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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.

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. My current research is focused on elucidating the function of club cell secretory protein (CCSP; CC16) during bacterial and viral respiratory infections.

Email: niannuzo@arizona.edu

Natalie Iannuzo, Ph.D. 
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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.

Riley Hellinger, MD/PhD Student

I received my B.A. from Vassar College and have been dedicated to volunteer efforts in the Tucson area, particularly with school organizations. I began as a volunteer in the Ledford Lab in 2017 and am now a full-time Research Technician. In 2023, I completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology. I am interested in population-based research relating to pulmonary outcomes such as COPD and asthma, particularly around environmental health and peri- and post-menopausal women's health. 

Email: lellerman@arizona.edu 

Laurie Ellerman, MPH

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 

Sasipa Tanyaratsrisakul, Ph.D.

--Past lab members--

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, working toward my PhD in Clinical Translational Sciences with a minor in Biostatistics. My work focused on the mechanisms by which surfactant protein A (SP-A) aids in the resolution of eosinophil-driven inflammation in the airways.

 

 

Alane Dy, Ph.D.

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 have had to opportunity to contribute to scientific publications and explore creative solutions to unique research challenges.

Kenneth Addison, B.S.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology (with BioMedical Emphasis) from the University of Arizona in 2017, and began pursuing a PhD in Physiological Sciences in 2018. My research focused on investigating the underlying mechanisms of menopause associated asthma in an attempt to derive better treatment options.

 

Wil Pederson, Ph.D.

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 current postdoctoral work in the Ledford lab involves the investigation of SP-A gene function in infectious airway diseases, specifically using Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as well as researching the function of CC16 in asthmatic patients. 

Usir Younis, Ph.D., MBA

I am a junior Molecular and Cellular Biology major at the University of Arizona. I am also working toward a pre-law minor. I have been in Dr. Ledford’s lab for almost a year now and am currently working on a project focused on how the genetic variants of SP-A affect the immune system’s response to house dust mite.

Ashley Tolton, B.S.

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. 

Cassandra Smith
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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.

Renata Vallecillo
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