Our Team
Simon Kaja, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology
2007; Ph.D. Medicine/Neuroscience (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
2002; B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (Durham University, UK)
Email | Resume
Dr. Kaja is a trained Molecular Biologist and experienced neuroscientist with a long-standing research interest in neurological, neurodegenerative and visual disorders. His expertise lies in the disease areas of migraine, cerebellar ataxia, glaucoma, dry-eye disease, and inflammation.
Following his graduation in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Durham (UK), Dr. Kaja completed his doctoral studies in the Neurology department at the Leiden University Medical Center, under the guidance of Prof. Michel Ferrari and Prof. Rune Frants. Subsequently, he followed his interest in calcium signaling and calcium channelopathies and spent two years in the laboratory of Prof. Terrance Snutch at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. After short stays at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and NeuroSearch A/S, Dr. Kaja moved in 2009 as Research Asssistant Professor to the University of Missouri - Kansas City to continue his research on aspects on calcium signaling in neurological, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases.
In the summer of 2015, Dr. Kaja accepted a position at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, where he serves as the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology at the rank of Assistant Professor. Furthermore, Dr. Kaja holds appointments in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics and at the Edwards Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Dr. Kaja's laboratory studies the pathophysiology of neurological, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases utilizing a broad experimental approach, ranging from molecular biology to electrophysiology and high resolution imaging.
Recent Publications (since 2015):
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Nielsen EØ, Thompson CL, van den Maagdenberg AM, Koulen P, Snutch TP. Differential cerebellar GABAA receptor expression in mice with mutations in CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) calcium channels. Neuroscience 2015; 304: 198-208.
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Naumchuk Y, Levy D, Zaidi DH, Altman AM, Nawazish S, Ghuman JK, Gerdes BC, Moore MA, Koulen P. Plate reader-based cell viability assays for glioprotection using primary rat optic nerve head astrocytes. Experimental Eye Research 2015; 138: 159-166.
• Rao VR, Perez-Neut M, Kaja S, Gentile S. Voltage-gated ion channels in cancer cell proliferation. Cancers 2015; 7: 849-75.
• Kaja S, Shah AA, Haji SA, Patel KB, Naumchuk Y, Zabaneh A, Gerdes BC, Kunjukunju N, Sabates NR, Cassell MA, Lord RK, Pikey KP, Poulose A, Koulen P. Nampt/PBEF/visfatin serum levels – a new biomarker for retinal blood vessel occlusions. Clinical Ophthalmology 2015, 9: 611-18.
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Singh T, Ghuman JK, Sieck EG, Koulen P. An optimized lactate dehydrogenase release assay for screening of drug candidates in neuroscience. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2015, 73: 1-6.
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Patel KR, Naumchuk N, Koulen P. Differential subcellular Ca2+ signaling in a highly specialized subpopulation of astrocytes. Experimental Neurology 2015, 265: 59-68
• Payne AJ, Kaja S, Koulen. Regulation of ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium signaling by presenilins. Receptors and Clinical Investigation 2015, 2:e449.
• Kaja S, Sumien N, Shah VV, Puthawala I, Maynard AN, Khullar N, Payne AJ, Forster MJ, Koulen P. Loss of Spatial Memory, Learning, and Motor Function During Normal Aging Is Accompanied by Changes in Brain Presenilin 1 and 2 Expression Levels. Mol Neurobiol. 2015; 52:: 545-554.
For a full list of publications click here.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology
2007; Ph.D. Medicine/Neuroscience (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
2002; B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (Durham University, UK)
Email | Resume
Dr. Kaja is a trained Molecular Biologist and experienced neuroscientist with a long-standing research interest in neurological, neurodegenerative and visual disorders. His expertise lies in the disease areas of migraine, cerebellar ataxia, glaucoma, dry-eye disease, and inflammation.
Following his graduation in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Durham (UK), Dr. Kaja completed his doctoral studies in the Neurology department at the Leiden University Medical Center, under the guidance of Prof. Michel Ferrari and Prof. Rune Frants. Subsequently, he followed his interest in calcium signaling and calcium channelopathies and spent two years in the laboratory of Prof. Terrance Snutch at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. After short stays at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and NeuroSearch A/S, Dr. Kaja moved in 2009 as Research Asssistant Professor to the University of Missouri - Kansas City to continue his research on aspects on calcium signaling in neurological, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases.
