{"id":11,"date":"2019-04-30T11:46:53","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T15:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciencescosmaincms.cm.ucf.edu\/chemistry\/gerasimova\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2025-04-17T12:57:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T16:57:04","slug":"lab-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/chemistry\/gerasimova\/lab-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Lab Members"},"content":{"rendered":"

CURRENT MEMBERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Principal Investigator<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Yulia V. Gerasimova<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Gerasimova has graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Novosibirsk State University (Russia) and with a PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry from the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. She joined the University of Central Florida in 2010 for her Postdoctoral Training and then served as an Adjunct Lecturer and Visiting Assistant Professor at the UCF Chemistry Department. In 2016, Dr. Gerasimova started her independent research at UCF as an Assistant Professor, and she was promoted to an Associate Professor in 2022.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Graduate Students<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A Justine Monsalve<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry PhD Student
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Justine holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Berry College and a M.S. in Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill. Previously, Justine worked as a Senior Scientist at GSK to develop tapinarof (Vtama), and as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Seminole State College. Justine’s research focus is developing multicomponent deoxyribozyme assays to interrogate single nucleotide substitutions in nucleic acid sequences. Justine looks forward to having her own research group as a university professor.<\/p>\n

\"A Harun Kapidzic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry PhD Student<\/em><\/p>\n

Harun has graduated from UCF with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. Harun’s research interests are in the field of aptamers, with an emphasis on fluorescent light-up aptamers and their function as signal reporters in biosensing assays. Upon graduation, Harun plans to continue to work in academia as a researcher.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Shaleh Alazmi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry Master Student<\/em><\/p>\n

Shaleh holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Al-Qassim University (Saudi Arabia). He is currently working on optimization of DNA fluorescent light-up aptamers for label-free biosensing applications. Shaleh\u00a0plans\u00a0to pursue a research-driven career in biosensing and molecular diagnostics, leveraging nucleic acid technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Undergraduate Students<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A Laila Ghasseminia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forensic Science<\/em><\/p>\n

Laila is working on her B.S. in Forensic Science on the Biochemistry track. Her research project involves developing a molecular deoxyribozyme-based fluorescent assay for the detection of clinically relevant mycobacteria. Laila plans to go medical school and specialize in Pathology.<\/p>\n

\"AAnnaMarie Knowles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry\/Biochemistry<\/em><\/p>\n

AnnaMarie is completing her B.S. in Chemistry on the Biochemistry track. Her research focuses on developing multicomponent hybridization probes using slit light-up aptamers for sequence-selective nucleic detection. After graduating, she will continue her studies in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD program focusing on microbiology at the University of Kentucky. AnnaMarie hopes to become a college professor and combine her passion for teaching with a research-driven career in the sciences.<\/p>\n

\"AVera Zavadskaya<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry\/Biochemistry<\/em><\/p>\n

Vera is completing her B.S. in Chemistry. She is currently developing a molecular assay to detect single nucleotide substitutions in potential molecular markers for cancer diagnostics. Vera is planning on getting a PhD in Chemistry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"ASamuel Veleke<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry\/Biochemistry<\/em><\/p>\n

Samuel is working on his B.S. in Biochemistry. In the lab, he is involved in the development of molecular diagnostic assays for cancer diagnostics. Samuel plans to earn a PhD in Biochemistry or a related field.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"AAndrea Hernandez Gomez<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry\/Biochemistry<\/em><\/p>\n

Andrea is an undergraduate student dual majoring in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. She participated in a summer research internship at MIT, focusing on the osteogenic properties of gold nanocolumn-coated titanium surfaces. Currently, she is working on selection of light up aptamers enhancing fluorescence of red emitters using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Andrea aspires to become a physician who integrates research with translational medicine to bridge the gap between scientific research and patient care.<\/p>\n

\"AMarina Tsukanova<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chemistry<\/em><\/p>\n

Marina is in the process of getting her B.S. in Chemistry on the Biochemistry track. She is pursuing her Honors Undergraduate Thesis on the structure-function relationship of fluorescent light-up aptamers. After graduation, Marina plans to obtain a Master’s degree in Biochemistry in the medicinal chemistry field.<\/p>\n

\"AEvangelia Brisby<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forensic Science<\/em><\/p>\n

Evangelia is doing her internship in the lab. She a part of the team working on the development of molecular diagnostic assays for cancer diagnostics.<\/p>\n

ALUMNI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former Postdoctoral Scholars<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Bidhan C. Dhar – currently a Research Scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard<\/em>
\nDr. Evgeny S. Morozkin – currently at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russia<\/em><\/p>\n

Former Graduate Advisees<\/strong><\/p>\n

PhD in Chemistry<\/em><\/p>\n