Our Team

Emmanuel_Thomas_8704Director: Emmanuel Thomas, M.D., Ph.D.

Since completing a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship and graduating from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in May 2007, I have made steady progress toward creating and implementing a translational research program focused on preventing liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our project leverages resources and clinical/scientific expertise available through the Miami CTSI, the Schiff Center for Liver Diseases, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Miami Center for AIDS Research to address the rapid development of liver disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma which occurs in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV. Infection by both of these viruses impacts our South Florida community significantly and our efforts will help minimize their detrimental effects in our catchment area. There has recently been a lot of interest in HIV/HCV coinfection. My area of expertise is in viral hepatitis and on the mechanisms by which Hepatitis B and C cause liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Having been raised in Miami-Dade County, I have a strong commitment to improving the health of our local community. Recently, breakthroughs have been achieved in the treatment of viral hepatitis and specifically for treatment of HCV. Potent all-oral therapies are now available to cure patients with HCV infection. Through our community screening program, we are identifying HCV infected individuals and linking them to care so that they can be cured of this deadly virus. In addition, we are also facilitating the ability of uninsured patients to receive these costly medications through patient assistance programs.

Present:

Laboratory Team

  • Alejandro Badilla, Ph.D Candidate 

Alex Badilla

 

  • Stephanie Delabat, Virology Technician

 

 

 

  • Robert A. Burgess, Senior Research Associate II
  • Kelli K. Wysoglad, Graduate Researcher
  • Morgan A. Krempasky, Undergraduate Researcher
  • Justin Yu, Undergraduate Researcher

 

Past:

ryan_web2Ryan LaMarca, Medical Student at FAU; UM Undergraduate Student; 08/2012-2015

Ryan joined Dr. Thomas’ lab in August of 2012 during his senior undergraduate year at the University of Miami. He conducted experiments on Hepatitis C virus infection of primary human hepatocytes and hepatoma derived tumor cells. The areas of study included the mechanism of action of agents used to treat HCV infection, specifically interferon and ribavirin. Ryan also served as a research coordinator at the Schiff Center for Liver Diseases working on diagnostic research studies related to HIV and viral hepatitis, before matriculating to medical school. He returned during the summer after his first year of medical school to continue his research work.

Fernando J. Martinez, 3rd year GI Fellow; 8/2012-2014.

  • Nadege Alcime Miami-Dade College Student-Biotechnology Program; 8/2012-8/2013.
  • Zachery Austin, Morehouse College Student; Leadership Alliance Program; Summer 2013.
  • Vibhu Chitajallu, UM HPM Medical Student; 8/2012-Present.
  • Francisco J. Gortes 1st Year UMMSM Medical Student: 8/2012-2014.
  • Jinhe Hyun Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow; 10/2014-2019
  • Silvia Janina Jakubski, M.S., Research Associate, 6/2015-2019
  • Erik Kjell 2nd Year Medical Student from Sweden: 6/2013-12/2013.
  • Nicholas Kunz, UM Undergraduate Student; 8/2012-2014.
  • Pejman G. Mansourian, 4th Year UMMSM Medical Student; 8/2012-8/2013.
  • Eriko Masuda, 3rd Year UMMSM Medical Student; 7/2013-2014.
  • Katrina Montane, Hialeah High School Student; Howard Hughes Medical Institute High School Scholars Research Program; Summer 2013.
  • Nicholle A. Padrino, UM Undergraduate Student; 8/2012-2014.
  • Leronne Perera, Suncoast Community High School Student; Volunteer; Summer 2013.
  • Michael K. Rao, 2nd Year UMMSM Medical Student; 8/2012-8/2013.
  • Miguel Santiago Montana, UM Undergraduate Student; 8/2012-Present.
  • Paolo Scalla, Gulliver Prep High School Student; Howard Hughes Medical Institute High School Scholars Research Program; Summer 2013.
  • Leo Stenström 2nd Year Medical Student from Sweden: 6/2013-12/2013.
  • Danielle Turnquest, Florida Memorial University Student; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Scholars Research Program; NIH Diversity Supplement. Summer 2013-2015
  • Masato Yoneda M.D., Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow; 10/2013-2015
  • Swapnika Alahari, Undergraduate Researcher 2019-2022
  • David Barr, Undergraduate Researcher 2019-2022
  • Robert DiCaprio, Undergraduate Researcher 2019-2022
  • Jasmine S. Edwards, Ph.D Candidate 2017-2022
  • Dennis G. McDuffie, Ph.D Candidate 2019-2022