I completed my graduate training with Dr. Dolores Hambardzumyan, a leading expert on myeloid cells in brain tumors. I studied tumor associated macrophages and microglia (TAMs) in high-grade glioma (HGG), how tumor driver mutations shaped the immune microenvironment in the pediatric context and studied TAMs in vivo using two-photon microscopy. I discovered there are molecular subtype-specific differences with regards to TAMs and T cells in pHGG, and demonstrated the existence of TAM heterogeneity in these tumors. For my post-doctoral training, I worked with Dr. Rafi Ahmed, a pioneer in T cell immunology and a founding father of checkpoint blockade therapy. Here, I studied T cell immunity in the context of the brain and meninges during chronic viral infection using the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) mouse model. I examined the mechanism and effects of checkpoint blockade in this setting and discovered, given the right context, checkpoint blockade is highly effective in the central nervous system with regards to boosting T cell immunity and promoting viral clearance. In my lab I plan to combine this unique training with macrophages, microglia, and T cells to develop a deeper understanding of systemic anti-tumor immunity in high-grade glioma and diseases of chronic antigen exposure in the brain.

Outside of lab I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and drinking good coffee. I love traveling to new places, learning new things, and all things technology related.

My mentoring philosophy: I have been extremely lucky with the mentors I have had during my career - without their mentorship I would not be where I am today. This has instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude that I want to pay forward to the next generation of scientists. I believe in empowering my trainees to reach their fullest potential by investing in their growth as scientists and as people. I want to enable them to reach the next step in their careers and will do everything I can to make this happen. Trainees success = my success. You win, we all win together!

Ashlyn Cowan received a B.S. in Microbiology and Spanish from the University of Tennessee. After graduating, she worked as a Lab Assistant at Syntezza Bioscience in Jerusalem, then served as Intermediate Lab Specialist/Lab Manager and AtheroGEN Network Coordinator in the Civelek Lab at the University of Virginia. She is now the Senior Lab Specialist/Lab Manager in the Ross Lab at the University of Virginia. Outside of the lab she enjoys playing or watching sports, traveling, nature, and any outdoor activities.

Maddie is a second-year undergraduate student from Leesburg, VA.  She is planning to major in Applied Statistics on the Pre-Dental track.  Maddie is working with Dr. Ross to analyze single cell RNA sequencing datasets to gain immunologic insights into tumor immunity and generate novel hypotheses.  In her free time, Maddie plays on the club tennis and pickleball teams and is training for a half-marathon.

Michelle is a third year from Cleveland, Ohio pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Philosophy. She joined the Ross lab in Fall 2025. Outside of the lab, Michelle loves to spend her time watching F1, traveling, taking naps, and TA-ing chemistry laboratory courses.

Adi grew up in Suffolk, Virginia. He is currently a second-year undergraduate student at UVA planning on majoring in Economics. Outside of the lab, Adi loves going to the gym, playing sports, spending time with friends/family, and listening to music.

Arakai is a second year at UVA, majoring in behavioral neuroscience and minoring in English on the pre-med track. She is from Fairfax, Virginia, and spends her free time with club tennis, sigma kappa, and the Jefferson Society while on-grounds. She is excited to be an undergraduate member of the Ross lab this year!