Student Directory

Jennifer Anderson
jlanderson37@wisc.edu
David Evans Lab
Education:
BS, Biology, Minor in Chemistry, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, May 1999
Research:
The Evan’s lab studies host-pathogen interactions in HIV/SIV. My research focuses on the role of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I interactions in regulating NK cell responses in non-human primate models of infectious disease.
Mayra Alejandra Betancourt Ponce
betancourtpo@wisc.edu
Barroilhet/Patankar Lab
Education:
BS, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
Research:
In the Barroilhet/Patankar Lab, we study ovarian cancer through different approaches. My work will focus on elucidating the effects of oxidative phosphorylation inhibition in the ovarian tumor microenvironment, looking at effects on both cancer and immune cells.
Joshua Brand
jabrand2@wisc.edu
Huy Dinh Lab
Education:
BS, Biology, SUNY Geneseo
Research:
In the Dinh Lab we apply computational methods to high dimensional technologies such as single cell RNA sequencing to understand immune heterogeneity of various cancers. We are interested in finding predictive markers of progression, novel therapeutic targets, and understanding interactions that define tumor immune microenvironments.
Beniah Brumbaugh
bbrumbaugh@wisc.edu
William Sugden Lab
Education:
BS, University of Vermont
Research:
Our Lab studies two human, oncogenic Herpesviruses: Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma Virus (KSHV). Using molecular approaches and biological imaging, I propose to examine viral processes that can be targeted to prevent viral replication.
Sasha Celada
celada@wisc.edu
Aaron LeBeau Lab
Education:
BS, Microbiology, Iowa State University, May 2022
Research:
The LeBeau Lab utilizes antibodies from llamas and sharks as potential therapeutics for disease. Variable regions from these animals are smaller, which means they can penetrate tissues more effectively and survive harsher environments than human IgG. I am generating and characterizing antibody libraries with intent to improve the imaging and treatment of cancer.
Stephan DaRodda
darodda@wisc.edu
Dan Loeb Lab
Education:
UC Davis
Research:
I study Hepatitis B virus and the role of the envelope proteins in viral secretion by examing and comparing Duck Hepatis B virus to other Avihepadnaviruses, such as Snow goose Hepatitis B virus.
Siobhan Dietz
sdietz3@wisc.edu
Mathew Anderson Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry, Smith College, 2023
Research:
“I’m looking at population diversity within clinical Candida albicans infections via whole genome sequence, as well as what defines a commensal vs. a pathogen in C. albicans.”
Samuel Dettle
sdettle@wisc.edu
Igor Slukvin Lab
Education:
BS, Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Superior, May 2021
Research:
The Slukvin lab is focused on translational hematopoietic therapies ranging from cancer to HIV immunotherapies. My research is focused on improving the efficacy and quality of hematopoietic differentiation using bioinformatics and DOE to guide the optimization of HPs (hematopoietic progenitors).
Kim Edwards
kedwards22@wisc.edu
David Gamm Lab
Education:
Indiana University
Research:
Choroideremia (CHM) is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by progressive and irreversible vision loss as a result of degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE).
Billy Erazo
berazo@wisc.edu
Laura Knoll Lab
Education:
BS, Industrial Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico
Research:
Our lab studies the host/pathogen interaction of protozoan parasites, including Toxoplasmas gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, and T. gondii’s diarrhea-causing cousins Cryptosporidium parvum and Entamoeba histolytica. My research focuses on finding which host genes involved in cell death pathways affect the invasiveness of E. histolytica.
Abby Evered
aevered@wisc.edu
Tyler Ulland Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Minor in Chemistry, Oregon State University, June 2022
Research:
“My lab studies the innate immune response in Alzheimer’s Disease. More specifically, I work to characterize the roles various microbial metabolites play in neuroinflammation.”
Lauryn Flannagan
lflannagan@wisc.edu
Jeremy Kratz Lab
Education:
BS, Biological Sciences, Marquette University, 2022
Research:
“In the Kratz lab, we use patient derived organoid models to better understand resistance mechanisms in pancreatic and liver cancer. As well as optimize the administration of current therapeutics to improve quality of life for cancer patients. My project is focused on using CRISPR-Cas9 editing to monitor and study how tumors are able to evolve and gain resistance to current therapeutics.”
