Julie Ledford, Ph.D.
I received my B.S degree from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) in Genetics and my Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go TarHeels!). After completing my postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University with the late Dr. Jo Rae Wright, I relocated to the University of Arizona to continue my work with pulmonary surfactant and other lung proteins and their participation in host defense and homeostasis. My lab supports projects to study mechanisms behind restrictive lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis, with a goal of developing a novel class of therapeutics based on the functionality of endogenous lung proteins.
email: jledford@arizona.edu
phone#: 520 626 0276
Julie Ledford, Ph.D.
Current Lab Members
Laurie Ellerman, MPH
Lab Manager
I received my B.A. from Vassar College. I began as a volunteer in the Ledford Lab in 2017, working my way up to a full time position as Research Technologist and lab manager.
In 2023, I completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology.
I am interested in population-based research relating to respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma, with a focus on impact of the environment and of aging, particularly relating to women and menopause.
Email: lellerman@arizona.edu
Sasipa Tanyaratsrisakul, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
I have a background in biotechnology (B.Sc., KMITL, Thailand) and molecular genetics and genetic engineering (Ph.D., Mahidol university, Thailand). I did my postdoc training at National Jewish Health under supervision of Dr. Dennis Voelker. In 2016, I developed a point-of-care molecular diagnosis technique for scrub typhus (Mahidol University). I have expertise in the characterization of HDM allergens and the immunomodulation properties of lung surfactant components on bacterial and virus infections.
Email: sasipat@arizona.edu
Riley Hellinger
Ph.D Candidate (Molecular Medicine)
M.D./Ph.D candidate
I received my B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biological Sciences from Montana Technological University in 2019. My research there focused on determining the prevalence of Sin Nombre Virus in deer mouse populations. After graduation I worked as the Laboratory Manager and Technician in the Hemann Lab at the Koch Institute at MIT, elucidating the mechanisms by which B-ALL and AML become resistant to CAR-T therapy and frontline chemotherapy, respectively. I joined the Medical Scientist Training MD-PhD Program (MSTP) at UACOM-T in 2021 and the Ledford Lab and Molecular Medicine program in March 2023.
Kayleigh Berthiaume-Fox
Ph.D Candidate (Biomedical Engineering)
M.D./Ph.D candidate
I received my BS in Physiology and BS in Microbiology with a minor in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona Honors College in 2020, and my MS in Physiology from Boston University in 2022. I'm currently in the medical scientist MD-PhD training program, working toward my PhD in Biomedical Engineering in the Ledford lab. I'm especially interested in understanding how mechanical forces impact epithelial cell biology, especially in the context of lung injury and disease.
Elizabeth Vagnerova, B.S.
Research Technician
Coming soon
Jared Alvarez
Ph.D Candidate (Molecular Medicine)
Coming soon
Former Lab Members
Julia Li, B.S.H.S.
I graduated from The University of Arizona and the W.A. Franke Honors College in 2026 with a B.S.H.S. in Physiology and Medical Sciences. I joined the Ledford Lab in March 2024 and am currently a Master's student in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and part of the Pre-Medical Admissions Pathway (P-MAP) program at the UA College of Medicine - Tucson, where I will be starting medical school in July 2027! My project focuses on how Surfactant Protein A deficiency affects airway epithelial immune responses during Influenza A infection.
Email: juliali@arizona.edu
Cory Bacon, MS
Coming soon
William Pederson, Ph.D.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology (with BioMedical Emphasis) from the University of Arizona in 2017 and completed my Ph.D. in Physiological Sciences in 2023. My research focused on investigating the underlying mechanisms of menopause associated asthma in an attempt to derive better treatment options.
Natalie Iannuzo, Ph.D.
I received my B.S. in Biochemistry and Microbiology from Arizona State University. I joined the Molecular Medicine Ph.D. program (Cell Biology track) at the University of Arizona in 2019 and the Ledford Lab in March 2020. In the Ledford lab, my research was focused on elucidating the function of club cell secretory protein (CCSP; CC16) during bacterial and viral respiratory infections.
Usir Younis, Ph.D., MBA
I completed my PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (with an emphasis in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics) along with my MBA, at the University of Arizona. My graduate research focused on pre-formulation development of small molecules, specifically for topical and inhalational drug delivery. My postdoctoral work in the Ledford lab investigated SP-A gene function in infectious airway diseases, specifically using Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as well as researching the function of CC16 in asthmatic patients.
Ken Addison
I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a degree in biomedical engineering. I later accepted the responsibilities of Laboratory Manager after leaving Duke University to continue working with Dr. Julie Ledford on her innovative asthma research at the University of Arizona. During my time with Dr. Ledford, I had the opportunity to contribute to scientific publications and explore creative solutions to unique research challenges.
Alane Blythe C. Dy, Ph.D.
I received my B.S. in Chemistry and M.S. in Public Health Medical Microbiology from the University of the Philippines. I joined the CTS program at the University of Arizona in 2015 and the Ledford Lab in April 2016, completing my PhD in Clinical Translational Sciences with a minor in Biostatistics (2020). My work focused on the mechanisms by which surfactant protein A (SP-A) aids in the resolution of eosinophil-driven inflammation in the airways.
Renata Vallecillo, MD
I received a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and BA in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona in 2020. I am currently pursuing a master's degree through the Accelerated Master's Program in MCB. I began working with Dr. Ledford's lab as a KEYS high school summer intern in 2016 and continued through undergrad and graduate school, focusing on determining the role of creatine kinase in asthma using cell and mouse models.
Cassandra Smith, MPH
I started working in Dr. Ledford’s lab as a KEYS high school summer intern in 2018 and continued as an undergraduate student. My project investigated how surfactant lipids impact eosinophil activation and responses to pathogen stimulation
Katie Collins, PSM
Coming soon
Ashley Tolton, B.S.
I received my undergraduate degree in Moleular and Cellular Biology with a pre-law minor at the University of Arizona. In the Ledford lab, I worked on a project focussing on how the genetic variants of SP-A affect the immune system’s response to house dust mite.