THE GOWDY LAB
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Meet our Team

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​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, 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!).
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Alexys Monoson, MD
Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow

​​My research project examines 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. 

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Laura Leuenberger, MD
Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow

My research is focused on exploring sterolomics and lipidomics in COVID-19 related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, especially as this relates to obesity and other metabolic diseases. My other academic interests include diversity and equity in medical education, and my clinical interests are in critical care and post ICU care. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our pets, being outdoors (especially running and hiking), and baking.
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Samuel Cochran, PhD
Post-Doctoral Scholar

​I recently joined the Gowdy Lab as a Post-Doctoral Scholar. I previously completed my Doctorate in Environmental Public Health here at The Ohio State University, studying associations between microbial exposures in built environments and adverse asthma outcomes. I am also interested in pathophysiology of lung injury and inflammation from environmental exposures. My current research focuses on inflammation and resolution following ozone exposure in murine models. I look forward to integrating exposure science and toxicology in pursuit of reducing respiratory disease burdens. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, painting, caring for my plants and two cats, and spending time with family and friends!


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Michael Yaeger, MS
Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Candidate
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​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.
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Hannah Lovins
Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Candidate

​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 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 and our puppy, Cleo!
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Evie Schott
​Laboratory Technician
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  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!

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Brett Saunders
​Laboratory Technician
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  I am from the Cleveland area and I earned my Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the Ohio State University in 2022. 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 triathlon training, cooking, and spending time with family and friends!

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Grace Hutton
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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I am a fourth year undergraduate student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a minor in Biology. After undergrad, I would like to attend a direct-entry graduate program to obtain my Master of Science in Nursing and later work as a Nurse Practitioner. 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!

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Anushka Mehta
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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I am a third year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a minor in Biology. After undergrad, I would like to attend PA school and become a Physician's Assistant. 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!

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Natali Zecchino
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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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 workout and spend time with friends and family!

Former Members
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Katelyn Dunigan-Russell, PhD Post-Doctoral Scholar

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Nabeeha Rahman, Undergraduate Research Assistant

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Sanjay Varikuti, MS Research Associate

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​Preet Gudimella, MD Doctor of Medicine (MD)

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Brita Kilburg-Basnyat, PhD, Toxicology Study Director at Covance Inc. 

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Sky Reece, PhD

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Myles Hodge, PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology

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Christine Psaltis, PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology

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Elizabeth Browder, Undergraduate Research Assistant
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