People — The Colacino Lab at Michigan

Justin ColacinoJustin is the Principal Investigator of the Colacino Lab and is an Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Texas at Austin and graduate work at the University of Texas School of Public Health and the University of Michigan. When he's not deep in cancer research or teaching toxicology, Justin likes playing music, making tacos, and hanging out with his two Persian cats. For more about Justin, check out his CV, his UMSPH faculty page, or follow him on Twitter. — **Justin Colacino**
Justin is the Principal Investigator of the Colacino Lab and is an Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Texas at Austin and graduate work at the University of Texas School of Public Health and the University of Michigan. When he's not deep in cancer research or teaching toxicology, Justin likes playing music, grilling, and hanging out with his two Persian cats. For more about Justin, check out his CV, his UMSPH faculty page, or follow him on Twitter.

**Anagha Tapaswi**
Anagha Tapaswi currently works as a Research Area Specialist-Intermediate in the Colacino Lab. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Zoology, and Botany from the University of Pune in India. Anagha further pursued her academic interests by earning a Master's degree in Biomedical Genetics from VIT Vellore, India, and a dual Master's in Biotechnology and Business Administration from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her research focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms of cellular plasticity and the interplay between luminal and basal epithelial cells, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Anagha is particularly interested in investigating how cellular plasticity contributes to the initiation and progression of breast cancer, utilizing high-content automated imaging techniques. Outside the laboratory, Anagha enjoys camping, working out, and spending quality time with her family.

**Rachel Morgan**
Rachel is a postdoctoral fellow in Environmental Health Sciences. She received her bachelor's degree in biology and global health from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her master's in public health from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from UM. Rachel's research interests pertain to developmental exposures and their contribution to the risk of neurodegenerative disease via alterations to gene expression regulation and the metabolome. Outside of the laboratory, Rachel enjoys spending time with her dog and husband in the outdoors, reading mystery novels, and cooking.

Vy NguyenVy is a postdoctoral fellow being co-mentored by Justin and Dr. Olivier Jolliet. She received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Math from Baylor University and her PhD in Bioinformatics from University of Michigan. Vy’s research interests in… — **Vy Nguyen**
Vy is a postdoctoral fellow being co-mentored by Justin, Dr. Chirag Patel at Harvard, and Dr. Olivier Jolliet at Technical University Denmark. She received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Math from Baylor University and her PhD in Bioinformatics, with a focus on environmental health, from University of Michigan. Vy’s research centers on the computational toxicology of beauty standards. She integrates her computational repertoire on large-scale population studies with experimental designs on breast cancer toxicology to characterize chemical exposures and related breast cancer risk from using beauty products. Outside the lab, Vy enjoys fashion, thrift-shopping, anime, Final Fantasy video-gaming, and playing tennis.

**Joy Gbadegoye**
Joy Gbadegoye is a Research Lab Tech in the Colacino lab, Department of Environmental Health Science. Joy has a DVM from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a M.S from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She has a background in cardiovascular, toxicology, and reproductive biology research. Joy is interested in exploring how environmental toxicants contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Her work involves behavioural assays and epigenetic studies. Outside of the lab, Joy enjoys hiking, baking, singing, and spending time with friends and family.

Evan HillEvan is a PhD student working towards a degree in Toxicology in the Environmental Health Sciences Department. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and master’s degree in Toxciology at the University of Michigan. Evan’s research… — **Evan Hill**
Evan is a PhD student working towards a degree in Toxicology in the Environmental Health Sciences Department. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and master’s degree in Toxciology at the University of Michigan. Evan’s research interests include using 3-dimensional culture techniques to understand the effects of toxicants and diet on carcinogenesis and cancer development. Outside of the lab, Evan enjoys playing multiple sports, playing the Tuba, and cooking anything in a slow cooker.

**David Aguilar**
David is a 4th-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, concurrently pursuing an M.S. in the Gilbert S. Omenn Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and subsequently worked for several years as an analytical chemist in the public health sector, focusing on neonatal metabolic screening and biomonitoring research on endocrine disruptors. David’s research interests lie broadly in applying machine learning methods to integrated imaging and multi-omics data to characterize pathologies linked to environmental exposures, with a particular emphasis on the role of heavy metals in aggressive breast cancers like triple-negative breast cancer. Outside the lab, he explores the intersection of AI and health, seeks adventure on two wheels, pushes limits with functional fitness, and is on a perpetual quest for bold new flavors and culinary adventures.

**Peiyao Zhao**
Peiyao is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Biostatistics department. She earned her Master's in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor's degree in Statistics from Xi'an Jiaotong University. Peiyao's research focuses on developing statistical methods for genomics data, with a particular interest in spatial transcriptomics and RNA-seq data. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing squash, and learning about astrology.

**Evelyn Matei**
Evelyn is an MD/PhD student in the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program, and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Toxicology. She received a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Rochester. She is broadly interested in the effects of environmental toxicant and pesticide exposure on health, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by environmental poisoning. Her work in the Colacino lab is focused on the effects of lead exposure on the development of neurodegenerative disease. In terms of clinical interests, she hopes to pursue residency in either Emergency Medicine or Family Medicine, because of the connections these fields have to rural health and toxicology. In her free time, she enjoys listening to/playing music, reading, spending time with cats, and doing anything outdoors.

**Lauren Middleton**
Lauren is an MD/PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Vassar College and an MPH in Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. Her research projects will study the effects of heavy metals on macrophages and their interaction with breast cancer. Clinically, she is currently interested in surgery and pathology. She enjoys baking and playing volleyball.

**Jenna Miller**
Jenna is a Ph.D. student pursuing her degree in Toxicology in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. She received an M.S. degree in Environmental Health Sciences and a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan. Jenna’s previous work investigated the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in altering breast cell morphology. She will continue to pursue her research interests during her Ph.D. by investigating the intersection between immunology, pharmacology, and toxicology within cancer treatment and prevention. Outside of the lab, Jenna loves going to the gym, being outside, and hanging out with her cat Daisy.

**Nithika Ramalingam**
Nithika is a Master's student pursuing a degree in Toxicology from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery from India. Her research interests focus on testing the effects of lead on endothelial cells and investigating its interactions with cancer metastasis. Outside of the lab, Nithika enjoys baking and walking around Ann Arbor.

Lab Alumni (and current locations)

Danielle Fries (Covance) Julie Brickle (OMNOVA)
Erica Katz (University of Chicago)
Jessica Wu (Zomedica Pharmaceuticals)
Sabrina Rocco (University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Neuroscience)
Julien Heidt (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
Nicholas Polakowski (Central Michigan University College of Medicine)
Sarah Karram (University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology)
Adam Kahana (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) Chanese Forté (Union of Concerned Scientists) Tasha Thong (Tempus Labs) Nick Cemalovic (Cornell University) Jade Schroeder (Coast Guard Academy) Shelbie Taylor (University of Michigan) Katelyn Polemi (Michigan State University, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology) Elizabeth Tolrud (Norwegian Polar Institute & NILU) Amy Kuritzky (University of Michigan, Department of Anthropology) Amanda Schlecte (University of Michigan)