Sarah LivingstonB.S. Medical Studies - Class of 2020
College of Health Solutions Sarah joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in January of 2017. She spent her undergraduate years working on the lab's molecular nutrition and anti-aging project. The Jurutka lab has a history of publications regarding different nutraceuticals such as resveratrol and curcumin that have revealed an interaction with vitamin D, the vitamin D receptor, and the vitamin D signaling pathway. Sarah has expanded on this project by exploring other nutraceuticals that could display similar and even superior effects and interactions. From these findings, she continues to investigate how the body can increase antioxidant production and promote additional health benefits. She has already written and submitted a manuscript to the Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports that elaborates on this important work. Sarah is currently preparing to matriculate into medical school.
Ankedo WardaB.S. Exercise Health and Wellness - Class of 2016
College of Health Solutions Post-Baccalaureate, Biology New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Pathways Scholar and M.D. Candidate, Class of 2024 University of Arizona - Phoenix Ankedo joined the Jurutka Lab in June of 2018 as a post-baccalaureate student. Ankedo underwent training to master essential lab techniques such as cell culture, the dual-luciferase reporter assay and the proliferation assay. He will utilize these techniques, as well as qPCR and other assays, in a joint project with peer researcher Lech Staniszewski, in assessing the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of novel Bexarotene analogs in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Bexarotene is a third-generation retinoid used primarily to treat CTCL. While shown to be effective, Bexarotene also exhibits unwanted side effects such as hyperlipidemia and hypothyroidism. Ankedo has worked extensively to design and optimize the proliferation protocol which he has used to collect data on 14 novel analogs. In the near future, Ankedo looks to share his findings with the medical and scientific communities with the goal of uncovering safer and more effective treatments for CTCL, and he is currently preparing a manuscript that describes his work with rexinoids.
Michael SausedoB.S. Medical Studies - Class of 2024
College of Health Solutions Michael joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory as a freshman in January of 2021 and learned how to master essential lab techniques including cell culture and luciferase assay. He is currently conducting research on novel analogs of the drug Bexarotene to determine their efficacy in binding to LXR and inducing the expression of ApoE. The activity profiles of these analogs will be assessed to determine which may become potential therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease. Michael aims to utilize the hands-on biological research experience and knowledge he continues to gain in his future studies of medicine.
Jose OregelB.S. Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) - Class of 2022
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Jose became apart of Dr. Jurutka’s laboratory in January of 2021. He mastered many techniques, including cell culture, luciferase assay and other vital techniques used in the laboratory. He gained in-depth experience in biological research and is currently transitioning into pharmacy school.
Flavio BeasB.S. Biochemistry with Minor in Mathematics - Class of 2019
M.S. Molecular and Cellular Biology - Class of 2025 School of Life Sciences Flavio is a recent ASU graduate, receiving his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry fall of 2019. He joined Dr. Jurutkas laboratory in January 2022 to gain hands-on research experience, cell culture skills and techniques. Flavio is currently in the MCB program at ASU working on his thesis in synthesizing novel analogs of Bexarotene for their efficacy in binding and activating RXR as potential therapeutics for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Flavio hopes in the future to combine his research and clinical experience as a Molecular Technologist to pursue his studies in medical school.
Ashley LivingstonB.S. Medical Studies - Class of 2025
College of Health Solution Ashley joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in March 2023. She is currently working on the analysis of the RXR signaling pathway and inhibitors. This work will be used for her Honors Thesis along with additional studies employing the VDR signaling pathway and activators to reveal insights on how these pathways affect oral health. Ashley aspires to take her gained scientific insight and practice of manual dexterity into the dental field.
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Zainab KhanB.S. Biology - Class of 2016
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences M.D. Candidate, Class of 2021 University of Arizona - Phoenix Zainab began conducting research in Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in May 2013. In her first year, she researched the nutritional importance of vitamin D and resveratrol (through its effector protein SIRT1) on the chemopreventative effects of the vitamin D signal transduction pathway with her peer, Marya Sabir. After the conclusion of the SIRT1 project, Zainab commenced work on her Honors Thesis researching the potential for klotho, an anti-aging protein, and the vitamin D receptor to act as tumor suppressors by inhibiting cancer-inducing signaling pathways. After graduation, Zainab matriculated at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and is currently working on her MD Scholarly Project in the rexinoid field in Dr. Jurutka's lab.
Lech StaniszewskiB.S. Biomedical Sciences, SOLS - Class of 2018
MA in Management and Finance BBA in International Business M.D. Candidate, Class of 2023 University of Arizona - Tucson In May 2016, Lech began conducting experiments in Dr. Jurutka's laboratory. His work involves research and development of vitamin D analogs of the active hormonal metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, which would act as potential antagonists. Currently, he is conducting experiments to confirm whether these compounds are bona fide vitamin D receptor (VDR) antagonists, as well as assessing their specificity towards other nuclear receptors in transfected human cells. He is also preparing a manuscript that details this novel work.
