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Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratory
Harrison Department of Surgical Research |
| Sunil Singhal, M.D. |
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Lab Members |
 |
 Sunil
Singhal, M.D. is the Director of the Thoracic Surgery
Research Laboratory and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University
of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine
degree from the University of Pennsylvania and received post-graduate
training at Johns-Hopkins and University of Pennsylvania. His research
interests in nanotechnology, intraoperative immune suppression,
muscle physiology, patient outcome, myeloid derived suppressor cells,
and gene-expression and profiling are what drives the laboratories’
core experimental philosophy.
Email: sunil.singhal@uphs.upenn.edu
Phone: 215-662-4767 |
 |
 Chhanda
Biswas, Ph.D. is a Senior Research investigator in the
department of cardiothoracic Surgery. She is a Biochemist with particular
interest in molecular chaperones in diseases and immunomodulation.
In the past in CHOP she, with Dr. Argon and his group, has researched
on structural functional basis of GRP94/gp96, a glucose regulated
protein, and developed a mini chaperone offering potentials in tumor
immunomodualtion. Currently Dr. Biswas, in Dr. Singhal’s group,
is studying the intracellular signaling molecules and pathways that
transmit “atrophy message” in human diaphragm during
diaphragm inactivity and prolonged mechanical ventilation. This
study may potentially translate into therapeutic elimination/ attenuation
of the difficulty in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.
Email: chhandab@mail.med.upenn.edu
Phone: 215-823-5800, x5011
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 Murat
T. Budak, M.D., Ph.D., joined the lab as a senior research
investigator after completing his medical degree at Hacettepe University,
Turkey and Ph. D. degree at Gazi University, Turkey. He has trained
in Mount Sinai School of Medicine with Dr.J. Mario Wolosin as well
as in Pennsylvania Muscle Institute of University of Pennsylvania
with Dr. Neal Rubinstein & Dr.Tejvir Khurana. His research interests
are respiratory muscle physiology, muscle atrophy, stem cell and
muscle stem cell isolation and characterization.
Email: mtbudak@mail.med.upenn.edu
Phone: 215-823-5800, x5009
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 Aaron
Blouin is a semi-retired professional musician who took
an unorthodox route to Thoracic Oncology via oenology. He received
his training in chemical analysis and enduring horrid aromas at
the Woodhall Wine Cellars in Parkton, MD under the supervision of
the renowned winemaker Christopher Kent. In 2006, he took a position
as Research Specialist under Drs. Anil Vachani and Steven Albelda
at the Thoracic Oncology Research Laboratory at the University of
Pennsylvania. More recently, he has developed the protocol for the
lab’s clinical trial and is looking forward to taking on more
clinical responsibilities. He is honored to be a part of Dr. Singhal’s
lab working with tumors full-time.
Email: aaronjb@mail.med.upenn.edu |
|
 Louis
Aliperti is a post-baccalaureate student at the University
of Pennsylvania. His interest in medicine budded from his involvement
in Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services while attending Colgate
University. He is very excited to have the opportunity to work under
the direction of Dr. Sunil Singhal as a member of the Thoracic Surgery
Research Laboratory. |
|
 Brendan
Judy recently graduated cum laude from the University of
Richmond where he focused in political science and pre-med courses.
Since the early part of 2010 he has been instrumental in the continuing
development of the animal models at TSRL. He is honored to be working
under the guidance of Dr. Sunil Singhal as a member of the Thoracic
Surgery Research Laboratory. |
|
 Jarrod
Predina is a fifth year MD/MTR student planning to pursue
a career in Thoracic Surgery. He graduated summa cum laude from Case
Western Reserve University in 2006 with degrees in Biology and Chemistry.
Jarrod is currently completing his Masters Degree in Translational
Research and his thesis focuses on (1) immunotherapy strategies as
surgical adjuvants for NSCLC, mesothelioma, and esophageal cancers;
(2) T-regulatory cell biology in cancer recurrence; and (3) developing
animal models of postoperative cancer recurrence. He has received
grants from the AATS, AMA, and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Under
the mentorship of Dr. Singhal, he has completed multiple first author
publications and presented his work at numerous national and international
meetings.
In addition to course and lab work, he is the coordinator of the student-run
UCHC Free Clinic, Vice-President of the Agnew Surgical Society, member
of the School of Medicine Admissions Committee, and member of the
PennMed Soccer Team. |
|
 Brian
Madajewski graduated from the University of Connecticut with
a B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology. After graduating in 2010, he
pursued a career in research. In May of 2011 he became a Research
Specialist in Dr. Singhal’s Lab. Since arriving at Penn, Brian
has been responsible for running the intra-operative imaging side
of the lab. Thus far, he has designed and built an intra-operative
CCD camera to aid in the visualization of tumor margins. He has also
taken part in multiple other facets of the lab. He is currently looking
to perfect the CCD system for use in future trials. Brian is grateful
to have the opportunity to be working with Dr. Singhal and everyone
in his lab.
Email: brian.madajewski@uphs.upenn.edu |
|
 Dan
Levine is currently a post-baccalaureate student at the University
of Pennsylvania. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and the Villanova
School of Law, he returned to his hometown of Philadelphia in 2010
to pursue a career in medicine. He is honored to be working under
Dr. Sunil Singhal as a part of the Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratory.
Email: Daniel.Levine@uphs.upenn.edu |
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