Research Team
Rocco Latorre, PhD
Research Associate
Dept. of Molecular Pathobiology
Rocco Latorre, PhD
Dr. Latorre completed his M.Sc. in Biological Science and his Ph.D. in Veterinary Morphophysiopathology with Biotechnological Application at University of Bologna (Italy). Following his Ph.D., Dr. Latorre worked in Bologna at Unibo, UCLA and in Oklahoma City at OCNS. In August 2017, Rocco joined Dr. Bunnett’s lab at Columbia University and in October 2019, Rocco moved to NYU continuing his scientific research in Dr. Bunnett’s lab. Dr. Latorre’s research interests include the study of G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in mechanisms of pain and inflammation, with special interest on visceral hypersensitivity and neuropathic pain. His work focuses specifically on using in-vivo neurobehavioral approaches to identify and characterize new compounds targeting GPCRs intracellular trafficking, which contribute to chronic pain and inflammation.
Dr. Latorre’s awards include:
- Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility in 2014
- America Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society in 2017
- Seed Grant from Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience in 2016
Alan Hegron, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dept. of Molecular Pathobiology
Dr. Alan Hegron is a post-doctoral scientist in Dr. Nigel Bunnett team at the New York University College of Dentistry. His research focuses on Protease-activated receptor type 2 (PAR2) involved in inflammation and chronic pain.
PAR2 is cleaved by various proteases which free different receptor tethered ligands that bind to and activate the cleaved PAR2, regulating multiple processes including inflammation and chronic pain. The aim of his project is to investigate the structural and molecular mechanisms that regulate PAR2 signaling following proteolytic cleavage. This research will assist us in designing novel and innovative therapeutic solutions for chronic pain or inflammation, which is in high demand.
Chloe Peach, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dept. of Molecular Pathobiology
Chloe J. Peach obtained her BSc (Hons) Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham. Sponsored by the British Pharmacological Society’s prestigious AJ Clark Scholarship, she completed her PhD in Molecular Pharmacology at the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE). Her research interests include the spatial and temporal regulation of ligand binding and receptor signaling in biologically relevant systems. As a member of the Bunnett group, her work focuses on G protein-coupled receptors involved in pain and migraine. She is particularly interested in probing the mechanisms by which subcellular context modulates receptor pharmacology and the implications on pathobiology and drug development.
Raquel Tonello, PhD
Research Scientist
Dr. Raquel Tonello has a B.Sc. in Pharmacy and obtained her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Science with emphasis in pharmacology and pain research at Federal University of Santa Maria (Brazil). After completing her Ph.D., Raquel worked at Federal University of Santa Catarina and University of Cincinnati, with focuses on understanding the neuroimmune interactions in acute and chronic pain. During her academic career, she has developed a strong background in the study of pain, and expertise in behavioral and molecular neuroscience. The long-term goal of her research is to provide new insights into the biochemical and molecular mechanism involved in the onset and progression of chronic pain, leading to novel targets for the clinical management of these diseases.
Shavonne Teng, BS
Shavonne is a graduate student in the Bunnett lab. She received her B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University. She is interested in understanding the mechanisms of how sustained signaling of GPCRs in the endosomes are involved in chronic pain. In the lab, her current project utilizes nanoparticles to investigate how NK1R and CLR in the endosomes signal pain.
Anamaria Madeleine Manu
Anamaria is an undergraduate student at the College of Arts and Sciences at New York University. She is working toward her B.A. in Biochemistry. She is taking the Medical College Admissions Test and applying to an M.D. program. In the Bunnett/Jensen group, she works as a lab technician. Her interests include playing violin, weight lifting, and understanding the pathobiology of pain.
Gokul Sriman Thanigai Arasu
Gokul is a Graduate Student Assistant at the Bunnett lab. He received his B Tech in Biotechnology from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India in 2019. He is currently working toward his MS in Biomaterials Science at NYU's College of Dentistry. His work in the Bunnett group largely revolves around projects elucidating pain in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and testing novel treatment modalities both in vitro and in pre-clinical mice models. His expertise lies in primary neuronal cultures and testing different biomaterial-based drug delivery systems in mice. His interests include watching movies, broadway shows, exploring new cuisines, along with helping find non opioid pain medications.