People

Dr. August is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, Professor of Immunology, and the Deputy Provost at Cornell. He is also a Presidential Advisor on Diversity and Equity at Cornell. His previous position was Chair of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. Prior to that, he was Distinguished Professor of Immunology in the Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, and Director of the Center for Molecular Immunology & Infectious Disease, at The Pennsylvania State University at University Park, where he started as an Assistant Professor. He received a B.S. degree in Medical Technology from the California State University at Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. degree in Immunology from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. He was a Postdoctoral fellow at The Rockefeller University with the late Hidesaburo Hanafusa. See him talk about his research and Cornell experience on the Cornell Portraits of Extraordinary People: "Targeting asthma in animals and humans".

Julie Sahler, Ph.D.
I graduated in 2014 from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in the lab of Dr. Richard Phipps, investigating platelet-driven inflammation as well as microparticle transcellular communication. I next performed a two year postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University in the lab of Dr. John March, elucidating immunosuppressive actions of Salmonella, specifically the increase of PD-L1 on intestinal epithelial cells. Following this experience, I dabbled in the small industry field as a lead Scientist at Carrera Bioscience for three years, where we developed custom immunoassays and other
sensor-based detection platforms.

I bring my diverse experiences and knowledge to the August Lab, where I help to mentor all trainees, and oversee and organize inter-lab and inter-institutional collaborations. With our numerous mouse models, we are able to address
cutting edge immunity questions in relation to virus (e.g. influenza, SARS-CoV-2), airway allergy and hypersensitivity (e.g. house dust mite, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula), and fundamental T cell biology (e.g. polarization, activation).

In my spare time, I enjoy weightlifting, hiking with my dog, and most recently, and has started to expand my human family!

Tim Pierpont, Ph.D.
I have two main focuses in lab. One is elucidating the effects the effects of a naturalized immune system on cancer initiation, growth, spread, and treatment. This relies on a mouse model exposed to more realistic environmental challenges, compared to squeaky clean laboratory mice. The other focus is to investigate the potential immunotoxicology of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and other perfluoroalkyls, commonly referred to as forever molecules. These are fluorinated molecules that can persist for years in our body but the biological impacts at current levels are still poorly understood.

I received a B.S. Delaware State University in 2011 and my Ph.D. at Cornell in 2017. My thesis work sought to understand the development of germ cell cancers and their unique sensitivity to genotoxic chemotherapies. After graduation, I worked to identify sensitivity markers for the B-cell lymphoma immunotherapy rituximab with Kristy Richards. In late 2019 he joined the August lab, hoping to utilize my cancer background and pursue exciting questions about the immune system’s interaction with cancer

For fun I enjoy yoga and hopefully post-pandemic traveling, but most of my free time is spent making things. From paintings to casting molten metals, from sewing to making robots, I enjoy creating things.

Orchi Anannya, Graduate Student, Biological & Biomedical Sciences Graduate Field

My research focuses on further understanding the role of ITK in fine tuning immune responses, thereby paving the way for improved immunotherapy in the future.

Candice Limper, Graduate Student, Biological & Biomedical Sciences Graduate Field
@LimperScience

I am a graduate student in the Biomedical & Biological Sciences Ph.D. program and a Sloan Scholar. Prior to Cornell University, I attended Cal State Los Angeles as a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation - Bridge to Doctorate Fellow and did research in the Lanning Lab. There, I studied the role of a mitochondrial matrix protein called Adenylate Kinase 4 in cell proliferation and earned a M.S. in Biology in 2017.

My current research is focused on determining how the mitochondrion can influence immune cells. I am focused on identifying proteins that can be targeted for immune cell modulation. In addition to research activities, I am also involved in outreach initiatives.

As a first-generation college student, I want to give back and encourage others to pursue higher education. This motivation is what got me to start Limper Science, where knowledge about applying to graduate school along with personal experiences in this process are shared.

When I am not in the lab or working on Limper Science, Candice likes to go on long walks with her chocolate lab, Watson.

Brian Imbiakha
Bio coming soon!

Amie Redko, Research Support Specialist

I have a BS in Veterinary and Animal Sciences from UMASS Amherst and have been with the August lab since July 1, 2010.
I manage our mouse colony and train all students in mouse handling and specific technical skills pertaining to mouse work.

Undergraduate Researchers

Saloma Ayoub

I am a biology student in the class of 2022 at the college of agriculture and life sciences. I joined the August lab in August of 2021. I knew I was meant to be a biologist when I learned about physiology with topics including cancer immune therapies and signaling in highschool.