Salik Hussain , DVM, PhD

Principal Investigator

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology
School of Medicine, West Virginia University
Detailed Profile

Chiara Monge

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am Chiara Monge, a pharmaceutical chemist, with a PhD in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science at the University of Turin (Italy). My academic and research training is in pharmacy, cancer biology, and inhalation toxicity. As a postdoctoral researcher, I am investigating the molecular and cellular basis of the pulmonary impact of air contaminants. In my free time, I love doing sports, being in nature and enjoying good music.

Yulu Li

Graduate Student

I am Yulu Li from China. I am majoring in Cellular and Integrative Physiology, under the supervision of Dr. Hussain. I am interested in exploring the effects of inhaled xenobiotics on human health. I am particularly fascinated by the interplay of mechanistic pathways leading to respiratory and physiological functional decline.

Madison Cooper

Graduate Student

Madison Cooper is a PhD candidate in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis program with a BS in Biochemistry from West Virginia University. Before her PhD training, she researched metabolic enzyme regulation by small molecule ligands and protein-protein interactions with Dr. Bradly Webb in the WVU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. She has trained as a CDC Fellow at the Morgantown NIOSH facility and as a Systems Toxicology T32 Trainee working on characterizing systemic and immune effects of skin exposure to PFAS. With federal agency restructuring, she transitioned her research to identify the mechanistic role of immune signaling pathways in exposure-induced pulmonary disease. She hopes to continue her career implementing multidisciplinary techniques to study the mechanisms and pathways of immune-associated disease.

Oluwaseyi Oyewole

Graduate Student

I began my scientific journey studying Microbiology at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria, where I developed a strong interest in antimicrobial resistance. As my curiosity evolved, I became increasingly fascinated by how the body responds to foreign substances, shifting my focus towards host-pathogen interactions and immune responses. This led me to pursue a master’s degree in biotechnology at The American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt, where I investigated the mechanistic role of GSK3α in modulating inflammatory responses in macrophages. This work deepened my understanding of cellular signaling and the intricate balance between inflammation and immune regulation. Currently, as a Doctoral student in Dr. Hussain’s lab, my research centers on pulmonary toxicology, particularly the molecular mechanisms through which environmental pollutants like carbon black and ozone induced lung injury. My work also examines how metabolic dysfunctions like obesity can amplify these pollutant-induced effects, with the goal of uncovering novel therapeutic targets to mitigate environmental health risks.

Atefeh Razazan

Lab Manager

I joined the Dr. Hussain’s Lab as a Research Assistant/Lab manager in November 2022. Before joining the lab, I completed postdoc in the WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University and Wake Forest university. I received My Ph.D. in Molecular medicine from the Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS) in 2018.

Current Undergraduate Students

  • Alxis Cipoletti

Lab Alumini

Past Graduate Students

  • Nairrita Majumder (2018-2023)
    • PhD in Biomedical Sciences
  • Md. Habibul Hasan (2020-2023)
    • PhD in Biomedical Sciences
  • Mena Mansy (2021-2023)  
    • Master in Biomedical Sciences

Past Undergraduate Students

  • Lilly Schelling
  • Brittany Cobes
  • Jessica Amedro
  • Nina Olivia Tan
  • Gracey Oxley