Our Members
Denisa D. Wagner, PhD - Principal Investigator
Dr. Wagner received her Diploma of Biochemistry from the Universite de Geneve, Switzerland and PhD in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She served on the faculty at the University of Rochester, NY and Tufts University School of Medicine before coming to Harvard Medical School in 1994. Dr. Wagner is currently the Edwin Cohn Professor of Pediatrics in the Program for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Boston Children's Hospital.
E-mail: denisa.wagner@childrens.harvard.edu
Dr. Wagner received her Diploma of Biochemistry from the Universite de Geneve, Switzerland and PhD in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She served on the faculty at the University of Rochester, NY and Tufts University School of Medicine before coming to Harvard Medical School in 1994. Dr. Wagner is currently the Edwin Cohn Professor of Pediatrics in the Program for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Boston Children's Hospital.
E-mail: denisa.wagner@childrens.harvard.edu
Kristen Douthit - Program Coordinator, II
E-mail: Kristen.Douthit@childrens.harvard.edu
E-mail: Kristen.Douthit@childrens.harvard.edu
Long H. Chu, BS - Lab Manager
Started in the Wagner Lab in July 2016
Previous Research
This is Long's first posting in a research position in a lab. Before becoming the lab manager, Long was a research assistant in the Wagner Lab.
Previous Placements
UMass Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA - BS in Molecular Biology
Eton Bioscience Inc. - Specializing in DNA Sequencing
E-mail: long.chu@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner Lab in July 2016
Previous Research
This is Long's first posting in a research position in a lab. Before becoming the lab manager, Long was a research assistant in the Wagner Lab.
Previous Placements
UMass Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA - BS in Molecular Biology
Eton Bioscience Inc. - Specializing in DNA Sequencing
E-mail: long.chu@childrens.harvard.edu
Patrick Münzer, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow
Started in the Wagner Lab in October 2017
Previous Research
Patrick's previous work focused on the molecular basis of hemostasis and pathological thrombosis with subsequent thrombo-occlusive events leading to myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. He investigated the role of the Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and associated kinases in platelet signaling and activation. Patrick's project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 796365.
Previous Placements
The University of Freiburg, Germany - BS in Biology
The University of Tübingen, Germany - PhD in Physiology
Under the supervision of Prof. Florian Lang, MD
The University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany - Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Thrombosis/Hemostasis
Under the supervision of Prof. Meinrad Gawaz, MD
Started in the Wagner Lab in October 2017
Previous Research
Patrick's previous work focused on the molecular basis of hemostasis and pathological thrombosis with subsequent thrombo-occlusive events leading to myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. He investigated the role of the Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and associated kinases in platelet signaling and activation. Patrick's project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 796365.
Previous Placements
The University of Freiburg, Germany - BS in Biology
The University of Tübingen, Germany - PhD in Physiology
Under the supervision of Prof. Florian Lang, MD
The University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany - Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Thrombosis/Hemostasis
Under the supervision of Prof. Meinrad Gawaz, MD
Shoichi Fukui, MD, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow
Started in the Wagner lab in June 2018
Shoichi came to the Wagner lab from Japan to study the relationship between neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and rheumatoid arthritis.
Previous Research
Shoichi studied subsets of monocytes and osteoclasts in rheumatoid arthritis using human peripheral blood samples. He also researched vasculitis and complement pathways clinically.
Previous Placements
Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan - MD
Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan - PhD in Medicine
Immunology and Rheumatology, Prof. Atsushi Kawakami
Post-doctoral Career
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
E-mail: shoichi.fukui@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner lab in June 2018
Shoichi came to the Wagner lab from Japan to study the relationship between neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and rheumatoid arthritis.
Previous Research
Shoichi studied subsets of monocytes and osteoclasts in rheumatoid arthritis using human peripheral blood samples. He also researched vasculitis and complement pathways clinically.
Previous Placements
Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan - MD
Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan - PhD in Medicine
Immunology and Rheumatology, Prof. Atsushi Kawakami
Post-doctoral Career
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
E-mail: shoichi.fukui@childrens.harvard.edu
Karen Aymonnier, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow
Started in the Wagner Lab in August 2019
Previous Research
Karen's previous work focused on Protease Nexin-1 (PN-1) as a promising target in hemophilia treatment. She also investigated PN-1 role in neutrophil functions.