In the summer of 2015, Dr. Kaja accepted a position at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, where he serves as the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology at the rank of Assistant Professor. Furthermore, Dr. Kaja holds appointments in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics and at the Edwards Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Dr. Kaja's laboratory studies the pathophysiology of neurological, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases utilizing a broad experimental approach, ranging from molecular biology to electrophysiology and high resolution imaging.
Recent Publications (since 2015):
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Nielsen EØ, Thompson CL, van den Maagdenberg AM, Koulen P, Snutch TP. Differential cerebellar GABAA receptor expression in mice with mutations in CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) calcium channels. Neuroscience 2015; 304: 198-208.
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Naumchuk Y, Levy D, Zaidi DH, Altman AM, Nawazish S, Ghuman JK, Gerdes BC, Moore MA, Koulen P. Plate reader-based cell viability assays for glioprotection using primary rat optic nerve head astrocytes. Experimental Eye Research 2015; 138: 159-166.
• Rao VR, Perez-Neut M, Kaja S, Gentile S. Voltage-gated ion channels in cancer cell proliferation. Cancers 2015; 7: 849-75.
• Kaja S, Shah AA, Haji SA, Patel KB, Naumchuk Y, Zabaneh A, Gerdes BC, Kunjukunju N, Sabates NR, Cassell MA, Lord RK, Pikey KP, Poulose A, Koulen P. Nampt/PBEF/visfatin serum levels – a new biomarker for retinal blood vessel occlusions. Clinical Ophthalmology 2015, 9: 611-18.
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Singh T, Ghuman JK, Sieck EG, Koulen P. An optimized lactate dehydrogenase release assay for screening of drug candidates in neuroscience. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2015, 73: 1-6.
• Kaja S, Payne AJ, Patel KR, Naumchuk N, Koulen P. Differential subcellular Ca2+ signaling in a highly specialized subpopulation of astrocytes. Experimental Neurology 2015, 265: 59-68
• Payne AJ, Kaja S, Koulen. Regulation of ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium signaling by presenilins. Receptors and Clinical Investigation 2015, 2:e449.
• Kaja S, Sumien N, Shah VV, Puthawala I, Maynard AN, Khullar N, Payne AJ, Forster MJ, Koulen P. Loss of Spatial Memory, Learning, and Motor Function During Normal Aging Is Accompanied by Changes in Brain Presenilin 1 and 2 Expression Levels. Mol Neurobiol. 2015; 52:: 545-554.
For a full list of publications click here.
Anita K. Ghosh, B.S.
2nd year Masters Student in Neuroscience
2017; B.S. Biology (Dusquesne University)
Email
Anita joined the lab in 2017 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. Her interest lies in the effects of calcium channel dysfunction on extracellular matrix remodeling in the optic nerve head in efoliation glaucoma.
2nd year Masters Student in Neuroscience
2017; B.S. Biology (Dusquesne University)
Anita joined the lab in 2017 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. Her interest lies in the effects of calcium channel dysfunction on extracellular matrix remodeling in the optic nerve head in efoliation glaucoma.
Harsh N. Hariani
1st year Masters Student in Neuroscience
Email
Harsh joined the lab in 2018 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. He is interested in the cytoprotective properties of nutraceuticals and their potential use in ophthalmic disorders.
1st year Masters Student in Neuroscience
Harsh joined the lab in 2018 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. He is interested in the cytoprotective properties of nutraceuticals and their potential use in ophthalmic disorders.
Yuliya Naumchuk, Ph.D.
Visiting Researcher
Email
Yuliya joined the lab in 2011. Since then, she has pursued her interest in neurological and visual disorders by applying her medical knowledge to identify novel mechanisms of glial and astrocyte function. She holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology. Her interest lies in novel glioprotective strategies for glaucoma.
Selected publications:
Visiting Researcher
Yuliya joined the lab in 2011. Since then, she has pursued her interest in neurological and visual disorders by applying her medical knowledge to identify novel mechanisms of glial and astrocyte function. She holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology. Her interest lies in novel glioprotective strategies for glaucoma.
Selected publications:
- Kaja S, Payne AJ, Naumchuk Y, Koulen P. Quantification of lactate dehydrogenase for cell viability testing using cell lines and primary cultured astrocytes. Curr Protoc Toxicol 2017; 72: 2.26.1 - 2.26.10.
- Kaja S,* Naumchuk Y,* Grillo SL, Borden PK, Koulen P. Differential up-regulation of Vesl-1/Homer 1 protein isoforms associated with decline in visual performance in a preclinical glaucoma model. Vision Research. 2014, 94C:16-23.
