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MEET OUR LAB

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Tracy G. Anthony, Ph.D.
I am a professor in the department of nutritional sciences at Rutgers University. I was born and raised near Chicago, then spent my teenage years in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. I received a B.S. in human nutrition and foods from Virginia Tech, and received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nutritional sciences from the University of Illinois. I completed postdoctoral training in cellular & molecular physiology at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. My research program explores nutrient and exercise stress responses, and my lab utilizes animal models to explore mechanisms of proteostasis control with applications toward improving metabolism, reducing disease and increasing healthspan.  My research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture. In my free time I enjoy being mom to three daughters.  I completed the Princeton HiTOPS Half-Marathon in the fall of 2019 and 2022.
Contact me at: tracy.anthony[at]rutgers.edu
Follow me on Twitter @Tracy_G_Anthony
https://linktr.ee/tracyanthony

 

 

 

STAFF

 

Esther M. Lopez

I graduated from Montclair State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Biology. I began my career in 2014 as a research technician in the Neurology Department at the Veterans Hospital. In 2017, I joined Rutgers University, starting in the Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine Department, and in 2022, I became part of the Anthony Lab. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience working with both small and large laboratory animals in vivo. I have a deep passion for all kinds of animals and aspire to one day live on a farm. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and spending quality time with my three children.

 

Emily Mirek

I graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island. I started out my career as an animal care technician and then moved over to the research side. I work a little bit on all of the projects in the lab and I love the variety that affords me. My interests include anything involving mice and my ultimate dream is to someday send our mice into space.

 

 

Postdoctoral Scholars 

Tim Stanek, PhD

I earned my B.S. in Biology from The College of New Jersey and my Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Thomas Jefferson University. From 2020 to 2023, I was an NIH-IRACDA postdoctoral fellow at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where I studied the formation of R-loops in Drosophila melanogaster and taught at Rutgers University, New Jersey City University, and CUNY Medgar Evers. In the Anthony Lab, I exploit computational tools to explore the role of the integrated stress response in regulating hepatic circadian rhythms in response to amino acid insufficiency.  Alternate-life careers for me include astronaut and baker.

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

 

Lingyi Zhu

I completed my undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, majoring in Biochemistry and Nutritional Science. During this time, I worked on a GH Cook thesis under the mentorship of Dr. Anthony for two years. This experience deeply influenced my academic journey, fostering a passion for research. Consequently, I made the decision to pursue my PhD degree at Rutgers in the Anthony lab. My research interests to investigate cross-communication among signaling pathways in response to diverse stress conditions. Outside the lab, I cherish the time spent with my dog.

 

 Flavio Rodriguez-Polanco MS 

I completed my undergraduate degree in Industrial Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico at the Mayagüez campus. During my time there, I took courses related to food production, and the study of diseases, where I understood the importance of nutrition for certain conditions or diseases. This sparked a deep interest in nutritional sciences, which is why I am a PhD student in my second year of the Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology program. At Anthony Lab I focus on the polysomal profiling technique to study translation during different conditions, treatments, genotypes, among others. On my spare time I like to do outdoor activities, whether it’s hiking, camping, mountain biking, snowboarding, skateboarding, and snorkeling.  

 

Saad Farooq

I graduated with a B.S in Exercise Science from Rutgers in 2022 and began my Ph.D. in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences in 2023. I have always been passionate about the crosstalk between fitness, nutrition, and science. Joining the Anthony lab, I am fortunate enough to explore the overlap between these three areas of personal interest. My work focuses on GCN2 and mTOR signaling in-vitro. I am also interested in how different dietary interventions affect male fertility and reproduction. Outside of my studies, I enjoy participating in strength sports, cooking, and learning new languages!  

 

Elizabeth Considine

I am a first-year medical student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Human Science. I am studying to become a pediatrician and want to integrate my research interests (metabolism and nutrition) into my medical career. When not in lab or in the medical school library, you can find me walking around New Brunswick searching for the perfect iced latte or walking my dog, Rory!

 

Aneri Shah

I received a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Navrachana University, Vadodara, India. I am conducting my thesis research in the Anthony lab as part of the master’s in biomedical sciences program.

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

 

Sophia Lund

I am a sophomore undergraduate student studying biology at Rutgers. I am currently studying the effect of amino acid intake on the peripheral circadian clocks of the liver. I was drawn to nutrition when I realized how large of impact chemical processes have on one’s overall wellbeing. In the future, I would like to pursue a PhD in biology. In my free time, I like to crochet, spend time with my cats, sing, and play guitar. 

