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

areneba@live.unc.edu

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

robert_lee@med.unc.edu

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.

Summer Jones, BS

Research Technician

summer_jones@med.unc.edu

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. She assists current lab members in their research currently.

Aleksei Martianov, PhD (Alexey)

Postdoctoral Research Associate

alemarti@unc.edu

Alexey joined the lab in 2023. His research focuses platelet intracellular signaling with a focus on the platelet cytoskeleton and membrane role in the propagation of the activation signals.

David S. Paul, PhD (Dave)

Research Assistant Professor

david_paul@med.unc.edu

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

djroc@med.unc.edu

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.

Undergraduate Research Team

Annabel Crosswell

Undergraduate Research Assistant

alaird@email.unc.edu

Annabel is a Junior majoring in Biology and Spanish. She joined the lab in 2022 as a research volunteer.

Anooshka Deshpande

Undergraduate Research Assistant

adeshpande@unc.edu

Anooshka is a Junior majoring in Neuroscience. She joined the lab in 2023 as a research volunteer.

Ansh Gulati

Undergraduate Research Assistant

agulatii@unc.edu

Ansh is a Sophomore majoring in Biology (B.S) and Aeronautical & Astronautical Medicine (B.A). He joined the lab in 2023 as a research volunteer.

Lab Alumni

JEAN MARIE MWIZA, PhD, DVM, MS
Jean Marie now teaches at Durham Tech and North Carolina A&T.

NAZLI DEGER, PhD
Nazli returned to her home country of Turkey.

TANVI RUDRAN, B.S
Tanvi graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Neuroscience and hopes to continue her research career and go to graduate school.

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.

People

Wolfgang Bergmeier, PhD

Meet the Team

Abigail Ballard, BS (Abby)

Robert H. Lee, PhD (Bobby)

Summer Jones, BS

Aleksei Martianov, PhD (Alexey)

David S. Paul, PhD (Dave)

David Rocco, BS

Matthew Vander-Ploeg, BS

Undergraduate Research Team

Annabel Crosswell

Anooshka Deshpande

Ansh Gulati

Lab Alumni

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.DAnkita 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

Scanning Electron Micrograph of Activated Mouse Platelet

Click to Enlarge Slideshow

Contact

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