OUR TEAM
ABATE BASHAW, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, JAX Cancer Center Brooks Scholar
Abate completed his Ph.D. in Immunology in 2020 in the laboratory of Ian Frazer at the University of Queensland, Australia. His thesis work focused on mechanisms of immune modulation by HPV-induced epithelial malignancies. From 2021-2023, Abate pursued postdoctoral research in the Melanoma Discovery Lab at the University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research. In the West Lab @ JAX, Abate is studying how aging-associated mitochondrial DNA instability impacts melanoma growth and metastasis.
GAOMIN FENG, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Associate
Gaomin received her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Peking University studying the initiation and regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial electrochemical flashes. From 2019-2023, Gaomin investigated how calcium signaling regulates mitochondrial function during aging as a postdoc at Vanderbilt University. In the West Lab, she is researching how chemotherapy promotes mitochondrial dysfunction and interferon signaling to potentiate cardiotoxicity.
JORDYN VANPORTFLIET, B.S.
Ph.D. Student
Jordyn earned a B.S. in Genomics and Molecular Genetics from Michigan State University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics. In the West Lab, she is investigating how innate immune dysfunction increases susceptibility to viral and bacterial pathogens in POLG-related disorders and other models of primary mitochondrial disease.
ABIGAIL SCHOELLER, M.S.
Ph.D. Student
Abi earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University, then received her M.S. in Toxicology studying novel SERDs in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer and novel drug targets in glioblastoma. Abi is a Ph.D. student in the Tufts cooperative Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology PhD program at JAX. Her thesis research focuses on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in immunodeficiency and the off target effects of chemotherapy.
HOLLY WHITE, B.S.
Research Assistant II
Holly received her B.S. in Captive Wildlife Care and Education from Unity College. She joined JAX in 2020 as an animal care technician and has since transitioned into research. In the West Lab, Holly manages the animal colony and leads a project to define how mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation contribute to Gulf War Illness.
DEBI FOSTER
Research Administrative Assistant
Debi joined JAX after 20 years as an administrator in various medical offices. Debi assists with ordering, scheduling, coordinating travel and expenses, and many other vital tasks for the West Lab.
LAB ALUMNI
CHRISTINE BIRDWELL, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, 2017-2020
Presently, Research Scientist
Dept. of Leukemia
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
JOSH BRYANT, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, 2019-2023
Presently, Research Scientist
Dept. of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University
YUANJIU 'ABBY' LEI, PH.D.
Ph.D. Student, 2016-2023
Presently, Postdoctoral Associate
Depts. of Pathology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine
CAMILA GUERRA MARTINEZ, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, 2017-2018
Presently, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Medicine
Universidade Ceuma, Maranhão, Brazil
Yi-FAN CHEN, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, 2020-2023
SYLVIA TORRES ODIO, PH.D.
Ph.D. Student, 2018-2023
Presently, Research Scientist
Coeurative, Inc.
MORGAN CHAPMAN
M.D./Ph.D. Student, 2022-2023
Presently, Ph.D. Candidate
Dept. of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University
ASHLEY WINTERS, M.S.
M.S. Student, 2019-2022
Presently, Mohs Surgery Histotechnician and Medical Assistant
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER ALUMNI
MORGAN SMITH, B.S. - 2023
QUINN FAN, B.S. - 2021-2022
SARA ALI, B.S. - 2021-2022
GRACE SELNER, B.S. - 2020-2023
MARY STHALMAN, B.S. - 2021
KAYSEE FAAS, B.S. - 2019-2022
AKHILA REDDY, B.S. - 2019
SERENA KANG, B.S. - 2018-2021
SAYEED MENISSY, B.S. - 2018-2022
PAIGE DONART, B.S. - 2017-2019
MELISSA PINEDA, B.S. - 2016-2019
A. PHILLIP WEST, PH.D.
Principal Investigator
Phillip received dual B.S. degrees in Biology and Science Education in from North Carolina State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Immunobiology from Yale University under the mentorship of Sankar Ghosh. He then completed an American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellowship with Gerald Shadel in the Department of Pathology at Yale School of Medicine. Phillip was a faculty member at Texas A&M School of Medicine before relocating to JAX.