Julia Gambardella
gambardella2@wisc.edu
Marina Emborg Lab
Education:
Salve Regina University, RI
Research:
I am interested in the role of the neuronal protein tau in neurodegeneration. My research uses nonhuman primate models of disease, specifically an MPTP neurotoxin model of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and a MAPT R406W mutant model of frontotemporal dementia. I am currently mapping endogenous tau and phosphorylated tau distribution in the brains of healthy and diseased rhesus macaques using postmortem immunostaining methods and in vivo PET imaging.
Anqi Gao
agao9@wisc.edu
Huy Dinh Lab
Education:
BS, Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University,2017
Research:
My research in the Dinh lab focuses on studying the murine and human tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in melanoma and neuroblastoma using computational approaches. I am specifically interested in the myeloid response to various treatment regimens, with a focus on neutrophil heterogeneity.
Xiaoyue Gao
xgao276@wisc.edu
Lixin Rui Lab
Education:
BS, Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, June 2019, MS, Bioinformatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , MS, Bioinformatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research:
The major research focus of our lab is the molecular mechanisms of B-cell receptor and JAK-STAT signaling pathways and epigenetic enzymes, including protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), in lymphomagenesis. We employ a multidisciplinary approach, using biochemistry, RNA interference, genomic technologies (e.g., ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq), CRISPR/Cas9 and systems biology methods, to complete our research goal.
Adam Glawe
aglawe@wisc.edu
Nett Lab
Education:
BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009; MS, Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, 2016
Research:
In the Nett lab, we study the fungal pathogen Candida auris. We investigate numerous perspectives including pathology, colonization, and possible therapeutic opportunities.
Athena Golfinos
agolfinos@wisc.edu
Huy Dinh Lab
Education:
BS, 2017 Biology, UW Madison
Research:
My research is focused on assessing the translational value of various mouse models of head and neck cancer (HNC) compared to their clinical counterparts. I am also interested in using both model organisms as well as clinical samples to assess differences in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in different varieties of HNC.
Alena Hanson
ajhanson23@wisc.edu
Svaren Lab
Education:
BS, Neuroscience, Lawrence University, 2020
Research:
Regan Harmon
rlharmon2@wisc.edu
Deric Wheeler Lab
Education:
Research:
“I study AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase, and its role in the progression of Head and Neck cancer. I focus on AXL’s involvement in cetuximab resistance and its effect on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).”
Marienela Heredia
heredia3@wisc.edu
Laura Knoll Lab
Education:
John Jay College of Criminal Justice NYC
Research:
Our lab’s research is focused on understanding the complex host/pathogen interactions of human enteric parasites. My project centers around the parasitic amoebozoan, Entamoeba histolytica, which infects 10% of the global population and is the causative agent of amebiasis and amebic dysentery. My research entails developing and characterizing novel murine models of both commensal and pathogenic Entamoeba infection via oral challenge, with the goal of making possible the study of the entire Entamoeba life cycle in vivo.
Kyle Jancola
jancola@wisc.edu
Gaelen Hess Lab
Education:
BS, Biology- Molecular Biology Emphasis, Azusa Pacific University, May 2018
Research:
The Hess Lab leverages CRISPR/Cas9 screening technologies to answer biological questions that impact human health. Specifically, my research will characterize the impact single nucleotide polymorphisms have on therapeutic response and disease risk in relation to two genes involved in DNA repair: BRCA1, a commonly mutated gene in breast and ovarian cancer, and MSH2, a member of the DNA mismatch repair pathway, whose loss of function significantly increases cancer risk
Paul Kuehnert
pkuehnert@wisc.edu
Claire O’Leary Lab
Education:
BS, Biology and Chemistry- SUNY at Buffalo, May 2012
Research:
“We are focused on how rare cells, called tuft cells, in the single cell epithelial barrier lining the gastrointestinal tract coordinate defensive and protective responses to changing conditions, including microbial metabolites. We are also investigating the role of barrier function and the microbiome in inflammation in the biliary tract (gallbladder and bile ducts), an understudied tissue with constant exposure to high concentrations of bile acids, which have damaging detergent-like properties.”
