Grant GALLAGHER, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D.
Director of HUMIGEN LLC, the Institute for Genetic Immunology
and Head of the Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Ph.D. graduate of the Department of Immunology at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland; thesis title: "The construction of functional human T-cell hybrids".
• Previous appointments include faculty positions as Lecturer at University of Strathclyde department of Immunology (1986-1990), Reader at University of Glasgow Department of Surgery (1990 - 2001) and Professor at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Department of Oral Biology (2001 - 2006).
• Adjunct appointments include Associate Scientist at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research (1990 - 1993) and Director for Research at the UMDNJ Center for BioDefense (2003 - 2006).
• Co-Editor of "Genes and Immunity", published by the Nature Publishing Group.
• Mentor of eight Ph.D. graduates and nine M.Phil. graduates.
• Author of 74 peer-reviewed publications, 73 published abstracts and eight book chapters.
• Currently directing the HUMIGEN Team of 8 individuals in understanding the functional genetics of human cytokines, the functional analysis of immunoregulatory proteins, and the immunogenetic analysis of human autoimmune disease.

M. Tevfik DORAK, B.A. (Hons), M.D., Ph.D.
Head of the Genomic Immunoepidemiology Laboratory.

• Trained as a medical doctor (Hacettepe University, Turkey, 1982) and completed a residency in internal medicine.
• Involved in genetic research since 1991.  Graduated with a Ph.D. entitled “A Search for a Leukaemia Susceptibility Gene in the HLA Complex” completed at the University of Wales College of Medicine in 2000.
• Previous appointments include Research Fellowships at Glasgow Leukemia Research laboratory and the University of Wales (Department of Haematology), Research Assistant Professorships at the University of Tennessee Department of Surgery (Memphis) and University of Alabama Department of Epidemiology (Birmingham), and Principal Research Associate at the University of Newcastle (United Kingdom).
• Author of more than 40 peer-reviewed journal publications and four book chapters, has made over 100 conference presentations and edited a book entitled "Real-Time PCR."
• Member of the Editorial Board of Genes & Immunity.
• Currently Head of Genomic Immunoepidemiology Laboratory at HUMIGEN, directing a team of 3 research associates and 1 Ph.D. to study the complex genetics of childhood leukemia with an emphasis on immune system-related genes and the gender effect, and the non-HLA genes of the HLA complex for their relationships with conserved extended HLA haplotypes.

Jihong DAI, M.D., Ph.D.
Scientist, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Yamanashi Medical University, Japan, in Microbiology. Studied the mechanism of Th1 cytokine deficiency in HIV patients and the regulation of IL-12 production in monocytes.
• Postdoctoral work on the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in antiviral immune response and regulation of IRF-7 in IFN-α production at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
• Postdoctoral work on the effect of dendritic cells on HIV-1 integration in naïve and memory T cells at University of Pennsylvania.
• Member of International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research.
• Member of American Society of Hematology.
• Currently working on the regulation of dendritic cells derived Th1/Th2 responses by IFN-λ1 and IL-19.

Charronne DAVIS, B.A.
Research Associate, Genomic Immunoepidemiology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY with a B.A. from the Department of Biological Sciences.
• Two years' experience of studying genetic expression using molecular biology techniques such as: quantitative PCR, cloning and restriction digestion amongst others.
• Currently working on the discovery and analysis of novel variants of DNA repair genes that interact with the HLA complex and iron-related genes involved in the immune response.

Thuy N. Do, B.A., Ph.D.
Scientist, Genomic Immunoepidemiology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Drew University, Madison, NJ with a B.A. in Biology (minor: Biochemistry).
• Graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with a Ph.D. from the Department of Pharmacology/Physiology and a certificate for course work completion from the Bioinformatics program. Thesis title: “Regulation of D1 dopamine receptor expression.”
• First author of two publications in the Journal of Neurochemistry
• Post-doctoral work on biomarker discovery at Prospect Biosystems, LLC with a New Jersey Technology Fellowship.
• Expertise in cell-based assays, Western blot, RNase Protection Assay (RPA), real time RT-PCR, molecular cloning, promoter reporter assays, gene recombineering and other molecular techniques.
• Currently working on genotype-phenotype correlations and the functional assessment of genetic associations found in childhood leukemia.

Joyce ESKDALE, B.Sc. (Hons).
Scientist, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry.
• Five years' experience in molecular diagnostics of human diseases, including thalassemias, sickle-cell anaemia, leukaemia & bone marrow transplantation and Duschenne muscular dystrophy.
• Thirteen years' experience in immunology and molecular immunology, particularly the application of human cytokine genetics to susceptibility and severity of human autoimmune, malignant and inflammatory disorders such as RA, SLE, pancreatitis and gastric & colorectal cancers.
• Author on 28 peer-reviewed publications (eight as first author), 38 published abstracts and one review.
• Involved in the functional genetics of human cytokines, the functional analysis of immunoregulatory proteins and the immunogenetic analysis of human autoimmune disease.

