Student Spotlight
Introduction
The Department of Physiology & Biophysics highlights the work of our department trainees. Research work comes from the six core research areas in the department including Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment, Cardiovascular, Cell Biology, Signaling and Endocrinology, Metabolism and Obesity, Neuroscience and Addiction, and Systems Physiology.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Kate Alexander, MD/PhD Candidate
This month in our Graduate Student Spotlight, we feature Kate Alexander, who is a 5th-year MD/PhD Candidate in the MSTP program from Dr. Kitajewski’s Lab.
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Previous Education
- BA in Biology: Biochemistry, Minor in Religion and Politics, Washington University in St. Louis, 2018
Current Education
- Degree: MD/PhD
- Department: Pharmacy
- Program: Pharmaceutical Sciences – MSTP
- Concentration: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics
What are your research and clinical interests?
I’m interested in understanding factors of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and how they’re influenced by physiology. My research is centered on understanding how Notch4 influences myeloid cells, particularly macrophages, in the breast TME, and how targeting Notch4 with a novel neutralizing antibody may polarize a TME more responsive to treatments like immunotherapy.
What inspired you to choose the UIC College of Medicine for your studies?
Definitely the people. Out of all my interviews, I felt most at home, comfortable, and excited about our MSTP. That sentiment has only grown stronger as I’ve become part of the PSCI and Physio departments!
What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
I think the combination of cutting edge research and labs that felt like a community and team. The collaboration and support we give each other is special, and I often find myself so grateful for our environment. It’s unique to find both coexisting so well.
What are your career goals after completing the program?
Long-term, I’d like to meld all my interests to practice as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician (specializing in Cancer Rehab) while leading a research group studying how the fascia and interstitium influence the TME. I want to stay in the Notch research space and make this a focus of my lab.
What would you like to do in your free time?
I love discovering green spaces around the city, finding ways to be active and feel centered, cooking and making music with my partner, Luke ❤️
What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago?
Summertime Chi is absolutely magical! Few things beat going to the lakefront when it’s sunny out and the sky and lake are a vibrant blue. Being on the water and enjoying the city’s unique architecture in the warmer months is a great experience.
Student Spotlight
Mohamed Haloul
Hometown:Cairo, Egypt
Previous Education
- Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Chemistry
Pre-Master’s in Microbiology- Al-Azhar University
Current Education
- Degree: PhD
- Department: Physiology and Biophysics
- Program: Graduate Education for Biomedical Sciences (GEMS)
- Concentration: Cancer Biology
What are your research and clinical interests?
My research focuses on understanding the role of ISG15 in regulating breast cancer progression and shaping the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, I am interested in how ISG15 and ISGylation influence tumor growth, metastasis, and anti-tumor immune responses across different biological contexts.A central aspect of my work is addressing the following questions: what happens if we remove ISG15 from cancer cells only? What happens if we remove it from the microenvironment only? What if we remove it from both the tumor and the microenvironment? And more specifically, what is the role of ISG15 in macrophages, and how does it influence tumor progression and immune regulation? To answer these questions, I use a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including genetic knockdown and knockout systems, as well as mouse models such as E0771 and PyMT with compartment-specific ISG15 deficiency. This approach allows me to dissect the distinct and combined contributions of ISG15 in cancer cells and in the tumor microenvironment.
If you want to know what happens and are curious to learn more, stay tuned for our manuscripts coming soon.
What inspired you to choose the UIC College of Medicine for your studies?
My connection to UIC actually started earlier, as I have been working at UIC as a Research Specialist since 2018. During that time, I was able to experience firsthand the collaborative environment, the strength of its research programs, and the supportive scientific community. I was looking for a place where I could grow not only as a researcher but also as someone who contributes to society. The diversity at UIC, along with its collaborative environment and strong cancer research programs, made it the perfect place for me to pursue my PhD.
