Jamie Jenna Bernard, Ph.D.
Dr. Bernard joined the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at MSU as an assistant professor in 2015 after completing her PhD in Toxicology at the University of Rochester and two postdoctoral fellowships. She was a postdoc at University of California San Diego where she studied skin immunology and at Rutgers where she studied chemoprevention and received a K99/R00 to study the role of fat in tumor formation. At MSU her research focuses on mechanisms of early-stage carcinogenesis, caused by extrinsic risk factors such as diet, obesity and environmental exposures. Her laboratory discovered that dysfunctional visceral adipose tissue releases a growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), which stimulates the malignant transformation of non-tumorigenic, albeit, vulnerable cells. She also studies how obesity impacts the carcinogenicity of environmental chemicals. She also has a strong interest in drug discovery and her laboratory developed the first transformation high throughput screen (HTS) to identify chemopreventive agents. She is also highly involved in service to the Society of Toxicology and is a member of the Society of Investigative Dermatology. In 2021, she was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure.
John Diedrich, Ph.D.
John Diedrich is a Senior Research Assistant in the Bernard Lab at Michigan State University. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University where he majored in Zoology. He continued his education at Wayne State University, obtaining his doctorate in Cancer Biology. His thesis work focused on the role of bone marrow adipocyte-supplied factors (i.e. lipids, adipokines) on signal transduction pathways in metastatic prostate cancer cells, leading to metabolic dysregulation and tumor progression within the bone. Prior to joining the Bernard Lab, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he studied the impact of cis-regulatory elements on chemotherapeutic response and resistance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. John’s current research goals are to expand our understanding of obesity-associated cancers by identifying adipose-derived factors and their biological significance in tumorigenesis. He enjoys traveling, camping, fishing, and cheering on MSU sports!
Blair Bullard
Blair Bullard is a Research Technologist and the manager of the Bernard Lab at Michigan State University. He has a Bachelors of Science in Medical Technology and has over 28 years of professional experience as a scientist. In addition to his managerial duties, Blair specializes in cellular biology and methods development for the lab. In his spare time he enjoys downhill skiing, hiking, and restoring old cars.
Nat Ato Yawson, MS
Nat Ato Yawson is a graduate research assistant in the Bernard Lab at Michigan State University. He is from Ghana where he received his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He pursued a master’s degree in biomedical forensic science at Syracuse University on the Fulbright Scholarship Program. Currently, his research is focused on identifying chemopreventive compounds that inhibit obesity-induced cancers. He is also interested in understanding the role of visceral adipose tissue in tumorigenesis. He enjoys playing soccer in his spare time and loves to travel.
Samantha Musso
Samantha Musso graduated with honors from Marist College in 2022, receiving a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with minors in biology, environmental science, and philosophy. In August 2022, she joined the Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD program and the EITS program at Michigan State University. Currently, her research is focused on understanding the effect different environmental toxicants have on multiple myeloma progression. In her free time, Samantha enjoys hiking, rollerblading, exploring Michigan festivals, and visiting local coffee shops to find the best chai around.
Romina Gonzalez-Pons
Romina González-Pons received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. In 2020, she successfully completed a Post-baccalaureate program at Michigan State University. Currently, she is a graduate student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD program at Michigan State University. Romina is eager to understand the mechanisms by which obesity and environmental toxicant exposure drive breast tumorigenesis. She loves mentoring, boxing, kickboxing, dancing, playing soccer, coffee, and outdoor activities. Doing science makes her happy!
Email: gonza737@msu.edu
Adriana Ponton-Almodovar
Adriana L. Ponton-Almodovar received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. After graduating, she completed a one-year NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. At the present time, Adriana is a graduate student from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University. She is interested in investigating the mechanisms of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer and understanding how obesity and metabolism impacts the progression of this lethal cancer. She enjoys mentoring and communicating her science to others. When she is not at the lab, Adriana enjoys shopping, watching animated sitcoms and solving sudoku puzzles.
Smoldering PEEP