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Rothenberg CURED Lab | Meet the Lab

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Meet the Rothenberg CURED Lab

Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD

Marc RothenbergMarc Rothenberg, MD, PhD
Director, Division of Allergy and Immunology

Dr. Rothenberg is director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and tenured professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s within the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He is the Founder and Director of the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED) and the Principal Investigator of the Consortium of Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Disease Researchers (CEGIR), part of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network of the National Institutes of Health. 

Rothenberg graduated summa cum laude with highest honors in chemistry and biochemistry from Brandeis University. He then completed the MD/PhD program at Harvard Medical School under Dr. Frank Austen, conducting studies on eosinophil hematopoiesis, and he developed the first culture system for human eosinophils. After completing residency at Children’s Hospital, Boston, Rothenberg completed a fellowship in allergy/immunology and hematology at Children’s Hospital. Rothenberg did post-doctorate training with Dr. Philip Leder, Harvard Medical School, where he cloned the eotaxin chemokine. After being faculty at Harvard Medical School for one year, he came to the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's, where he has helped build a top program in research and sees patients suffering from allergic and immunologic diseases from around the world as part of the CCED. His division is a leader in allergy and immunology.

Rothenberg’s research is focused on molecular analysis of allergic inflammation, primarily on the molecular pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. His laboratory takes a multi-disciplinary approach including the development of preclinical murine models, genetics, genomics, molecular immunology, and biochemistry. Rothenberg’s research has been published in over 400 peer-reviewed articles and has contributed to the development of a new class of drugs based on targeting eosinophils, the first of which (anti-IL-5) has been approved by the FDA for eosinophilic asthma.  His research has uncovered the cellular, molecular and genetic bases for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), leading to a commercially available molecular diagnostic test and new treatment strategies.

Dr. Rothenberg’s awards include the 2007 E Mead Johnson Award from the Society of Pediatric Research, 2010 National Institutes of Health MERIT Award, and being elected an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society for Pediatric Radiology. He has served on review panels for journals/grant agencies including National Institutes of Health (NIH), Burroughs Trust, and Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom. He served for four years on the Advisory Council of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. He has been Associate Editor of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology since 2004. He is the Director and Founder of the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR), supported by the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network of the NIH. His research has been supported by sources including the NIH, Human Frontier Science Program Organization, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Dana Foundation, US-Israel Binational Fund, Department of Defense, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Rothenberg has trained a myriad of investigators, serving as the Program Director and/or Principal Investigator of several training grants, including an NIAID T32, the Institutional Children’s Health Pediatric Scientist Training Grant (K12) and the KL2 Training Component of Cincinnati Children’s CTSA.
marc.rothenberg@cchmc.org

Institutional Investigators

Julie Caldwell.

Julie Caldwell, PhD

Julie Caldwell, PhD

Julie Caldwell.

Julie Caldwell, PhD
Lab Manager and Institutional Investigator

Julie came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after completing her BS at Xavier University and PhD in the lab of Yolanda Sanchez at the University of Cincinnati. In eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic gastritis (EG), changes in the esophagus and stomach occur that include the infiltration of cells that are not normally present, such as eosinophils, but also alterations in the structural cells that normally makes up these tissues. The Rothenberg Lab studies the differences in both the structural tissue, as well as the infiltrating cells, between people who have eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) and those who do not to gain a better understanding of what causes the diseases. One of the differences in the structural tissue observed in people who have EoE or EG is an increase in the level of the molecule cadherin 26 (CDH26), which is a cell adhesion molecule. Julie is testing the hypothesis that cadherin 26, which is expressed by the structural cells in the esophagus and stomach, can affect the infiltrating cells, such as eosinophils or T cells, by influencing how they can localize to the tissue or how they function once they are present in the esophagus and stomach. Julie hopes that by discovering how factors such as CDH26 affect processes related to EGID pathogenesis, we can develop treatments related to these molecules.
julie.caldwell1@cchmc.org

Mark Rochman.

