“I was inspired to become a physician by my Ph.D. advisor and mentor, Dr. Lawrence C. Sowers. I really enjoyed research and was well on my way to becoming a scientist when he taught me that research is only as good as the questions that one asks. I realized then that caring for patients would allow me to identify some of the most clinically relevant problems that require research time and dollars. Research and clinical work go hand-in-hand in uncovering discoveries that can shape the future of patient care. ”
— Vicky Valinluck, M.D., Ph.D
Vicky Valinluck, M.D., Ph.D.
Sowers Lab: Graduate Research Assistant
Current Position: Colorectal Surgeon & Research Scientist, Memorial Healthcare System
Education: M.D., Ph.D., Loma Linda University
Research:
I am a colorectal surgeon at Memorial Healthcare System. I surgically treat a wide array of colon, rectal and anal pathology, including but not limited to malignant disease (colon and rectal cancer), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), diverticular disease, as well as benign anorectal disease such as fistulas, fissures, perirectal abscess, pilonidal disease, hemorrhoids, fecal incontinence and rectal prolapse. I also perform colonoscopies to screen for inflammation and disease, and for surgical planning.
I was inspired to become a physician by my PhD advisor and mentor, Dr. Lawrence C. Sowers. I really enjoyed research and was well on my way to becoming a scientist when he taught me that research is only as good as the questions that one asks. I realized then that caring for patients would allow me to identify some of the most clinically relevant problems that require research time and dollars. Research and clinical work go hand-in-hand in uncovering discoveries that can shape the future of patient care.
As a colorectal surgeon, I'm able to offer options to patients with problems that can be very private and debilitating. It's rewarding to be able to diagnose and help fix a problem that, in turn, can have a huge impact on someone's daily life. I enjoy the relationships that I develop with my patients, and empowering them with knowledge and choices about their condition.
I enjoy research just as much as my clinical practice of caring for patients. My research focuses on mechanisms for the link between inflammation and the development of cancer, as well as studying molecular markers for response to chemotherapy therapy for colon and rectal cancers.
Recently, my research interests expanded to include studying the effects of different techniques of rectal cancer resection on the quality of the pathology specimen. I am interested in identifying serum markers for early identification of anastomotic leaks, and in investigating strategies for decreasing infertility rates in women after pelvic operations, particularly in J-pouch operations.
I currently serve as a council member for the South Florida Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and am a mother of two.
Pingfang Liu, Ph.D.
Sowers Lab: Graduate Research Assistant
Current Position: Product development scientist at New England Biolabs
Education: Ph.D., City of Hope
Research:
Dr. Liu is a product development scientist at New England Biolabs (NEB). She has developed best-selling reagents for next generation sequencing. She is an independent researcher with excellent interpersonal skills who takes initiative and thrives in teamwork and partnership. Evaluated the impact of inflammation-induced halogenated lesions on methyltransferase and methyl-CpG-binding proteins. Demonstrated that 5-halogenated pyrimidine lesions within a CpG sequence context could alter epigenetic patterns as seen in cancers
Characterized the mechanisms of lesion selection by DNA repair enzymes using enzyme kinetics, synthetic DNA chemistry and computational methods.
Maggie Hsu, Ph.D.
Sowers Lab: Graduate Research Assistant
Current Position: PGY-1 Opthamology Resident, The Johns Hopkins University
Education: M.D., Ph.D. , The University of Texas Medical Branch Residency: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Research:
The main theme of my research is DNA damage related to cancer etiology, specifically the cytosine to thymine transition mutation. This is the most common DNA mutation and I focused on how the repair of inflammatory DNA damage could induce this damage event. I aimed to develop methods to detect early DNA damage events using mass spectrometry and next generation sequencing and expressed a novel DNA repair enzyme that facilitates this process.
Sowers Lab: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Current Position: Associate Director of Pharmaceutical Development at Pace Analytical Life Sciences
Education: Ph.D., University of Washington
Research:
Dr. Neidigh works at Pace Analytical Life Sciences were he manages research projects for clients companies in the pharmaceutical industry. His projects include the discovery and development of nucleic acid containing medicines such as antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides as well as mRNA and specializes in the development of formulations and analytical methods needed to reliably manufacture the medicines for human use.
Jonathan Neidigh, Ph.D.
Daniel Rogstad, M.D. , Ph.D.
Sowers Lab: Graduate Research Assistant/Post-Doctoral Fellow
Current Position: Assistant Dean, Basic Science Education, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Education: M.D., Ph.D. , Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Research:
Dr. Rogstad’s interests include Coccidioidomycosis, HIV, and antibiotic stewardship in asymptomatic bacteriuria versus urinary tract infection. In January 2021, he started a Coccidioidomycosis clinic that occurs twice monthly. In addition to his clinical role, he is an educator and course director for Fundamentals of Human Biochemistry.
Sowers Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Current Position: Assistant Clinical Professor at City of Hope Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Education: BS, University of Southern California MD, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Residency: USC Internal Medicine Fellowship: UCLA Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Research:
Dr. Tsai’s interests include endocrine diseases resulting from cancer immunotherapy (onco-endocrinology), thyroid disorders, and medical education within the field of endocrinology
