Vera PEKAREK, B.Sc.
Research Associate, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• Graduated from the Rheinische Akademie e.V. Koeln, Germany in 2005, with a  B.Sc. in Biochemistry.
• 1  1/2 years of experience in molecular biology techniques and their application on cytokine genetics.
• Author of two publications, one as first author.
• Worked on immunogenetic analysis and functional genetics of human cytokines.

Jeffrey BABAD, B.S., M.S. 
Research Associate, Genetic Immunology Laboratory.

• M.S. graduate of the Department of Microbiology at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA; thesis title: “Developing Tools to Study Anti-viral CD8+ T-cell Responses.”
• B.S. graduate of the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
• 4 years experience in immunology and mammalian cell culture.
• Analyzed the regulation of expression of human cytokines related to autoimmune diseases.

Shekar SRINIVAS, B.S., M.B.S.
Research Associate, HUMIGEN, LLC, the Institute for Genetic Immunology

• Graduated from The College of William and Mary with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry.
• Graduated from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMDNJ with a Master of Biomedical Sciences degree.
• 2 years experience in immunology, specifically IFN-λ-1 and ELR- CXC Chemokine work.
• Contributed to 2 peer-reviewed publications (one as co-author), and regularly peer-reviews publications.
• Involved in the analysis of human Th2 cytokine secretion patterns in response to IFN-λ-1 and IL-13 polymorphisms associated with asthma susceptibility.

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.

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.