Christopher Lee
cclee8@wisc.edu
David Evans Lab
Education:
BS, University of California, Los Angeles
Research:
“The Evans Lab is investigating lentiviral mechanisms for counteracting tetherin-mediated eradication of infected cells. My work centers on how neutrophils use antibody-mediated effector functions like ADCC and ADCP to eliminate HIV-infected cells, as well as on the role tetherin plays in upregulating these antibody-dependent immune functions.”
Sara Maloney
smmaloney4@wisc.edu
Adam Bailey Lab
Education:
BS, University of California, Riverside
Research:
Some of the research in the Bailey lab focuses on factors that lead to coagulopathy during viral hemorrhagic fever. My project aims to understand the mechanisms that upregulate and/or activate Tissue Factor during Ebolavirus infection and how that can result in coagulation abnormalities.
Gabrielle Mamlouk
mamlouk@wisc.edu
Okonkow Lab
Education:
BS, North Carolina State University, Integrative Physiology & Neurobiology, 2019
Research:The Okonkwo lab examines modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors linked to cognitive resilience in Alzheimer’s disease. I am focusing on health disparities in Alzheimer’s disease, including how sex interacts with modifiable lifestyle factors and genetic vulnerability as they relate to cognitive decline.
Ivy McDermott
imcdermott@wisc.edu
Nate Sandbo Lab
Education:
BS, Molecular/Cellular/Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder
Research:
I study the role of macrophages in the development of pulmonary fibrosis in mice treated with bleomycin and mice treated with a novel potential therapeutic. Our therapeutic targets fibronectin specifically, but some preliminary data demonstrates that there may be unintended consequences in immune cell numbers. I propose to investigate if macrophage numbers remain untrained following treatment and if the phenotype of these macrophages changes in treated mice compared to untreated mice.
Margot Miranda-Katz
mirandakata@wisc.edu
Jim Gern Research Group
Education:
BA, Biology, Colby College
Research:
In the Gern lab we study the interactions between host and viral pathogens that modulate the severity of respiratory illness as well as the role these infections play in the initiation and activation of asthma. My work focuses on the role of virally induced cell death pathways in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus related wheezing illness and asthma exacerbation.
Mallorie Mitchem
mamitchem@wisc.edu
Huttenlocher Lab
Education:
BS, Biology/Anthropology, Case Western Reserve University, 2020
Research:
“I study the molecular mechanisms that regulate neutrophil migration using zebrafish as a model organism. My focus is on the polarization of neutrophils during reverse migration and how human disease mutations may impact migration.”
Natalie Murren
murren@wisc.edu
Rebecca Richards Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry, University of Washington, March 2022
Research:
“In the Richards Lab we focus on developing and improving next-generation Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR T) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). My research focuses on investigating and manipulating the cytokine milieu in AML to improve CAR T-cell efficacy and reduce cytokine-related toxicity.”
Jenna Nagy
jnagy2@wisc.edu
Raunak Sinha Lab
Education:
Ohio State University
Research:
First, I propose to characterize the influence of synaptic and circuit mechanisms, such as presynaptic inhibition, on retinal circuit function. Second, I propose to characterize the influence of molecular factors, such as Synaptotagmin 17, on retinal circuit function and formation.
Adam Pagenkopf
apagenkopf@wisc.edu
Jacques Galipeau Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry, UW- La Crosse, May 2014
Research:
My research project will investigate the mechanism of action of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) as a cell therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. I will interrogate the immune interactions between MSCs, chemokine dyads, and macrophages. We plan to investigate inducible chemokine signaling interactions in culture-adapted marrow MSCs in vitro, then further validate these in a murine model of gut acute tissue injury.
Mireya Pimentel
mipimentel@wisc.edu
Brown Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 2023
Research:
“At the Brown Lab, we study transplant immunology and aim to model the immune system utilizing humanized mice.”