Mark Rochman, PhD

Mark Rochman, PhD

Mark Rochman.

Mark Rochman, PhD
Institutional Investigator

Mark came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab from the National Institutes of Health. Have you ever thought why the cells of our body are so different even though they all have the same DNA? Our DNA is not always our destiny. There is a special mechanism of regulating cell fate, which is called epigenetics (“epi” means “above”). Our cells respond to the signals from their environment by switching on and turning off expression of genes that makes them blood cells, muscle cells or esophageal epithelial cells. In addition to tissue differentiation, epigenetics regulates gene expression in diseases, such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a condition in which consumed food becomes a major environmental inducer of allergic response. Mark is focused on understanding what role(s) epigenetics is having in the development of EoE with the hope to develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat EoE.
mark.rochman@cchmc.org

Postdoctoral Fellows / Research Associates

Netali Ben Baruch.

Netali Morgenstern - Ben Baruch, PhD

Netali Morgenstern - Ben Baruch, PhD

Netali Ben Baruch.

Netali Morgenstern - Ben Baruch, PhD
Research Associate

Netali came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after receiving her degree from Tel-Aviv University in Israel where she investigated the regulation of eosinophil hematopoiesis, chemotaxis and activation by the inhibitory receptor Paired Immunoglobulin- like Receptor B (PIR-B). It is well established that inhibitory receptors promote suppressive signals that can regulate various check points in immune cell function. These suppressive pathways have a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Surprisingly, endogenous suppressive pathways that regulate eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) development have received limited attention. Netali’s work is aimed at characterizing the regulatory role of Inhibitory receptors in the development of Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

netali.benbaruch@cchmc.org

Julia Dunn.

Julia Dunn, PhD

Julia Dunn, PhD

Julia Dunn.

Julia Dunn, PhD
Research Associate

Julia Dunn joined the Rothenberg CURED Lab to study eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) after completing her PhD in microbiology and immunology at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and obtaining training in bioinformatics at Northwestern University. Eosinophils produce an array of inflammatory proteins and molecules that may communicate with other cells in the esophagus; however, the nature of this communication and its effect on disease progression is incompletely understood. The Rothenberg Lab is interested in understanding what causes the epithelial cells that line the esophagus to undergo changes that lead to fibrosis and esophageal dysfunction. Julia’s objective is to describe the communication that occurs between eosinophils and epithelial cells and to determine whether this interaction is beneficial or detrimental in disease.

julia.dunn@cchmc.org

A photo of Mario Alberto Ynga Durand.

Mario Alberto Ynga Durand, MD, PhD

Mario Alberto Ynga Durand, MD, PhD

A photo of Mario Alberto Ynga Durand.

Mario Alberto Ynga Durand
Research Fellow

Mario joined the Rothenberg CURED Lab following his doctoral studies in viral immunology at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Germany. After training as a pediatric immunologist in Mexico, he was engaged in the clinical care of patients with allergy before moving into biomedical research. His primary interest is in understanding the immunologic determinants of pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Currently, Mario's research aims to identify potential targets for reducing or preventing this disease. Ultimately, he wants to bring basic immunologic discoveries closer to patients.

marioalberto.yngadurand@cchmc.org

Jennifer Felton.

Jennifer Felton, PhD

Jennifer Felton, PhD

Jennifer Felton.

Jennifer Felton, PhD
Research Associate

Jenni came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after completing her PhD in inflammation research at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, where she investigated the regulation of eosinophil death and clearance in the resolution of allergic airway disease. In the Rothenberg Lab, Jenni’s work focuses on investigating the genetic and epigenetic (environmental) factors that influence the process of eosinophil development and tissue specificity, as factors that drive eosinophil maturation and function are relativity unknown. Investigating what internal genetic factors and external influences regulate these critical steps and which lead to an immature cell becoming an eosinophil under homeostatic or allergic conditions are crucial to our understanding and treatment of multiple allergic diseases.

jennifer.felton@cchmc.org

A photo of Gayatri Puri, PhD

Gayatri Puri, PhD

Gayatri Puri, PhD

A photo of Gayatri Puri, PhD

Gayatri Puri, PhD
Research Fellow

gayatri.puri@cchmc.org

Yrina Rochman.

