Current Lab Members
Alix Ashare, MD, PhD - Associate Professor of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology
https://graduate.dartmouth.edu/pemm/
Haley Hazlett - PEMM Graduate Student
I am originally from San Antonio, Texas and I started my undergraduate education at the Northwest Vista Community College and completed my bachelors of Science in Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2014. While completing my bachelors at UTSA, I had the opportunity to work on many projects ranging from neuroscience to cancer biology in the laboratory of Dr. Matthew Gdovin. There I discovered the joy of scientific research in pursuit of better therapeutic options and care for those who, like many in my own family, suffered from cancer.
It was that same intense interest in performing research that could directly contribute to the betterment of patient care that led me to pursue a Ph.D. at Dartmouth College in the Program in Experimental and Molecular Medicine (PEMM). In 2015, I had the opportunity to join Dr. Alix Ashare's laboratory to pursue my interest in immunology and translational research. I am currently very interested in how the cystic fibrosis (CF) innate immune system is altered, and the improved patient care that could come about from pinpointing precise pathways that lead to immune dysfunction in CF patients. My thesis research presently involves investigating how CFTR mutations, in conjunction with high levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in the blood of CF patients, affect the function of CF peripheral blood monocytes.
When I'm not playing with human blood, I like exploring all the nifty little towns (and breweries) that New Hampshire and Vermont have to offer. In addition, I love hanging out with my cats, drinking too much coffee, and trying desperately to recreate authentic Tex-Mex to the best of my limited culinary abilities.
Molly Williams - Clinical Research Assistant
Although I tell people that I'm from Texas, I was only nine when my family moved to New Hampshire. I've lived in Bedford, NH since then. When I started college, I knew immediately I was going to major in Neuroscience and Behavior, and I received my degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2011. I had always been interested in research, and so I spent much of my time outside of the classroom working in a preclinical research lab. I completed my senior thesis on the effects of stress on addiction. I was never keen on the rats, and really wanted to begin my career in a clinical research environment. I currently work for Dr. Ashare as a Clinical Research Assistant in the Cystic Fibrosis clinic. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Outside of Dartmouth, I'm still a huge nerd- I love catching up on the latest medical research, especially in neurology. I spend as much time as possible with my nieces and nephew, and love ice cream and tennis.
Dan Aridgides - Senior Research Fellow
I grew up outside of Syracuse, NY and later attended Cornell University where I majored in Biological and Environmental Engineering and started doing bench research as an undergrad. I then entered an MD/PhD program at Tufts University and studied growth factor signaling induced by Trypanosoma cruzi in the mammalian heart in the lab of Dr. Mercio Perrin. I came to DHMC for my internal medicine residency program, and subsequently entered the research pathway into Pulmonary/Critical Care, which is when I started working in the Ashare lab. My work right now involves studying the interplay between lung macrophages and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as the effects of cigarette smoke in this system. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my twin daughters, my wife and my dog, going on all sorts of outdoor adventures to take advantage of the amazing Upper Valley and nearby mountains.
Diane Mellinger - Lab Manager
Born and raised in shoreline CT, I have a BS in Biochemistry from Trinity College. I moved to beautiful Barnard VT in 1988 and delight in living atop a small mountain with views for miles. My first work in the Upper Valley was for a small biotech company, Medarex, manufacturing monoclonal and bispecific antibodies used in clinical trials and research. After taking a break for 9 years to raise three children, I resumed research at Dartmouth in the Department of Medicine, involved in various clinical trials, specifically immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma. Though a member of the Ashare Lab for less than a year, I am enjoying my work with the team, and focus on lung macrophages, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, especially concerning cigarette smoke effects.
Out of the lab, I am the longtime music director for the Woodstock UU church, and play pipe organ, keyboard, and harp. My devoted volunteer choir of more than 30 are good to put up with my antics.
My three children are mostly fledged, and consistently delightful, and my golden doodle is ever steadfast. They, and my partner, keep life exciting.
Sophia Shomento - Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am from Bozeman, Montana where there are more cows than people and mountains for miles! I am a member of the class of 2021 at Dartmouth College and am getting my first taste of basic scientific research. I am looking forward to exploring many of the diverse departments at Dartmouth but I am most interested in biomedical sciences and technology. Outside of school, I am on the Dartmouth Nordic ski team. I also love to hike, mountain bike, and enjoy the outdoors with my friends and family!
Esteemed Alumni
Mary Griffin - Clinical Research Assistant
Ashare Lab 2017
Ashare Lab 2015
Discovery Science Team
Clinical Research Team