Neuro Group Members

Adrian Israelson

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D., Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel), 2006

B.S., Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel), 2001

After completing my Ph.D at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel) in which I concentrated on the synthesis of chemical compounds to study Ca2+-binding proteins, I moved to the Cleveland lab to explore the links between mutant SOD1 association to the mitochondria and its toxicity in ALS. To address this issue, I combine biochemical, electrophysiological and genetic techniques. Finding a new mechanism for mutant SOD1 toxicity, might provide new targets for future development of drugs for this devastating disease.

Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D. University of Strasbourg, France. 2008

M.D. Medical School of Strasbourg, France. 2004

My research focuses on exploring the role of TDP-43 in the pathogenesis of ALS. TDP-43 is a nucleic acid binding protein whose functions are not well understood but accumulating evidence supports a role in expression and splicing regulation. I use new methodologies linked to high-throughput sequencing to investigate the contribution of mRNA metabolism regulation in ALS pathogenesis.

Holly Kordasiewicz

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 2006

B.A. State University of New York - Geneseo, 2001

My research focuses on using a selective gene silencing approach to dissect disease mechanism in Huntington's disease and inherited ALS.

Hristelina Ilieva

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D., Okayama University, 2005

M.D., Higher Medical Institute- Plovdiv, 1998

I am interested in the pathogenesis of ALS. In particular the contribution of axonal transport alterations to ALS pathogenesis as well as the role of non-neuronal cells.

Shuo-Chien Ling

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005

M.S., National Tsing-Hua University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, 1995

B.A., National Tsing-Hua University, Hsin-chu, Taiwan, 1993

I am generally interested in everything in biology. I am currently working on how disease-causing mutations in TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) lead to neurodegeneration.

Melissa McAlonis-Downes

Research Staff

M.S., Johns Hopkins University, 2002

B.S. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 1999

I am a research project specialist that provides consultation and surgical expertise to those who have transgenic experiments. My primary focus is Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy for Familial ALS and Huntington's Disease Models.

Philippe Parone

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D., University of Cambridge, 2002

B.S., University of East Anglia, 1996

I am interested in understanding whether mitochondria play a primary role in the pathogenesis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Eveline Sun

Graduate Student

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, 2006-present

B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 2006

Mutations in TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) were recently identified as being causative in familial cases of ALS. I am currently investigating the molecular mechanisms through which mutations in TDP-43 contribute to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neurodegeneration.

Magdalini Polymenidou

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D., University of Zurich, Switzerland, 2005

B.S., M.Sc., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece 2001

I am investigating mechanisms by which mutations in the gene encoding for TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I am especially interested in the role of TDP-43 in RNA metabolism and I am exploring the possibility that pathogenic mutations on TDP-43 may deregulate the RNA homeostasis within the central nervous system.