LAB MEMBERS

Our team members are at the core of what makes the Didonna Lab such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We take pride in the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their unique skills to the projects we are working on.

ALESSANDRO DIDONNA

Principal Investigator

Dr. Didonna obtained his PhD degree in Functional and Structural Genomics from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Italy, studying the effects of prion replication on neuronal signaling under the mentorship of Dr. Giuseppe Legname. He subsequently moved to Northwestern University, to complete his first postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. Puneet Opal on the molecular basis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). In 2013, he joined the lab directed by Dr. Jorge Oksenberg at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) for a second postdoctoral training, focusing on the functional characterization of genetic determinants underpinning multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. In 2016, after transitioning to a faculty position still at UCSF, Dr. Didonna further expanded his research efforts to the analysis of the events underlying MS progression. In 2021, Dr. Didonna was recruited as an Assistant Professor by East Carolina University, and started his research lab in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Brody School of Medicine, focusing on the mechanistic connection between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in human diseases.

JONATHAN CARVER

PhD Student

Jonathan joined the lab in June 2022 as a Research Specialist and transitioned to the Brody PhD program in 2024. He previously graduated with a MS in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the Department of Biology at ECU. Studying under Dr. Yong Zhu, he worked with the zebrafish model to understand how androgen and progestin hormones regulate fertility, reproductive behaviors, and aggression in male zebrafish. For his thesis work, he studied the roles of extracellular matrix metalloprotease ADAMTS9 in vertebrate primordial germ cell migration, early gonad development, and ovarian folliculogenesis in vivo. He is interested in pursuing neuroendocrinology, learning about how the nervous and endocrine systems interact and the implications these “information superhighways” have on regulating physiology, metabolism, mental health, and disease.

RACHAEL DENBROCK

PhD Student

Rachael joined the lab in August 2024. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a BS in Kinesiology in 2021. She is a PhD student interested in the progression and underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease and is looking forward to being a part of the lab. In her free time, she enjoys watching scary movies and hanging out with her dog.

ALEXANDRA PUCKETT

Undergraduate Student

Alexandra joined the lab in January 2023. She is a freshman double majoring in Chemistry and Biology with a minor in Medical Sociology. She plans on attending medical school once she finishes her undergraduate degree to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Alexandra is highly interested in neuroscience, and she is very excited to learn more about the lab, assist with current projects, and work on an MS project in the future.

BRYCE PUGH

Medical Student

Bryce joined the lab in August 2023 and is currently a medical student at the Brody School of Medicine at ECU. He previously studied at the University of North Carolina Asheville, where he graduated with a BS in Chemistry. During this time, he studied under Dr. Amanda Wolfe, working to develop novel antibiotics, adjuvants, and antibiotic-adjuvant hybrids to combat multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. He is pursuing a career in neurosurgery, where he hopes to develop the field through research and technological innovation.

CINDY MARTINES

Undergraduate Student

Cindy joined the lab in September 2023. She is a junior double majoring in Cellular-Molecular Biology and Neuroscience at ECU. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in cell biology and become a research associate. She is very interested in the physiology and mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. She is excited to participate and contribute to new projects in the lab. In her free time, Cindy enjoys being outdoors, reading, and spending time with her dog.

RALPH GREEN

Lab Mascot

LAB ALUMNI

Kristy Lau (ECU undergraduate student) 2022-2024
Austin Lowery (summer student from Georgia Southern University) June-July 2022