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!

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Kymberly M. Gowdy, PhD
​Principal Investigator
​Assistant 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, watching college football and basketball (Go Hokies!).

Sky Reece, PhD
Research Assistant Professor

Bin Luo
Research Specialist


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​Brita Kilburg-Basnyat, PhD
​Postdoctoral Researcher

My research interests include determining the mechanism by which ozone exposure impacts the immune system and vascular functions through oxidization of phospholipids. I also have an interest in exposure assessment and respiratory health outcomes as they relate to inhalation exposures. Outside of research, I enjoy hiking and spending time outside as well as traveling.

​Myles Hodge
​PhD student in Pharmacology and Toxicology

My Research interests are neuroscience, cardiovascular, and pulmonary studies. Also, my hobbies are writing poetry, archery, and video gaming. I prefer preventative medicine over treatments in most cases because I rather know how I can not get sick versus how I can get better after the fact!

Michael Yaeger
MS Student in Biomedical engineering

Christine Psaltis
PhD Student in Pharmacology and Toxicology

My research focuses on the lipid-raft protein Prohibitin and determining its role in preserving cardiac function during sepsis.  I am particularly interested in the innate immune response and learning how Prohibitin mediates inflammation.  My hobbies include traveling, reading, playing the piano and percussion instruments.

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Former Members

​Preet Gudimella, MD Doctor of Medicine (MD)