Matt Nelson
Professor of Biology and John J. Meehan, M.D., Pathways to Medical Professions Director
Matt graduated from Penn State with a BS in mathematics and then went on to complete a master’s in biology at Villanova University. At this time he worked in Anil Bamezai’s lab studying the heterogeneity of membrane microdomains called lipid rafts, using cultured CD4+ T-cells. Matt then went on to complete his PhD in biology under the guidance of Dave Fitch at New York University, where he leveraged the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to better understand the mechanisms underlying morphogenesis during development. He then continued his training as a postdoctoral fellow in David Raizen’s lab at the University of Pennsylvania. His work focused on identifying and characterizing neuropeptide signaling pathways that regulate sleep behaviors in C. elegans, this has become the primary focus of his current lab as well. He mentors many undergraduate and master’s students, teaches upper-level courses in physiology, histopathology, and developmental genetics. Additionally, he serves as a pre-health advisor and director of the pathways to medical professions program.
Sage Aviles
Graduate Research Assistant
Sage graduated from PennState as a Psychology major with a focus in life sciences. He is currently working on his biology masters at St. Joe’s in the Nelson Lab. He is both the lab technician and a student researcher studying L4 lethargus protein expression. He is also active in the LGBTQIA+ community as an advocate and hopes to expand an understanding of his community wherever he goes next. Sage hopes to continue onto working in the field of research possibly in forensics or pathology. A PhD program might be in his future.
Quinn Howe
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Quinn Howe is a junior majoring in Biology. Quinn is in the Honors program at SJU and her work is focusing on the gene nlp-61 and its role in regulating sleep in Caenorhabditis elegans. Quinn is a member of the Division 1 Women’s lacrosse team at Saint Joseph’s University and plans on attending medical school post graduation.
Mary Frattara
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mary Frattara is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a minor in Animal Studies. At Saint Joseph's, Mary is a Scholar in the John P. McNulty Program for Leadership in Science and Mathematics, a member of the University Honors Program, a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, and does research in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics. In the Nelson Lab, Mary’s work examines the functional redundancy of G-protein coupled receptors of Caenorhabditis elegans that are involved in stress-induced sleep. Mary plans to attend veterinary school following graduation.
Caroline Kominick
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Caroline Kominick is a third year undergraduate student majoring in Biology and minoring in Business. Her work focuses on glutamate signaling and sleep in Caenorhabditis elegans. Caroline is a McNulty Fellow in the John P. McNulty Program for Leadership in Science and Mathematics, where she serves as the Volunteer Coordinator on the Student Leadership Committee. On campus, she is the Secretary for the Iota Rho chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma, a chemistry lab teaching assistant, a volunteer with Weekly Service and the Health Promoter. She is also a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, Alpha Sigma Nu, and the Women’s Leadership Initiative. Off campus, Caroline is a volunteer at Helping Harvest and Philabundance. Following graduation in 2024, Caroline plans on attending medical school.
Caroline Curtin
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Caroline Curtin is an undergraduate student studying Biology with minors in Chemistry and Health Care Ethics. She is currently in her second year at Saint Joseph’s University. Her project focuses on characterizing the mechanisms of the G-protein coupled receptor npr-38 during sleep in Caenorhabditis elegans. Caroline is a McNulty Scholar in the John P. McNulty Program for Leadership in Science and Mathematics, and serves on the Student Leadership Committee for it as well. On campus, she is the Vice President of Philanthropy for the Zeta Pi chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, an Orientation Leader, a Community Partnership Coordinator for Weekly Service at Back on My Feet, and is a member of Club Running and Project Sunshine. Off campus, Caroline is a volunteer at Philabundance, Philly Hope, and KenCrest. Caroline plans on attending medical school following graduation in 2025.
Santino Diana
Santino is an undergraduate majoring in Biology and minoring in Philosophy. His project focuses on characterizing the mechanisms of neuropeptide signaling, sleep, and avoidance. He serves as the fundraising chair of the SJU Biology Club, volunteers with Campus Ministry as a recess helper at Gompers Elementary School, and is a fellow in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics. Outside of school, he loves physical fitness and is a certified personal trainer at The Exercise Coach where he works part time. He trains in Martial Arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. After graduating in 2026 he plans on attending medical school.
Mercedes Pierce
Mercedes is a rising sophomore biology major with a minor in health care ethics. She is a TA for the biology lab department, apart of the institute of clinical bioethics, and a member of the biology club. She is a member of the SJU cheerleading team and apart of the Greek life alpha phi sorority. She plans on entering the medical field after graduation in 2026.
