Our Team
Ryan Gaudet, Ph.D
Ryan received his B.Sc in Biology at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), MSc from the University of Manitoba in Medical Microbiology, and PhD from the University of Toronto in Molecular Genetics. His postdoctoral studies were conducted in the lab of John MacMicking, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator at Yale University, Department of Immunobiology and of Microbial Pathogenesis. He studied the mechanisms of cell-intrinsic immunity to intracellular bacterial pathogens like Salmonella and Shigella.
As a new lab, we are actively recruiting founding team members at all levels of training. This group will lay the foundation for the culture, training, and scientific interests of the lab going forward.
Email: rg3477@cumc.columbia.edu to inquire
Antonia Oduguwa
Graduate Student
Antonia received her B.S. in Biology from Howard University. In her post-baccalaureate year, she conducted research in the Jeffrey Bender lab at Yale University. Antonia is interested in uncovering the mechanisms utilized by endothelial cells in pathogen defense.
Dominic Ritacco
Graduate Student
Dominic received his B.S in Biochemistry and Chinese from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has previously conducted research in the Moormann lab at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, as well as in the Cantor lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dominic is particularly interested in host-pathogen interactions and the effector mechanisms underlying innate immunity
Hamna Shahnawaz
Graduate Student
Hamna received her B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Bryn Mawr College. She previously conducted research in the Drew Weissman lab at the University of Pennsylvania. Within the Gaudet lab, Hamna is interested in understanding tissue-specific immunity. Her research focuses on how interferons orchestrate the spatial organization of interferon-stimulated genes in structural cells. Hamna is passionate about leveraging computational methods to dissect tissue-specific immunity, aiming to shed light on the sophisticated mechanisms of the immune response at the cellular level.
Panke Qu, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Panke received his MS in the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and PhD in The Ohio State University where he has developed extensive expertise in viral infections and host immune responses. Within the Gaudet lab, Panke is particularly interested in tissue-specific immunity and the mechanisms by which differential interferon-activated host defense programs influence viral tropism or immune-driven pathologies