Research Team

Guilherme Henrique Souza Bomfim
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dept. of Molecular Pathobiology

Guilherme Henrique Souza Bomfim received his MSc and Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the Federal University of São Paulo (Brazil). During his Ph.D. studies he also spent time at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), focusing on mechanisms of action and channelopathies involved in calcium (Ca2+) signaling using electrophysiological (Patch-Clamp and Amperometry), fluorescence (Ca2+ dyes), and molecular (siRNA and plasmid DNA) techniques. His current work focuses on the molecular modulators of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel, also known as Store-operated Ca2+ Entry (SOCE). This work includes addressing the mechanisms that control intracellular Ca2+ clearance (pumps and exchangers) through the plasma membrane and how these Ca2+-pathways are altered in oral pathophysiology.

Dr. Ga-Yeon Son
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dept. of Molecular Pathobiology

Dr. Ga-Yeon Son received her Ph.D. in Oral Biology from Yonsei University College of Dentistry in Seoul, South Korea. She has focused on how calcium signaling plays a role in dental and craniofacial diseases. After completing her Ph.D., she joined Dr. Indu S. Ambudkar’s research team at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) in 2016. She investigated the molecular mechanism of Orai1-STIM1 activation, which are key players of Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE), as well as, salivary fluid secretion. She joined Dr. Rodrigo Lacruz's research team in August, 2019 as a postdoctoral associate. Her recent and ongoing studies are to identify the physiological function of CRAC channels activity, regulated by Orai-STIM interactions, in oral cancer and salivary dysfunction, such as Sjogren’s syndrome.

She received a grant and supported her research from National Research Foundation (NRF), South Korea from September, 2017 to August, 2018. In addition, she won the best poster awards at the ‘Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology, Gordon Research Conference (February, 2019)’ and ‘Calcium and Cell function, FASEB (June, 2018)’.