Fredy Abboud
Fredy is a sophomore biology major. Fascinated with the rapidly advancing field of biotechnology, he is interested in researching bioethical dilemmas and diving deeper into theological studies. As a research fellow at the Institute of Clinical Bioethics, Fredy participates in bioethics-themed research projects investigating daily medical initiatives and hospital policies; he also helps in setting up one of the institute’s five monthly health-promoter clinics, in hopes of attending medical school post-graduation and assisting in coordinating similar clinics as a trained medical professional.
Madeleine Malesich
Madeleine is a first year undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Sciences. At Saint Joseph's, Madeleine is in the Honors Program and Pathways to Medicine Program. In Spring '24, she will be a Kinney SCHOLAR and plans to volunteer at the Lankenau Medical Center. Additionally, she is a member of the Project Sunshine Club and Biology Club. Madeleine plans to continue her education in the medical field after graduation in 2027.
Gina Gazzara
Gina is a second year undergraduate student majoring in biology with a minor in healthcare ethics. On campus, she is the Marketing Director for Club Dance, and a member of the Biology Club and Project Sunshine. Additionally, she participates in weekly service as a tutor at Gompers Elementary School, and is a fellow in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics. Off campus, she volunteers at the trauma intensive care unit at Penn and Philabundance. Gina plans on attending medical school following graduation in 2026.
Grace Ryan
Grace is a first year undergraduate student majoring in Biology. She is a member of the Honors and the Pathways to Medical Professions Program. She participates in Biology Club, First Year Leadership Team, and is a Team Manager for the Women’s Basketball Team. After graduating, Grace intends to pursue a career in biological research.
McNulty Fellows 2022
Sigma Xi Research Symposium 2022
Summer 2022 - Summer Scholars and Masters students
Teagan McCarthy at EB 2022
Nelson Lab Alumni
· Emily Le (MS Biology ‘23) | PhD program in biology, Pennsylvania State University
· Oyedamilola Diya (Biology ’23) | MS program in biology, SJU
· Paige Conrad (Biology ’22) | Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine
· Teagan McCarthy (Biology ’22) | Thomas Jefferson University Medical School
· Courtney Brown (Biology ’21) | Nursing Student Jefferson University
· Maura Flynn (Chemical Biology ’21) | Research specialist in the lab of Dr. J. William Gaynor at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania | Medical Student PCOM
· Lynly Carman (Biology ’21) | MS program in biology, SJU
· Madison Honer (Biology ’19; MS Biology ’21) | PhD Candidate Biomedical Sciences Temple
· Sanjita Subramanian (MS Biology ’21) | PhD Candidate in Pharmacology and Physiology at Drexel University
· Jordan Olenginski (Biology’21) | Medical Student Drexel Medical School
· Ryan Schuck (Biology’18; MS Biology’20) | PhD Candidate University of Tennessee
· Amelia Brown (Biology’18) | Vet student University of Pennsylvania
· Alana Cianciulli (Biology’19) | Research specialist with Dr. J. William Gaynor and Dr. Matthew Jolley at CHOP | Medical Student PCOM
· Lauren Yoslov (Interdisciplinary Health Services’20, RN ‘22) | Jefferson University Nursing School | RN at CHOP and Jefferson
· Mary Kate Dougherty (Chemical Biology’19) | IRTA fellow working in the labs of Dr. Andrew Mannes and Dr. Michael Iadarola at the National Institutes of Health
· Christopher Saul (Biology’19) | Research Technician with Dr. Julie Williams at the University of Pennsylvania | PhD Candidate at University of Delaware
· Alessandro Sparacio (Biology’17; MS Biology’19) | Research specialist with Dr. Meera Sundarum at University of Pennsylvania | Veeva Pharmaceuticals
· Thomas Buerkert (Chemical Biology’18) | IRTA fellow in Dr. Clifford Lane's lab at the National Institutes of Health | Medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth
· Natalie Barrett (Biology’18, DO ‘22) | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) | Medical resident
· Niknaz Riazati (MS Biology ’17) | PhD Candidate Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology | UC Davis
· Mary Szurgot (BS Chemical Biology ’17) | PhD Candidate Biochemistry and molecular biophysics | University of Pennsylvania
· Brendan Gleason (BS Biology ’17, MD ‘21) | Thomas Jefferson University Medical School | Medical resident
· Francis Janton (BS Biology ’17, MD ‘21) | Thomas Jefferson University Medical School | Medical resident
· Jaqueline Boran (BS Biology ’17, DDS ‘21) | University of Pittsburgh Dental School | Pediatric dentistry resident in Boston
· Nicole Sullivan (MS Biology ’17, PA-C ‘19) | Jefferson University PA school | PA-C urology at Lehigh Valley Health Network
· Ryan Vance (BS Biology ’16, MD ‘21) | Cooper Medical School | Medical resident in emergency medicine at UPMC
· Gerald Orlando (BS Biology ’16, DO ‘20) | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) | Medical resident (internal medicine) at Crozer
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