Jenna Port
jmport@wisc.edu
Zsuzsa Fabry Lab
Education:
Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, BS, 2023
Research:I study neuroinflammation and the peripheral lymphatic system during Multiple Sclerosis. I focus on the interactions between cribriform plate lymphatic endothelial cells and dendritic cells to see how this crosstalk effects dendritic cell trafficking to the cervical lymph nodes therefore impacting t-cell mediated immune response during multiple sclerosis.
Trent Prall
prall@wisc.edu
David O’Connor Lab
Education:
BS Genetics, UW Madison
Research:
Our research centers around the investigation of immune receptor gene families such as the Major Histocompatibility Complex and Leukocyte Receptor Complex. Immunogenetic regions exhibit high amounts of interhost and intrahost genetic diversity. Furthermore, the copy number variation within a single individual can vary substantially. This complex genomic architecture suffers from the challenges of short read assembly. Therefore, our understanding of the large-scale genetics of these regions is limited despite their importance in pathology.
Hunter Ries
hries@wisc.edu
Thomas Friedrich Lab
Education:
BS, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Research:
Work in the Friedrich Laboratory leverages deep sequencing to elucidate the evolutionary mechanisms shaping RNA virus emergence. I study viral genetic changes within and between hosts, and how these changes impact pathogenicity and transmissibility. We work closely with clinicians and public health officials to translate our findings and investigate real-world cases.
Kaetlyn Ryan
ktryan2@wisc.edu
Mostafa Zamanian Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry/Chemical Engineering/Human Biolgy, North Carolina State University
Research:
Our lab studies neglected tropical diseases caused by parasitic worms. My project focuses on developing assays and measuring specific phenotypes such as motility and protein secretion as proxies for drug response. This work involves a combination or wet lab and computational approaches that we hope will result in discoveries that improve diagnostics through the identification of specific protein markers of infection and that will further drug screening methods for anti-parasitic compounds.
Michael Sande
msande@wisc.edu
Ulland Lab
Education:
BS, Microbiology, University of Kansas, 2020
Research:
“Recent evidence has provided evidence implicating the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Part of my research in the Ulland lab will focus on utilizing approved FDA drugs to investigate how they may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in an AD model mouse.”
Kjell Sandstrom
ksandstrom2@wisc.edu
David Evans Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry, University of Minnestoa-Twin Cities
Research:
David Evans’ lab studies host-pathogen interactions in HIV and SIV infections. Specifically, I study the natural killer cell receptors KIR and NKG2/CD94, their engagement with MHC class-I ligands, and the effect of presented HIV/SIV peptides on receptor/ligand interactions.
Octavia Santis Larrain
santislarrai@wisc.edu
Tamplin Lab
Education:
BS, Biotechnology, Universidad Mayor, 2018
Research:
“At Tamplin’s lab, we study hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and their microenvironment. Due to the importance of these cells in treating many blood cancers and diseases, we are interested in understanding the biology and the interactions between HSCs and their supportive niche to help improve treatments. We use mice and zebrafish as complementary models to achieve our goal.”
Lauren Sarko
sarko@wisc.edu
Kris Saha Lab
Education:
BS, Biological Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Research:
The Saha Lab focuses on a wide variety of research topics with the goal to advance stem cell and gene therapies. My project specifically focuses on using novel non-viral Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR T) for the development of a senescence associated therapy to reduce Brain tissue dysfunction.
Erin Schaeffer
elschaeffer@wisc.edu
Giulio Tononi Lab
Education:
BS, Neuroscience, Brown University, 2017
Research:At the Center for Sleep and Consciousness, we study the mechanisms and functions of sleep as well as the neural substrates of consciousness
Amanda Schussman
schussman@wisc.edu
Muhammed Murtaza Lab
Education:
BS, Genetics, University of Wisconsin- Madison, May 2016
Research:
Our lab is interested in novel oncology diagnostics for detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patient plasma. My research is centered on the development of new testing methodologies to enrich the target ctDNA fragments prior to shallow Whole Genome Sequencing (sWGS) with an emphasis on pan-cancer biomarkers for both early detection and treatment management.
