Laboratory of P.J. Hansen

SCIENTISTS IN THE LAB - PAST AND PRESENT

Present Graduate Students

Aline Q.S. Bonilla, Ph.D. Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology. Expected graduation is December, 2010. Research topic is actions of IGF-1 to improve embryonic survival following stress.

Justin Fear, M.S., Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, expected graduation is December, 2009. Research topic is developmental regulation of apoptosis in preimplantation embryos.

Sarah Fields (MS-South Dakota State University, 2008), Ph.D., Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology (AD Ealy is -co-advisor). Expected graduation is December, 2012.  Research topic is regulation of embryo development by growth factors.

Katherine May Hendricks, Ph.D. Animal Molecular and Cell Biology, expected graduation is December, 2008.  Research topic is genetic basis for thermotolerance.

Barbara Loureiro, Ph.D., Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, (M.S., Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil, 2006), research topic: determinants of post-transfer embryo survival.

Lilian Oliveira, Ph.D., Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, expected graduation is August, 2008. Research topic is pregnancy immunology.

Maria Beatriz Padua, Ph.D. Animal Molecular and Cell Biology, expected graduation is August, 2007.  Research topic is regulation of uterine immune function by progesterone.  Received M.S., Animal Sciences (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology) in 2004.  Thesis: Endometrial adenogenesis and uterine immune regulation in sheep. 

Present Postdoctoral and Visiting Scientists

Luciano Bonilla, DVM, Brazil, doing independent research on embryo   physiology, 12/2006-present.

Silvia Carambula, PhD (Universidade de Sao Paulo), research on apoptosis in preimplantation embryos.

Technicians

Martha Hoggard, 1984-1986.

click here for older photos

Past Graduate Students

1. Jerry R. Malayer, Ph.D., 1989, Animal Science (Biochemistry minor). Thesis Title: Uterine, oviductal and conceptus responses to heat shock. Postdoctoral training: Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin (Jack Gorski). Present Position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Physiological Sciences, and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University.

2. Claire Plante, Ph.D., 1990, Animal Science (W. W. Thatcher, co-chair). Thesis Title: The role of alpha-interferons in the recognition of pregnancy in cattle. Postdoctoral training: Dept. of Pathology, University of Guelph (R. Miller). Present Position:  Therion Research Ltd. and Plante Veterinary Services, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

3. Boon Guan Low, Ph.D., 1990, Veterinary Medicine-Animal Biology (M. Drost, chair; P.J. Hansen, co-chair). Thesis Title: Expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens in the placenta and pregnancy immunology in ruminants. Postdoctoral training: Dept. of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri (R.M. Roberts). Present position: Scientist -Nucleic Acids Systems, Chiron Corp., Tokyo, Japan.

4. François Elvinger, Ph.D., 1990, Animal Science (R.P. Natzke, chair; P.J. Hansen, co-chair). Thesis Title: Immunomodulation by heat stress and somatotropin in dairy cows: relevance for the epidemiology of mastitis. Present Position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia.

5. Manuel F. Lander Chacin, M.S., 1990, Veterinary Medicine-Animal Biology (M. Drost, chair; P.J. Hansen, co-chair). Thesis Title: Uterine immune mechanisms in the bovine. Present Position: Private veterinary practice, Anaco, Venezuela.

6. Marie V. Leslie, M.S., 1991, Dairy Science. Thesis Title: Characterization of secretion of the uterine milk proteins produced by the sheep and cow uterus. Present Position: private veterinary practice, Trenton Animal Hospital, Trenton, Florida.

7. Alan Ealy, Ph.D., 1994, Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology). Thesis Title: Developmental changes in resistance of mammalian embryos to elevated temperature and strategies to improve fertility in dairy cattle during heat stress.  Postdoctoral Fellow (1994-1998) and Research Assistant Professor (1998-2000), Dept. of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia (under R.M. Roberts).  Present Position: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Dairy and Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University.

8. Jill Davidson, M.S., 1994, Dairy Science. Thesis title: Regulation of bovine uterine and embryonic function by interleukin-1 and interferons.  Received Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2002.  Current position: Present position: Research scientist, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, Gray Summit, MO.

9. Victor Monterroso, M.S., 1995, Dairy and Poultry Sciences. Thesis Title: Influence of heat shock on function of frozen/thawed bovine sperm. Present Position: Associate Professor and Associate Director, Department of Comparative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.