Yrina Rochman, PhD

Yrina Rochman, PhD

Yrina Rochman.

Yrina Rochman, PhD 
Research Associate

Yrina came to Cincinnati Children’s after receiving her PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. Cytokines and bacterial metabolites play essential roles in the regulation of immune responses. They serve as messengers between different cell populations and may send protective or harmful signals during inflammation. Elucidating the mechanisms of how these factors are produced and interact with immune cells is crucial in understanding the initiation and propagation of allergic diseases and can lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies. Yrina’s work in the Rothenberg CURED Lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms induced by cytokines and bacterial metabolites and involved in regulating pathogenic responses during eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and other allergic disorders.

Yrina.Rochman@cchmc.org 

A photo of Hiroki Sato, MD, PhD.

Hiroki Sato, MD, PhD

Hiroki Sato, MD, PhD

A photo of Hiroki Sato, MD, PhD.

Hiroki Sato, MD, PhD
Visiting Scientist

hiroki.sato@cchmc.org

Michael Trimarchi.

Michael Trimarchi, PhD

Michael Trimarchi, PhD

Michael Trimarchi.

Michael Trimarchi, PhD
Research Fellow 

Michael came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after completing his PhD in Biomedical Research from The Ohio State University. Leveraging his experience in computational biology, Michael will tackle questions about eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) etiology and treatment using the latest high-throughput methods (e.g., RNA-seq, genome-wide association) and assist other lab members with custom analyses for their projects.

Michael.Trimarchi@cchmc.org

Simin Zhang.

Simin Zhang, MD

Simin Zhang, MD

Simin Zhang.

Simin Zhang, MD
Fellow

Simin came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after receiving her MD from Weill Cornell Medicine and completing an internal medicine residency at Penn State in Hershey, PA. Simin is currently an allergy fellow at University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's. Simin is interested in the role of IgG4 in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, and whether it can serve as a biomarker in treatment response.

simin.zhang@cchmc.org

Predoctoral Students

Photo Not Available.

Emily Gonzalez

Emily Gonzalez

Photo Not Available.

Emily Gonzalez
Student, University of Cincinnati

emily.gonzalez@cchmc.org

Andrea Szep.

Andrea Szep

Andrea Szep

Andrea Szep.

Andrea Szep
Student, University of Cincinnati

andrea.szep@cchmc.org

Research Assistants and Specialty Support

John Besse.

John Besse, MS

John Besse, MS

John Besse.

John Besse, MS
Senior Research Assistant

John received his bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 2008. Many experiments in the Rothenberg CURED Lab involve mouse models, which researchers use to test hypotheses for different experiments in mice instead of humans. John takes care of specific mouse colonies and works on various research projects with senior scientists in the lab. He is committed to maintaining a safe lab environment and has received the Safety Star Award multiple times. John's special interests include merging computers and biological phenomena.

john.besse@cchmc.org

Photo Not Available.

Dalila Cavallaro, MS

Dalila Cavallaro, MS

Photo Not Available.

Dalila Cavallaro, MS
Research Assistant

Dalila came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnologies and Master of Science in Medical Biotechnologies degrees from the University of Siena, Italy. Her previous laboratory research focused on the immunologic response of patients affected by rare respiratory disease. She is interested in expanding her knowledge by investigating the immunologic processes of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and the other allergic/immunologic conditions and mechanisms investigated by the Rothenberg CURED Lab. Dalila’s takes part in maintaining mouse colonies, assisting with clinical sample processing, and helping the other lab members in their ongoing research.

dalila.cavallaro@cchmc.org

Michael Eby.

