in biochemistry and mathematics. She joined the Dembowski Lab during her junior year in the Spring of 2024. Hanna is a captain and member of the Duquesne Women's Lacrosse team. She is also involved on campus as Treasurer of Omicron Delta Kappa and Morgan’s Message and a member of Tri Beta, Doctors Without Borders, Phi Eta Sigma, and Younglife. Hanna is on the pre-medical track and hopes to further her research in her career as a physician. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, going on drives, reading, and exercising.
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.
Summer Undergraduate Students
Victor Hermosillo - Duquesne University - Summer 2023
Undergraduate Alumni
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
Michael Borowicz - Fall 2023
Meghan Wells - Spring 2021
Shane Cowan - Spring 2020
Technicians
Mitchell Harancher
- Currently at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine pursuing a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
Daniel Fromuth
- Currently a molecular technologist at Castle Biosciences in Pittsburgh, PA
Victor Hermosillo - Duquesne University - Summer 2023
Undergraduate Alumni
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
Michael Borowicz - Fall 2023
Meghan Wells - Spring 2021
Shane Cowan - Spring 2020
Technicians
Mitchell Harancher
- Currently at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine pursuing a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
Daniel Fromuth
- Currently a molecular technologist at Castle Biosciences in Pittsburgh, PA
