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.
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
Nathanial Boeckman
Nathanial is part of the class of 2023 at Duquesne University. He joined the lab his sophomore year with an interest in virology and immunology. He is a member of Student Government serving as the Chair of Organizational Oversight. He is also a member of Beta Beta Beta and The American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Nathanial hopes to continue his education in graduate school and hopes to earn a doctorate. In his free time, Nathanial likes to spend time with friends, work out, practice guitar, and play games.
Nathanial is part of the class of 2023 at Duquesne University. He joined the lab his sophomore year with an interest in virology and immunology. He is a member of Student Government serving as the Chair of Organizational Oversight. He is also a member of Beta Beta Beta and The American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Nathanial hopes to continue his education in graduate school and hopes to earn a doctorate. In his free time, Nathanial likes to spend time with friends, work out, practice guitar, and play games.
Raegen Esenwein
Raegen is part of the class of 2023 and majoring in biology with minors in biochemistry, math, and women and gender studies. She has been a part of the Dembowski lab since freshman year here at Duquesne University. On campus, Raegen is active and involved with multiple clubs and organizations which include: the Multicultural STEM Group, the Bayer School Peer Mentoring Program, Beta Beta Beta, the Integrated Honors Society, and the Duquesne University Health Professionals Society. Raegen is currently on a pre-medical track with hopes to continue her education in the area of pathology.
Raegen is part of the class of 2023 and majoring in biology with minors in biochemistry, math, and women and gender studies. She has been a part of the Dembowski lab since freshman year here at Duquesne University. On campus, Raegen is active and involved with multiple clubs and organizations which include: the Multicultural STEM Group, the Bayer School Peer Mentoring Program, Beta Beta Beta, the Integrated Honors Society, and the Duquesne University Health Professionals Society. Raegen is currently on a pre-medical track with hopes to continue her education in the area of pathology.
Julia Gibson
Julia is a biology major in the class of 2023 with minors in biochemistry, public health, and health and human services. She joined the Dembowski lab in the fall of her junior year with an interest in virology. On campus, Julia is also involved in Beta Beta Beta, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Integrated Honors Society, Duquesne University Health Professions Society, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ACS on Campus, and Duquesne University Student Health Advisory Council. She is also a certified spin instructor for Duquesne and a volunteer for UPMC Mercy Hospital. Julia is currently on a pre-medical track with hopes to enter the field of surgical oncology.
Julia is a biology major in the class of 2023 with minors in biochemistry, public health, and health and human services. She joined the Dembowski lab in the fall of her junior year with an interest in virology. On campus, Julia is also involved in Beta Beta Beta, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Integrated Honors Society, Duquesne University Health Professions Society, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ACS on Campus, and Duquesne University Student Health Advisory Council. She is also a certified spin instructor for Duquesne and a volunteer for UPMC Mercy Hospital. Julia is currently on a pre-medical track with hopes to enter the field of surgical oncology.
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.
Maya Williams
Maya is a biology major in the class of 2023 at Duquesne University. Bilingual in English and Japanese with a passion for human biology, her favorite book is The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer and is intrigued by the fields of oncology and neonatology. She feels privileged to be a part of Dr. Dembowski’s lab and intends to pursue a PhD in biology. Environmentally conscious, she is an executive member of the Evergreen Club, vegan, and tries to reduce her personal plastic usage. On campus she is also a member of the Multicultural STEM Group, the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ecology club and Women in Science. Maya enjoys working part-time at Starbucks on campus, and in her free time reading nonfiction science, cooking, and playing the piano.
Maya is a biology major in the class of 2023 at Duquesne University. Bilingual in English and Japanese with a passion for human biology, her favorite book is The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer and is intrigued by the fields of oncology and neonatology. She feels privileged to be a part of Dr. Dembowski’s lab and intends to pursue a PhD in biology. Environmentally conscious, she is an executive member of the Evergreen Club, vegan, and tries to reduce her personal plastic usage. On campus she is also a member of the Multicultural STEM Group, the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ecology club and Women in Science. Maya enjoys working part-time at Starbucks on campus, and in her free time reading nonfiction science, cooking, and playing the piano.
Former Lab Members
Undergraduate Alumni
Holly Barwatt - 2021
- Currently at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a Masters degree in Epidemiology
Holly Barwatt - 2021
- Currently at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a Masters degree in Epidemiology
