Graduate Students
Cynthia Obilor, MS, INBS PhD student
Cynthia works on two projects that involve: 1. studying the molecular interactions of KSHV replication protein: helicase (ORF44) and 2. characterizing the impact of ethanol and acetate on KSHV reactivation.
Jennifer Kneas Travis, INBS PhD student
Jenny works on two projects that involve: 1. studying the molecular interactions of KSHV replication protein: processivity factor (ORF59) and 2. optimizing viral protein expression in a mammalian cell culture system.
Amr Waly, INBS PhD student
Amr investigates the roles of CRYBB2 and P1 in cell adhesion and migration.
Lab Manger/Technician
Megan Martin, BS
Megan works on a variety of projects including: 1. investigating alcohol and acetate induced metabolic changes to KSHV infected cells, 2. optimizing viral protein expression in a mammalian cell culture system and 3. EM microscopy and single particle analyses.
Undergraduates
Jessillin Collins
Jessillin is completing single particle analysis of DNA and protein standards measuring individual particles from electron micrographs.
London Harper
London is collaborating with Amr Waly, a doctoral graduate students, on investigating CRYBB2 in breast cancer cells.
Lauren Odom
Lauren is completing a molecular cloning project to sub-clone the KSHV lytic origin fragment.
Past members
Ariana Duval, 2022 CAGPM Summer Undergraduate Program student. Ariana worked on characterizing viral DNA using biochemical and microscopy approaches.
Ariana will continue pursuing her BS at NC A&T University in the fall.
Charity Smith
Charity collaborated with graduate students on multiple projects.
Ernest Canty, MS, MS Ernest characterized the impact of ethanol and acetate on KSHV reactivation.
Ernest successfully graduated in fall 2021 and is currently a Manufacturing Associate for KBI BioPharma in RTP.
Jayla Calhoun, MS Jayla’s project studied the molecular interactions of KSHV ORF50/RTA protein with relevant KSHV DNA sequences. Jayla successfully defended fall 2020 and continues to work in lab to complete her first publication.
Jayla started medical school at UNC-CH in Fall 2022.
Kari Linderman Kari joined the lab in March 2020, just in time for COVID-19 shutdown. Kari worked on a variety of projects and promotes an organized, well-functioning lab environment.
Elizabeth Goins, MS Lizzie’s project investigated the impact of ethanol and acetate on KSHV reactivation. Lizzie successfully defended summer 2020 and has accepted a Research Scientist position with Fisher Scientific in Austin, TX.
Lizzie started the PA program at Radford University, VA in Fall 2022.
Jack W. Leland, BS During summer 2019, Jack was a PARTNERS program summer undergraduate conducting research at NCCU.
Jack began medical school at UNC-CH in Fall 2022.
Jordyn Montague, BS During fall 2019, Jordyn was an NCCU undergraduate conducting research.
Jordyn is currently applying to dental school.
The Costantini Lab 