What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
What attracted me most to the Department of Physiology and Biophysics was the people. From the beginning, I felt a very welcoming and supportive environment, from the faculty to the leadership. I was especially impressed by the department leadership, including Dr. Jan Kitajewski, and the strong sense of community they have built. It is truly a collegial and supportive place where trainees are encouraged to grow and succeed. One thing I really value is the collaborative atmosphere across labs. We have regular MAKY meetings—a joint lab meeting held biweekly that bring together multiple groups, including our lab, the Er lab, along with the labs of Dr. Monica Lee, Dr. Jiang Yuwei, and Dr. Andrius Kazlauskas. These meetings create a great environment for exchanging ideas, getting feedback, and learning from different perspectives. The department has also been incredibly supportive of my work, and I was honored to receive the John and Kathy Solaro Endowed Graduate Fellowship, which meant a lot to me both professionally and personally. Most importantly, I am deeply grateful to my mentor, Dr. Ekrem Emrah Er, for his guidance, support, and belief in my work. He has created an environment in the lab that fosters independence, critical thinking, and collaboration, and I feel very fortunate to be part of his lab.
What are your career goals after completing the program?
My goal is to continue in academia and establish my own research lab focused on cancer immunity and metastasis, particularly in breast cancer. I want to develop innovative strategies that target tumor–immune interactions and improve patient outcomes. I am also interested in developing more advanced and complex mouse models that better reflect human disease. Specifically, I aim to build multi-disease models that incorporate conditions commonly seen in patients, such as cancer in combination with obesity, infection, and other systemic factors, to better understand tumor progression in a more realistic setting. In parallel, I am passionate about education and community outreach, and I hope to create initiatives that make scientific knowledge accessible to younger generations and underserved communities.
What would you like to do in your free time?
Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family—my wife and my two kids are a big part of my life and keep me motivated. I also really enjoy transferring knowledge and mentoring younger students. I have been running my own science club for the past four years, where I host weekly sessions and have worked with more than 1,000 students, helping them develop scientific thinking and problem-solving skills. Supporting and inspiring the next generation is something I truly enjoy. I also like to stay active—I play football and volleyball, and I enjoy running. I like to keep things competitive and fun, so if you think you can beat me, feel free to reach out!
What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago?
What I enjoy most about Chicago is its diversity and energy. It’s a city where you can experience so many cultures in one place, and that reflects strongly in the community at UIC as well. I also appreciate how family-friendly the city is and the opportunities it provides for both personal and professional growth.
Past Student Spotlight
Hometown: Spaulding, IL
Previous Education
- B.Sc.: Biology and Psychology, Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
- M.A.: Clinical Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Current Education
- Degree: PhD
- Department: Physiology and Biophysics
- Program: Graduate Education for Biomedical Sciences (GEMS)
- Concentration: Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine
What are your research and clinical interests?
I am interested in researching the extracellular matrix (ECM), and how our favorite protein SNED1 assembles. or becomes part of, the ECM. SNED1 has been implicated in physiological processes like metastatic breast cancer and craniofacial formations, however we know little about the fundamental process of how this protein becomes incorporated into the ECM. Delineating whether SNED1 requires the presence of other ECM proteins, such as fibronectin or collagen I, for this process has been the focus of my thesis work.
What makes UIC College of Medicine unique for your studies?
UIC COM has been such a great place for me to do my doctorate. Having access to researchers that are leaders in their field, as well as facilities and instruments that allow us to perform high-level data acquisition and analysis, are all what allows UIC and the College of Medicine to maintain its spot among the top universities.
What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
I was attracted by the work that Dr. Naba was doing, on a structure that I was very unfamiliar with at the time I entered the program. My academic background prior to joining UIC was in neuroscience, so signing up for a rotation in a non-neuro lab was a bit out of my comfort zone. However, the lab was a great fit! Not long after joining, I attended my first Departmental Awards Ceremony. As we were still in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was over Zoom, but as part of the fun of the evening we played trivia. As a former Scholastic Bowl (IHSA competitive trivia) player, I was thrilled and even won myself a Physio Department cup! But more importantly, that was my first time witnessing that this department is so supportive of its members at every level. Having attended many departmental talks, and given a couple myself, it’s always a good feeling to be in a room with people who not only care about science, but also your success.
What would you like to do in your free time?
I have a 2.5-year-old son who keeps me quite busy and entertained! I also love spending time outdoors, be it gardening, camping, or on a good bike trail. My husband and I have also spent the last 4 years heavily remodeling our 1909 farmhouse, bringing it into the 21st century in many regards. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been worth it.
What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago?
Most of the things I’ve enjoyed have been the typical touristy things. I love museums and the aquarium. My husband and I have also been to a few live podcasts, comedy shows, and concerts, most recently Death Cab for Cutie. Other than that, we mostly stay out in the southwest suburbs!