Phoenix Shepherd
pshepherd@wisc.edu
Robert Kirchdoerfer Lab
Education:
BS, Biology, UW Madison
Research:
Coronavirus entry into host cells relies heavily on the structural spike protein (S). The structural biology of S plays important roles in pathogenesis and immune-system recognition during infection. My work investigates the dynamic, structural, and immunoevasive functions of feline coronavirus S proteins to better understand viral disease.
Mason Shipley
mashipley@wisc.edu
Donna Neuman Lab(Twitter)
Education:
BS, University of Idaho
Research:
Our lab studies the epigenetic mechanisms regarding chromatin remodeling and insulator protein functions/interactions that regulate HSV-1’s latency and reactivation in neuronal cells. My work focuses on investigating the roles of the enhancer element located in the 5′ exon of the Latency Associated Transcript (LAT) during HSV-1 reactivation, and the effects this enhancer has on the non-canonical reactivation gene cascade with the intent of identifying new therapeutic targets that specifically treat viral reservoirs.
Melanie Staffenson
staffenson@wisc.edu
Eric Shusta Lab
Education:
BS, Biology, Minor in Neuroscience, University of Portland, May 2020
Research:
Our lab uses protein engineering and iPSC-derived BBB models to develop systems for targeted non-invasive drug delivery into the CNS.  Specifically, my project focuses on optimizing the retention and distribution of our novel lamprey VLR/immunogenic antigen complex, P1C10-H250, in glioblastoma (GBM) tumors.
Dawson Stroik
dpstroik@wisc.edu
Wei Guo Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023
Research:My main focus is on regulating the alternative splicing of myocardial proteins as a therapeutic approach for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Soniya Tamhankar
soniya.tamhankar@wisc.edu
Eric Shusta Lab
Education:
MS, Pennsylvania State University
Research:
Our lab is interested in developing in vitro models of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) that accurately mimic the in vivo characteristics of the BBB. An in vitro BBB model would enable the combinatorial screening of drug candidates and drug-targeting strategies, a process that is not amenable to an in vivo system.
Vaibhav Vemuganti
vvemuganti@wisc.edu
Federico Rey Lab
Education:
MS Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru Tech. University, India
Research:
My work revolves around using interdisciplinary techniques in unraveling nuanced features of complex biological systems involving the gut. Specific flora in gut communities was shown to posses varied propensity to alter alzheimer’s pathology for the better or worse, hence studying metabolic profiles of these gut communities might help in learning pathology through the lens of microbiology and identifying novel disease mitigating systems for therapeutic targets.
Benjamin Wancewicz
wancewicz@wisc.edu
Ying Ge Lab
Education:
BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UC Davis, 2014
Research:
My research focuses on understanding the metabolic dysfunction present in diabetic cardiomyopathy using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and proteomics.
Caelan Wright
ctwright@wisc.edu
Dey Lab
Education:
BS, Mol, Cell and Devo Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2022
Research:
Qianfan Yang
qyang259@wisc.edu
Bo Liu Lab
Education:
BS, Bio Sci-Bioinformatics, Hunter College of CUNY, June 2020
Research:
Our laboratory studies the human aortic aneurysms, a progressive weakening and dilation of aorta which is linked with depletion of smooth muscle cells, degradation of matrix proteins and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found in playing a role in these properties. I am particularly interested in cell communication by EVs and how this regulates disease stage and maintain homeostasis.
Szu-Tsen Yeh
syeh8@wisc.edu
Dhanansayan(Dhanu) Shanmuganayagam Lab
Education:
UC San Diego
Research:
I am currently working on the characterization of genome engineered Wisconsin Miniature Swines (WMS) that are developed for human compatible tissue or organs. We use novel strategies to achieve the classic triple knockouts in swine and are currently exploring knockin of different genes for better humanization of the tissues. I am helping the development of screening and monitoring protocol for pig-to-primate xenotransplantation as well as screening for previously unknown targets to prolong xenotransplantation-graft survival.
Qijun Zhang
qzhang333@wisc.edu
Federico Rey Lab
Education:
University of Science and Technology of China
Research:
My research focuses on integrating genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics by systems genetics approaches to understand complex traits and identify host genetic elements that control gut microbial functions and metabolism in genetically diverse mouse populations.