Wolfgang Bergmeier, PhD
Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Director of Graduate Studies
Green Labs Sustainability Committee member
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
UNC Blood Research Center
116 Manning Drive,
8212A Mary Ellen Jones Building
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7035
919.962.7331 (office)
919.962.7332 (lab)
bergmeie@email.unc.edu
We believe diverse viewpoints are essential to tackling challenging problems with creative and novel solutions – our lab strives to provide an excellent and welcoming environment to improve both our research and our community.
Meet the Team
Abigail Ballard, BS (Abby)
PhD Candidate
Abby joined the lab in 2020 as a 1st year PhD student. Her research uses cutting edge 4D spinning disk confocal microscopy to elucidate the complexities of clot formation. Abby also serves as a Co-chair for the UNC BCBP Sustainability Committee. Learn more here!
Robert H. Lee, PhD (Bobby)
Research Assistant Professor
Bobby joined the lab in 2015 as a postdoc after earning his PhD at the University of Toledo. Bobby’s research is focused on translational platelet biology, transfusion medicine and platelet function disorders.
Nazli Deger, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Nazli joined the lab in 2022 after earning her PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics in the lab of Aziz Sancar, here at UNC. Nazli’s current work is focused on understanding the complex signaling mechanisms that govern platelet production by megakaryocytes.
Summer Jones, BS
Research Technician
Summer joined the lab in 2022 after earning her BS in Neuroscience and Biology while minoring in Chemistry. Summer is in charge of genotyping our large mouse colony and keeping the lab running smoothly.
Jean Marie Mwiza, PhD, DVM, MS
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Jean Marie joined the lab in 2017 after earning his Master’s at NC A&T. Jean Marie also earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine before emigrating to the US. His research focuses on determining the role of platelets in venous thrombosis.
David S. Paul, PhD (Dave)
Research Assistant Professor
Dave joined the lab in 2012 as a research associate and is the longest tenured team member. His research focuses on development of animal models, protocol optimization and collaborative studies.
David Rocco, BS
PhD Student
David joined the lab in 2021 to earn his PhD. He is currently focused on elucidating the signaling mechanisms of the platelet receptor GPIb.
Matthew Vander-Ploeg, BS
MD-PhD Student
matthew_vander-ploeg@med.unc.edu
Matt is an MD student here at UNC and joined the lab in 2022 to earn his PhD. His project will focus on determining the mechanisms involved in platelet hypofunction in the context of acute trauma.
Undergradute Research Team
Annabel Crosswell
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Annabel is a Sophomore majoring in Biology and Spanish. She joined the lab in 2022 as a research volunteer.
Tyron Lucas
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tyron is a Junior majoring in Biology. He joined the lab in 2021 as a research volunteer and is currently working on validating methods for studying small GTPases in platelets.
Tanvi Rudran
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tanvi is Senior majoring in Neuroscience. She joined the lab in 2021 and is performing thromboelastography assays in the context of platelet inhibition.
Lab Alumni
EMILY GRACE CLARK, B.S (GRACIE)
Gracie enrolled in graduate school to earn her PhD at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
WYATT SCHUGG, B.S.
Wyatt enrolled in graduate school to earn his PhD at University of Virginia.
KATIE O. POE, B.S.
Katie now works for a biotech firm in the Research Triangle Park managing animal studies and performing histological analysis.
PATRICK KRAMER, B.S.
Patrick earned his B.S. in Neuroscience.
DORSAF GHALLOUSSI, PH.D
Dorsaf returned to her home country of France and is working as a Medical Communications Specialist.
ANKITA DHENGE, PH.D
Ankita returned to her home country of India and is working as a Senior Research Investigator at Syngene Amgen Research Center.
JOSEPH KENNY, B.S.
Joe is currently seeking employment opportunities in the Biotech/Pharm sector.
TRISTAN MILLER-COTTLE, B.S.
Tristan is currently seeking employment opportunities in the Biotech/Pharm sector.
COLE KIRKPATRICK, B.S.
Cole is currently an Associate Consultant for Allscripts EPSi.
MAXIMILIAN BAZIL, B.S.
Max graduated with Highest Honors and will be continuing his research career.
GABRIEL HAROUSSEAU, B.S.
Gabe graduated from UNC with Highest Honors and is currently earning his MD at New York Medical College.
RAYMOND PIATT, B.S.
Ray is currently a research technician at Dignify Therapeutics in the Research Triangle Park, NC.
ADARSH RAO, B.S.
Adarsh graduated with Honors and is currently enrolled in medical school at Wake Forest University.
AARON COOK, PH.D.
Aaron is currently a Design Analyst at IQVIA.
CATERINA CASARI, PH.D.
Caterina is now an Assistant Professor at INSERM in Paris, France.
ASHLEY BEALE, B.S., M.S., M.D.
Ashely earned her M.D. at UNC-Chapel Hill . She is currently training to be a General Surgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.
SWETHA PASALA, B.S., M.S., M.D.
Swetha earned her MD at Eastern Virginia Medical School. She is currently an Internal Medicine Resident in the Washington DC area.
YACINE BOULAFTALI, PH.D.
Yacine is now an Assistant Professor at INSERM in Paris, France.
TODD GETZ, PH.D.
Todd is currently with the American Red Cross, Combat Casualty Care Research Program Scientist
LUCIA STEFANINI, PH.D.
Lucia is continuing her research at Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, as a tenure-tracked researcher.
AGNIESKA CHOLKA, B.S.
Agi earned her Master’s from University of Texas, Southwest and continues her work as a lab manager.
MORITZ STOLLA, M.D.
Moritz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology at the University of Washington and Associate Medical Director at Bloodworks Northwest.
FIRDOS AHMAD, PH.D.
Firdos is an Assistant Professor in the College of Medicine at University of Sharjah.
R. CLAIRE RODEN, M.D.
Claire is a resident in pediatrics at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey.
TIMOTHY OUELLETE, M.D.
Tim enrolled in a Masters degree program at Georgetown University and is currently a resident physician in Boston
