Michelle Manni
Year started program: 2005
Program name: Cellular And Molecular Pathology
2005 - Biochemistry, Allegheny College

I always knew I was passionate about becoming a scientist, but the distinct focus I wanted to have was unclear during my undergraduate studies. I chose to pursue a doctoral degree in the University of Pittsburgh's interdisciplinary program because it would provide me with a broad scope of training as well as ample opportunities to explore various disciplines before selecting a specific program. This interdisciplinary program stood out above the rest of the schools I applied to, not only for their exceptional research facilities, faculty, and scientific opportunities, but also because of the collaborative community.

Currently, I am a fourth year PhD Candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Department. My research focuses on further elucidating the role of the antioxidant enzyme extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in pulmonary fibrosis. My project utilizes animal models to understand the mechanisms involved in the pathology of this disease.

Peer-reviewed Publications:
Tan RJ, Lee JS, Manni ML, Fattman CL, Tobolewski JM, Zheng M, Kolls JK, Martin TR, Oury TD. 2006. Inflammatory cells as a source of airspace extracellular superoxide dismutase after pulmonary injury. American Journal of Respiratory Cell & Molecular Biology. 34:226-32.

Manni ML, Oury TD. 2007. Commentary on "Copper chaperone for Cu,Zn- SOD supplement potentiates the Cu,Zn-SOD function of neuroprotective effects against ischemic neuronal damage in the gerbil hippocampus". Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 43(6):899-900.

Blose JM, Manni ML, Klapec KA, Stranger-Jones Y, Zyra AC, Sim V, Griffith CA, Long JD, Serra MJ. 2007. Non-nearest-neighbor dependence of the stability for RNA bulge loops based on the complete set of group I single-nucleotide bulge loops. Biochemistry. 46:15123-35.

Kliment CR, Tobolewski JM, Manni ML, Tan RJ, Enghild J, Oury TD. 2008. Extracellular superoxide dismutase protects against matrix degradation of heparan sulfate in the lung. Antioxidant & Redox Signaling. 10:261-8.

Abstracts:
Manni ML, Tobolewski JM, Oury TD. 2006. EC-SOD Prevents Oxidative Fragmentation of Type IV Collagen and Neutrophil Chemotaxis. 14th International Colloquium on Lung Fibrosis (ICLF), Eltville-Erbach, Germany, September 7-10, 2006. Poster Presentation

Manni ML, Tobolewski JM, Oury TD. 2007. EC-SOD Prevents Oxidative Fragmentation of Type IV Collagen: A Potential Mechanism of its Anti-inflammatory Effects. Keystone Symposium on Fibrosis, Tahoe City, California, March 11-15, 2007. Poster Presentation

Manni ML, Kliment CR, Duncan SR, Epperly MW, Piganelli JD, Oury TD. 2007. The Role of Leukocyte-derived EC-SOD in Pulmonary Inflammation. 14th Annual Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Washington D.C., November 14-18, 2007. Oral Presentation

Manni ML, Tobolewski JM, Kliment CR, Duncan SR, Epperly MW, Piganelli JD, Oury TD. 2008. The Role of Leukocyte-derived EC-SOD in Pulmonary Inflammation. ATS 2008 - International American Thoracic Society Conference, Toronto, Canada, May 17-20, 2008. Poster Presentation

Manni ML, Klinman DM, Tobolewski JM, Oury, TD. 2008. Suppressive Oligodeoxynucelotdies attenuate asbestos-induced inflammation. 15th International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis, Sunset Beach, NC, Septmeber 27-October 1, 2008. Poster Presentation.

Manni ML, Tobolewski JM, Gilbert TW, Oury, TD. 2008. Extracellular Matrix Powder Attenuates Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society Meeting, San Diego, CA, December 7-10, 2008. Poster Presentation.

Research Support
Source/Project # or type (P.I.)
American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship Award #0715279U (Manni)
Project Period: 07/01/2007 - 06/30/2009
Annual Award (Role, % Effort):$21,000 (PI, 100%)

This grant investigates the role of leukocyte-derived EC-SOD in attenuating asbestos-induced interstitial lung injury.

View All Featured Students