2023 Faculty Members

CRISSP offers projects in basic/translational, clinical and behavioral research. New this year, applicants are asked to select the track that most interests them when completing the application. Selected students will be assigned to a mentor within the selected research track. Clinical shadowing opportunities will be available to all students regardless of research track.

See below for research tracks and their definitions. In addition, view participating faculty and their research descriptions under each track.


Basic TrackResearch most often conducted in a laboratory setting that is designed to enhance our scientific knowledge base (does not involve human subjects)

Naiara Akizu, Ph.D.

Division: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Research Interest

Laura Almasy, Ph.D.

Division: Biomedical and Health Informatics

Research Interest

Rodney M. Camire, Ph.D.

Division: Hematology

Research Interest

Amelia J. Eisch, Ph.D.

Division: Anesthesiology and Critical Care

Research Interest

Ana G. Cristancho, M.D., PhD.

Division: Neurology

Research Interest

Paula Oliver, Ph.D.

Division: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Research Interest

Kai Wang, Ph.D.

Division: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Research Interest

Matthew Weitzman, Ph.D.

Division: Cancer Pathobiology

Research Interest


Translational TrackResearch focused on bringing concepts in laboratory research directly into medical practice (may or may not involve human subjects)

Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, M.D., Ph.D.

Division: Human Genetics

Research Interest

Marni Falk, M.D.

Division: Human Genetics

Research Interest

Michael D. Hogarty, M.D.

Division: Oncology

Research Interest

Ian Krantz, M.D.

Division: Human Genetics

Research Interest

Daniel Licht, M.D.

Division: Neurology

Research Interest

Riccardo L. Gottardi, PhD.

Division: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

Research Interest

William H. Peranteau, M.D.

Division: General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery

Research Interest


Clinical TrackPatient-oriented research examining the safety and effectiveness of diagnostics, medicines or medical devices (may involve human subjects or data collected from human subjects)

Fran Balamuth, M.D., Ph.D., M.S.C.E.

Division: Emergency Medicine

Research Interest

Andrew J. Bauer, M.D.

Division: Endocrinology

Research Interest

J. Todd Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D.

Division: Orthopedic Surgery

Research Interest

Elizabeth Lowenthal, M.D., M.S.C.E.

Division: General Pediatrics

Research Interest

Sandra Amaral, M.D., MHS.

Division: Nephrology

Research Interest

Lisa J. States, M.D.

Division: Body Imaging, Radiology

Research Interest

Christina Szperka, M.D.

Division: Neurology

Research Interest

Ignacio Tapia, M.D.

Division: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

Research Interest

Gregory Tasian, M.D., M.Sc., M.S.C.E.

Division: Urology

Research Interest

Pamela Weiss, M.D., MSCE

Division: Rheumatology

Research Interest


Behavioral TrackPatient-oriented research that involves the application of social science concepts to better understand principles of human behavior (may involve human subjects or data collected from human subjects)

Lamia P. Barakat, Ph.D.

Division: Oncology

Research Interest

Ariel A. Williamson, Ph.D., D.B.S.M.

Division: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

Research Interest

Matthew Hocking, Ph.D.

Division: Oncology

Research Interest

C. Alix Timko, Ph.D.

Division: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Research Interest

Wanjiku Njoroge, M.D.

Division: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Research Interest