 

 

LAB MASCOTS

 

SAY HI TO HARVEY !

FORMER MEMBERS

To Our Alumni/Alumna:

Please remember to update us on your current position and/or whereabouts.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

  • Pengxiang She, Ph.D. (2012-2013)
  • Yongping Wang, Ph.D. (2014-2018)

POSTDOCS

GRADUATE STUDENTS

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

  • Rebecca Kalmeijer, Biotechnology program, Independent Research 2021-2022
  • Michael Langevin, G.H. Cook Honors Program, 2019-2020
  • Amanda Lee, G.H. Cook Honors Program, 2019-2020
  • Lydia Stephney, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2019
  • Olivia Dineen, SAS honors research, 2018-2019
  • Christina Signore, Rutgers Honors College, Aresty Scholars Program, 2016-2019
  • Shereen Bartholomew, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2018
  • Eugenia Saiegh, G.H. Cook Honors Program, 2017-2018
  • Megan Hupp, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2017
  • Cora Kerber, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2016
  • Michael Goudie, Aresty Scholars Program, 2015-2016
  • Ericka Steele, NIDDK STEP-UP Fellow, summer 2015
  • Kidus Feleke, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2015
  • Albert Bargoud, Aresty Scholars Program, Molecular Biosciences Honors Thesis (2013-2015), **Thesis received Highest Honors; Henry Rutgers Scholar Award 2015 **
  • Toni Coleman, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2014
  • Berish Wetstein, US Air Force, 2014-2016
  • Matthew Solowsky, US Navy, 2014-2016
  • Tamar Denby, G.H. Cook Scholars Program, 2014-2015
  • William Jonsson, Rutgers-Karolinska Student Exchange program, Spring 2014, **Senior Thesis received highest honors at Karolinska Institute**
  • Wesley Hodges, RiSE at Rutgers, summer 2013, **Winner of Poster Competition at ABRCMS National Meeting 2013**
  • Brittany Lennox, Rutgers U Research Problems in Biochemistry, 2013
  • Allison McDaniel, IUSM-Evansville, May 2011 to April 2012
  • Phillip Behrens, IUSM-Evansville, May 2011 to April 2012
  • Whitney Wood, IUSM-Evansville, Summer 2011
  • Meral El Ramahi, IUSM-Evansville, Spring 2010
  • Olusina Akunde, IUSM summer REU program, 2008
  • Ross Deppe, IUSM summer REU program, 2008
  • Aaron Stoltz, IUSM summer REU program, 2008
  • Kendall Stocke, IUSM summer REU program, 2007
  • Allison Dudley, IUSM summer REU program, 2007
  • Lauren Ellspermann, IUSM-Evansville summer research 2007
  • Betty Murray, IUSM summer REU program, 2006
  • Todd Capes, IUSM-Evansville, Fall 2006
  • Kyle Harry, IUSM summer REU program, 2005
  • Lauren Fultz, IUSM summer REU program, 2005
  • Amanda Stevens, IUSM-Evansville, 2005-2006
  • Sheiphali Ghandi, IUSM-Evansville, fall 2004 to spring 2006
  • Megan Wiley, IUSM-Evansville, spring 2004 to fall 2005
  • Ria DeCamp, IUSM-Evansville, fall 2004
  • L. Morgan Oberle, IUSM summer REU program, 2004
  • Peter Knoll, IUSM-Evansville summer research, 2003 & 2004
  • Janice Esker, IUSM-Evansville, spring 2003
  • Rachel Byerley, IUSM-Evansville 2002-2005 and IUSM summer REU program, 2003.  **Finalist in APS David L. Bruce Undergraduate Research Competition at Experimental Biology 2004**
  • David Utley, IUSM summer REU program, 2002
  • Carson Penkava, IUSM summer REU program, 2002

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

  • Caleb Prempeh, NIDDK STEP-UP Fellow, 2020
  • Annie Ikemoto, NIDDK STEP-UP Fellow, summer 2017
  • Shawn Ohazuruike, NIDDK STEP-UP Fellow, summer 2016
  • Claire Kim, Siemens, Science Competition, summer 2013, **Regional Finalist**
  • Umay Mughal, NIDDK STEP-UP Fellow, Summer 2013
  • Jason Heo, IUSM-Evansville, Summer 2009 and 2010
  • Abhi Seetharamaiah, IUSM-Evansville, Summer 2009
  • Emma Brizius, IUSM-Evansville, Summer 2006