Basic Medical Sciences students graduate, move on to new labs

Hanna Laukaitis, one of this year’s BMS graduates, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland-Baltimore. 

Seven students in the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine were awarded their Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences during the fall 2022 commencement. This doctoral program encourages highly motivated scientists to use innovative approaches in their chosen field of research. Its interdisciplinary curriculum and tailored mentorship help students build cutting-edge skills and critical thinking essential to advancing medical breakthroughs. 

Concentrations in five research tracks are available: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Biology; Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology; Infectious Disease and Host Defense; Neuroscience; and Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics. 

These targeted areas allow students to absorb knowledge from experts in their field and make professional connections to further their careers in academia, industry, government and more.

Krit Jirakanwisal with his major professor,
Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D. 

Alexander Coley translated his research in cancer genomics to a position with a biotechnology company that uses one of the world’s largest libraries of data to drive personalized patient care, while fostering discovery and development. 

“I have begun work as a translational research solutions scientist for Tempus Labs Inc., where I work with pharmaceutical companies to plan and execute bioinformatics projects using Tempus’ real-world cancer patient data,” he said. “I work fully remote, currently residing in Mobile with my wife and three children. I had a great experience at South and in the Borchert lab where I gained the subject matter and technical expertise to get hired into a great role by a biotech company.”

Hanna Laukaitis, another of this year’s graduates, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland-Baltimore. “The lab focuses on understanding the different factors that are influenced by a tick bite at the skin interface as well as the biological changes that occur when ticks consume a bloodmeal,” she said. “As for my future, I plan to stay in academia to continue studying vector-borne diseases.”

Krit Jirakanwisal has his sights set on a slightly different path. “Currently, I am pursuing an infectious disease postdoctoral fellowship focused on neuroinflammation and neuroinfectious diseases at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas,” he said. “My goal after completing my postdoctoral fellowship is to establish an independent research program. I’d like to extend my gratitude to my mentor, as well as the faculty and staff of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the BMS program for their support on my journey to attaining my Ph.D.”

Sirin Saranyutanon will continue her
research in Thailand.

Sirin Saranyutanon is traveling the longest distance among her fellow graduates. “I'm following my goal and going back to my home country, Thailand, to serve as a university lecturer and researcher in the field of medical science, molecular biology and biochemistry,” she said.

Her research explored the effect of nicotine on the immune response, progression of prostate cancer and treatment outcomes. “When I was at South, I had the opportunity to interact with astonishing scientists in my field, and I am always learning and growing from my interactions with faculties, postdocs, academic advisers and fellow students,” Saranyutanon said. “Moreover, I also had a lot of fun and friendships there with my classmates and people around me. Studying abroad at the University of South Alabama was one of the best decisions that I ever made.”

The seven BMS graduates are:

Abigail Grace Boyd
Dissertation: Role of Type 4 Phosphodiesterases in Thermoregulation and Salivation in Mice
Major professor: Wito Richter, Ph.D.

Alexander Bishop Coley
Dissertation: Novel Regulators of Human Gene Expression
Major professor: Glen Borchert, Ph.D.

Md Ibrahim
Dissertation: Replication Associated Base Excision Repair Regulates Replication Stress Induced PARP1/PARP2 Activation and Impacts PARP and PARG Inhibitor Resistance
Major professor: Robert Sobol, Ph.D.

Krit Jirakanwisal
Dissertation: Interaction of Rickettsia felis and Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Cat Fleas, Ctenocephalides felis
Major professor: Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D.

Hanna Joan Laukaitis
Dissertation: Infection and Transmission Determinants of Flea-Borne Rickettsioses
Major professor: Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D.

Mary Kate McConnell
Dissertation: The Role of PARP1 and NAD+ Bioavailability in Base Excision and Single-Strand Break Repair
Major professor: Robert Sobol, Ph.D.

Sirin Saranyutanon
Dissertation: The Effect of Nicotine on Immune Suppression and Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis
Major professor: Ajay Singh, Ph.D.