Zhela SabirB.S. Biochemistry - Class of 2022
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Zhela joined Dr. Jurutka’s laboratory as a freshman starting in the late summer of 2019. She is currently part of the nutraceutical team in the lab, along with peer researcher Sarah, and is working to assess the participation of anti-oxidation pathways and their role in VDR action, as well as the ability of vitamin D to influence NRF-2 signaling.
Sabeeha ReshiM.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology - Class of 2023
School of Life Sciences Sabeeha completed her MS in Biotechnology from the University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom. For her thesis, she focused on production, purification and characterization of recombinant human alpha 3(IV)NC1. After finishing her Masters studies, she worked as an ICMR (Indian council of Medical research) fellow researching about the role of genetic polymorphisms and its effect on adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. She joined the Jurutka lab in January 2020. She is currently working with Morgan and testing newly synthesized, novel analogs of Bexarotene for their efficacy in binding and activation of RXR, and as therapeutics for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
Jennifer HongB.S. Biology (Pharmacology/Toxicology) - Class of 2023
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Jennifer joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in January of 2020. She is currently working on the rexinoid project, testing newly synthesized, novel analogs of Bexarotene for their efficacy in binding and activation of RXR. She will assess the activity profiles for each analog and their potential to become therapeutic agents for both cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Jennifer is preparing to transition into pharmacy school.
Mobin Emran DoostB.S. Medical Microbiology - Class of 2024
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Mobin joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in January of 2022. He is currently working on the vitamin D synergism project. He is looking to explore if the novel rexinoids that the lab has been testing can synergize with vitamin D for the goal of preventing and treating major human diseases. Through his thesis, Mobin will be researching how the polymorphic activity in the VDR and the concentration of one’s vitamin D can impact the outcome of the Bexarotene analogs and its synergism to vitamin D. Mobin’s work overall relates to the evolving fields of personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics. He hopes to gain experience in biomedical research and to carry this knowledge into medicine as well as in future research.
Quang NguyenB.S. Biological (Biomedical) Sciences – Class of 2025
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Quang joined Dr. Jurutka’s laboratory in June 2023. He has observed other lab members and learned valuable lab techniques. In due time, he will contribute to a research project. Quang aspires to take these skills and knowledge and apply it to the field of medicine in the future.
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Lab Alumni
Dr. Michael Heck
Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Dr. Heck joined the Jurutka lab in November, 2014. He received his Doctorate in Microbiology from Arizona State University in August, 2002. In the wake of 911, he completed five years of post-doctoral training at the Biodesign Institute developing an attenuated, live vaccine against smallpox. Upon completion of this work, he left Arizona State University to become the director of a clinical laboratory in Atlanta, GA. He returned to Arizona State University, where his main focus was the characterization of novel compounds that have been developed as therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease and alternatives to chemotherapies in cancer.
Dr. Sanchita Mallick
Assistant Research Professor
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Sanchita Mallick completed her Ph.D. in 2009 from the Advance Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India. For her doctoral thesis, she focused on evaluating alternations in apoptotic genes in human oral cancers and finding markers for radiation response. After finishing her doctoral studies, she worked in a pharmaceutical company in India for two years. She joined the Jurutka lab in October 2015 where she worked on examining the effect of bexarotene and its analogs on transcriptional up-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. She also studied the effects of vitamin D, resveratrol and other nutraceuticals on gene regulation.
Marya Sabir
B.S. Biochemistry - Class of 2015
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Marya Sabir joined the Jurutka laboratory in May of 2012 and began researching the molecular mechanisms underlying two signaling modulators of the vitamin D pathway, specifically, resveratrol and the mediator protein, sirtuin-1. Subsequently, Marya commenced work on elucidating the potential effects of vitamin D on serotonin synthesis (via tryptophan hydroxylase), reuptake (mediated by the serotonin transporter), and oxidation (by monoamine oxidase) to examine a potential mechanism serving as the foundation for the observation that 1,25D hormonal deficiencies have been associated with increased incidence of autism spectrum disorders and depression. During her time in the lab, Marya has also worked on several other projects involving nutraceuticals such as vitamin D, resveratrol and curcumin as part of the Jurutka Lab molecular nutrition and anti-aging projects, and she has published several manuscripts, including first-author papers, since joining the lab as an undergraduate researcher. Currently, she is in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program.
Ruby Sandoval
B.S. Biology & Psychology - Class of 2016
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
As part of the Jurutka Lab at Arizona State University, Ruby worked alongside Zainab and Sameera Khan to further explore the vitamin D pathway with respect to FOXO and anti-oxidation signaling. Cell culture and luciferase assays were used to study these effects by measuring transcriptional activity of the FOXO gene. By elucidating the complex regulation of this gene, anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects of vitamin D were probed to further assess the role of these pathways in human health, and as a mechanism to reduce the development of cancer through adequate intake of vitamin D.
