Current Lab Members

he/him/his
Twitter: @LabMears
[email protected]

Jason A. Mears, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Jason Mears is a Professor of Pharmacology in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserved University (CWRU). The over-arching goal of his lab is to resolve long-standing questions about key factors that alter mitochondrial dynamics, leading to organelle dysfunction in human pathologies.
 
Dr. Mears has a diverse scientific background that combines structural, biochemical and cellular methods to characterize functional relationships in macromolecular complexes. He started his research pursuits as an undergraduate student at Indiana University. He then moved to Birmingham, AL and studied ribosome structures with Dr. Stephen Harvey at UAB. He mentored McNair Scholars and received the McKibben Young Investigator Award before completing the last 2 years of his Ph.D. training at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. In 2005, Dr. Mears moved to the NIH in Bethesda, MD, where he learned cryo-EM and structural biology methods with Dr. Jenny Hinshaw and initiated research on dynamin superfamily proteins. He was awarded the NIDDK Nancy Nossal Fellowship Award to pursue his research interests. 
 
In 2010, Jason started his research lab in the Center for Mitochondrial Diseases and the Department of Pharmacology. His research has largely focused on the underlying mechanism of mitochondrial fission and how this process is regulated in human health. The current research environment is optimally suited to address these problems through regular interactions with mitochondrial, structural and cancer biologists. Dr. Mears was named the Co-Director of the Center for Mitochondrial Research and Therapeutics (CMRT) in 2024 and directs the Mitochondrial Research Core in the School of Medicine.
 
In addition to his research program, Dr. Mears has been recognized with several mentoring awards and is active in medical education. He currently serves as the Graduate Program Director for Pharmacology and the Associate Director of Cancer Research Training and Education (CRTEC) in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Outside of the lab, Jason enjoys hiking, cycling, culinary pursuits and spending time with his family. 

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she/her/hers
​[email protected]

Anelise Hutson
Graduate Student

Anelise received her B.S. in Chemistry with minors in Chinese and International Studies from the University of Alabama in 2021. She worked as a lab tech in the Neuroscience Dept. before joining the Pharmacology PhD program. In her spare time, she choreographs and performs with the Cleveland Dance Project, and she is a member of the Cleveland Metroparks Clean Team. 

Research Focus: Regulatiopn of Drp1 structure and function

• Supported by the MTTP Training Grant; 2023-2024 
• Vice-President, Biomedical Graduate Student Organization (BGSO); 2024-2025​
• Greenfield Travel Award for Best Journal Club Presentation, Pharmacology; 2024
• CCMSB Symposium Organizing Committee; 2025
  
• Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA), Membrane Fusion, Fission and Traffic Subgroup, Biophysical Society 70th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA; 2026        
• President, Pharmacology Graduate Student Organization (GSO); 2026-2027

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she/her/hers
​[email protected]

Anna Dudziak
​Graduate Student 

Anna received her B.A. in Biochemistry from Ursuline College, where she played NCAA DII Women's Soccer and was the team captain her senior year. She did summer research at CWRU with Dr. Danny Manor, studying the Rho nucleotide exchange factor. 

Research Focus: The role of mitochondrial fission proteins on bioenergetic activities. 

• Supported in part by Molecular Pharmacology Training Program (MPTP); 2025-2027
• ​Secretary, GSO, Pharmacology; 2025-2026 
• Social Chair, GSO, Pharmacology; 2025-2026

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she/her/hers
​[email protected]

Mayu Fukuda
​Graduate Student 

More information coming...

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​she/her/hers
[email protected]

Mallory Joyce
​​Undergraduate Student

Mallory Joyce is an undergraduate student at Case Western Reserve University studying Biochemistry and Spanish on the pre‑medical track. She is a recent graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, earning her diploma in 2025. Through her work in the Mears Lab, Mallory aims to strengthen her scientific and research skills in preparation for her future endeavors.
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​she/her/hers
[email protected]

Alexis Dimatteo
Graduate Student

Alexis received her B.S. in Molecular Genetics with a minor in Forensic Science from The Ohio State University in 2024. She worked as a Research Assistant in the Genetics and Genome Sciences Department before pursuing her M.S. in Translational Pharmaceutical Science at CWRU. Through the Mears Lab, Alexis is excited to gain experience with new scientific techniques and learn more about mitochondrial fission. 

