People

Hyung-Gyoon Kim, Ph.D., holds a BS degree from Korea University (1985), a MS from the University of Houston (1988), and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (1996). He then pursued postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. Alan Wells and Christopher Klug at UAB.

During his graduate studies, Hyung focused on the transcriptional modulation of proto-oncogene expression using small Triples Forming Oligonucleotides. His postdoctoral research involved the development of a murine model of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) associated with a chromosomal translocation known as “inv16.”

Currently serving as the lab manager in Dr. Ahn’s lab, Hyung oversees overall lab operations and is also responsible for managing regulatory Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols. Outside of his professional endeavors, he has a passion for fishing, providing medical interpretation to Korean patients who may face language barriers in English, and venturing into various corners of the world and forging connections with new individuals throughout his journeys. Moreover, indulging in TikTok videos in bed on Saturday mornings has recently become a ritual for him.

Bohye Park, Ph.D., received her BS (2014) and MS (2016) in Food and Nutrition at Yonsei University in South Korea. She then received her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2022.

Bohye is currently working as a post-doctoral research fellow in Erin’s lab. Her research focuses on the functional significance of SON in metabolic abnormalities in ZTTK syndrome patients. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing cello, watching TV show, and spending time with her family.

Caitlin Harvey received her B.S. in 2021 in Biochemistry at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She came to UAB in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences in hopes of researching cancer or pediatric diseases.

Now in Erin’s lab, she is beginning research on the effects of SON on circular RNA in glioblastomas. In her time outside of the lab, Caitlin enjoys reading, playing with her cows and cats, and watching football.

Mostafa Mohamed, MS, graduated from the University of Alexandria’s School of Pharmacy in 2012. He later got his Master’s in Biotechnology at the same University.

Mostafa came to UAB and Erin’s lab as a research scholar from Egypt. He is now a pursuing a Ph.D. at UAB in the GGB theme of GBS. In the lab he is researching the effect of SON on alternative splicing mechanisms in different cell types, with a special interest in bioinformatics. Outside of lab, Mostafa enjoys talking to his wife and kids in Egypt, watching TV series, and cooking.

Sophia Dunlap received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan. She came to UAB to pursue a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences to research cancer and ways to improve cancer therapeutics.

She recently joined Erin’s lab to study SON and how it modulates spicing in glioblastoma. Outside of the lab, Sophia enjoys reading, arts and crafts, and playing with her cats, Bee and Loo.

Amr Elkholy graduated from School of Pharmacy at Alexandria University, Egypt in 2012. There, he found himself interested in learning more about the molecular pathology of cancer.  He joined UAB as a Ph.D. student in Biomedical Sciences in hopes of finding a cure for cancer.

Now in Erin’s lab, Amr is interested in investigating the role of RNA splicing in the pathobiology of leukemia and glioblastoma. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, listening to music, and spending time with friends.

Leah Gehrs started her scientific journey at the University of Mississippi, and received her B.S. from Lindenwood University in 2015.  After graduation, Leah worked in a cancer research lab at Washington University in St. Louis. While here, she discovered her passion for research. She came to UAB to pursue a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences eager to research cancer and hoping to find better therapies.

Now in Erin’s lab, Leah is studying SON overexpression and its effects on many cancers, including leukemia. Outside of the lab, Leah likes to enjoy nice weather, go to concerts, read, and bake.

Lana Vukadin, Ph.D, completed her BS (2015) in Athletic Training at University of Mobile. Soon after, and with great interests in hematopoietic research, she joined Erin’s lab as a graduate student at University of South Alabama, where she completed her PhD (2020).

Lana is currently working as a post-doctoral research fellow in Erin’s lab, where her research interests expanded further, including examining functions of SON DNA-binding protein in transcription and splicing in various cancer types and the recently identified genetic disorder, the ZTTK syndrome. In her free time, she likes to take care of her two kittens (Billie and Jean), watch her favorite TV show, The Office, and trash talk any basketball teams that play against the Lakers!

Jay Prakash Sah, PhD, collected and completed all of his degrees internationally: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Microbiology at Tribhuvan University, Nepal (2004); Master of Science (MS) in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) – Clinical Biochemistry at H. N. B. Garhwal University, India (2007); Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Integrated Biomedical Science at Soonchunhyang University, South Korea (2019).

Despite his long list of degrees and experiences as an Assistant Professor for over 12 years in his home country (Nepal), Jay was interested in joining Erin’s laboratory to continue his passion for research! Currently he is a post-doctoral research fellow in our laboratory. His experience in skeletal myogenesis is a perfect contribution to our ZTTK study, as the ZTTK patients often exhibit muscular atrophy. During his free time in the lab, Jay likes to have trivial talk and bully our new graduate student, Caitlin. During his free time outside of the lab, he enjoys hanging out with his two kids, watching movies, playing volleyball, and drinking margaritas on a warm day!

Huashi Li, MS, received her BS at Northeastern Agricultural University (1990) and her MS in Entomology at Beijing Agricultural University (1993) in China. Soon after, she joined UAB, where she has worked for 15 years. Her previous research experience includes working with lung fibrosis and actin-myosin dynamics and their regulation of rapid consolidation of LTP and memory.

Huashi joined Erin’s lab in 2020 and she is extremely interested in working on the lab’s novel Son mouse models, which she oversees daily and tirelessly. Her excitement for research motivates everybody around her! Outside of the lab, Huashi likes to garden and travel.

Inga Tytler received her B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University in the Fall of 2019. She joined Erin’s lab in 2021 after working in virology research for her undergraduate career. Inga is currently working as a researcher in Erin’s lab. She is planning to attend graduate school in fall of 2021 to obtain a MPH in Epidemiology. When she is not in lab, she spends her time rowing, consuming far too much caffeine, yelling on twitter, and telling her cats they’re beautiful.

Current position – Graduate Student at the George Washington University