{"id":1323,"date":"2022-03-16T20:08:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T00:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/?page_id=1323"},"modified":"2026-04-24T15:39:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T19:39:48","slug":"current-lab-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/current-lab-members\/","title":{"rendered":"KMF LAB"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Principle Investigator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n

Dr. Karin Musier-Forsyth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio Eminent Scholar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Principal Investigator, Musier-Forsyth Lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bio:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karin Musier-Forsyth obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1989 under the direction of Dr. Gordon G. Hammes. She was an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Paul Schimmel at M.I.T. from 1989-92. She joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1992. She was named Merck Professor of Chemistry in 2003 and Distinguished McKnight University Professor in 2006. In 2007, she moved to her current position at Ohio State University, where she is the Ohio Eminent Scholar in Biological Macromolecular Structure and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She was awarded the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award in 1996, the Pfizer Award in Enzyme Chemistry from the Biological Division of the American Chemical Society in 2003, and was Elected as AAAS Fellow in 2009. In 2014 she was awarded the William H. Kadel Alumni Medal for Outstanding Career Achievement from her alma mater, Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FLA) and in 2020 she was a co-recipient of the Diversity Enhancement Faculty Award from the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio State. She has served as co-director of the NIH T32 Predoctoral Training Program at Ohio State since 2011. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters and reviews and has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Biological Chemistry since 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musier-forsyth.1@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Office: CBEC 387<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Research Scientists and Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Ioulia Rouzina<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Assistant Professor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am a theoretical biophysicist analyzing experiments and proposing testable models of viral functioning. I am currently working on understanding how HIV-1 packages its own genome, how the reverse transcription inside the mature HIV-1 capsid drives its disassembly, how LEDGF protein binding to nucleosomes affects sites of HIV-1 integration, and how SARS-COV-2 N protein selects and packages its genome. I have a lot of experience deciphering data from optical tweezers stretching single biological molecules. I am interested in all kinds of biophysical phenomena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like all kinds of cultural activities and travel. But most of all I like kids.<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

rouzina.1@osu.edu<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Current Lab Members<\/strong><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postdocs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Rylan Watkins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2020\u20132025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemistry and Biochemistry Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I study translational quality control mechanisms in Trypanosoma brucei<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my free time you can find me enjoying one of the local coffee shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

watkins.819@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Students<\/strong><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Joseph Kanlong<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2021\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State Biochemistry Program<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I focus on the regulation of HIV-1 genomic RNA translation by transcriptional start site heterogeneity and structural diversity within the 5\u2019UTR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grew up in NY, in the Hudson Valley and I love anything outdoors or water related. In my free time I love to cook, listen to music, and spend time with friends! I\u2019m also a co-chair on the social committee for the OSBP Buckeye Biochemistry Club!<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

kanlong.1@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kaylee Grabarkewitz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student, Co-mentored by Dr. Vicki Wysocki (2021\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemistry and Biochemistry Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Determining the role of transcriptional start site differences in HIV-1 genomic RNA 5\u2019UTRs and their role in Gag binding and selective packaging using native mass spectrometry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grew up in Northern Minnesota and enjoy hiking and snowshoeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

grabarkewitz.1@osu.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mahfam Shariati<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2021\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am trying to determine whether HIV-1 evades the host immune response, particularly the cGAS\/STING pathway, using human Lysyl-tRNA synthetase.<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give me a little bit of time to learn a new language. You can call me a scientist by day and a polyglot by night. Also, I am trying to quit my Twitter addiction!<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

shariati.3@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Morgan Bauer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2021\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research focus is on translational quality control mechanisms in humans. I am also elucidating the activity of human EPRS, and glutamyl-prolyl tRNA synthetase, in vitro<\/em> and in cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

bauer.715@buckeyemail.osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tasnin Nila<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2022\u2013Present) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemistry and Biochemistry Program <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research focuses on how the RNA structure modifies the alternative pre-mRNA splicing mechanism of Kinesin protein that is related to a neurodegenerative disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am from Bangladesh. I love to listen to music and traveling new places.<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nila.1@osu.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Zixi (Cecilia) Long<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2022\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My project involves host protein interaction with HTLV-1 Gag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I enjoy listening to music and playing video games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

long.1681@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Grace Crowe<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2024\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State Biochemistry Program<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research focuses on how transcriptional start-site heterogeneity determines the fate of HIV-1 viral RNA. I am specifically interested in the effect of differential capping on HIV-1 genomic RNA 5’UTR structure, packaging selectivity and translation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my free time, I enjoy playing classical guitar, painting, and doing large jigsaw puzzles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