Past Student Spotlight
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Previous Education
- B.Sc.: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
- M.Sc.: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Current Education
- Degree: MD/PhD
- Department: Physiology and Biophysics
- Program: Graduate Education for Biomedical Sciences (GEMS)
- Concentration: Integrative and Translational Physiology
What are your research and clinical interests?
My research interests over the last 13 years have focused on understanding the signaling pathways in the context of endocrinology. More specifically, my research over the last 10 years has been focused on reproduction and the ovary, honing and solidifying my passion for women’s health. Outside of what I currently do, I’m fascinated by mechanotransduction and physical genomics, and hope to incorporate that into my future career! Clinically, I’m interested in becoming an Ob/Gyn! I envision myself going into maternal-fetal medicine or minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and running my own lab.
What makes UIC College of Medicine unique for your studies?
UIC was my first choice specifically because of the multiple investigators in women’s health and reproduction! My PI, Carlos Stocco, is a big name in ovarian biology, and wanting to work with him was a significant reason I chose UIC.
What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
This department has such diverse interests and expertise! Anything that we want to do, we know that there is someone in our department who can give us advice or point us in the right direction. What I’ve come to love about the department over the last two years is that the PIs are all so supportive and I feel like I’m being raised by a village of mentors.
What would you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I’m a professional wedding, event, and portrait photographer! I have been shooting professionally since 2019, and it’s been the most wonderful (though time-consuming) creative outlet. Shooting weddings is so fun—the days are fast-paced, I get to meet and connect with new people, I need to think on my feet and constantly switch between different types of photography, and I get to go to amazing parties and capture the most special days in a person’s life. Most importantly, it’s so immersive that I get to take a break from everything else and live this exciting second life outside of science and medicine! Follow my business page on Instagram: @emtaylorphoto
What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago?
I love taking walks along the lake with friends, editing photos at coffee shops (love La Colombe, Colectivo, and Philz), and going to local professional wrestling shows (Freelance Wrestling). Because Chicago has seemingly everything to offer, I’ve gotten to try out some hobbies during grad school! Specifically, I took pottery classes for a few months at Penguin Foot Pottery in Logan Square and I took swing dancing classes for 8 months at Dance Center Chicago in Roscoe Village. The swing dancing community also has social dancing events across the city multiple nights a week that are SUPER fun, open to all skill levels (calendar of events: Windyhop.net)!
Past Student Spotlights
Hometown: Istanbul, Türkiye
Previous Education
- B.Sc.: Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biruni University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- M.Sc.: Molecular and Medical Genetics, Biruni University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Current Education
- Degree: PhD
- Department: Physiology and Biophysics
- Program: Graduate Education for Biomedical Sciences (GEMS)
- Concentration: Cancer Biology
What are your research and clinical interests?
I am highly interested in how lipids affect cancer growth. Many studies of lipid metabolism in cancer rely on the results of in vitro tissue culture experiments. The only source of lipids in traditional media is bovine serum, typically supplemented at 5-15%. Thus, cells cultured in these conditions are subject to an ~85-95% reduction in lipid exposure relative to human serum. My research focuses on developing a physiological lipid medium that maintains more accurate cancer cell behavior in vitro and cell metabolic characteristics than lipid-starved conditions found in ~10% FBS traditional media.
What makes UIC College of Medicine unique for your studies?
UIC Medicine is very good in terms of the number of faculty, the diversity of the departments, and the collaboration. Being in UIC medicine allows you to discover your interests by exposure to seminars in different disciplines and provides the necessary environment. I am a Ph.D. candidate in Graduate Education in bioMedical Sciences, in the cancer biology concentration. During my second year, classes specific to cancer biology encouraged me to learn many aspects of cancer biology from faculty who have expertise in cancer biology.
What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
UIC Physiology and Biophysics to my opinion has a very collaborative environment. As a department, all PIs, staff, and students are friendly and willing to help you whenever you need help. I enjoy being in UIC Physiology and Biophysics.
What would you like to do in your free time?
I have a passion for learning and developing others through communication and social events. To do so, as a Fulbright Alumnus, under The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, I’ve taken the initiative to start events that include experience sharing of Fulbright Alumni located in Chicago to impact the new Fulbright scholars. As for sports, I also enjoy indoor bouldering and Latin dances.
What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago?
For me, the best thing to do in Chicago is to walk on the riverwalk and the lakefront. If it’s summer, I like to enjoy the weather on the beach.