10. Wen-jun Liu, Ph.D., 1996, Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology). Thesis Title: Regulation of lymphocyte function by sheep endometrial serpin-like proteins. Present Position: Present Position:  Professor, Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.   Postdoctoral training: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (Supervisor: Joan Weliky Conaway)and Dept. of Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK (Supervisor: R.P. McEver).

11. Janice Lannett Edwards, Ph.D., 1996, Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology). Thesis Title: Ontogeny of thermotolerance in bovine embryos: HSP70 synthesis and resistance to heat shock during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. Present position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, University of Tennessee. Postdoctoral training: Gene Evaluation and Mapping Laboratory, USDA-Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD (Supervisor: C.E. Rexroad, Jr.).

12. Carlos Aréchiga, M.S., 1994, Dairy Science; Ph.D., 1997, Animal Science. M.S. Thesis Title: The role of antioxidants in thermoprotection of embryos. Ph.D. Thesis Title: Strategies for improving reproduction and milk yield of dairy cows through use of antioxidants and timed insemination.  Present position: Dean, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico.

13. Alice de Moraes, Ph.D., 1997, Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology). Thesis Title: Regulation of bovine embryonic development and protein secretion by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-1. Present position:  Teacher, J.F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, SC.

14. Morgan Peltier, Ph.D., 2000, Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology). Thesis title: Immunoregulatory activity, biochemistry and phylogeny of uterine serpin. Recipient 2001 Graduate Research Award, University of Florida Chapter of Sigma Xi. Present position: Postdoctoral training: Dept. of Pathobiology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (Supervisor: Mary A. Brown). Current position: Assistant Professor in the  Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ.

15. Andrew Majewski, M.S., 2001. Thesis title: Regulation of uterine immune function in the sheep by progesterone and the conceptus.  Current position: Current position: Associate Director of Latin America for the Global Medical Affairs, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Collegeville, PA

16. Yaser Al Katanani, Ph.D., Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology), 2001. Thesis title:  Responses of bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos to elevated temperature:  possible causes of embryonic loss and strategies to improve fertility under heat stress conditions.  Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Florida (R.T. Kennedy, K. Moore and P.J. Hansen, supervisors).  Current position:  Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida.

17. Saban Tekin, Ph.D., Animal Science (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology), 2002. Thesis title:  Natural killer-like cells in peripheral blood and uterine endometrium in sheep:  Characteristics and regulation by pregnancy associated proteins.  Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Animal Sciences, University of Florida (P.J. Hansen, supervisor). Present Position: Present position:  Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology, Gaziomanopasa University, Tokat, Turkey. 

18. Heather Rosson, M.Ag., Animal Sciences, 2002.  Research topic was characterization of ovine uterine serpin in colostrum.  Present position: veterinary school, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

19.  Fabíola Freitas de Paula Lopes, M.S., 1998, Ph.D., 2002; Animal Sciences (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology), M.S. Thesis title: Regulation of bovine embryonic development by interleukin-1. Ph.D. Dissertationtitle: Determinants of embryonic resistance to heat shock during the preimplantation period in cattle.  Recipient of the 1997 International Student Academic Award bestowed by the University of Florida College of Agriculture. Awarded University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences Dissertation of the Year, 2003.  Current Position:  Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal Universidade de Sao Pnulo (UNIFESP).

20.  Paolete Soto, M.S., Animal Sciences, 2003 (R.P. Natzke, co-chair).  Thesis: In Vitro Actions of Mediators of Inflammation on the Bovine Oocyte and Embryo.Recipient of the 2000 International Student Academic Award bestowed by the University of Florida College of Agriculture.   Present position: postdoc, McGill University (Daniel Bernard, supervisor).

21. Rocío M. Rivera, Ph.D., Animal Sciences (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology), 2003.  Dissertation: Cellular, sub-cellular and developmental responses of bovine two-cell embryos to a physiologically-relevant heat shock. Winner of the 2002 Ruska Award from the Southeastern Microscopy Society; 2003 Graduate Student of the Year, University of Florida Animal Sciences Graduate Student Association; 2004 Graduate Research Award, University of Florida Chapter of Sigma Xi. Postdoctoral training:University of Pennsylvania. Present position: Assistant Professor, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri.

