People

Meet our Team

Our team is comprised of various backgrounds and unique interests. We work in a collaborative manner and share in the goal of furthering our field. Get to know our team below!

Kymberly M. Gowdy, PhD
Principal Investigator, Associate Professor

How the environment can alter the pulmonary immune response has been a central focus of my research since graduate school. My lab is currently investigating how scavenger receptors are modulated during different environmental exposures and whether or not this predisposes the lung and cardiovascular systems to chronic diseases (both infectious and inflammatory). My personal interests include reading, hiking, working out, and watching college football and basketball (Go Hokies!).

Alexys Monoson, MD
Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow

I'm currently a pulmonary and critical care fellow at The Ohio State University. I'm working with Dr. Gowdy to examine the relationship between ambient air pollution levels at patient's homes and severity of COVID-19 infections including important markers such as mortality, ventilator free days, and ICU length of stay. My clinical interests include occupational and environmental lung disease and critical care, including humanism in the ICU.

Katelyn Dunigan-Russell, PhD
Post-Doctoral Scholar

My research is focused on understanding the lungs' immune defense mechanisms that are affected by a variety of environmental exposures including air pollutants, allergens, or nanoparticles. I am particularly interested in the role of heme oxygenase-1 signaling downstream of scavenger receptor signaling in the macrophages. My future career goals include an eventual position in scientific administration. My hobbies include spending time with my husband, daughter, and pets, hiking, baking/cooking, and working out!

Michael Yaeger, MS
Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Candidate

I'm a graduate student seeking a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with interests in immunology and experimental therapeutics. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Engineering at East Carolina University (ECU) in May 2016, and my Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (at ECU) in 2018. During this time, I studied the role of cholesterol transporter, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in the pulmonary immune system and demonstrated that HDL can be supplemented into the circulatory system to protect the lungs from injury by dampening the lung's acute inflammatory response. In 2018, I began working as a Research Associate at Lovelace Biomedical for 2 years and In 2020, I re-entered Dr. Gowdy’s lab to earn my PhD at Ohio State. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and watching movies/tv.

Hannah Lovins
Graduate Research Assistant

I am a graduate student at The Ohio State University seeking my PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology! I previously earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana Wesleyan University in April 2020. My research interests reside in pulmonary physiology, development, and immunology. Future goals include teaching at a small liberal arts institution and sharing my passion for Biology and caring for Creation with future scientists! In my free time I enjoy biking, going on walks, eating ice cream, collecting plants, catching up with friends and family, and spending time with my husband, Alex!

Evie Schott
Laboratory Technician

I am from Short Hills, New Jersey and I earned my Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience from the North Carolina State University in 2020. In the future, I hope to attend a graduate program focusing on Infectious Diseases or Immunology specifically within livestock production. Through Dr. Gowdy’s lab, I am gaining valuable research experience as well as studying bacterial infections that will help me decide what path to pursue for Grad School. Outside of the lab, I enjoy doing puzzles, tending to my ever-growing succulent and herb garden, and spending time with family and friends!

Brett Saunders
Laboratory Technician

I am from the Cleveland area and I recently attained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the Ohio State University. In the future, I hope to attend medical school and earn an MD. Working in Dr. Gowdy’s lab will give me the opportunity to gain valuable research experience and to study environmental effects on pulmonary immunology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy doing triathlon training and spending time with family and friends!

Grace Hutton
Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a fourth year undergraduate student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. After undergrad, I would like to attend PA school to become a Physician's Assistant. Working in Dr. Gowdy's lab has helped me gain practical lab experience, and given me the opportunity to learn more about pulmonary immunology. In my free time, I enjoy catching up on tv, reading, and spending time with friends and family!

Anushka Mehta
Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a third year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. After undergrad, I would like to attend medical school and earn my MD. In Dr. Gowdy's lab, I'm hoping to gain lots of hands-on lab experience and a new understanding of pulmonary immunology. Outside of lab, I like to go to the gym, watch TV, and spend time with friends and family!

Natali Zecchino
Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a second year undergraduate student pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics. After undergrad, I am looking to continue work in Life Sciences and Biotechnology through clinical research and possible pursuit of a graduate degree. Working in Dr. Gowdy's lab will allow me to gain notable research experience as well as a better understanding of environmental pulmonary immunology. Outside of lab, I like to go to workout and spend time with friends and family!

Former Members