Postdocs/Fellows

Lisa E. Prevette, Ph.D. Bachelor of Arts Chemistry and Mathematics Transylvania University in Lexington, KY 2001 Ph.D. Chemistry University of Cincinnati 2008 Fellow, Department of Chemistry and MNIMBS

Lisa Prevette, Ph.D. graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY in 2001 with B.A. degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. After a year with Eli Lilly, she returned to academia to pursue her Ph.D in Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati under the guidance of Professor Theresa M. Reineke studying the mechanisms of interaction between polymers and nucleic acids. Earning her doctorate in 2008, Lisa is now a Michigan Chemistry Fellow working with the Banaszak Holl group in collaboration with many distinguished researchers in MNIMBS nanomedicine program, and Professors Ramamoorthy and Al-Hashimi on determining the structure and dynamics of polymer-DNA complexes and their interactions with cell membranes using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Honors and Awards
Vaughan Symposium Poster Presentation Award University of Michigan, Aug 2009
Michigan Chemistry Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship, November 2007
National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship - declined October 2007
Harry B. Mark Research Award University of Cincinnati, May 2007
University Research Council Summer Fellowship University of Cincinnati, May 2007
Hillstrom Travel Award University of Cincinnati, May 2007
Procter & Gamble Research Fellowship, May 2006
Outstanding Poster Presentation UC Graduate Poster Forum, March 2006
Most Interesting Scientific Presentation BioOhio Poster Competition, October 2005
Henry Hochstetter Award for teaching excellence University of Cincinnati, May 2004
William T. Young Distinguished Scholar Transylvania University, 1997-2001.

One of 25 full scholarships awarded to outstanding students
Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary Transylvania University, 2000

Publications
Prevette, L.E.; Mullen, D.G.; Banaszak Holl, M.M. “Polycation-induced Cell Membrane Permeability Does Not Enhance Cellular Uptake or Transfection Efficiency.” Biomacromolecules 2009 (submitted)

Prevette, L.E.; Lynch, M. L.; Reineke, T.M. “Amide Spacing Influences pDNA Binding of Poly(amidoamine)s.” Biomacromolecules, 2009 (accepted)

Prevette, L.E.; Mills, M.; Ramamoorthy, A.; Orr, B.G,; Andricioaei, I.; Banaszak Holl, M.M. “Structural Characterization of DNA-PAMAM Dendrimer Complexes.” ACS PMSE Preprints, 2008, 99, 795-796.

Prevette, L.E.; Kizjakina, K.; Lynch, M.L; Reineke, T.M. “Correlation of Amine Number and pDNA Binding Mechanism for Trehalose-based Polycations.” Langmuir 2008, 24, 8090-8101.

Prevette, L.E.; Lynch, M.L.; Reineke, T.M. “Understanding DNA Binding Mechanisms of Trehalose-Based Polycationic Gene Delivery Vectors.” ACS PMSE Preprints, 2007, 96, 843-844.

Prevette, L.E.; Kodger, T.E.; Reineke, T.M.; Lynch, M. L. “Deciphering the Role of Hydrogen Bonding in Enhancing pDNA-Polycation Interactions.” Langmuir 2007, 23, 9773-9784.

Srinivasachari, S.; Liu, Y.; Prevette, L.E.; Reineke, T.M. “Effects of Trehalose Click Polymer Length on pDNA Complex Stability and Delivery Efficacy.” Biomaterials 2007, 28, 2885-2898.

Srinivasachari, S.; Liu, Y.; Zhang, G.; Prevette, L.E.; Reineke, T.M. “Trehalose Click Polymers Inhibit Nanoparticle Aggregation and Promote pDNA Delivery in Serum.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 8176-8184.

Prevette, L.E.; Lynch, M.; Reineke, T.M. “Deciphering the Mechanism of Poly(glycoamidoamine)-DNA Interactions.” ACS PMSE Preprints, 2006, 94, 356-357.

Lee, C-C.; Prevette, L.E.; Lynch, M.; Reineke, T.M. “Synthesis and Physical Characterization of Novel Biodegradable Polyesters for Nucleic Acid Delivery.” ACS Polymer Preprints, 2005, 46, 335.

Joseph M Wallace, Ph.D. Bachelor of Science and Engineering Georgia Tech, 2002 Master of Science and Engineering Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering University of Michigan Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry and MNIMBS Instructor Rackham Certificate Program in NanoBiology Seminar

Joey Wallace, Ph.D. graduated with a BSE in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2002 before pursuing an MSE and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan.  His Ph.D. work focused on mechanical and genetic influences on skeletal structure and function.  He is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemistry and  is studying the internalization and trafficking of polycationic polymer-DNA polyplexes in cells using AFM and confocal microscopy as part of the MNIMBS nanomedicine program.  Beginning in September, he will begin using AFM to study ultrastructural changes in bone and connective tissues of mice afflicted with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.  Dr. Wallace serves as the Instructor of the Rackham Certificate in NanoBiology Seminar. See also: the current Seminar course web site.