Michael Eby, BS

Michael Eby, BS

Michael Eby.

Michael Eby, BS
Senior Research Database Programmer

Mike earned his BS degree in Computer Science from Xavier University and works in the Division of Allergy and Immunology and with the Rothenberg CURED Lab and the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED) as a Senior Research Database Programmer.  

michael.eby@cchmc.org

Heather Foote.

Heather Foote

Heather Foote

Heather Foote.

Heather Foote
Data Management Specialist

Heather is a Data Management Specialist in the Division of Allergy and Immunology and the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED) team. She has worked at Cincinnati Children’s since 2000 and joined the Division of Allergy and Immunology in 2003.

heather.foote@cchmc.org

Shawna Hottinger.

Shawna Hottinger, MS, ELS

Shawna Hottinger, MS, ELS

Shawna Hottinger.

Shawna Hottinger, MS, ELS
Medical Writer

Shawna earned her MS degree in Molecular and Developmental Biology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and is certified by the Board of Editors in Life Sciences. She works in the Division of Allergy and Immunology and with the Rothenberg CURED Lab as a medical writer.

shawna.hottinger@cchmc.org

Andrea Klingler.

Andrea Klingler, MS

Andrea Klingler, MS

Andrea Klingler.

Andrea Klingler, MS
Research Assistant IV

Andrea came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after completing her MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wright State University. Andrea participates in maintaining the mouse colony, processes biological samples donated by patients, assists with ongoing experiments, and coordinates ordering supplies for the division.

andrea.klingler@cchmc.org

A photo of Victor LaFay.

Victor LaFay

Victor LaFay

A photo of Victor LaFay.

Victor LaFay. MBA, CRP
Financial Analyst

Victor earned his MBA in general management from Northern Kentucky University. He has worked previously at Cincinnati Children’s as a clinical research coordinator and as a research assistant in clinical and research laboratories. He works in the Division of Allergy and Immunology and with the Rothenberg CURED Lab as a financial analyst.

victor.lafay@cchmc.org

Lydia Mack.

Lydia Mack, MS

Lydia Mack, MS

Lydia Mack.

Lydia Mack, MS
Research Assistant IV

Lydia came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after receiving her bachelor of science and master of science degrees in microbiology at The Ohio State University and Miami University, respectively. Although her previous laboratory work was geared toward infectious diseases and microbial genetics, she was interested in expanding into the host side of microbiology. Lydia’s roles include maintaining mouse colonies, assisting with clinical sample intake and processing and using her research background to help senior scientists with their projects in the lab. She is excited to learn more about the immunologic processes behind eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and the other research being conducted in the lab and division.

lydia.mack@cchmc.org

Melissa Mingler.

Melissa Mingler, MS, MBA

Melissa Mingler, MS, MBA

Melissa Mingler.

Melissa Mingler, MS, MBA
Business Manager

Melissa earned her MS in Biochemistry and MBA in Finance from Michigan State University and Xavier University, respectively, and works in the Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED) and the Rothenberg CURED Lab as a Business Manager. 

mellissa.mingler@cchmc.org

A photo of Garrett Osswald.

Garrett Osswald, BS

Garrett Osswald, BS

A photo of Garrett Osswald.

Garrett Osswald
Research Assistant IV
garrett.osswald@cchmc.org

Garrett came to the Rothenberg CURED Lab after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Many experiments in the lab involve molecules isolated from human biopsy and blood samples, which researchers use to test their hypotheses. Garrett’s work focuses on receiving, processing, and archiving isolated RNA, DNA, protein, serum, and plasma for immediate and long-term use. In addition, he assists other lab members in their ongoing research projects and is always learning something new.

Major Collaborating Research Teams and Faculty

  • CCED Research Team
  • J. Pablo Abonia, MD
  • Margaret H. Collins, MD
  • Leah C. Kottyan, PhD
  • Vincent A. Mukkada, MD
  • Nurit Azouz, PhD
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