About the PI - Josh Currie
I'm a cell biologist fascinated with how cells and tissues can work together to perform extreme acts of regeneration.
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I hail from the beautiful Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, USA. I grew up totally enamored with animals and the living world, which lead me to study biology at Tennessee Technological University. Afterwards working as a Research Assistant in the lab of Alissa Weaver at Vanderbilt University, I got my first glimpse of moving cells under a microscope and developed a somewhat overzealous appreciation for the molecular cytoskeleton. For a PhD, I ventured to an epicenter of cytoskeletal cell biology (and college basketball), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC I studied microtubule plus tip proteins (+TIPs) with Steve Rogers, dissecting the structural components of Drosophila +TIPs that regulate microtubule dynamics during processes like cell migration.

At the end of my PhD, I decided to make a leap far afield from the climate and topic of my graduate work to study axolotl limb regeneration in the lab of Elly Tanaka at the Center for Regenerative Therapies in Dresden, Germany. It was a great match of expertise and question, since the axolotl system was poised to benefit from cutting edge molecular tools to study the cell biology of regeneration. 

Lab Members

Halle Stump

Rylee Kopchak

Landon Bradshaw

Sean Jones

Tommy Mehaffey
Halle’s academic journey started deep in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina, where she discovered her budding passion for the local, rare and endangered salamander populations. She went on to receive her Bachelors in Biology and Psychology from Western Carolina University. To enhance her training as a researcher and scientist, Halle completed a Masters in Biotechnology from Indiana University while also doing research in the lab of Dr. Heather Hundley. After her time at IU, Halle decided it was time to bring her journey back full circle, not only by returning to North Carolina, but also by applying her molecular training toward the small animals that she loves so much. Halle’s project will center around understanding how cells are recruited and coordinated in the regenerative limb blastema. In the future, Halle’s goal is to apply her training to introduce a new generation of budding Appalachian scientists to salamanders and the massive impact they have, not only our ecosystems, but also toward regenerative medicine. Outside of the lab, Halle’s interests include video games, Twin Peaks, Lord of the Rings, and listening to true crime podcasts.

Rylee is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Wake Forest University pursuing a major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a minor in Economics. She is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a student-athlete on the Wake Forest Women’s Cross Country and Track team.  Rylee’s interest and research involves connecting regeneration-specific pathways between different regeneration paradigms in the axolotl. Her future goals include graduate or medical school, and involvement in medical research.
Landon is a Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major at Wake Forest University interested in the cellular mechanisms involved in tissue regeneration. He is a South Carolina native, with much love for the Carolinas. Landon has previously participated in two research internships with the Wake Forest School of Medicine, where he has been able to build a strong foundation in molecular biology and topics within tissue regeneration. He hopes to gain experience in advanced research techniques involving cell culturing and cellular visualization and learn more about research design. Landon’s ultimate goal is to become a physician-scientist, focusing on congenital heart disease and myocardium regeneration. His hobbies include hiking, cooking, and exploring Winston-Salem.
Sean is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Wake Forest, as well as Minors in Theatre and Japanese Language and Culture. Sean, who lives in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, is drawn to the vastness of biology and especially excited to study areas of genetics and regeneration. His interest in the Currie lab lies at the intersections of regenerative biology and cancer. After finishing his undergraduate, he plans on pursuing further graduate studies in the life sciences. Outside of the sciences, Sean has a passion for art and can frequently be found spending his free time painting or drawing.​
Tommy is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student at Wake Forest University with a minor in Bioethics, Humanities, and Medicine. He is from Fairfax, Virginia, and has had a love for science his entire life. Tommy’s project in the lab is focused on building new tools to manipulate cells and molecules during axolotl regeneration. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in clinical research. Outside of the lab, Tommy is a dedicated musician, playing trumpet in many musical ensembles at Wake.

Lab Alumni

Teija Bily
4th year project student
Research Technician, Cohn Lab, Hospital for Sick Kids
Anastasia Liu
​4th year project student
Matriculating medical student, Western University
​Qiuyuan Zhu
​4th year project student
 
Christine Shan
Co-supervised Master's student in Biomedical Communications
Professional Science Illustrator (Portfolio website)
Adline Metayer, MSc. 
Research Assistant
 
Julio Garcia
Senior undergraduate researcher
Clinical Technician, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

We're hiring!

If you're excited about regeneration research, get in touch! We're looking for diverse, interdisciplinary group members at all levels - undergraduate, Masters, PhD, postdoctoral, and research technicians.