Principal Investigator
Brittany Johnson, PhD
I'm originally from Marion, VA! I received my B.S in Biology ('08) from The College of William and Mary. I graduated with a PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology from the University of Virginia ('14). Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte! Go-Niners!! My research program is directed at understanding host pathogen interactions and identification of novel therapeutic points of intervention during infection of the brain and bone tissue. I am particularly interested in understanding critical aspects of bacterial pathogenesis, including pathogen responses to the
host environment and evasion of immune detection and clearance. I am also a member of the Active Learning Academy at UNC Charlotte and work to integrate teaching and research through innovate learning activities. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, kayaking, rock climbing, and relaxing at local breweries or at home on my screened porch.
Assistant Teaching Professor
Samantha Suptela, PhD MPH
I'm a first-generation college student from Stanfield, NC! I received my B.S in Biology ('08) and PhD in Biology ('12) from UNC Charlotte- Go Niners!!- and a Master of Public Health from the University of Virginia ('13). Currently, I am working on my M.Ed. and am a Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences. I am invested in improving undergraduate STEM education, increasing student involvement in research, and implementing student-centered and collaborative learning activities in my courses. My current project in the lab involves investigating the innate immune sensor RIG-I as a therapeutic target for bacterial CNS infections. In addition to teaching and research, I am involved in science communication and community outreach. In my free time, I enjoy spending time and having fun with my family, traveling, and reading! A fun fact about me is that I have a collection of science tattoos: So far, that includes a microscope, an antibody, an Erlenmeyer flask with flowers, an anatomical heart, and a scientist Hello Kitty with a test tube, lab coat and goggles!
Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/14c9rJjmz6FcR6/bibliography/public/
Current Graduate Students
Sophie Sipprell - PhD Student
I am from Matthews, NC. Biology always really intrigued me, since there is so much to learn, and research was a way I could learn more in an up-close and more hands-on manner. I am particularly interested in the immune system and the potential impact our research can have on treating and understanding more about diseases that impact our community. My current project looks at bone-building cells, called osteoblasts, infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. I am interested in analyzing their ability to produce inflammatory immune molecules. I am particularly interested in infected osteoblasts’ production of chemokines, which are important inflammatory immune molecules that can recruit important immune cells, such as neutrophils, to the site of infection. A fun fact about me is that I am a Charlotte Women’s Soccer alum and I love the beach.
Erin Mills - PhD Student
I am from Charlotte, NC and am researching the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses of S. aureus infected bone cells, like osteoblasts and osteoclasts. I am particularly interested in the production of type 1 interferons and their potentially protective role within the context of these infections and using nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) to stimulate these protective responses. In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors with my dog, Ozzy!
Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1jm8AZuYWh7kDi/bibliography/public/
Krishna Majithia - PhD Student
I am from Charlotte, NC and am currently researching the molecular mechanisms underlying glial inflammatory responses to Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae during bacterial meningitis. I am specifically interested in the production of protective type I interferons and their role in balancing potent neuroinflammatory responses during the course of infection. I also investigate the role of nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) as novel therapeutics and in further stimulating protective interferon responses during bacterial meningitis. In my free time I enjoy traveling with my family, reading, and playing volleyball!
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Dylan Riddle - MS Student
I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and have always had a strong fascination for the life sciences from an early age. Initially, I pursued a degree in Biochemistry and my initial exposure to research was working with drug discovery models in Glioblastoma Multiforme at Purdue University. I have since continued my educational journey here at UNCC, and my research focus now lies in understanding differential gene expression upon Neisseria meningitidis and Staphylococcus aureus infection. I am specifically looking at the 70 kilodalton heat shock protein family, a highly conserved ubiquitously expressed protein across eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells upon cellular stress and challenge. Outside of the lab I enjoy spending time hiking/being outside, playing piano and making music, and exploring the different views of the world through reading.
Current Undergraduate Students
Ishan Patel - BIOL 3900 Student
I am from Charlotte, NC, and my research focuses on how Staphylococcus aureus membrane vesicles (MVs) stimulate proinflammatory and type I interferon responses in murine osteoblasts. Our research has shown that MVs potentially trigger the production of immune markers like IL-6, IFN-B, and CCL4, which contribute to the innate immune response. In the future, I would like to find and further characterize the components of these MVs and the specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in initiating immune responses. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing volleyball, cricket, and weightlifting!
Nicole Azar - Honors Student
Hello! I am from Charlotte North Carolina and I am an Undergraduate Honors Student in the Johnson lab. I am studying Biology with a minor in Public Health, while also following a Pre-Dental track. In the lab, I am on the bone side of research, looking at the receptor, Mincle on osteoblasts. I love spending time with family and friends, especially at Charlotte’s Football games! Something interesting about me is that I am a huge fan of the New York Yankees!
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Thomas Hoggarth - Honors Student
I’m from Cary, North Carolina and am currently researching the effects of substance P and type I IFNs on osteoblast differentiation. Our recent publications have demonstrated that these factors cause inflammatory bone loss in osteomyelitis subjects. However, information about how they affect the differentiation of bone cells remains undiscovered. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, hiking, and watching football.
Previous Students
Raina Hemmings
OUR Summer Research Scholar - 2023
Shreshttha Patel
OUR Summer Research Scholar - 2023
Mary-Kate Key
B.S. Biology - 2024
I'm from Concord, NC, and I am interested in researching antimicrobial peptides and how they can be used as an alternative to antibiotics. I would like to be involved in research to build my knowledge of immunological and pathological studies as well as develop skills for my future career. In my free time, I love being outside and going on hikes with my friends!
Kirthi Kaushik
B.S. Biology - 2023
I am from Cary, North Carolina. My research project is to observe bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and their production of chemokines in response to infections such as Staphylococcus aureus. Research is definitely a melting pot of discoveries made by others and can be a great collaborative space for sharing ideas/concepts. Being a student in the lab allows me to apply the knowledge I’ve gained as a Biology major not only inside a classroom setting but on the outside too. My hobbies include dancing, baking, and spending time with my family! A fun fact about myself is that I’ve traveled to 7 different countries and had the opportunity to study abroad through a program at UNCC!
Doris Mogambi
B.A. Biology - 2022
My research interests include public health, epidemiology, immunology, and disease/illness prevention. I became involved with research to challenge myself as a future scientist and learn how to apply what I’ve learned in class. I am also interested in conducting my own research studies in the future. It is great to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who would also like to make their impact in the science community. A fun fact about me is that I am the only child in my family born in the U.S.
Kelli Hutcheson
M.S. Biology - 2022
I am from Midlothian, VA! My research interests include the study of the immune system and autoimmune diseases in particular. I am currently studying immune mediators produced by murine osteoblasts in response to bacterial infections. I got involved in research after I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Myasthenia Gravis, and realized how much more there was to discover about my autoimmune disease, and many others. Gaining the knowledge and research experience to study these diseases in either a laboratory or clinical research setting are the first steps to my goal! A fun hobby of mine is going camping with my husband and dogs in the mountains!