Previous Placements
The University of Paris Sorbonne, France - PhD in Hematology
Under the supervision of Dr. Marie-Christine Bouton
The University of Paris Sorbonne, France - MS in Physiology
Under the supervision of Dr. Marie-Christine Bouton
The University of Complutense de Madrid, Spain - MS in Physiology
Under the supervision of Prof. Elena Vara
Started in the Wagner Lab in August 2019
Previous Research
Karen's previous work focused on Protease Nexin-1 (PN-1) as a promising target in hemophilia treatment. She also investigated PN-1 role in neutrophil functions.
Previous Placements
The University of Paris Sorbonne, France - PhD in Hematology
Under the supervision of Dr. Marie-Christine Bouton
The University of Paris Sorbonne, France - MS in Physiology
Under the supervision of Dr. Marie-Christine Bouton
The University of Complutense de Madrid, Spain - MS in Physiology
Under the supervision of Prof. Elena Vara
Ernest Dalle, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow
Started in the Wagner Lab in August 2021
Previous research
Ernest's research interests are mainly in behavioral neuroscience where he uses animal models to study the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Depression. Ernest uses a variety of behavioral techniques to assess the behavior of rodent animals, and stereotaxic surgery to model neurodegenerative diseases.
Previous Placements
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa - Postdoctoral research fellow.
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa - BSc, MSc, PhD in Neurophysiology under the supervision of Prof. Musa Mabandla and Prof. William Daniels.
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa - Part-time lecturer.
E-mail: Ernest.Dalle@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner Lab in August 2021
Previous research
Ernest's research interests are mainly in behavioral neuroscience where he uses animal models to study the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Depression. Ernest uses a variety of behavioral techniques to assess the behavior of rodent animals, and stereotaxic surgery to model neurodegenerative diseases.
Previous Placements
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa - Postdoctoral research fellow.
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa - BSc, MSc, PhD in Neurophysiology under the supervision of Prof. Musa Mabandla and Prof. William Daniels.
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa - Part-time lecturer.
E-mail: Ernest.Dalle@childrens.harvard.edu
Lukas Heger - Postdoctoral Fellow
Started in the Wagner Lab in September 2021
Previous Research
Lukas has worked as a clinical scientist and medical doctor at university hospital Freiburg, Germany since 2016 and was member of the working group „Platelets in Inflammation“ (Prof. D. Dürschmied) from 2016 - 2021 and the working group „Biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine“ (Heger/Hortmann) from 2019 – to date. Lukas´s work has focused on inflammation in myocardial infarction (MI) and reperfusion injury. He investigated the role of Toll-like-receptors (TLR) in platelet signaling and activation during MI. Recently, Lukas investigated complement factor dysregulation in COVID-19 disease. Lukas is funded by the German research foundation (DFG; HE 8679/1-1:1).
Previous Placements
Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Germany - MD
E-mail: lukas.heger@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner Lab in September 2021
Previous Research
Lukas has worked as a clinical scientist and medical doctor at university hospital Freiburg, Germany since 2016 and was member of the working group „Platelets in Inflammation“ (Prof. D. Dürschmied) from 2016 - 2021 and the working group „Biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine“ (Heger/Hortmann) from 2019 – to date. Lukas´s work has focused on inflammation in myocardial infarction (MI) and reperfusion injury. He investigated the role of Toll-like-receptors (TLR) in platelet signaling and activation during MI. Recently, Lukas investigated complement factor dysregulation in COVID-19 disease. Lukas is funded by the German research foundation (DFG; HE 8679/1-1:1).
Previous Placements
Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Germany - MD
E-mail: lukas.heger@childrens.harvard.edu
Stijn Van Bruggen, Ir. - Graduate student
Started in the Wagner lab in October 2021
Stijn came to the Wagner lab from Belgium, through a fellowship from the Belgian American Educational Foundation (B.A.E.F.). At the Wagner lab Stijn's research focuses on obesity induced chronic inflammation and how this affects neutrophil activation.