crowe.321@osu.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Andrew Nielsen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2023\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical Scientist Training Program (MD\/PhD) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BSGP)<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research focuses on the heterogeneity of HIV-1 transcription start sites and how this variability influences RNA structure and RNA-protein interactions in immune cells. Future studies will aim to identify HIV-1 RNA-binding molecules that alter RNA structure and interfere with viral pathogenesis.<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my free time, I like to garden, brew homemade beer, and hang out with my two cats, Cricket and Rufus.<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew.Nielsen@osumc.edu<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hannah Lathrop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2024\u2013Present)<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State Biochemistry Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am interested in how yeast Arc1p contributes to tRNA quality control within the multi\u2013aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex, as well as the evolutionary conservation of OB-fold proteins involved in tRNA binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with my cat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


lathrop.41@buckeyemail.osu.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dalton Dencklau<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2024\u2013Present)<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State Biochemistry Program (OSBP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research investigates the roles of MCP1 and MCP3 in maintaining translational fidelity within the Trypanosoma brucei<\/em> multi\u2013aminoacyl\u2011tRNA synthetase complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing volleyball and pickleball, spending time with my cat, and listening to music.<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u00a0dencklau.1@osu.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate Researchers<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Josephine Stark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate Researcher (2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project is characterizing the active site in Trypanosoma bruc<\/em>ei MCP1 protein through creation of truncated mutants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am from Sandusky, Ohio and I am majoring in biochemistry at Ohio Wesleyan University. I am on the swim team and like to sew and play percussion instruments.<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Skylar Stevenson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate Researcher (2022\u2013Present)<\/p>\n\n\n\n


I am currently understanding the complexity of G3 triplex and G4 quadruplex structures and their roles in a G4 origin of life (“quadruples world”) hypothesis as well as their ability to function as signal amplification molecules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my free time, I\u2019m an artist. I mainly enjoy creative writing and ceramics, but at the moment I\u2019m trying to learn watercolors!<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stevenson.491@osu.edu<\/a><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Recent Lab Alumni<\/gwmw><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Megan Sullivan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2020\u20132026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemistry and Biochemistry Program <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am investigating how phosphorylation of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein impacts its interactions with viral genomic RNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like hiking, knitting, and hanging out with my cats. I also enjoy collecting vinyl records and playing cello in community orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

sullivan.934@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Christina R. Budding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Student (2019\u20132025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I focus on RNA modifications and protein interactions involved in HIV-1 assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I enjoy playing trumpet, spending time with friends and the church community, and eating dark chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ross.1656@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Arundhati (Aru) Kavoor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postdoc (2022\u20132025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program <\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My research focuses on characterizing the function of a trans-editing factor, human ProXp-Ala, in vitro <\/em>and in cells.<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside the lab, I enjoy trying new cuisines, playing video games and binging TV shows.<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

kavoor.1@osu.edu<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Yehong Qiu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Graduate Student (2019\u20132025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Besik Kankia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Senior Research Scientist<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Brianna Young<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Graduate Student (2022\u20132024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young.3454@osu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Anna Vradi<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: MD\/PhD at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Undergraduate Researcher (2020\u20132024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dina Bayachou<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: MD at Wayne State University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Undergraduate Researcher (2022\u20132024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Chathuri Pathirage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: Postdoc at Michigan University in Kristin Koutmou’s lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Graduate Student (2017\u20132023)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Yu-Ci Syu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: Postdoc at Columbia University in Stephen Goff’s lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postdoctoral Researcher (2022\u20132023)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Graduate Student (2016\u20132022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Irina Shulgina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: Full time Grandma <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Research Associate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Danni Jin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: Postdoc at Yale University in Wendy Gilbert\u2019s lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postdoctoral Researcher (2021\u20132022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Graduate Student (2015\u20132021)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Jun-Kyu Byun<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: Visiting Assistant Professor at Lafayette College,  Easton, PA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Graduate Student (2015\u20132022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio State Biochemistry Program<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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John Vu<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Position: MD\/PhD student at Mayo Clinic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post-Bac Laboratory Technician (2021\u20132022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Undergraduate Researcher (2018\u20132021)<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Principle Investigator Dr. Karin Musier-Forsyth Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ohio Eminent Scholar Principal Investigator, Musier-Forsyth Lab Bio: Karin Musier-Forsyth obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1989 under the direction of Dr. Gordon G. Hammes. She was<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1323","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1323"}],"version-history":[{"count":81,"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2042,"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1323\/revisions\/2042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.cbc.osu.edu\/musier-forsyth.1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}