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Research
Research

Paumet Research

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Fabienne Paumet, PhD
Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Jefferson Alumni Hall, 506 (Lab)
Jefferson Alumni Hall, 516H (Office)
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Our Team

Fabienne Paumet PhD
Professor

Fabienne received her PhD in cellular biology and biochemistry in 1999 from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France, during which she studied mast cell degranulation. She then joined the laboratory of James E. Rothman at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Columbia University to study the mechanism of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. Fabienne later moved to Thomas Jefferson University in 2007, where she established her own research laboratory. There, she merged the field of microbiology and cellular biology to study an important intracellular human pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis. Discovering the beautiful elegance and intricacy with which Chlamydia manipulates the host cell at the molecular level has been one of Fabienne’s most fantastic and rewarding scientific journeys. When she is not doing research, Fabienne creates Zendangles, gardens, and cooks French dishes.  

Jordan Wesolowski, PhD
Research Instructor

Jordan received his BA in Biology from the University of Delaware in 2008 and his PhD in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis from Thomas Jefferson University in 2015. Jordan’s postdoctoral work elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which Chlamydia trachomatis effector proteins, called Inc proteins, manipulate the host cytoskeleton and drive membrane fusion during infection. As a Research Instructor, Jordan leverages his expertise in chlamydial Inc biology to study the role of Inc proteins during infection using the Chlamydia muridarum mouse infection model with an emphasis on how Inc proteins impact the host’s response to infection across species.

Emilee Brockner
PhD Student

Emilee received her BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of South Carolina in 2023. In her doctoral work, Emilee focuses on elucidating the regulatory components of a Chlamydia-driven membrane fusion process, termed homotypic fusion. Specifically, Emilee focuses on identifying lipids, as well as host and chlamydial proteins that localize to inclusion contact sites prior to fusion. She then assesses the role of these components in the fusion process. When she is not in the lab, Emilee likes baking, reading, and kayak fishing.

Aaren Milne
PhD Student

Aaren received her BS in biological sciences from West Chester University in 2022. During her doctoral studies in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Aaren investigates how Chlamydia manipulates the host cytoskeleton. Specifically, Aaren focuses on identifying the mechanisms by which the chlamydial inclusion protein InaC cooperates with other chlamydial proteins to hijack the host and drive cytoskeletal reorganization during infection. Aaren aims to understand how cytoskeletal rearrangement contributes to Chlamydia pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo. In her free time, Aaren loves to bake bread.

Alec Delgado
PhD Student

Alec received his BS in Biological Sciences from Elizabethtown College in 2024. For his doctoral studies in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Alec investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying the homotypic fusion of inclusions during Chlamydia infection. Specifically, Alec focuses on how Chlamydia trachomatis uses a network of chlamydial inclusion proteins to regulate IncA-mediated homotypic fusion. Alec seeks to identify a more complete regulatory machinery controlling IncA-mediated fusion, and to determine the extent to which this homotypic fusion event is essential during chlamydia infection.

Lauren Emerson
MS Student

Lauren received her BS in Biology from The College of New Jersey in 2024. She is currently pursuing a master’s in microbiology and Immunology, during which she is investigating IncA, a chlamydial effector protein involved in homotypic fusion, in Chlamydia muridarum. Using a mouse model, she aims to elucidate the role of IncA-mediated fusion in Chlamydia pathogenicity and its impact on disease progression.

Karina Patel
Undergraduate Student

Karina is scheduled to receive her BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology from Thomas Jefferson University in 2026. Currently, she is studying the composition of the inclusion contact sites formed during Chlamydia trachomatis infection. She is also working on identifying new regulatory agents in the chlamydial fusion system. In her free time, Karina likes to read, sketch, and go thrifting. 

Past Team Members

Former Lab Member Lab Role/Position Current Endeavors
Trey Whiting  Undergraduate student Quality control engineering technician at Biomerieux PA.
Christine Linton, MS, PhD PhD Student Post-doctoral fellow at Imperial College London, UK
Adam Haines, MS, PhD PhD student Scientist II in Cellular Analytics at Dispatch Bio, PA
Jose Villagomez, MS Lab technician Technician at WuXi AppTec, NJ
Tiago Monteiro Bras, MD, PhD Former MD/PhD student Hematology Resident at Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António. Porto, Portugal.
Anna Lobley-Kirby MS Master’s student Team Lead at Integral Molecular, PA.
Alexandria McKenna Postbac student Safety Assessment Client Manager at Charles River Laboratories, PA.
Kenneth (Kenny) Kirby, MS Master’s student Scientist I at SK Pharmteco, PA
Michael McCauley, MS Technician Scientist II in Bioconjugation at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, PA
Christian Xander, MS Master’s Student ORISE Fellow with USAMRIID, MA
Jean-Bernard (JB) Lubin, PhD Post-doctoral fellow an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine, UT
Erik Ronzone, MS, PhD PhD student Early development and new products medical director at Sanofi, MA
Jonathan (Tabb) Sullivan, PhD Post-doctoral fellow Principal Scientist at Integral Molecular, PA
Ben Scheinfeld Technician Research Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, PA
Sandra Ilunga, MS Master’s student Data Manager at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
Tyler Wolford, MS Master’s student. Senior Program Manager in Public Health Preparedness and Response at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, MA
Vernon Caldwell, MSEd Technician Assistant Director of Scholarly Development and External Fellowships at Stony Brook University, NY
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