Previous research
Stijn studied the effect of neutrophil PAD4 on cardiac function with increasing age, with a specific interest in heart failure development and progression in the aging population.
Previous placements
Martinod NETs - lab, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium - PhD (ongoing)
KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium - Ms in Bioscience engineering with a major in molecular engineering
KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium - Bs in Bioscience engineering
E-mail: stijn.vanbruggen@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner lab in October 2021
Stijn came to the Wagner lab from Belgium, through a fellowship from the Belgian American Educational Foundation (B.A.E.F.). At the Wagner lab Stijn's research focuses on obesity induced chronic inflammation and how this affects neutrophil activation.
Previous research
Stijn studied the effect of neutrophil PAD4 on cardiac function with increasing age, with a specific interest in heart failure development and progression in the aging population.
Previous placements
Martinod NETs - lab, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium - PhD (ongoing)
KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium - Ms in Bioscience engineering with a major in molecular engineering
KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium - Bs in Bioscience engineering
E-mail: stijn.vanbruggen@childrens.harvard.edu
Casey Sheehy - Research Assistant
Started in the Wagner Lab in March 2021
Previous Research
This is Casey's first posting in a research position in a lab.
Previous Placements
Umass Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA - BS in Biology
E-mail: casey.sheehey@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner Lab in March 2021
Previous Research
This is Casey's first posting in a research position in a lab.
Previous Placements
Umass Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA - BS in Biology
E-mail: casey.sheehey@childrens.harvard.edu
Bruce Ewenstein, MD, PhD - Visiting Professor
Started in the Wagner Lab in November 2021
Dr. Ewenstein is a board-certified hematologist with more than 30 years of experience in academic medicine, drug development and healthcare. Dr. Ewenstein received his MD and PhD degrees from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and did his Hematology clinical training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Before joining industry in 2002, Dr. Ewenstein was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School where he served as founder and Director of the Boston Hemophilia Center (BWH/BCH) for 15 years. His doctoral and post-doctoral projects involved the structural elucidation of class I major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens. His later laboratory work centered on endothelial cell biology with a focus on the role of this cell type in hemostatic and thrombotic processes. His current interests include the roles of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and ADAMTS13 in thrombosis-inflammatory disease processes.
E-mail: bruce.ewenstein@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner Lab in November 2021
Dr. Ewenstein is a board-certified hematologist with more than 30 years of experience in academic medicine, drug development and healthcare. Dr. Ewenstein received his MD and PhD degrees from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and did his Hematology clinical training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Before joining industry in 2002, Dr. Ewenstein was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School where he served as founder and Director of the Boston Hemophilia Center (BWH/BCH) for 15 years. His doctoral and post-doctoral projects involved the structural elucidation of class I major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens. His later laboratory work centered on endothelial cell biology with a focus on the role of this cell type in hemostatic and thrombotic processes. His current interests include the roles of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and ADAMTS13 in thrombosis-inflammatory disease processes.
E-mail: bruce.ewenstein@childrens.harvard.edu
Nicolas Schommer - Medical (MD) Student
Started in the Wagner Lab in May 2022
Previous Research
Nicolas has worked as a medical doctoral student in the working group "Platelets in Inflammation" (Prof. D. Dürschmied) at university hospital Freiburg, Germany since 2020. Pursuing his MD thesis he investigated the role of complement and platelets in myocardial ischemia and neovascularization and reticulated platelets in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. He is funded by a Rudolf-Marx-Grant from the Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research eV (GTH).
Previous Placements
Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Germany - MD student
E-mail: nicolas.schommer@childrens.harvard.edu
Started in the Wagner Lab in May 2022
Previous Research
Nicolas has worked as a medical doctoral student in the working group "Platelets in Inflammation" (Prof. D. Dürschmied) at university hospital Freiburg, Germany since 2020. Pursuing his MD thesis he investigated the role of complement and platelets in myocardial ischemia and neovascularization and reticulated platelets in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. He is funded by a Rudolf-Marx-Grant from the Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research eV (GTH).
Previous Placements
Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, University of Freiburg, Germany - MD student
E-mail: nicolas.schommer@childrens.harvard.edu