Awards

1F32DE018840-01 A1 09/01/2008-09/01-2010
Title: Investigating Ultrastructural Collagen Changes in Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Role: Principal Investigator

The University of Michigan – Rackham Graduate School – February 2008
Nominated for Distinguished Dissertation Award

Ninth International Conference on the Chemistry and Biology of Mineralized Tissues – November 2007; New Investigator Award

The Sixth Annual Meeting of the Midwest Tissue Engineering Consortium – April 2007
Award for best judged poster presentation

The Dominic D. Dziewiatkowsi Award - The University of Michigan School of Dentistry – April 2007; Given in recognition of excellence in student research

The University of Michigan Engineering Graduate Student Symposium – November 2006
Best Oral Presentation, Biomechanics Concentration

Regenerative Sciences Training Grant R90-DK071506 - October 2004 to October 2006

Publications

Finney WF, Morris MD, Wallace JM, Kohn DH, “Ultrastructural Elastic Deformation of Cortical Bone Tissue Probed by NIR Raman Spectroscopy.” In: Proceedings of SPIE 2004; 5321: 233-241.

Morris MD, Finney WF, Callender A, Wallace JM, Kohn DH, “Chemical Structure Changes Accompanying Mechanical Loading of Cortical Bone Tissue.” In: Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on the Chemistry and Biology of Mineralized Tissues, 2005, WJ Landis and J Sodek, Editors; University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada: 227-229.

Wallace JM, Rajachar RM, Chen XD, Shi S, Allen MR, Bloomfield SA, Les CM, Robey PG, Young MF, Kohn DH, “The Mechanical Phenotype of Biglycan Deficient Mice is Bone- and Gender-Specific,” Bone 2006; 39 (1): 106-116.

Wallace JM, Rajachar RM, Allen MR, Bloomfield SA, Robey PG, Young MF, Kohn DH, “Exercise-Induced Changes in the Cortical Bone of Growing Mice are Bone and Gender Specific,” Bone 2007; 40 (4): 1120-1127.

Kohn DH, Sahar ND, Wallace JM, Golcuk K, Morris MD, “Exercise Alters Mineral and Matrix Composition in the Absence of Adding New Bone,” Cells, Tissues, Organs 2009; 189: 33-37.

Hong SI, Hong SK, Wallace JM, Kohn D, “Ultrastructural Observation and Electron Irradiation Damage of Lamellar Bone,” Journal of Materials Sciences: Materials in Medicine 2009; 20: 959-965.

Wallace JM, Golcuk K, Morris MD, Kohn DH, “Inbred Strain-Specific Response to Biglycan Deficiency in the Cortical Bone of C57BL6/129 and C3H/He Mice,” JBMR, In Press, November 2008.

Wallace JM, Ron MS, Kohn DH, “Short-term exercise in mice increases tibial post-yield mechanical properties while two weeks of latency following exercise increases tissue-level strength,” Calcif. Tis Int., In Press, February 2009; DOI 10.1007/s00223-009-9228-8.

Hansma P, Yu H, Schultz D, Rodriguez A, Yurtsev E, Peters MC, Miller J, Wallace JM, Kang I, Kohn D, Buckley J, Weaver V, Lotz J, “Tissue Diagnostic Instrument,”Review of Scientific Instruments, March 2009.

Wallace JM, Golcuk K, Morris MD, Kohn DH, “Exercise Modulates the Phenotype of Biglycan-Deficient Mice in an Inbred Strain-Specific Manner by Altering Bone Composition and Mechanical Integrity,” Bone, Submitted, December 2008.

Stoichiometry and Structure of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer-Lipid Complexes

See CV.

During medical school and residency, Dr. Whitney Dunlap had the privilege of working for two nonprofit international health care organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Both organizations emphasized education of in-country healthcare providers in addition to treatment of patients.  As a result, she developed an interest in healthcare delivery in the developing world and learned how efficient and pragmatic solutions can erode complex challenges.  She is currently a fellow in the University of Michigan Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and is developing a nanoemulsion-based intranasal  pneumococcal vaccine. pneumococcus is a bacterial pathogen responsible for significant mortality worldwide.  She hopes her work with MNIMBS will result in a more accessible vaccine that provides maximum immunity while eliminating the need for needle administration and cold chain storage.