Grant E GALLAGHER, B.S.
Research Associate, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Biochemistry, senior research project title: “Development of a B. henselae diagnostic ELISA”.
• Worked with MDL in the Antigen Discovery group developing diagnostic ELISAs.
• Expertise in genetic library construction and screening, plasmid construction and cloning, PCR, protein purification, ELISA, and other molecular techniques.
• Currently working to identify the principle IL-13 producing cells and responses of these cells to IFN-λ stimulation.

Stacey GARRETT, B.A., Ph.D.
Scientist, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, MO, with a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry.
• Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvannia. Thesis title: "Chromatin regulation of the inflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-23 in human monocytes".
• Eight years' experience in immunology research areas of T cell biology, dendritic cell function and development, and autoimmunity.
• Currently analyzing the regulation of expression of human IL-19 and IFN-λ1.

Shih-hsin KAN, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.Phil. 
Scientist, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Oxford University, Oxford, U.K., with a D.Phil. an M.Sc. degree in Human Genetics.  Studied the molecular genetic basis of various human limb malformations.
• Graduated from National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, with MSc degree in Microbiology and Immunology.  Thesis title : " I. Analysis of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Nucleotide Sequences in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.  II. Studies of the Amino Terminus of Epstein-Barr Virus Thymidine Kinase."
• Graduated from National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, with B.Sc. degree in Botany.
• Postdoctoral work on L-R asymmetric patterning and cardiovascular development in early mouse embryogenesis at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
• Broad experience in investigation of molecular and cellular biology in plants, virus and bacteria.
• Member of American Society for Human Genetics.
• Current work involves the relationship between molecular signaling of human IL-23 receptor variants and Crohn's disease.

Giacomo MANCINI, B.S.
Research Associate, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Biochemistry (minor in Physical Chemistry), senior research project title: “Analyzing interactions of micelles at the interfacial layer using chemical trapping techniques.”
• Analyzed the glycopeptide structure of the protein Epoetinum alfa while working as an Associate Scientist in a Quality Control department.
• Expertise in gene cloning, gene recombineering, PCR, and other molecular techniques.
• Experienced in using LC-MS, NMR, HPLC, MALDI-TOF, and MS.
• Currently analyzing RNA splice variants associated with Crohn’s Disease.

Nicholas J. MEGJUGORAC, B.S. (Hons), Ph.D.
Scientist, Genetic Immunology Laboratory/Cellular Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from the College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with a B.S. (Hons) in Biology.
• Ph.D. for study of dendritic cell and viral immunology from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, NJ; Dissertation: “Characterization of plasmacytoid dendritic cells.”
• Postdoctoral work at the NJ Center for BioDefense on the human host response to viral and bacterial select agents.
• Adjunct Assistant Professor, UMDNJ Graduate School; Course co-coordinator in M.Sc. program Concentration in Bioterrorism and Homeland Security.
• Currently investigating the effects of IFN-λ1 and IL-19 on DC maturation and function.

Michelle MILES, B.A.
Administrative Assistant, HUMIGEN LLC, the Institute for Genetic Immunology.

• Graduated from Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ with a B.A. in English from the College of Arts and Sciences and received a NJ Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing for a Teacher of English in Secondary Education.
• Two years' of experience as a substitute and full-time teacher of English utilizing reading, writing and communication strategies as per NJ state education standards in English.
• Five years' office experience utilizing customer service, communication, technology, research and writing skills.
• Currently serving as editorial assistant to Dr. Grant Gallagher the co-editor of "Genes and Immunity".
• Coordinate meetings, schedules and travel for HUMIGEN members.

Brittany MORRISON, B.S., M.S.
Research Associate, Genomic Immunoepidemiology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Rutgers University, Camden, NJ with an M.S. from the Department of Biology; thesis title: "Elevated ATP levels increase cold tolerance in Escherichia coli."
• Graduated from Elon University, Elon, NC with a B.S. from the Department of Biological Sciences.
• Expertise in gene cloning, gene recombineering, PCR, and other molecular techniques.
• Three years' experience in teaching molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics in the laboratory.
• Currently researching haplotype structures in non-HLA class-III genes to determine their role in HLA-associated diseases.

Elizabeth TOLLAR, B.S.
Research Associate, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY with a B.S. in Genetic and Molecular Engineering.
• One year’s experience in studying mutation of the “dumpy” gene in Drosophila Melanogaster.
• Currently working to understand and modulate bronchial epithelial cell response to asthma.

Esma UCISIK-AKKAYA, B.S., M.S.
Research Associate, Genomic Immunoepidemiology Laboratory.

• Graduated from Istanbul University, Turkey, with a B.Sc. from the Department of Medical Biological Sciences.
• Graduated from Istanbul Technical University, Turkey, with an M.Sc. from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, thesis title  “The biochemical and morphological storage characteristics of E.coli.”
• Worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Molecular Biology-Biotechnology and Genetics Research (MOBGAM), Turkey.
• Expertise in cell biology, molecular biology and fermentation/biotechnology techniques.
• Six years’ experience teaching microbiology and cell biology.
• Currently researching disease associations within the extended HLA complex.