Board Members

Alex is a PhD student in the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. His research interests center on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration. Specifically, he is conducting transcriptomic studies to analyze gene expression changes in Alzheimer’s disease. During his downtime, Alex enjoys producing music, biking, and trying new restaurants.

alex.kunisky@fourthriver.org

Shanae is a PhD student in the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine program at the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering. Her research focuses on the use of biomaterials to mitigate dysregulated healing processes in skin and muscle wound healing. In her free time, Shanae enjoys baking, drawing, dancing and taking care of her plants.

shanae.butler@fourthriver.org

Emam is a Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular Pharmacology program at Pitt, specializing in unraveling the complexities of calcium signaling pathways. Outside the laboratory, Ahmed is Venturesome, epicure, experimenting with culinary creations, and a coffee snob. Who is Fervent of all things musical.

ahmed.abdelnaby@fourthriver.org

Kassandra is a PhD trainee in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. Her aim is to employ a multidisciplinary training approach, collaborating with diverse mentors to explore novel immune cell repair mechanisms and develop broadly applicable cellular therapeutics for tissue regeneration after injury. Her interest in regenerative and reparative medicine stems from her focus on immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Outside of her research, she enjoys staying active with sports, cooking, and spending time with friends/family.

kassandra.baron@fourthriver.org

Keaton is a PhD student who primarily studies novel therapeutics for inborn errors of fatty acid oxidation in the Human Generics Department at the University of Pittsburgh. Outside the lab Keaton enjoys reading sci-fi/fantasy books, breweries, his cats, and traveling when his program allows.

keaton.solo@fourthriver.org

Abdalla is a PhD candidate in the Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research, conducted in the Lee-Oesterrich Lab, focuses on uncovering the transcriptional and molecular alterations unique to lobular breast cancer. He holds a Master’s degree in Pharmacology and a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, complemented by professional experience in clinical pharmacy and academic teaching. In his free time, Abdalla enjoys weightlifting, hiking, and spending quality time with family and friends.

abdalla.wedn@fourthriver.org

Karli holds a MS in chemistry and her thesis work broadly focused on how surface chemistry influences the inorganic core composition and optoelectronic performance of bimetallic nanoparticles. Karli enjoys cooking, drawing, running, and spending time with her two cats.

karli.kunzler@fourthriver.org