Research Team

Britney Harris is a general surgery resident at West Virginia University. She completed two years of surgical training prior to her dedicated two years in research. Her research will address the approach to pancreatic adenocarcinoma immunotherapy resistance. Specifically, she will investigate a novel dual therapy including immunotherapy and inhibition of neutrophil extracellular traps. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and biking.

Abby Ivey
MD/PhD Scholar                                                                           
Abby is an MD/PhD scholar in the Cancer Cell Biology Graduate program who is studying the role that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have on the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. Abby received her BS in Immunology and Medical Microbiology from WVU in 2017. Her goal is to develop a better understanding of how the immune system drives cancer progression and identify therapeutic targets. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog and exploring the great state of West Virginia. 

Alayna Mellot, MS
Research Specialist                                                                
Alayna obtained a master’s degree in Physiology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology from Wright State University (Dayton, OH).  Her previous work focused on TRPM7 channels and its conductive properties of both physiological and non-physiological metals.  Currently, she maintains the labs murine pancreatic cancer colonies, including breeding of novel experimental knockouts, processes clinical research specimens, and facilitates a variety of projects in the lab through administrative and experimental support.

Hillary Pratt
MD/PhD Scholar                                                                                                
Hillary is an MD/PhD scholar in the Cancer Cell Biology Graduate program whose dissertation work focuses on the interaction between neutrophil extracellular traps and tumor associated macrophages in pancreatic cancer. Hillary received her BA degree in Chemistry from Washington & Jefferson College in 2017. Her primary interests include improving patient outcomes through understanding and targeting the tumor immune microenvironment. In her spare time, Hillary enjoys teaching tumbling and acrobatics.