Awards

6/2008 Brown Medical School Student Award for Recognition of Outstanding Teaching

5/2002- 8/2002  Physicians For Peace: Gwaltney International Fellow

8/1996- 5/2000 University of Florida:

    Florida Academic Scholar

    President’s Honor Roll

Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society

Scientific Presentations

10/22/1009  S. pneumoniae Vaccine Proof of Concept

Gates Foundation Grand Challenges in Global Health Annual Meeting

Arusha, Tanzania

7/26/2009 A Novel Streptococcus pneumoniae Vaccine

John M. Sheldon Allergy Society, Tri-Annual Meeting

Ann Arbor, MI

Abstracts

11/2009  Dunlap W and Baldwin JL.  A 34-year-old  Female with Cryoglobulinemia Presenting with an Increasing IgM Following IVIG Infusion for Suspected CVID.

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting

8/2008 Dunlap W, Sanders G, and Baldwin JL.  Allergic reaction to carmine in a pediatric patient after consumption of a popular fruit drink with a non-FDA approved carmine designation.

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

2008 Annual Scientific Meeting

Sascha N. Goonewardena, M.D.

B.S. in Biology and Philosophy, University of Michigan, 5/1999

M.D., University of Michigan Medical Schoo,l 6/2003

Resident Physician, University of Chicago Hospitals, Internal Medicine (2003-2006)

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Chicago, Cardiology Department (2006-2007)

Cardiology Fellow, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, 2006 - present

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in MNIMBS, 2009- present:

Cardiovascular disease – Dendrimer Nanomedicine

Sascha Goonewardena, M.D. does two years research in the MNIMBS nanomedicine program as part of his specialization in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide.  During the last few decades, major advancements have been made in treating several forms of cardiovascular disease.  From angioplasty to statin therapies, treatments have reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease.  However, further advances have been hindered by systemic toxicities coupled with a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate these disease processes.       

The field of dendrimer-based nanomedicine has evolved rapidly over the last decade.  Dendrimer molecules can perform several simultaneous functions, including targeted delivery of specific therapeutics and molecules, real-time visualization of dynamic homeostatic mechanisms, and in vivo sensing of diverse cellular processes.  The multifunctional properties of dendrimer molecules coupled with their nano-scale proportions allow for targeted delivery and molecular monitoring with the specificity and biocompatibility enjoyed by endogenous substances.  These technologies have the potential to overcome traditional barriers that currently limit our ability to understand, diagnose, and treat cardiovascular disease. 

As our understanding of cardiovascular diseases has advanced, it has been recognized that much of the pathology stems from vascular dysfunction – both as an indirect facilitator and a direct mediator.  Because of the central role of the vascular system in cardiovascular disease process, an understanding and an ability to monitor and leverage the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis would prove beneficial in studying and treating cardiovascular disease processes.

Integrin adhesion molecules play a critical role in regulating cell-cell interactions and endothelial function, especially with regards to angiogenesis.  Specifically, αvβ3 integrin is found on the luminal surface of endothelial cells during angiogenesis.  Polyamidine (PAMAM) dendrimers with the Arg-Gly Asp(RGD) motif that binds to the αvβ3  integrin provide us with the ability to monitor dynamically and target pathological processes that involve angiogenesis.   By using this and other PAMAM dendrimer constructs, we hope to further our understanding of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart failure, and myocardial infarction and hope to deliver targeted therapies in an efficient manner while simultaneously minimizing systemic toxicities that characterize current therapeutics. 

Awards

Gerard Summer Fellowship, NSF Developmental Neurobiology Grant, Class Honors, Golden Key Honor Society, T-32 Training Grant

Publications

Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma-A volatile variant.  Sascha Goonewardena, M.D., Lissa Sugeng, M.D., James K. Min, M.D., Roberto Lang, M.D. Clinical Vignette—Clinical Echocardiography 2005. < IN PRESS>.

Bioprosthetic Valve Thrombosis.  Sascha Goonewardena, M.D., Dipak Shah, M.D., Lissa Sugeng, M.D., Roberto Lang, M.D.  Clincial Vignette  <IN PRESS, Clinical Echocardiography 2005>

Fibrosing Cholestatic Hepatitis.   Goonewardena S and Ross A.  Clinical Vignette—<In Press Hepatology 2005> Dual triggering improves the accuracy of left ventricular volume measurements by contrast-enhanced real-time 3D echocardiography. Caiani EG, Coon P, Corsi C, Goonewardena S, Bardo D, Rafter P, Sugeng L, Mor-Avi V, Lang RM. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2005 (in press).

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic quantification of left ventricular
volumes using a rapid tissue tracking algorithm. Jacobs LD, Salgo IS, Goonewardena S, Weinert L, Coon P, Bardo D, Gerard O, Allain P, Zamorano JL, de Isla LP, Mor-Avi V, Lang RM. Eur Heart J 2005 (in press).

