Dr. Matthew MacDonald
Dr. MacDonald received his neuroscience training from Chang-Gyu Hahn and Robert Sweet and his mass spectrometry training from Ian Blair and Nathan Yates. He is fascinated by the network perspective of protein-protein interactions made possible by constantly evolving mass spectrometry and informatics approaches. Apart from science, he enjoys cooking, city-biking, muay thai, yoga, and spending time with his daughter.
Education
University of Pittsburgh: Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
Oglethorpe University: Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of Pennsylvania: Ph.D. in Pharmacology
University of Pennsylvania: Fellowship in Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh: Fellowship in Psychiatry
Email: macdonaldml@upmc.edu
Dr. Cassandra Happe
Boston University: Bachelor of Arts in Biology
University of Pittsburgh: Ph.D. in Bioengineering
University of California San Diego: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Bioengineering
Education
Email: happecl@gmail.com
Cassi received her Ph.D. from the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh where she developed novel electroactive materials for interfacing with the nervous system. She then spent several years designing in-a-dish models of neural and cardiovascular diseases during her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego. In the MacDonald Lab, Cassi is applying cutting edge mass spectrometry techniques to investigate the changes that occur in synaptic protein networks during normative aging. Outside of the Lab, when she is not pretending to be a superhero to entertain her two children, she is probably digging around in the dirt and squishing bugs in her vegetable garden.
Shelby Ruiz
Shelby is a current Ph.D. candidate in the MacDonald lab. Shelby’s work is focused on characterizing differences in the synaptic proteome of Autism and Neurotypical individuals across development in human postmortem tissue. Her work is additionally focused on advancing the available techniques in human postmortem tissue (via antibody-based proximity labeling) and understanding the limitations of postmortem tissue (postmortem interval dependent protein degradation). While not in lab, she enjoys board games, hiking, climbing, and painting.
Education
Mississippi College: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
University of Pittsburgh Graduate CNUP
Email: shelby.ruiz@pitt.edu
Jordan Gilardi
Education
Virginia Tech: Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
Jordan currently works as a Research Coordinator in the MacDonald Lab. She earned her B.S. in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from Virginia Tech, with additional minors in Psychology and Leadership & Social Change. Within the MacDonald Lab, Jordan processes and manages extensive sample cohorts, trains incoming lab members, and maintains the mass spectrometer. Apart from the lab, Jordan finds fulfillment in traveling to new places, reading (or listening to) a good book, and cherishing moments spent with friends and family.
Email: gilardij@upmc.edu
Akayla Lewin
Akayla recently relocated to the Pittsburgh area after receiving her BS in Pharmacy and Toxicology from the University at Buffalo. During her undergraduate studies, she engaged in research focused on nanoparticle treatment for tuberculosis and animal drug testing for multiple sclerosis. Currently, as a full-time research specialist in the MacDonald Lab, Akayla assists in maintaining the mass spectrometer and conducting experiments. Beyond her work in the lab, she finds joy in baking, hiking, and attending Pittsburgh Pirates games.
Education
SUNY University at Buffalo: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Toxicology
Email: lewina2@upmc.edu
Jayashree (Jaya) Ezhilarasu
Education
Undergraduate at University of Pittsbrugh
Jaya is an undergraduate researcher at the MacDonald Lab. She is currently attending the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. Her primary focus is investigating the pathways associated with autism, and she is currently contributing to a project that explores synaptic dysregulation in autism. In addition to her research commitments, Jaya is actively involved in various campus organizations. In her free time, she enjoys painting, cooking, and spending time with friends.
