Debi Swertfeger

Scientist

Debi.Swertfeger@cchmc.org

BS Biochemistry, Indiana University; Ph.D. Developmental Biology, University of Cincinnati

Joined lab: Oct, 2012

Job Description: I run the experimental side of Jason Lu's lab, in close collaboration with the Davidson lab.

Interests: Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my dogs, and reading good books.

Jamie Morris

Research Associate

morrij1@ucmail.uc.edu

B.A. Biology (University of Cincinnati, 2014), Associates Degree in Biotechnology ( Raymond Walters)

Joined lab: September, 2007

Job Description: I generate and purify HDL associated proteins, and mutants, for a variety of downstream experimental procedures.

Interests: I enjoy golfing & riding jet skis with my wonderful son, Ryan. When I am not in the lab, you can find me on my yoga mat. I am a certified instructor in traditional and aerial yoga. I have llamas as pets. They aren't really an interest, more so just a fact about me. People get upset if I don't mention the llamas. Goals: Practice moderate beef consumption. Retire in a small house off the emerald coast. Practice yoga every day.

Shimpi Bedi

Post-doctoral fellow

bedisi@ucmail.uc.edu

M.S. Cell Biology (Wright State University, 2008), Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Wright State University, 2017)

Joined lab: September 2017

Job Description: I am optimizing a method for site-specific labeling single cysteine mutants of apoA-1 with gold clusters to visualize the organization of apoA-1 at the surface of human HDL through electron microscopy

Interests: Abstract painting, listening to famous Classical Piano Pieces, baking, binge-watching Netflix, navigate the challenges of playing badminton with hubby Future Goals: Formulate my own winning strategy to beat hubby at badminton, secure a highly sought after permanent position (Research Scientist) in Sean's lab

Esmond N. Geh, Ph.D.

Research Associate

esmond.geh@CCHMC.org

Ph.D. University of Cincinnati

Joined lab: March 2017

Job Description: Currently focused on developing and optimizing an assay that could be used to quantitatively measure LDL binding to proteoglycans.

Interests: I like watching old time TV shows and I am a big fan of movie channels like ACM and TCM. In my spare time, I like playing online PC games, especially soccer. Future Goals: Like a typical existentialist, my short term goal is to finish raising the kids, get them out of the house and then figure out what my long term goal will be.

Scott Street

Research Assistant

scott.street@uc.edu

B.S. Medical Technology (ASCP), Professional Certificate: Clinical Research

Joined lab: July 2006.

Job Description: I joined the Davidson operation in July of 2006 as a highly sought after free agent in the laboratory manager marketplace.

Interests: My main interests outside of work include "SLOW" pitch softball (because I was never good enough to hit a fast pitched hardball). I am also an avid Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, OSU Buckeye football and UC Bearcat basketball fan. In addition, I have already started training my 16 month old son to pick up a miniature baseball bat, swing it, run around imaginary bases and throw left handed by tying his right hand behind his back. Future Goal: By age 50: to blow so fast by Sean and his candy apple-red Ford Mustang in my black 68 Chevy Corvette (L88 427 V8 430 bhp) that his well coifed hair becomes discombobulated and he finally decides to upgrade to a real muscle car that has a hard top (i.e. any GM product).

Sean Davidson, Ph.D.

Lab Leader

Sean.Davidson@UC.edu

Degrees: B.S. Biochemistry (Indiana University, 1990), Ph.D. (MCP/Drexel University, 1994), Post-doc (University of Illinois, 1997).

Founded lab: April, 9 1998

Job Description: I (try to) keep the funds coming in and generally stay out of everyone's way. I spend most of my time planted at a desk evaluating other people's science.

Interests: I enjoy hanging out with my family, bicycle racing with my teammates at ZWS/Brilliant Advice and driving my beautiful 1966 Mustang convertible. I am a sucker for Chipotle burritos and UDF milkshakes and am an Indiana University basketball fan. Future Goal: The Nobel Prize may have eluded me, but I still am striving to win a national championship in cycling - shooting for the 100+ age group where I will be the only competitor.

Brynne Whitacre, M.S.

Graduate Student

whitacbe@mail.uc.edu

B.S. in Biological Sciences, Florida State University; M.S. in Immunology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Joined lab: May 2018

Job Description: Studying HDL subspecies roles in inflammation and the immune response, with attention to the syndrome of sepsis.

Interests: Hiking, camping, traveling, canoeing with my dog, bourbon tasting, target practice, volunteering. Future Goals: Rising in rank within U.S. Army Reserves as a microbiologist, leading global impact deployments/projects during and in prevention of epidemics/outbreaks a.k.a saving the world, become an expert in scientific communication for educational purposes, contribute to science & medicine in a meaningful way, fundamentally better the future of at least one child in the foster system/situations of abuse/neglect/dependency, train my dog to help with chores.

Amy Sanghavi Shah, M.D

Principle Investigator, Assistant Professor

Amy.Shah@cchmc.org

MD, St. George's University, MS, University of Cincinnati

Joined lab: 2010

Job Description: Type 2 diabetes in adolescents is completely different than type 2 diabetes in adults. It is aggressive and we have limited therapeutic options.

In my "free time" I drive my kids from one activity to the next. I also enjoy hanging out with friends/family, drinking red wine, and running, Pilates and Orange Theory.

Hannah Sexmith

Research Assistant

hannah.sexmith@CCHMC.org

B.A. Biological Sciences (Ohio University)

Joined lab: January 2015

Job Description: I fractionate and assay patient plasma to find, evaluate, and determine HDL subspecies specific to a healthy or disease state.

Interests: I enjoy singing in a local young professional choir, which allowed me to live out my dream of singing backup for Barry Manilow in addition to gracing the acoustically perfect stages of Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. I am an avid enthusiast of local, small batch fermented wheat products. I also like to take long walks through well-trodden woodland paths to prepare myself for the long walk to Mordor and back. After all of my daily activities are done I like to sit down with an exciting book and expand my knowledge of fictional worlds. Future Goals: I hope to one day get a graduate degree in science and to finally fulfill my dream of defeating a dark lord trying to take over the world.