22. Charles E. Krininger III, M.S., 2004, Animal Sciences.  Thesis: Developmental and genetic determinants of bovine embryonic resistance to cellular insult. Present position: AP Biology Teacher,  Satellite Beach High School, Satellite Beach, Florida.

23. Carlos Moises Franco, M.S., 2005, Animal Sciences. Thesis: Strategies to enhance fertility in dairy cattle during summer including use of cryopreservation of in vitro produced embryos. Present position: Owner, Embogen, San Carlos, Bolivia.

24. Dean Jousan, Ph.D., 2006, Animal Sciences (Animal Molecular and Cell Biology), Dissertation: Insulin-like Growth Factor-I and Apoptosis as Determinants of Preimplantation Bovine Embryonic Development. PhD Student of the Year, 2005, UF Animal Sciences Graduate Student Association.

25. Jeremy Block, M.S. Animal Sciences, 2003; Ph.D., Animal Molecular and Cell Biology, 2007. 2004 Graduate Student of the Year, University of Florida Animal Sciences Graduate Student Association. M.S. Thesis title: Strategies to improve post-transfer survival of bovine embryos produced in vitro. Ph.D. Dissertation, Effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 on development and post transfer survival of bovine embryos produced in-vitro. Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Florida (PJ Hansen); co-owner, Embogen, Inc.

26. Luis Augusto de Castro e Paula, Ph.D., Animal Molecular and Cell Biology, 2007. Dissertation title: Role of oxygen and sphingomyelin metabolism in actions of heat shock on the oocyte and embryo. Current position: Research Scientist, EMBRAPA, Campo Grande, Brazil.

27. Adriane Bell, M.S., Animal Sciences, 2008. A. de Vries (advisor) and P.J. Hansen (co-advisor). Thesis: Effectiveness and economics of bovine somatotropin use to enhance conception in dairy hers experiencing seasonal heat stress.

Past Postdoctoral Scientists

1. Gary R. Newton (Ph.D., University of Kentucky). Postdoctoral Research Associate 1986-1989. Present Position: Research Scientist, Cooperative Agriculture Research Center, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, Texas; Adjunct Associate Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas.

2. J. Gordon Betts (Ph.D., Texas A & M University). Postdoctoral Research Associate 9/89-9/91. Present Position: Instructor, Biology Dept., Tyler Junior Collge, Tyler, Texas.

3. Boris Skopets (D.V.M., Latvian Agricultural Academy; Ph.D., Latvian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine). Postdoctoral Research Associate 8/90-7/92. Present position: Facilities Veterinarian, NIH NMR Center, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Animal Health and Care, Bethesda, MD.

4. Ramesh K. Chandolia (D.V.M., CCS Haryana Agricultural University; Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan). Postdoctoral Research Associate, 12/97-10/98. Present position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India.

5.  Yaser Al Katanani, (Ph.D., University of Florida), Postdoctoral Research Associate,1/02-5/02.  Present position:  Assistant in Embryology, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida.

6. Saban Tekin (Ph.D., University of Florida). Postdoctoral Research Associate, 4/02 - 1/03, 4/03-7/04.  Present position:  Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology, Gaziomanopasa University, Tokat, Turkey. 

7.  Zvi Roth (Ph.D., Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel) Courtesy Assistant Professor, 11/02-5/04. Current position: Assistant Professor, The Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Animal Science.

8.  Amy Fischer-Brown (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin). Postdoctoral Research Associate, 10/04-5/05. Current position: Teaching Associate and Cooperative Extension Agent, Dept. of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois.

9. Serdal Dikmen, D.V.M., Ph.D. (Uludag University); Research Assistant, Dept. of Animal Sciences, Uludag University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa, Turkey, 6/2007-6/2008.

10. Jeremy Block, Ph.D. (University of Florida); research on improvement of embryo transfer technologies, 2/2007-present.

Past Visiting Scientists

1. Ciro M. Barros, D.V.M., Ph.D. Professor Titular, Dept. of Pharmacology, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Campus de Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 9/89-3/91. Research Interests: Regulation of uterine function by interferon-. Second visit, 1/95 to learn in vitro fertilization.

2. Zeinab Sultan, Ph.D. Senior Researcher, Animal Production Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt, 1/91-3/91. Research Interests: Development of ELISA technology.