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.  Dipak Shah, MD., Lissa Sugeng, MD., Sascha Goonewardena, MD., Patrick Coon, and Roberto Lang, MD.  <In Press CIRCULATION>

Quantification of regional left ventricular function from real-time 3D echocardiography in
patients with poor acoustic windows: Effects of contrast enhancement tested against cardiac magnetic resonance. Corsi C, Coon PD, Goonewardena S, Weinert L, Sugeng L, Polonsky TS, Veronesi F, Caiani EG, Lamberti C, Bardo D, Lang RM, Mor-Avi V. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2006 (in press).

Handcarried Ultrasound Measurement of the IVC by Internal Medicine Residents for Assessment of Intravascular Volume Status in the Outpatient Hemodialysis Clinic.  J. Matthew Brennan MD, Adam Ronan MD, Sascha Goonewardena MD, John E. A. Blair MD, Mary Hammes DO, Dipak Shah MD, Samip Vasaiwala MD, James N Kirkpatrick MD, Kirk T Spencer MD.  Clinical JASN 2006 (in press).

”High Prevalence of Important Cardiac Findings in Outpatients with First Presentation of Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Echocardiographic Screening Study.” R Parker Ward, Sascha N. Goonewardena, Georgeanne Lammertin, Gwendolyn Smith, Roberto M. Lang. University Chicago, Chicago, IL.  American Journal of Cardiology, 2006 (in press).

J. Matthew Brennan†, John E.A. Blair†, Chetan Hampole†, Sascha Goonewardena†, Samip Vasaiwala†, Dipak Shah†, Kirk Spencer†, Gregory A. Schmidt‡ Radial Artery Pulse Pressure Variation Correlates with Brachial Artery Peak Velocity Variation in Ventilated Subjects When Measured by Internal Medicine Residents Using Hand-Carried Ultrasound Devices. Chest. In Press

J. Matthew Brennan MD, John E. Blair MD, Sascha Goonewardena MD, Adam Ronan MD, Dipak Shah MD, Samip Vasaiwala MD, Erica Brooks MD, Ari Levy MD, James N Kirkpatrick MD, Kirk T Spencer MD. A Comparison by Medicine Residents of Physical Examination vs. Hand-Carried Ultrasound for Estimation of Right Atrial Pressure. AJC. In Press

J. Matthew Brennan MD, John E. Blair MD, Sascha Goonewardena MD, Adam Ronan MD, Dipak Shah MD, Samip Vasaiwala MD, James N Kirkpatrick MD, Kirk T Spencer MD. Reappraisal of the Use of IVC for Estimating Right Atrial Pressure. JASE. In Press

Mor-Avi V, Koch R, Holper EM, Goonewardena S, Coon PD, Min J, Fedson S, Ward RP, Lang, RM: Value of vasodilator stress myocardial contrast echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging for differential diagnosis of ischemic versus non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2007 (in press).

Use of Hand Carried Ultrasound, B-type Natriuretic Peptide, and Clinical Assessment in Identifying Abnormal Left Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients Referred for Right Heart Catheterization. Sascha N. Goonewardena, John E. A. Blair, Amin Manuchehry, Michael Keller, Ryan Reeves, Adam Price, J. Matthew Brennan, Kirk T. Spencer, Jyothy Puthumana, Mihai Gheorghiade.  Submitted Journal of Cardiac Failure 2009.

Murine Lung Responses to Ambient Baltimore Particulate Matter: Genomic Analysis and Contribution to Airway Hyperresponsiveness; Ting Wang, Liliana Moreno-Vinasco, Yong Huang, Gabriel D. Lang, Jered D. Linares, Sascha N. Goonewardena, Alayna Grabavoy, Jonathan M. Samet, Alison S Geyh, Patrick N Breysse, Yves A. Lussier, Viswanathan Natarajan, Joe G. N. Garcia.  Environmental health perspectives, 2009.

Usefulness of Hand-carried Ultrasound to Predict Elevated Left Ventricular Filling Pressure.  John E. Blair MD, J. Matthew Brennan MD, Sascha N. Goonewardena MD, Dipak Shah MD, Samip Vasaiwala MD, Kirk T Spencer MD.  American Journal of Cardiology, 2008.

Particulate Matter Exacerbates Respiratory and Cardiac Arrhythmias in Cardiomyopathic Mice via Heightened Carotid Body Sensitivity.  Joe G.N. Garcia, Gabriel Lang, Liliana Moreno-Vinasco, Ting Wang, Yong Huang, Sascha Goonewardena, Ying-Jie Peng, Eric Svenson,Viswanathan Natarajan, Roberto Lang John Beshai, Jered Linares, Patrick Breysse, Alison Geyh, Jonathan Samet, Yves Lussier, Nanduri Prabhakar.  Submitted Journal of Clinical Investigation 2009.