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​she/her/hers
​[email protected]

Anjani Panigrahi
Summer HS Student

Anjani is a rising junior at Aurora High School with a strong interest in biology and a future career in medicine. Through the Youth Engaged in Science (YES) program at Case Western Reserve University, she is a member of the Mears Lab, hoping to gain hands-on experience in biological research while developing her scientific knowledge. Outside of her research interests, Anjani is involved in her school's color guard team and enjoys long-distance running. 

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Lab Alumni

Research Staff

​Maria Stoll - Mitochondrial Detective (2017-2024)
Currently: Retired

Adina Brett-Morris, Ph.D. - Research Associate (2018-2023)
Currently: Health Scientist, Cleveland Clinic, Akron, OH

Louie Zhou - Research Technician (2010-2013)
Latest: Anesthesiologist, Arkansas

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Postdoctoral Fellows

​Frances JD Alvarez, Ph.D. (2011-2014)
After: Research Scientist, Pfizer, Inc.

​Kyle Whiddon, Ph.D. (​2018-2022)
Currently: Core Staff Scientist, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology

​Jeff MacCausland, Ph.D. (​2018-2023)
Currently: Senior Scientist, Levine Lab at CWRU

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Graduate Students

Christopher A. Francy, Ph.D. (2012-2016)
Currently: President/Scientific Director, AdMed Inc., Philadelphia, PA

• Supported by the MTTP Training Grant; 2012-2014
• Greenfield Travel Award, Pharmacology; 2013  
• ​Pharmacology GSO President; 2013-2014  
• The President’s Award, Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium; 2015
• Doctoral Excellence Award in Pharmacology; 2016​

Ryan W. Clinton, Ph.D. (2014-2018)
Currently: Principal Scientist, Sanofi, Boston, MA

• Charles L. Hoppel Trainee Award for Research Excellence in Mitochondrial Biology; 2017

Elizabeth O. Akinbiyi, Ph.D. (2018-2021)
After: AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, Science Communications/Policy in the Office of the BRAIN Director at the NIH

• Supported by the Immunology Training Program (ITP)
• MAC Travel Grant to attend ASCB|EMBO Meeting; 2019

Brianna Bauer, Ph.D. (2017-2023)
Currently: Patent Examiner at the USPTO, Alexandria, VA

• Awarded the Paul Berg and Harland Wood Distinguished Graduate Fellowship; 2017
• Supported by the MTTP Training Grant; 2018-2020
• Awarded the Charles L. Hoppel Trainee Award for Research Excellence in Mitochondrial Biology; 2021
• Pharmacology GSO President; 2021-22

Kristy Rochon, Ph.D. (2017-2023)
Currently: Post-doctoral Fellow in the Metskas Lab at Purdue University

• Paul Berg and Harland Wood Distinguished Graduate Fellowship; 2017
• NIH Diversity Supplement
• Greenfield Travel Award, Pharmacology; 2019
• NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31) to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, NIGMS; 2020​
• Travel Award for the 67th Biophysical Society Annual Meeting; 2023
• ​Doctoral Excellence Award in Pharmacology; 2024    

Yuli Buckley, Ph.D. (2020-2025)
Currently: Postdoctoral Researcher, Helmholtz Institute, Leipzig, Germany

• Supported by the MTTP Training Grant; 2020-2022
• Greenfield Travel Award, Pharmacology; 2021 
• Pharmacology GSO President; 2022-23   
• Internship at Cytokinetics, Inc.

