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
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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.
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!
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 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 in 2016. I continued my work from undergrad in Dr. Gowdy’s lab to earn a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering in 2018. During this time, I studied the role of a cholesterol transporter, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in the pulmonary immune system. I demonstrated that HDL can be supplemented into the circulatory system to protect the lungs from injury by dampening the pulmonary acute inflammatory response. After earning my Masters, I worked as a Research Associate at Lovelace Biomedical for 2 years. I'm now back in Dr. Gowdy’s lab to earn my PhD, enabling me to further elucidate the mechanisms of pulmonary immunology. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, walking my dog, 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 recently attained my Bachelors of Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience from the North Carolina State University. 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!
Laboratory Technician
I am from Short Hills, New Jersey and I recently attained my Bachelors of Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience from the North Carolina State University. 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!

Grace Hutton
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a third year undergraduate student from Dayton, Ohio. Currently, I'm pursuing a degree in Health Sciences with minors in Biology and Neuroscience. After undergrad, I would like to attend PA school to become a Physician's Assistant. Working within Dr. Gowdy's lab will help me gain useful lab experience, and allow me the opportunity to learn more about pulmonary immunology. Outside of school and work, I enjoy watching new movies/tv shows, reading, and spending time with friends and family!
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a third year undergraduate student from Dayton, Ohio. Currently, I'm pursuing a degree in Health Sciences with minors in Biology and Neuroscience. After undergrad, I would like to attend PA school to become a Physician's Assistant. Working within Dr. Gowdy's lab will help me gain useful lab experience, and allow me the opportunity to learn more about pulmonary immunology. Outside of school and work, I enjoy watching new movies/tv shows, reading, and spending time with friends and family!

Nabeeha Rahman
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a fourth year undergraduate student from Dublin, OH. I am receiving a degree in Microbiology with a minor in Entomology. After graduation, I hope to pursue graduate school and potentially medical school. I hope to use my experience in Dr. Gowdy's Lab to propel myself into the field of immunology. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing tennis, and doing brush calligraphy!
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a fourth year undergraduate student from Dublin, OH. I am receiving a degree in Microbiology with a minor in Entomology. After graduation, I hope to pursue graduate school and potentially medical school. I hope to use my experience in Dr. Gowdy's Lab to propel myself into the field of immunology. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing tennis, and doing brush calligraphy!
Former Members
Sanjay Varikuti, MS Research Associate
Brita Kilburg-Basnyat, PhD, Toxicology Study Director at Covance Inc.
Sky Reece, PhD
Myles Hodge, PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Christine Psaltis, PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Elizabeth Browder, Research Assistant