Current Members
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Peter Vitiello, PhD
Pete is an Associate Scientist in the Children’s Health Research Center and is an Assistant Professor in the PeDepartment of Pediatrics of the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. Pete obtained a PhD in Toxicology at the University of Rochester working in the laboratory of Michael O’Reilly in the Department of Environment Medicine. Pete oversees research projects in the lab focused on understanding the role of redox signaling during lung development and oxidative injury. His laboratory project specifically focuses on hyperoxic regulation of thioredoxin-inhibiting protein (Txnip; VDUP1). Pete is also intimately involved in several of the science education programs as part of The Sanford PROMISE and oversees the Science Educator Research Fellowship Program.
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Ben Forred, BS
Ben is a Research Associate and graduated from Northern State University in 2009 with a BS in Biology. He manages everyday operation of the laboratory, handling all orders, safety documentation, chemical inventories, and equipment maintenance. Ben is also responsible for overseeing rodent breeding and welfare. He currently works on developmental and hyperoxic regulation of thioredoxin and peroxiredoxin pathways in mouse lung. Additionally, he investigates injury and alveolar growth in lungs from offspring of diabetic mothers in collaboration with the Baack lab.
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Miranda Floen, BS
Miranda graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2009 with a BS in Chemistry. She is currently an MD/PhD candidate in the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. Her thesis project focuses on identification of thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) signaling pathways during oxidative stress, the compartmentalized functions of Trx1, and the role of Trx1 in alveolar development. |
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Summer Students
Elliot Bloom, BS
Elliot worked in the lab in the summer of 2010 as an undergraduate selected for the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR). As a SPUR student, Elliot investigated how oxygen tension regulated thioredoxin-1 expression, redox status, and subcellular localization. Elliot graduated from Augustana College in 2011 with a BS in Chemistry and is currently a biochemist with Front Line Chemicals, LLC in Brandon, SD.
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Cody Lensing
Cody was selected as an Undergraduate Research Fellow in the summer of 2011 as part of the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network. Cody worked towards understanding how isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane, regulate cellular redox via thioredoxin and glutathione. Cody is currently completing Biochemistry and Philosophy degrees at Augustana College and is applying for graduate school.
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Brianna Titus
Brianna is a student at West Central high school and earned a summer research scholarship through the Sanford PROMISE in 2011. She studied hyperoxic regulation of thioredoxin-2 pathways and its influence on mitochondrial cell death. She is currently finishing her senior year and applying for undergraduate programs to pursue a science degree. |
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