3. Leonard A. Kamwanja, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, and Acting Principal, Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, Llongwe, Malawi, 8/92-1/93. Research Interests: Regulation of oviductal function by cytokines/effects of hyperthermia on cellular function.

4. Ute Tiemann, Dr. rer. nat., Research coworker, Forschungsinstitut für die Biologie landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere, Dummerstorf, Germany, 2/93-6/93. Research Interests: Regulation of endometrial and oviductal cell function by cytokines and growth factors.

5. Sanaa Fawzi Salem, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Brucella Unit, Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt, 11-12/93. Research Interests: Immunobiological research techniques.

6. Catherine Brocas, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs des Travaux Agricoles, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 4/96-10/96. Conducted research for a Master's degree on effects of gossypol on bovine oocyte quality.

7. Wenru Tian, D.V.M., Ph.D. Visiting Scientist 1/98-6/98. Permanent Position: Lecturer, Dept. of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China. Research interests: preimplantation embryonic development.

8.Victor Bermudez, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor, Universidad Central de Venezuela, 8/99-9/99.  Research interests: uterine immunology.

9. Masanori Komatsu, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Chugoku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Dept. of Animal Production, Kawai-cho, Oda-shi, Shiwane-ken, Japan, 112/99-2/00.  Research interests: placental MHC expression.

10.  Justine Fitzgerald, M.D., Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Obstetrics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany, 9/00-10/00.  Research interests: reproductive immunology.

11. Romulo Banuelos Valenzuela, Professor of Biochemistry, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico, 7/01-8/01.  Research interests: heat shock proteins.

12.  Jose Osorio, M.S. candidate, Universidad de Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico, summer, 2002.  Research interests:  in vitro fertilization.

13. Imke Mebes, M.D., Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Obstetrics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany, 2/03-4/03.  Research interests: Ovine uterine serpin.

14. Joel Hernández Cerón, DVM, Professor, Departamento de Reproduccíon, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, 7/02-7/03.

15. Amir Niasari-Naslaji, Associate Professor, Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, sabbatical, 4/05-12/05 (with WW Thatcher and PJ Hansen)

16. Adriana Fernández, Docente, Instituto de Reproducción Animal e Inseminación Artificial, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, 12/2005-2/2006.

17. Felipe Monteil, visiting faculty member, Universidad de Veracruz, 2/2006.

18. Barbara Loureiro, M.S. candidate, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil, doing embryology research towards her degree, 12/04-5/06.

19. Rodrigo Nunes de Assis, post-graduate student from Brazil, doing independent research on embryo physiology, 9/2005-8/31/2006.

20. Flavia Barros, graduate student, Centro de Biotecnologia em Reprodução,  Pirassununga, Brazil, research internship, 7/2006-10/2006.

21. Luis Armando Dávila Félix, DVM, Mexico, research on in vitro fertilization, 1/2007-6/2007.

22. Debora Jardina, veterinary student, Universidade Estadual de Sao Paolo, Botcucatu, Brazil, 8/2007-11/2007

23. Eduardo Pontes, veterinary student, Universidade de Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo, Brazil, 8/2007-10/2007.

24. Leydson Martins, veterinary student, Universidade de Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo, Brazil, 8/2007-11/2007.

       Selected Undergraduate Researchers

1.  Ashley Brown, 1984.  Research interests:  Endometritis in mares.  Subsequently received D.V.M. degree, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.  Current position:  Veterinary practice, Largo, Florida.

2.  David J. Wright, 1994.  Research interests: Role of interferon in luteal maintenance during pyometra.  Subsequently received Ph.D. from West Virginia University.  Currently employed by Wyeth, Madison, NJ.

3.  Holly Stephens, 2000.  Research interests: heat shock effects on preimplantation embryos.  Currently graduate student in University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.

4.  Olga M. Ocon, 2000-2002.  Research interests:  Effects of urea on embryonic development. Currently Ph.D. student at Dept. of Dairy and Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University.

5.  Michelle Rhodes, 2003-2004.  Research interest: genetic differences in cellular thermotolerance; role of transforming growth factor alpha in embryonic survival. Currently a practicing veterinarian.

6. Patrick Thompson, 2005-2006. Research interest: Effect of GnRH on fertility of dairy cows.  Currently a Biologist Scientist at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida.

7. Dana Thomas (Amherst College), 2008. Research interests: In vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes.