Training Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (CMDB)

• National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health
• T32GM146611

The CMDB T32 Training Program provides interdisciplinary predoctoral training in cell, molecular, and developmental biology, building on a longstanding NIH-funded training program at UAB that has been continuously supported since 1984. Combining well-established training strengths with innovative approaches tailored to today’s scientific workforce, the program offers rigorous research training, mentoring, professional development, and instruction in scientific rigor, inclusivity, and communication. As the only UAB T32 program supporting basic cell and molecular biology research independent of a specific disease focus, CMDB provides unique opportunities for outstanding trainees to investigate fundamental biological processes and translate their discoveries into advances in human health.

This program supports 10 predoctoral trainees each year and 1 institutional support position.

Program Leadership

Susan Bellis, Ph.D.

PI

Brad Yoder, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Alecia Gross Gutierrez, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Current Trainees

07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027

DeNittis, Vivianna
Mentor: Erik Roberson, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Sortilin inhibitors to enhance progranulin gene therapy

Folmar, Jonathan (Institutional Support)
Mentor: Sasanka Ramanadham, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Inhibition of Select Inflammatory Lipid Signaling Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Prevents Autoimmune β-Cell Destruction in Type 1 Diabetes

Freeman, McKay
Mentor: Brittany Lasseigne, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Targeting transcriptomic heterogeneity to advance ADPKD therapeutic strategies

Hall, Ellie
Mentor: Ksenia Matlawska, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Mechanosensing via Piezo1 in T-ALL Survival and Microenvironmental Adaptation

Marlow, Katherine
Mentor: Zhangli Su, Ph.D.
Title of Project: tRNA metabolism in Proteostasis and Aging

Prince, Gabrielle
Mentor: HaoSheng Sun, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Examining the role of neuropeptide communication in healthy and stress-exposed postembryonic nervous system maturation

Ring, Caroline
Mentor: Robby Van Sciver, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Defining ARL13B Interaction Specificity Across ARF/ARL Family Member

Smith, Woodland (Owen)
Mentor: Cheng (Jack) Song, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Role of Atypical Protein Kinase C Iota in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Vickers, Serah
Mentor: Coral Willie, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Global Epigenetic Control of Transcription in Wilms Tumor

Zakakhosravi, Saeed
Mentor: Erin Ahn, Ph.D.
Title of Project: Defining the Role of SON Haploinsufficiency in Regulating RNA Processing, Chromatin Accessibility and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Lineage Commitment

Past Trainees