Mason Lab Staff

Forrest
I attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and majored in biology. During college I conducted research in an immunology lab and was a teacher’s assistant for the genetics course. During the summer before my senior year I conducted research at the Mayo Clinic through the Summer Mentored Undergraduate Research Fellowship. I am currently a student in the Integrated Biomedical Graduate Program at the Ohio State University college of Medicine, and I joined the Mason lab in May 2009. When not in lab I am an avid video game player and take art classes.
Forrest.Raffel@nationwidechildrens.org

Andrew
I graduated from John Carroll University in 2011 with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and minor in Spanish. At JCU I was the Scholarship Chairman for Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was a participant for a mission trip to Duran, Ecuador in May 2009.  I now attend medical school at Ohio University where I hope to blend my love of both medicine and research.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time being a Research Aide in Dr. Mason’s lab. My project has been to study and characterize the contributions of the SapF protein in the Sap transporter of NTHi toward heme uptake and antimicrobial peptide resistance. Working here at the Research Institute has introduced me to the importance of research and how hard work in the lab can translate to more effective patient care. When outside of lab and class I enjoy reading about current events, watching movies with friends, and playing tennis.

Andrew.Vogel@nationwidechildrens.org

Blake
I have had the fortune of living in Ohio my entire life, growing up in a suburb of Dayton. Staying true to my Buckeye nature I graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from THE Ohio State University with a concentration in Microbiology. After graduation, I was given the opportunity to work in Dr. Mason’s lab where I gained a true appreciation for science and medicine. I then left to earn my Masters of Anatomy at Wright State University during which I worked in the Mason lab as much as possible. Future plans are to pursue a career in medicine. When not in the lab I enjoy spending time with my wife Ashleigh, my family and, if time permits, golf, soccer and of course cheering on the Buckeyes. GO BUCKS!

Blake.Szelestey@nationwidechildrens.org

Sam

Samantha Wallace Sharpe joined the Mason lab in 2009 after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University with a double major in Microbiology and Genetics and a minor in Psychology. 

In Dr. Mason's lab, she studied NTHI outer membrane vesicles, publishing her work in November of 2011.  Sam very much enjoyed working in the Mason Lab. She is now at Ohio Wesleyan University as Laboratory Manager of undergraduate education in the Botany and Microbiology Departments.

Catie

Catie Leimbach Shelton joined the lab in 2008 after finishing her bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-medicine at Trinity International University.

She is now a PhD student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology where she was selected as a Choose Ohio First Scholar and where she is delving into the protein science underlying bacterial infections.

Kailey

Kailey has lived in Gahanna, Ohio for her entire life. Theatre and soccer were her main interests while attending Gahanna Lincoln High School.

Within the past few years she has gone on four mission trips to inner-city Pittsburgh. She now attends Miami University and  will graduate in May 2012 with a B. A. in Exercise Science and continue quenching her thirst for science at P.A. school. She describes working in Dr. Kevin Mason’s lab as an all-around enthralling experience and says she enjoyed her time in the Ohio State-themed lab.