Our Team
Our team is dedicated to advancing the science of protein trafficking and degradation to unlock new insights into aging and disease. Together, we foster a collaborative environment that prioritizes the pursuit of new knowledge, rigorous experimentation, and responsible conduct of research. We are also passionate about training the next generation of scientists.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Jason A. MacGurn, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
Jason MacGurn, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he also serves as Director of Graduate Studies. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed postdoctoral training at Cornell University in the lab of Dr. Scott Emr.
Dr. MacGurn’s research explores how cells sense their environment and mediate responses to adapt and survive, especially in conditions of stress, aging, and disease. Over the years, this has inspired research focused on dissecting basic mechanisms of membrane trafficking and protein stability, and the role of ubiquitin in both these processes. These investigations have contributed to the advancement of several important questions, including how eukaryotic cells manage ubiquitin homeostasis, how ubiquitin function is regulated and modified during stress, how substrates of ubiquitylation are specified during endocytosis and membrane protein degradation, and how ubiquitin rheostats regulate important developmental signaling pathways.
Dr. MacGurn is committed to cultivating a collaborative research environment that prioritizes the pursuit of new knowledge, experimental rigor, and responsible conduct of research. He also prioritizes mentorship and professional development of trainees in the lab.
Nathaniel Hepowit, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Vanderbilt University
Experienced researcher in Cell and Molecular Biology with a demonstrated history of working on post-translational protein modifications. Skilled in Proteomics, Molecular Genetics, Recombinant Protein Technology, and Flow Cytometry. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy focused in Microbiology and Cell Science from University of Florida.
Adam Ebert
Graduate Student
Vanderbilt University
Innovative and dedicated scientist in Molecular Biology and Organic Chemistry with a demonstrated history of executing independent research projects. Skilled in Mitochondrial Lipid Biology, Disease Mechanisms, Collaborative Research, and Scientific Leadership. Pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Cell Biology from Vanderbilt University with a focus on aging and disease.
Jing He Xu
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Kyrie Frazier
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Sophia Lin
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Jonatan Tariku
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Sophia Kantejeva
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Lizette Guajardo
Vanderbilt Undergraduate Student
Madeleine McLean
Vanderbilt SSMV Student
Our Esteemed Alumni
Our alumni apply their expertise in a wide range of scientific fields. They now work in academia, industry, and other fields, where they use their skills to advance scientific knowledge and innovation.
Thyandra Martinez
Post-bac student (Class of 2025)
Current Position: Graduate Student at Dartmouth University
Derek Johnson
Vanderbilt undergraduate (Honors Thesis, Class of 2025)
Hayley Singkhek
Vanderbilt undergraduate (Class of 2025)
Avery Kyle
Belmont undergraduate (Class of 2025)
Current Position: Graduate Student at Emory University
Tristan Sealy
Vanderbilt undergraduate (Honors Thesis, Class of 2024)
Current Position: MSTP Student at Vanderbilt University
Susan Histed
Current Position: Postdoc at the Ivy Brain Tumor Institute
Bradley Moon
Recipient of the Aida Nureddin Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
Jessica Tumolo
Graduate Student (PhD conferred in 2019)
Casey Nielsen
Graduate Student (PhD conferred in 2019)
Sora Lee
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Current Position: Research Professor at UT Southwestern
Kristin Jernigan
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Current Position: Faculty at Columbia College
Join Our Team
