Toni R Pak, PhD

James R. DePauw Professor and Chair

Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology 

Founding Director, Center for Healthy Aging and Resilience Mechanisms (CHARM)

Hometown: Boulder, CO

Hobbies: Skiing, reading, concerts

Favorite Quote: “The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it” - Neil deGrasse Tyson 

Education: 

2003 -2007: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Dr. Robert Handa, Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)

2002: Ph.D. Neuroscience, University of Colorado (Boulder, CO)                                                                                   Advisors: Dr. G. Robert Lynch, Dr. Pei-San Tsai

1997: M.A. Secondary Science Education, University of Colorado (Boulder, CO)

1995: B.A. Environmental, Population, Organismic Biology, University of Colorado (Boulder, CO)

Mikayla Newby, BS

PhD Candidate; Cell and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program

Hometown: Ramsey, MN

Hobbies: Reading, knitting & yoga

Research: Modifications of Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) under the Influence of Alcohol 

Favorite Quote: "We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves" - Marie Curie

Email: mnewby1@luc.edu

Education: 

2020: BS, Neuroscience, University of St. Thomas

Yoldas Yildiz, MS

Ph.D. Candidate; Cell and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program

Hometown: Hackney, London, UK

Hobbies: Exploring Chicago, LEGO, traveling & social justice

Research: The Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease

Favorite Quote: "Do you have a plan? I don't even have a pla." –Phoebe Buffay

Email: yyildiz@luc.edu

Education: 

2019: MSc Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London

2018: BA; Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology. Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and Liberal Arts (CISLA) Scholar, Connecticut College

Sarah Flury, MS

PhD Candidate, Cell and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program

Hometown: Deerfield, IL

Hobbies: Tough Mudder, triathalons & biking

Favorite Quote: "Science is magic that works." - Kurt Vonnegut

Email: sflury@luc.edu

Education: 

2015: BS, Biology, Bradley University

2018: MS, Micobiology & Immunology, Loyola University Chicago

Angela Fan, BS

Ph.D. Candidate; Cell and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program

Hometown: Hong Kong

Hobbies: Eating, customized mechanical keyboards & going to the gym

Research: Effects of Adolescent binge drinking on RNA binding proteins in the brain

Favorite Quote: "The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing" – Socrates

Email: afan@luc.edu

Education: 

2019: BS; Marine Biology, Northeastern University

Brittney Visser, BS

Ph.D. Student; Cell and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa 

Hobbies: Walks with my dog, Gyming, Trying new restaurants 

Research: The Role of miRNAs in the Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease

Favorite Quote: "There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living" – Nelson Mandela

Email: bvisser@luc.edu

Education: 

2023: BS; Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh

Marisa Kutchma, BS, MPH

MD/Ph.D. Student; Cell and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Hobbies: Knitting, Reading, Hot girl walks, Going to the beach

Research: The Role of miRNAs in Alzheimer Disease

Favorite Quote: "I thought of the blissful mundanity of life; oh what a privilege it was to live it" Dolly Alderton

Email: mkutchma@luc.edu 

Education: 

2022; MPH; Masters in Public Health, Loyola University Chicago

2019: BS; Biological Sciences, University of Mississippi

Amanda Hartoun, MS

Research Assistant II, RMC M1 Student 

Hometown: Skokie, IL

Hobbies: Traveling, cooking & gardening

Favorite Quote: “Correction does much, but encouragement does more” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Email: ahartoun@luc.edu

Education: 

2023: MS, Medical Physiology, Loyola University Chicago

2020: BS, Neuroscience, DePaul University