East Carolina University
 
Brody School of Medicine
Department of Physiology


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Currently we have 10 graduate students working in a variety of areas of research and study. Each student's picture and a short biographical sketch are posted so our readers may get to know what high caliber students we have in our department. Each one is dedicated and focused on career in the medical community.
 
 Burleson, Stephanie Stefanie Burleson
I graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. After graduation I worked at BRT, Inc., a contract research laboratory in Raleigh which piqued my scientific curiosity and compelled me to further my education in a graduate setting. I am now in my first year with the Physiology department, and I am enjoying it tremendously. Outside of classes and lab rotations, I enjoy painting, photography, and basketball.
   
 Driesi, Jessica Fatiha Moukdar
I graduated with a Bachelor degree in Biology from Université Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco. My interests in biomedical research took me to Canada where I got a master’s degree in Biology from L’Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada. I worked in the department of Physiology as a research associate for over a year and had the chance to learn about the Research and interact with the students, staff and Faculty of the department. Because of my interest in the cardiovascular research and more specifically the regulation of ischemic heart diseases at the molecular level, I decided to join the Ph.D program in Physiology and explore the involvement of the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in an ischemia/reperfusion model using the Ucp2 knockout mice. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy reading, movies and cooking.
   

 Fontenot, Elizabeth

Tracy Johnson
I'm originally from Waco, TX.  I graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Forensic Science in December 2002.  After living in Houston, TX for 5 years, my family moved to Greenville in August 2008.  My husband is a professor in the Criminal Justice Department at ECU.  We have a 9 year old son, Nathan, and a 2 year old daughter, Abigail.  I worked at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals in The Woodlands, TX for 5 years and spent 10 months working with Dr. Jitka Virag before joining the Physiology program as a graduate student.
   

 Frasier, Chad

Chad Frasier
I graduated from Central Michigan University with a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology. While at CMU I did some undergraduate research on the cognitive defects of early Parkinson's Disease. Currently I am a first year student with the physiology department and am exploring research interests though my first year lab rotations. When I am not in classes I like to sit around and relax and play with my dog.
   

 Leslie

Leslie Thompson
After graduating from Lumberton Senior High School in 2000, I spent several years working in residential construction. Later, in the fall of 2005 I decided to go to school full time and I earned a BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in December 2008. I am now a first year student in the Physiology program here at ECU. I will be working with Dr. Wingard to explore altered vascular reactivity after acute, and possible chronic, pulmonary exposure to modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Now as a resident of Greenville, I am excited about watching some Pirate football! I enjoy watching the NFL and always pull for the Carolina Panthers. Also, in my spare time I write, compose, arrange, and record music, usually within the experimental rock/alternative genre.
   

 Wu, Di

Di Wu
I am an international student from China. My hometown, Chengdu, is located in the southwestern part of China and is famous for its delicious food. I graduated from Sichuan University with a B.S. in Biotechnology in June 2007, and I joined the Physiology Department in August 2007. I am currently doing my rotation in different labs and I am attracted by the beauty of neuroscience. I hope I can acquire more knowledge in this field. In my spare time, I have a love for literature, traveling, and delicious food.
   
 Achini Vidanapathirana Achini Vidanapathirana
My hometown is Colombo in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean and it is famous for its scenic beauty, ancient ruins, handicrafts and traditional dancers. I graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo with a MBBS in 2006. After completing my internship, I joined the Department of Physiology of the same university as a probationary lecturer. I have decided to spend my postgraduate study leave at ECU to work towards a PhD in Physiology. Now I am in my first year doing laboratory rotations which I find very exciting. I am interested in vascular physiology and nanotoxicology. When am not working I spend most of my time with my daughter. I also enjoy embroidery and reading.
   
 Cody Smith Cody Smith
While working on my Master's degree in physiology and developmental biology at Brigham Young University, I realized that I wanted to make a career of research and teaching. My thesis work was on characterizing a protein complex integral to the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in skeletal muscle. Upon graduating from BYU in December 2010, I came to ECU to work with Dr. Darrell Neufer studying the bioenergetics of skeletal muscle and how it relates to the onset of insulin resistance and diabetes. Aside from studying metabolism, I enjoy exercising my own metabolism. I am an avid sports and exercise enthusiast with an equal love for cooking and tasting new foods. I also enjoy reading a good novel and spending time with my wife and family.