Sergey Ryzhov, MD, PhD Faculty Scientist III Co-Director, Myocardial Biology & Heart Failure Research Lab Education: Undergraduate: Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia PhD: Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia Postdoc Training: Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN LinkedIn Email	Douglas B. Sawyer, MD, PhD Co-Director, Myocardial Biology & Heart Failure Research Lab Chief Academic Officer, Maine Medical Center Education: BS: Cornell University PhD: Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Science MD: Cornell University Medical College LinkedIn Email

Elena Chepurko

Technology Manager

Elena.Chepurko@mainehealth.org

Research Background & Interests: My area of professional interest is research and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) models. Laboratory animal models of CVD are the basis for the subsequent study of pathogenesis, as well as the effectiveness of new therapeutic agents for CVD treatment. I have a background and interest on novel gene therapy technology, using modified mRNA as a trigger for signaling networks, and its application in changing the gene expression profile at different types of cardiovascular pathologies.

Outside of work: All is a very simple. Usually, as most of others, I divide my life between a work, home duties and issues for pleasure and health (exactly in this order). My best free time in home is reading fiction, I also like outside activities as hiking, jogging, travels by car, and taking care of my pets and plants. I tend to not use social media as much as I think it’s a waste of time (sorry!)

Vadim Chepurko, MSc, PhD

Research Associate I

Vadim.Chepurko@mainehealth.org

Research Background & Interests: I received my MSc degree in Physics and Math from Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. With additional training in molecular and radiation biophysics, veterinary technology, and biochemical engineering at The Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute and The Veterinary Institute of Poultry Technology, Saint Petersburg, Russia. I then went on to graduate with a PhD in Biological Sciences from All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology. Primary research interests include but are not limited to: animal model development and computational tools for imaging analysis, ECHO examination of mice hearts in normal and pathological conditions, and TAC surgical model of heart hypertrophy

Outside of work:  I do various sports and activities. I enjoy studying my own ability related to the cardiovascular system to develop energy capacity for homeostasis support under stress load.

Joanne Taylor deKay, MS

Scientific Manager II
MaineHealth Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Green Lab Ambassador

Joanne.deKay@mainehealth.org
LinkedIn

Research Background & Interests:
Adenosinergic signaling
Neuregulin/ERBB receptor signaling
Immune response and inflammation after injury or infection
Immune cell subpopulations
Chemokine dynamics and profiling in cardiovascular health and disease
Endotyping in cardiac arrest
Cardiac regeneration
Translational research

Outside of work:
Singing, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing, trail riding, swimming, sculling, hiking, cooking, reading, anything involving music.

Ian Gans, PhD

Research Fellow
Ian.Gans@mainehealth.org

Lacey Knudsen, MSc

Research Associate I
Lacey.Knudsen@mainehealth.org

Research Background & Interests: I graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience. I’m really passionate about neuroscience and addiction research, especially regarding predisposing factors and treatment. I am very enthusiastic to be working in the Myocardial Biology & Heart Failure Research Lab and assisting in the research of cardiovascular injury and recovery as I believe it to be fascinating and important work. Eventually, I would be interested in connecting my passions by exploring the impact of opiate use on heart failure.

Outside of work: I enjoy being outside, especially camping and all season hiking. Otherwise, I spend my time painting and playing various instruments such as flute, ukulele, ocarina, and melodica, or enjoying live music.

Amanda J. (Favreau) Lessard, PhD

Research Navigator, Acute Care COBRE

Amanda.Lessard@mainehealth.org
LinkedIn

Research Background & Interests: I have had a diverse research background through my years of training, but though the research topic has changed through the years, my work has all heavily stemmed around Cell and Molecular Biology. My career started with my post-baccalaureate training in the Genomics Unit at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana, a satellite campus for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/National Institutes of Health. I moved back to my home state of Maine as a research technologist at MHIR before joining the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering. My Ph.D. thesis titled “Cytokine and Epigenetic Regulation of MicroRNA in Acute Myeloid Leukemia” was completed within Dr. Pradeep Sathyanarayana’s laboratory at MHIR. Upon searching for a postdoctoral fellowship, I knew I wanted to expand my research interests and joined Dr. Sawyer’s laboratory with a strong interest in the field of Cardio-Oncology. I aimed to bridge my knowledge of the Cancer Biology field with another area of interest, Cardiology. My research during this postdoctoral training has included studies in the effects of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity as a model of injury to investigate cell based therapies as well as understanding the role of retinoic acid in cardiac stress conditions and injury models. As my postdoctoral training had neared completion, I have begun training through the NNE-CTR at MHIR for the Research Navigation Certificate and aim to transition into a Research Navigator role to provide my diverse background in supporting clinicians with their clinical and translational research.

Outside of work: Born and raised in Maine, I love to spend my time outdoors with my family. We enjoy various outdoor activities such as skiing, camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing and hunting. We live in too beautiful of a state to not enjoy all that Maine has to offer!

Nancy Saldana

Community Member

Research Background & Interests:

University of Michigan, USA, BA (Anthropology)
University of Michigan, USA, Graduate Studies (Anthropology and Public Health)

Outside of work: Fishing, boating, travel, music   

Sergey Tsibulnikov, PhD

Staff Scientist I

Sergey.Tsibulnikov@mainehealth.org

Research Background & Interests: I graduated from the Siberian State Medical University with a degree in biophysics, where I also received my PhD, as well as a license as a radiologist.  Before joining the Sawyer/Ryzhov team, I worked for 10 years in the laboratory of experimental Cardiology, the Research Institute of Cardiology. There I mostly performed small animal surgery.  Now as a postdoc I am working with isolated cardiomyocytes and learning new techniques.

Outside of work: I like to go to the gym, play basketball, ride bikes, travel, and in general any activity in nature with my family.

Student Interns:

Haylee Duval, UMaine GSBSE Rotation Student	Emma Yvanovich, UMaine GSBSE Student
Ali Mouhsen, USM intern