Meet the Zimmermann lab

Current members

Immaculeta Osuji, MS, graduate student. Immaculeta graduated with a Master of Science Chemistry (Biochemistry option) degree from the California State University, Los Angeles. She's currently pursuing doctoral studies in the Pharmacology and Systems Physiology department here at UC. Prior to that, she worked at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center as a Research Assistant in the lab of Dr. Alexander Miethke. As RA, she contributed to research work in Autoimmune liver diseases. She enjoyed the translational nature of the research work there collaborating with clinicians and working with clinical samples as well as animal models. Following her recruitment into the UC PhD Pharmacology program she decided to challenge herself to take on a new field of medical research to expand and diversify her knowledge and skills set. She joined Zimmermann lab in January 2021, "The Zimmermann lab was a perfect fit for me as it also is a translational research lab like my previous lab" Imma says when asked. "More importantly though, the lab's focus on cardiovascular science was a major factor in my choice. Diseases of the heart have been a longstanding interest of mine since high school when I learned of their prevalence in the African American ethnic group", she concludes. As a Graduate Assistant, she approaches her current research with enthusiasm, diligence and a sense of responsibility and pride in contributing to efforts at understanding a heart disease - its causes, and potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Though in the early stages of her studies her future career goals are set on the fields of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics and Public Health Research. Outside the lab and science, she likes to engage in outdoor activities such as playing soccer, tennis, hiking and water sports. A little fun fact about Imma, she completed the 2014 LA Marathon.

Ben Ziegelmeyer, BS, research assistant: Ben joined the lab in May 2023 after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in molecular biology. While in school, he found an interest in genetics and bioinformatics, and their intersection with medicine. He is eager to have the opportunity to contribute to the understanding of eosinophils in cardiovascular disease. Outside of the lab, Ben enjoys playing/watching sports like hockey, baseball, and football. He's an avid Cincinnati sports fan and enjoys rooting for the Bengals on Sundays!

Usman Sunusi, MD PhD, postdoctoral fellow: Usman earned his medical degree and master of science in medical microbiology from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He obtained his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University Putra Malaysia. His passion for science and how it can be applied to solve real-world problems starts right from high school. He developed a profound interest in biomedical research during his biochemistry and pathology classes in medical school, where he learned how diseases happen as clearly explained at the cellular and molecular level. This lead him to wonder how those mechanisms can be targeted, just like solving a puzzle to alleviate suffering. Going through graduate training, he became fascinated and developed a keen interest in the fields of multiomics and bioinformatics, as he sees them as valuable tools to interrogate disease mechanisms and identify targets that could potentially lead to translational research. He looks up to the United States as the best place to advance his career in biomedical research and was happy to have the opportunity to join Dr. Zimmermann’s lab, renowned for having mentored and trained several individuals currently contributing to various fields of endeavor. Since July 2021, he has been working on eosinophilic myocarditis, a rare and potentially deadly disease with a spectrum of presentation whose etiology and mechanisms are not fully understood. To that end, he is using single-cell RNA sequencing to interrogate the mechanism of the disease that is expected to contribute to and advance its understanding through hypothesis generation, target identification, and translational potential. His future career goal is set on becoming a physician-scientist in the field of pathology and laboratory medicine. Outside the lab and science, he likes to engage in outdoor activities such as cycling, badminton, outings, and hanging out with friends. 

Past members

Clinical fellows

Ann Collier MD, 2005-2008, current position: Assistant professor, Duke University School of Medicine

Postdoctoral fellows

Gen Kano, MD, PhD, 2010-2013, current position: Assistant professor, Kyoto University of Medicine

Xiang Zhu, MD, PhD, 2010-2016, current position: pathology resident, University of Cincinnati

Graduate students

Leah Kottyan, PhD, 2006-2010, current position: Assistant professor, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Research assistants

Laura Kindinger, 2001-2003, moved on to nursing school

Amy Hajek, 2003-2005, moved on to veterinary school, currently a veterinarian in Illinois

Katie Niese, 2005-2010

Khanh Cao, 2007-2009, moved on to medical school, now an emergency medicine physician

Eucabeth Mose, 2010-2012, moved on to medical school, now a dermatology resident at Mayo Clinic

Haley Todd, 2021-2023, moved on to graduate school, currently a PhD student in Cancer and Cell Biology program at the University of Cincinnati