Pritika Shahani
B.S. Biology - Class of 2016
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Pritika worked in Dr.Jurutka’s laboratory from January 2013 to December 2017. She was part of the Rexinoid Drug Development Team in the lab. The specific aims of the Rexinoid project are biological evaluation of the FDA-approved drug Bexarotene and novel RXR-selective agonists as therapeutics for cancer and dementia. She began work on the third generation of these novel RXR agonists synthesized by our interdisciplinary collaborator, Dr. Carl Wagner, and continued to work on the fourth and, recently, the fifth generation of these RXR analogs. Pritika is currently pursuing graduate studies in biomedicine.
Supreet Bains
B.S. Biological Sciences - Class of 2017
School of Life Sciences
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2022
Creighton University, Omaha, NE
School of Life Sciences
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2022
Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Supreet began conducting research in Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in June 2014. She researched the use of the FDA-approved drug and retinoid-X-receptor (RXR) agonist bexarotene as a potential estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) antagonist. In addition, she tested novel RXR analogs to determine if they were able to inhibit estrogenic activity more effectively than bexarotene, but with fewer side effects. Bexarotene is currently used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), but if bexarotene analogs are indeed ERα antagonists, then they can possibly be employed as chemotherapeutics to combat ERα-positive cancers, such as breast cancer. Supreet is currently pursuing her M.D. degree.
Sameera Khan
B.S. Biology - Class of 2018
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2023
Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2023
Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL
Sameera joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory as a freshman in January 2015 where she worked on the klotho project with her peers, Zainab Khan and Ruby Sandoval. The aims of the klotho project include the assessment of the tumor-suppressing abilities of klotho, a known anti-aging gene, as well as the determination of the nutritional applicability of vitamin D in preventing cancerous growth through the actions of its signal transduction pathway. The interaction of the klotho protein and the vitamin D signaling pathway, as well as their possible chemopreventative effects were also studied. Sameera is currently pursuing her MD degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago.
Hespera Purdin
B.S. Neurobiology - Class of 2020
School of Life Sciences
School of Life Sciences
Hespera Purdin joined Dr. Jurutka’s laboratory in January of 2018 where she studied the two existing estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ and their responses to synthetic estrogens. Through an interdisciplinary collaboration with Dr. Watanabe's group in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, she helped facilitate mathematical models based on her ER experiments which could shed light on ERα and ERβ activities in different cellular contexts. The insights gained from these models may have implications in the treatment of estrogen-dependent disorders such as post-menopausal osteoporosis and breast cancer.
Sreecharita Nidamanuri
B.S. Biochemistry - Class of 2021
School of Life Sciences
School of Life Sciences
Sreecharita joined Dr. Jurutka’s laboratory in August of 2018. Sreecharita employed cell culture and dual luciferase reporter assays to address questions related to nutraceutical actions in VDR signaling . She utilized these techniques along with other assays and qPCR to work on the lab’s molecular nutrition and anti-aging project with peer researcher Sarah Livingston.
Daniel Lucas
B.S. Molecular and Cellular Biology - Class of 2022
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Daniel Lucas joined the lab in August of 2017 at the start of his senior year in high school and continued work on an ongoing project to evaluate the effects of vitamin D on the biosynthesis pathway of serotonin, which has wide-reaching implications for research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and depression. Daniel also assisted on another project that investigates nutraceuticals that may activate the vitamin D signaling pathway.
Morgan Pedroza
B.S. Biology - Class of 2021
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Morgan joined Dr. Jurutka’s laboratory in January of 2019. She worked closely with Dr. Mallick and tested newly synthesized, novel analogs of Bexarotene for their efficacy in binding and activation of RXR, and as therapeutics for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
Eyal Ron
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2020
University of Arizona - Phoenix
University of Arizona - Phoenix
Eyal joined Dr. Jurutka's laboratory in January 2017. He compared the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of several novel, 6th generation analogues of bexarotene. Before joining the Jurutka lab, Eyal worked with Dr. Bijan Najafi at the University of Arizona testing smart insole technology that can alert diabetics with peripheral neuropathy when their plantar pressures are too high.
Christina Nguyen
B.S. Biology - Class of 2021
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Christina joined Dr. Jurutka’s lab in August of 2019. She underwent training to master techniques such as cell culture and luciferase assay used in the lab. She utilized these skills to investigate how various nuclear receptor ligands might better activate the vitamin D signaling pathway. Christina is currently an optometry student at Midwestern University.
Aleksandra Grozic
B.S. Biochemistry & Psychology - Class of 2017
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
D.O. Candidate - Class of 2024
Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
D.O. Candidate - Class of 2024
Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Aleksandra joined the Jurutka laboratory in the spring of 2015. She has presented research on the modulation of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and the serotonin transporter (SERT) by vitamin D in human intestinal epithelium. The results deduced provide preliminary evidence for a novel pathway of intestinal serotonin regulation by vitamin D, suggesting that vitamin D status may influence the etiology of gastrointestinal disorders dependent on optimal serotonin signaling. Previously, she also investigated the expression of differentially expressed genes as biomarkers for the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and contributed to a manuscript on this topic.