CV

Joint PhD Candidate & Graduate Researcher

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Conducted translational microbiome and cancer research using molecular and computational methods in Dr. Lauren Colbert's lab.

MD/PhD

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Medicine & Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology

BS Bioinformatics

Baylor University

Magna Cum Laude

Joint-Appointed Graduate Student

MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology

• Research in the Lauren Colbert Lab studying microbiome–cancer interactions and treatment response.
• Project focus: cervical dysbiosis and progression of HPV-associated cervical dysplasia to cancer.

PhD in Microbiology & Bioinformatics

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC)

• Completed PhD training in the Christopher Taylor Lab.
• Dissertation: Temporal dynamics of the vaginal microbiome prior to incident bacterial vaginosis.
• Integrated molecular profiling and computational modeling to identify microbial shifts preceding BV.

Anil Korkut Lab

MD Anderson Cancer Center

• Modeled adaptation and response mechanisms relevant to BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma.

Chindo Hicks Lab

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC)

• GWAS study to identify genetic markers associated with triple-negative breast cancer risk in African American women.

Liz Simon / Patricia Molina Lab

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC)

• Studied combined effects of chronic binge alcohol exposure and SIV on apoptotic signaling in the prefrontal cortex of rhesus macaques.

Marty Harvill Lab

Baylor University

• Assessed soil quality of the Lake Waco Wetlands for human consumption.

Organizer

Hurricane Ida Relief Drive

Organized a donation drive and fundraiser raising over $2,000 and collecting multiple truckloads of supplies.

Volunteer

Rebuild Center

Volunteered at a shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, assisting with repairs, meals, and coordination of student volunteers.

Counselor

Camp Tiger

Counselor at a weeklong day camp for children with special needs, ensuring safety and engagement.

Campus Tour Guide

LSUHSC

Hosted and guided medical school interviewees, representing LSUHSC to prospective students.

Volunteer

Student Run Community Clinics

Provided healthcare services to underserved populations in the New Orleans community.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor

American Heart Association

Trained peers and healthcare professional students in basic life support.

Predicting bacterial vaginosis development using artificial neural networks

medRxiv

Elnaggar JH, Lammons JW, Ardizzone C, Aaron KJ, Jacobs C, Graves KJ, George SM, Luo M, Tamhane A, Łaniewski P, Quayle AJ, Herbst-Kralovetz M, Cerca N, Muzny CA, Taylor CM. DOI: 10.1101/2025.05.02.25326872

U.S. Patent Application No. 63/778,989

Predicting Bacterial Vaginosis Development Using Artificial Neural Networks

Inventors: Jacob Elnaggar, Christopher Taylor, John Lammons, Christina Muzny.

Tumor-resident Lactobacillus iners confer chemoradiation resistance through lactate-induced metabolic rewiring

Cancer Cell

Colbert LE, El Alam MB, Wang R, Karpinets T, Lo D, Lynn EJ, Harris TA, Elnaggar JH, et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.09.012

Characterization of vaginal microbial community dynamics in incident bacterial vaginosis: a pilot study

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Elnaggar JH, Lammons JW, Taylor CM, Toh E, Ardizzone CM, Dong A, Aaron KJ, Luo M, Tamhane A, Lefkowitz EJ, Quayle AJ, Nelson DE, Muzny CA. DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001821

A novel Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Lactobacillus standard that improves accuracy in quantifying vaginal microbial communities

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Elnaggar JH, Ardizzone CM, Cerca N, Toh E, Łaniewski P, Lillis RA, Herbst-Kralovetz M, Quayle AJ, Muzny CA, Taylor CM. DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1198113

HPV-related anal cancer is associated with changes in the anorectal microbiome during cancer development

Frontiers in Immunology

Elnaggar JH, Huynh VO, Lin D, Hillman RT, Abana CO, El Alam MB, Tomasic KC, Karpinets TV, Kouzy R, Phan JL, Wargo J, Holliday EB, Das P, Mezzari MP, Ajami NJ, Lynn EJ, Minsky BD, Morris VK, Milbourne A, Messick CA, Klopp AH, Futreal PA, Taniguchi CM, Schmeler KM, Colbert LE. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1051431

Precision combination therapies based on recurrent oncogenic co-alterations

Cancer Discovery

Li X, Dowling EK, Yan G, Bozorgui B, Imarinad P, Elnaggar JH, Luna A, Menter DG, Kopetz S, Sander C, Korkut A. DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-0832

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Inducted into AOA, recognized for excellence in academic performance, leadership, professionalism, and commitment to service

ASTRO–Breast Cancer Research Foundation Medical Student Fellowship

Awarded $2,000 award to attend the 2025 ASTRO Annual Meeting

ASTRO-BCRF Radiation Oncology Visiting Away Rotation Scholarship

$2,500 award to support a radiation oncology away rotation

Chancellor’s Award

Nominated by the LSU Health Sciences Center Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology as the representative for the Chancellor's Award.

Gordon Research Conference Scholarship (Lactic Acid Bacteria)

Scholarship to attend Lactic Acid Bacteria Biology, Symbioses and Applications - Gordon Research Conference

American STD Association (ASTDA) Small Project Assistance

Competitive funding award to support PhD research on bacterial vaginosis.

Stanley W. Watson Education Scholarship

Scholarship to attend the Strategies and Techniques for Analyzing Microbial Population Structures (STAMPS)

UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Mini-Sabbatical award

Competitive funding award to attend IDSOG and STAMPS

Interprofessional Student Alliance Leadership Award

Details

Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (IDSOG) Travel Scholarship

$1000 to attend the 2022 IDSOG Annual Meeting, Boston, MA

Diversity Travel Scholarship

Award to attned the 35th MD PhD Conference at University of Colorado, Denver

Magna Cum Laude

B.S. in Bioinformatics, Baylor University