Dr. Lora Hooper
Principal Investigator

I grew up in Nashville Tennessee, and received my undergraduate degree from Rhodes College in 1989. After college, I entered the Molecular Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program at Washington University, where I did my dissertation work in Dr. Jacques Baenziger's lab. This work focused on the biochemistry of N-linked carbohydrate biosynthesis and the characterization of unique, biologically active carbohydrate structures. After receiving my Ph.D in 1996, I joined Dr. Jeffrey Gordon's lab at Washington University for post-doctoral training. During my fellowship training I became interested in interactions between intestinal bacteria and host cells in the mammalian gut, and this interest remains the driving force behind the research in my lab. I am currently a Professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Subashini Baskar
Research Technician

Subashini earned her M.S. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where her graduate research focused on oxidative stress, inflammation, and molecular biomarkers in gastric epithelial cells. She joined the Hooper Laboratory as a Research Technician and supports the gnotobiotic facility by maintaining germ-free mouse colonies and assisting with studies investigating host-microbiome interactions. Her research interests include immunology, molecular biology, and translational research. Outside the laboratory, Subashini enjoys traveling, dancing, exploring new coffee shops, and discovering new places.

Cassie Boyd
Gnotobiotic Lab Manager

Cassie Boyd is a native Texan. She is originally from New Braunfels, home of the original Schlitterbahn water park. Cassie received her bachelor of science degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas (Class of '99 - WHOOP!) Her primary duty in the lab is to manage a colony of germ-free mice. Germ-free mice are completely devoid of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These mice provide a unique tool for the lab and help the lab dissect complicated host-microbe interactions. With the help of another technician in the lab, Cassie maintains the mice to insure they remain healthy and microbe-free. When possible, she likes to relieve stress by going to heavy-metal rock concerts. For her, "It's not just metal, it's therapy."

Dr. Alex Crofts
Instructor

Alex Crofts received his PhD in microbiology from the University of Texas in Austin where his research focused on bacterial intestinal pathogens in human infection models. His current research is to explore host-microbiome interactions. When he's not in the lab, he enjoys reading Tarot cards and playing tennis and badminton.

Dr. Sergio Cepeda
Post-doctoral Fellow

Sergio Cepeda received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where his research focused on how aging impacts thymic B cells. His current research explores how SAA3 regulates respiratory tract immunity to influenza infection. Outside the lab, he enjoys cooking, fixing things around the house, and playing RPGs.

Dr. Chaitanya Dende
Assistant Professor

Chaitanya (Chaitu) received his Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. His Ph.D. work focused on understanding the mechanism of action of curcumin in combination with α,β arteether for the treatment of recrudescent and cerebral malaria in mouse models. My current research focuses on the role of Vitamin A in gut lymphocyte function. Outside the lab, Chaitu enjoys playing with his new son, going to the gym and running the trails around the UT Southwestern campus.

Brian Hassell
Research Technician

Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let The Good Times Roll) as they say in the French Quarter in New Orleans! Being a native New Orleanian, Brian graduated from Tulane University in 2013 with a BS in cellular and molecular biology. Brian joined the Hooper Lab after graduation and is now a member of the Gnotobiotics Facility. When Brian isn't at the bench, you will find him reading a good book or capturing the nearest kingdom and reporting for Call of Duty in one of the many video games he enjoys.

Dr. Katie Kang
Post-doctoral Fellow

Katie earned her Ph. D. in Quantitative Biology from UT Arlington where she studied bacterial envelope remodeling in clinical isolates. In the Hooper laboratory, Katie is examining the close interplay between the microbiota and the health of host intestinal epithelial cells. Outside of the laboratory, Katie likes to play in the dirt - trail running, cycling, hiking.

Eugene Koo
Graduate Student

Eugene is from Cupertino, CA, which is the south Bay Area and received his Masters at California State University, Sacramento where he studied mesenchymal stem cells and their potential applications to heal diabetic foot ulcers. He went on to study photo-therapies at UC Davis before relocating to Dallas to study the gut and immunology. He is a huge basketball fan and follows several teams very closely including his home team the Golden State Warriors and his other favorite the San Antonio Spurs. He enjoys gaming with his friends anything from cards, board games and sports.

Dr. Yun Li
Instructor

Yun received her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences and was co-trained by the Ocean University of China. Her postdoctoral training was completed at UT Southwestern and she is now an instructor in the Hooper Lab. Yun's research in the Hooper Lab focuses on bacteria-induced autophagy in mouse intestinal epithelial cells. When away from work and the bench, she enjoys time with her family and her two wonderful children.

Dr. Daniel Propheter
Instructor

Dan earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Regis University in Denver, CO in 2006. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011. His research in the Hooper lab is focused on glycan-mediated host-pathogen interactions in the gut. In his spare time, Dan enjoys reading, cooking, golfing, and everything science. He also enjoys playing and watching the greatest sport ever invented (rugby), and loves Roadhouse and Big Trouble in Little China.

Kelly Ruhn
Lab Manager

Kelly Ruhn was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Dallas in May of 2002. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a laboratory helper at UTSW and then went on to work in several other labs after graduation. Kelly maintains the conventional animal colony and assists with projects in the Hooper lab. Kelly enjoys almost everything--especially taking care of her animals at the lab and at home. Her favorite thing to do in Dallas is play ice hockey.

Dr. Ziying Xu
Post-doctoral Fellow

Ziying earned her Ph.D. in Biology of Aging from the Barshop Institute at UT Health San Antonio, where she studied the role of microglia in lipid metabolism using shotgun lipidomics. Her current research in Hooper lab is to understand how the host integrates microbiota-derived signals to shape lipid metabolism and gut immunity. Outside the lab, Ziying is a foodie who enjoys traveling, stargazing, and photography.