Nunzia Caporarello, PhD
Principal Investigator
Email:
Education:
2008, BS, Field: Microbiology, University of Catania (Italy)
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2011, MS, Field: Molecular Biology, University of Urbino (Italy)
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2017, PhD, field: Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania (Italy)
A Bit About Nunzia
Dr. Nunzia Caporarello, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Loyola University Chicago. She received her Ph.D. from University of Catania (Italy) and completed her postdoctoral training at Mayo Clinic, Rochester (USA). Her research focuses on mechanisms of lung injury, repair and fibrosis, with particular emphasis on understanding how maladaptive endothelial responses to lung injury contribute to chronic respiratory diseases, such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Outside of the lab, Nunzia loves experimenting in the kitchen, practicing yoga, reading and walking on the beach.
Favorite Quote:
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it”
Amelia Earhart
A Bit About Ben
Ben holds a Bachelor's degree in Forensic Science and brings 5 years of previous experience in asthma research, where he developed expertise in lung-related in vivo and in vitro techniques. Since joining the Caporarello Lab in 2023, he has overseen all the lab’s projects, with a particular focus on targeting the lung endothelium using lipid nanoparticles.
Outside the lab, Ben enjoys solving Rubik's cubes and puzzles.
Favorite Quote:
“Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you”
Emerson
Real Favorite Quote:
“IL1b is not real”
A very wise person - Ben Roos
Email:
Mickelia Stewart
Undergraduate Student
Education:
BS, Morgan State University - Expected 2026
A Bit About Mickelia
Mickelia is a rising senior majoring in Biology on the pre-med track with a minor in Chemistry. As for summer 2025, she serves as an outreach research intern in Dr. Caporarello's lab, and her future aspiration is to attend medical school which will be the pivot point to a career in neurosurgery. Mickelia loves reading, movies and tv shows and coloring. P.S. coloring it’s a lost art!
Favorite Quote:
“Focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase”.
Mary Engelbreit
Johnny Tumminello
Medical Student
Education:
2021, BE in Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University ​
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2022, MS in Medical Physiology, Loyola University Chicago
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MD - Loyola Stritch School of Medicine - Expected 2028
Email:
A Bit About Johnny
Johnny is a second year medical student, awardee of Student Training in Approach to Research (STAR) program in Dr. Caporarello's lab. Johnny professional interests include medical education, inclusive patient/provider advocacy, and translational research, with a focus on surgical transplantation.
Outside of work, Johnny love gardening, furniture restoration, and reading.
Favorite Quote:
“What did you learn today?”.
Nunzia Caporarello
Bise' Caporarello, PhD
Feline Research Associate
Email:
Education:
2019, MS on Napping & Chaos Theory
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2022, PhD in Fluid Dynamics (Why Cats Fit in Anything)
A Bit About Bise'
Bise' joined the lab in mysterious circumstances, appearing one day atop a centrifuge with an air of authority and a faint scent of tuna. Since then, she has gracefully assumed a leadership role—mainly by sitting on important documents and establishing dominance over laser pointers.
Her research interests include the physics of knocking things off shelves, optimal snuggle configuration and feline biophysics—primarily, fitting into boxes smaller than theoretically possible.
Favorite Quote:
“I've observed the humans, and I've concluded that their most consistent variable is their inability to resist my adorable demands”.
Bise'
Tiramisu' Sciacca, PhD
Feline Research Associate
Email:
Education:
2017, BS ​in Desk Occupation and Keyboard Obstruction.
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2019, Honorary PhD in Pawthology and Tissue Paper Destruction
A Bit About Tiramisu'
Tiramisu' entered the lab with the quiet confidence of someone who’s never been wrong in her life.
Since then, she has become an integral part of the team, contributing significantly to morale, thermal regulation (by sitting on laptops), and the rigorous enforcement of snack breaks.
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Her scientific contributions include: advanced studies in entropy, demonstrated by rearranging lab shelves at 3 a.m. and longitudinal analysis of warm laptop surfaces.
Tiramisu' is best known for her groundbreaking work in the field of "Selective Attention in Humans: A Study on Ignoring Commands," and for proving that the most stable place in the lab is precisely where you're trying to work.
Favorite Quote:
“I've decoded the secrets of the universe, and it's clear: belly rubs are the key to quantum happiness”.
Tiramisu'
Lab Alumni
Dr Giuseppe Muscato, MD - Pulmonologist
PhD Student in Translational Biomedicine, University of Catania, Italy
Dr Enrico Sciacca, MD – Pulmonologist
Medical Doctor, Umberto I Hospital, Siracusa, Italy
Dr. Bharath Somasundram, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Washington University, St. Luis, MO