- Payne AJ, Kaja S, Naumchuk Y, Kunjukunju N, Koulen P. Antioxidant drug therapy approaches for neuroprotection in chronic diseases of the retina. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2014, 15:1865-86.
- Payne AJ, Gerdes BC, Naumchuk Y, McCalley AE, Kaja S, Koulen P. Presenilins regulate the cellular activity of ryanodine receptors differentially through isotype-specific N-terminal cysteines. Experimental Neurology. 2013, 250:143-150
Students:
Sasha Rosen
Medical Student
Email
Sasha joined the lab in 2016 and was awarded an Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness Research Grant for his proposal entitled "Calcium signaling in exfoliation glaucoma".
Medical Student
Sasha joined the lab in 2016 and was awarded an Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness Research Grant for his proposal entitled "Calcium signaling in exfoliation glaucoma".
Volunteers:
Former lab members:
Vidhya Rao, PhD
Staff Scientist
Email
Vidhya worked in the lab from 2016 - 2018 as senior research associate and staff scientist. Vidhya has a strong track-record in ocular pharmacology and the biology of cancer. Her primary research interest lies in identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and neurodegenerative ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Selected publications:
· Rao VR, Krishnamoorthy RR, Yorio T. Endothelin-1 mediated regulation of extracellular matrix collagens in cells of human lamina cribrosa. Exp Eye Res. 2008 Jun;86(6):886-94.
· Rao VR, Krishnamoorthy RR, Yorio T. Endothelin-1, endothelin A and B receptor expression and their pharmacological properties in GFAP negative human lamina cribrosa cells. Exp Eye Res. 2007 Jun;84(6):1115-24.
· Rao VR, Prescott E, Shelke NB, Trivedi R, Thomas P, Struble C, Gadek T, O'Neill CA, Kompella UB. Delivery of SAR 1118 to the retina via ophthalmic drops and its effectiveness in a rat streptozotocin (STZ) model of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Oct;51(10):5198-204
· Grassi MA, Rao V, Winkler KP, Zhang W, Bogaard JD, Chen S, LaCroix B, Lenkala D, Rehman J, Malik AB, Cox NJ, Huang RS.Genetic variation is the major determinant of individual differences in leukocyte endothelial adhesion. PLoS One. 2014. Feb 10;9(2).
Staff Scientist
Vidhya worked in the lab from 2016 - 2018 as senior research associate and staff scientist. Vidhya has a strong track-record in ocular pharmacology and the biology of cancer. Her primary research interest lies in identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and neurodegenerative ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Selected publications:
· Rao VR, Krishnamoorthy RR, Yorio T. Endothelin-1 mediated regulation of extracellular matrix collagens in cells of human lamina cribrosa. Exp Eye Res. 2008 Jun;86(6):886-94.
· Rao VR, Krishnamoorthy RR, Yorio T. Endothelin-1, endothelin A and B receptor expression and their pharmacological properties in GFAP negative human lamina cribrosa cells. Exp Eye Res. 2007 Jun;84(6):1115-24.
· Rao VR, Prescott E, Shelke NB, Trivedi R, Thomas P, Struble C, Gadek T, O'Neill CA, Kompella UB. Delivery of SAR 1118 to the retina via ophthalmic drops and its effectiveness in a rat streptozotocin (STZ) model of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Oct;51(10):5198-204
· Grassi MA, Rao V, Winkler KP, Zhang W, Bogaard JD, Chen S, LaCroix B, Lenkala D, Rehman J, Malik AB, Cox NJ, Huang RS.Genetic variation is the major determinant of individual differences in leukocyte endothelial adhesion. PLoS One. 2014. Feb 10;9(2).
Vicki A. Husak
Lab manager and Research Associate
Selected publication:
Lab manager and Research Associate
Selected publication:
- Vaagenes IC, Tsai SY, Ton ST, Husak VA, McGuire SO, O'Brien TE, Kartje GL. Binge ethanol prior to traumatic brain injury worsens sensorimotor functional recovery in rats. PLos One. 2015; 10(3):e0120356.
Alexandra Hegel
Research Assistant and Lab Manager
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Alexandra worked in the lab from 2016 - 2017 as Research Assistant. She is now at the University Illinois at Chicago.
Research Assistant and Lab Manager
Alexandra worked in the lab from 2016 - 2017 as Research Assistant. She is now at the University Illinois at Chicago.
Elliot Savarese
Research Volunteer
Research Volunteer