Mengtian Wang, M.S. (2025-2025)
Currently: TBD

• Completed MS in Translational Pharmaceutical Science Program 

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Post-baccalaureate Trainees

Cheyanne Shinn (2018-2019)
PREP Scholar
PREP Scholar of the Year; 2019
PhD Graduate, Univ of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
​Recent: Post-doctoral scholar, UCSD

Anibal Tornes-Blanco​ (2019-2020)
PREP Scholar of the Year; 2020    
​PhD Graduate, Univ of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Currently: Post-doctoral fellow, University of Michigan Medical School Research Operations, Management, and Strategy

Paige Wilson (2019-2020)
Post-bac Research Assistant
DO from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Monroe, LA
Currently: Resident, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville, FL

Jasmine Liu (2020-2022)
PREP Scholar
​Currently: PhD student, Univ of California, Berkeley, CA

Dayanlee de León Cordero (2023-2024)
PREP Scholar
​Currently: PhD student, Case Western Reserve Univ, Cleveland, OH

Isaiah Waiters (2024-2026)
ACS Post-Bac Scholar
Presentation Awardee, ABRCMS Meeting, San Antonio, TX; 2025
​Currently: MD student, Howard Univ, Washington, DC

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Undergraduate Students

Amanda Labuza - SURP Program (2011)
After: 2020 PhD in Neuroscience, U Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Latest: Post-doctoral fellow at Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY

Myles Frazier - SURP Program (2012)
After: 2019 PharmD graduate from Mercer Coll. of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA

Evan Miller - SURP Program (2013)
After: 2019 MD Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU
Latest: Resident, Orthopedic Surgery, Wake Forest, Winston-Salem, NC

Taylor Enrico - SURP Program (2016)
After: 2022 PhD in Pharmacology from UNC-Chapel Hill, NC
Latest: Consultant, Boston Consulting Group, Boston, MA

Serena Lee - SURP Program (2017)
After: 2019 graduate from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Abigail Turnwald - SURP Program (2018)
After: 2022 MS in Genetic Counseling, UC-Anschutz
Latest: Pediatric Genetic Counselor, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Dayton, OH​

Reid Anderson - Volunteer (2019)
After: 2022 graduate from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Latest: Medical Student, CWRU SOM          
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Nate Roethler - SURP Program (2022)
After: 2023 graduate from Loras College, Dubuque, IA
Latest: Graduate Student, UC-San Diego, San Diego, CA  

Vanessa Chu - Volunteer (2021-24)
After: 2024 graduate from CWRU, Cleveland, OH
Latest: Dental Student, Univ of California, Los Angeles         
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Siya Iyer - Volunteer (2023-24)
Latest: Undergraduate Student, CWRU, Cleveland, OH
  
Marianita Castro - Volunteer (2023-24)
After: 2024 graduate from CWRU, Cleveland, OH
Latest: Graduate Student, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH    

Julia Strasburg - SURP Program (2024)
After: 2026 Graduate of The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 
Latest: Research Assistant, UH Rainbow Center for Child Health and Policy    
Talia Morgenstern - CanSUR Program (2025)
After: 2026 Graduate of Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA   
Latest: Graduate student, Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA), Univ of Michigan

Julia Moroz - Volunteer (2025)
Latest: Undergrad Student, Mercyhurst Univ, Erie, PA  

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High School Students

Colleen Murphy - Volunteer (2013)
HS student, Montessori HS at University School
After: Undergrad student, Beloit College, Beloit, WI

Bobby Arnold - Volunteer (2015)
HS student at Aurora HS
After: Undergrad student, John Carroll University

Tasneema Sheik - SEO/YES program (2023-24)    
Poster Award Winner (2023)
​HS student, Cleveland School of Science and Medicine at John Hay
After: Undergrad student, CWRU

Brielle Collins - Volunteer (2023-24)
HS student, Hawken Upper School
After: Undergrad student in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Univ of Michigan

Emerson Begley - SEO/YES program (2025)
HS student, Campus International High School
After: Undergrad student at CWRU

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