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LAB MEMBERS

AMY LEE, PH.D.

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Primary Investigator

Amy received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Virginia with Kevin Lynch working on adrenergic receptor localization in the brain. She developed an interest in Ca2+ channels during her postdoctoral training with Bill Catterall at the University of Washington. She is broadly interested in the structure/function relationships of Ca2+ channels and how their activity shapes neuronal function. Outside of the lab, Amy enjoys running, yoga, spending time with her family of musicians, and on occasion, breaking out her cello to join them.

JUAN DE LA ROSA VÁZQUEZ, PH.D.

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J. WESLEY MADDOX, PH.D.

Research Associate

Wesley received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University with Dr. Evanna Gleason. He identified a novel mechanism in which nitric oxide activates the calcium permeable transient receptor potential canonical 5 (TRPC5) channel, which leads to a calcium-dependent increase in evokedand spontaneous vesicular GABA release from retinal amacrine cells. His primary research interest is understanding how the retina processes visual signals from the environment prior to being sent to the brain for further processing and interpretation. Outside of the lab, Wesley enjoys spending time with his partner, exploring the outdoors, and watching movies.

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JUAN DE LA ROSA VAZQUEZ, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Juan received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry Sciences at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) in Mexico. Under the mentorship of Dr. Guillermo Avila, he characterized novel antagonistic effects of the isoindoline MDIMP on different Cav family members in a heterologous expression system. His current research interests include understanding the regulation of the Cav1.4 channel by pH, splice variation, and other modulatory influences, and the significance of this regulation for the transmission of visual information by retinal photoreceptors. Outside of the lab, Juan enjoys biking, watching anime series, cooking, and reading.

Jiaxin

JIAXIN SUN, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jiaxin received her Ph.D. in Physics at Syracuse University with Dr. Liviu Movileanu. She characterized a nanopore-based platform for examining protein complexes with their binding partners using single-channel electrophysiological recording techniques. Her current research interests include developing antibodies for specific calcium channel subunits and analyzing the roles of synaptic proteins at photoreceptor synapses. Outside of the lab, Jiaxin enjoys trekking, scuba diving, and exploring ancient civilizations.

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ANGEL ROBLES, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Angel received his Ph.D in Biological Sciences at the Institute of Neurobiology, UNAM in México. Under the mentorship of Dr. Fernando Peña, he described the beneficial and deleterious effects of a microtubule stabilizer in a model of tauopathy. He is currently interested in the role of Cav channels in neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in brain and retinal circuits. Outside the lab, Angel enjoys playing basketball, reading, hiking and trying new food places.

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WAI-LIN KAUNG, B.S.

Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate

Wai received his BS in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin. He has particular interests in the roles of Ca2+ sensors in regulating somatosensory and retinal function. Outside of the lab, he likes to compete in powerlifting competitions and enjoys rock climbing.

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CHRISTOF GAULT, B.S.

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate

Christof earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. He is currently involved in projects involving in vitro and in vivo electroretinography with a focus on mouse models of congenital stationary night blindness. Outside of the lab, Christof enjoys swimming, practicing piano, and traveling

Wilson

WILSON "JINGLANG" SUN

Undergraduate assistant

Wilson is working on his BS in Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. He has special interests in researching the properties of N-type Calcium ion channels and molecular mechanisms for retina cell regeneration. Outside of the lab, Wilson likes to mentor and research in his Freshmen Research Initiative lab, learning to make his own colognes, and spending time with friends and family.

Ayla

AYLA AMJAD

Undergraduate assistant

Ayla is working on her BS in Public Health at the University of Texas at Austin. She currently works on genotyping and mouse colony maintenance, and she is interested in researching the effects of Cav coupling to CaBPs on axonal regeneration. Outside of the lab, she likes to play the guitar and do various arts and crafts (painting, crocheting, embroidering, jewelry making).

Meredith

MEREDITH LINNELL

Undergraduate assistant

Meredith is working on her BS in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently working on maintenance of the mouse colonies and genotyping of the transgenic mice lines. Meredith is also interested in the mechanisms underlying the differing morphologies of ribbon synapses in rods versus cones. Outside of the lab, Meredith plays for the UTWNB Ultimate Frisbee team and enjoys baking, reading, and crocheting.

LAB ALUMNI

POSTDOCTORAL TRAINEES

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ANISHA MORING, Ph.D.

Director, Business Development, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

KUAI YU, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist,
Emory University

GUIYING CUI, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor,
Emory University

IRINA CALIN-JAGEMAN, Ph.D.

Professor,
Dominican University

FREDERICK GREGORY, Ph.D.

Branch Chief

U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratories

AKIRA INAGAKI, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor,
Nagoya University

CARL CHRISTEL, Ph.D.

Vice President,
US Operations at Sirion Biotech

KEITH BRYAN, Ph.D.

Senior Staff Scientist,
Integrated DNA Technologies

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VASILY KEROV, Ph.D.

Data Science Manager,
Advance Auto Parts

LIZ SCHOLL, Ph.D.

Manager, Global Information Management, Otsuka Pharmaceutical

TIAN YANG, Ph.D.

Director of Discovery Biology

Skylark Bio

EDGAR GARZA-LOPEZ, Ph.D.

Research Scientist
Vanderbilt University

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GREG ORDEMANN, Ph.D.

Research Engineering/Associate
The University of Texas at Austin

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Names and Current Positions

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Postdoc,
Duke University

ALYSSA TIPPENS, Ph.D.

WW Strategic Collaborations Strategy & Operations Lead at Bristol Myers Squibb

LISA KREINER, Ph.D.

Contract Scientific Editor,
American Journal Exports

MEAGAN JENKINS, Ph.D.

Medical Director, CH1 Consulting

KRISTIN KIM, M.S.

Dentist

SHI YI WANG, Ph.D.

JESSICA THOMAS, Ph.D.

BRITTANY WILLIAMS, Ph.D.

ANNETTE KLOMP

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Assistant Professor, Meharry Medical College

Scientist,
KBI Biopharma

Graduate student,
University of Iowa

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JOSUE LOPEZ, Ph.D.

Postdoc,
Scintillon Institute

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Names and Current Positions

DRAKE BOUZEK, M.D./Ph.D.

Pediatric Pulmonologist

Seattle Children's Hospital

GRANT STALKER, B.S.

NATALIA CARDONA, B.S.

Lead Engineer,
Arconic

MACKENZIE MCKNIGHT, M.D.

DANIEL SOH, D.D.S

Dental surgeon

MARKUS DREALAN, B.S.

JI-EUN CHOI, M.S.W.

Clinical Social Worker, Massachusetts General Hosipital

AMARIS MENDOZA, B.S.

MD student

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

ANNAMARIE YAMAMOTO, B.S.

Marketing Data Analyst, Blue Learning

KATE RANDALL, B.S.

PhD student

Oregon Health Sciences University

JORDAN BREFFLE, Ph.D.

Data Scientist

Scipher Medicine

SAMIKSHA ANNIRA, M.D.

Resident, OB/GYN

Nassau University Medical Center

Research Coordinator, University of Texas at Austin

PhD Program,
University of Minnesota

Resident, Washington University

ANGIE HUANG, B.S.

PhD student UT Southwestern 

CONSUELO ORNEJAS, B.S.

PhD student

Johns Hopkins University

RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Name and Current Position

XIAONI LIU, PH.D.

JUSSARA HAGEN, M.S.

Project Leader,
Boston Consulting Group

Senior Compliance Coordinator

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

HONG ZHOU, M.S., M.P.H.

Centers for Disease Control

LIZZY BAUCOM, B.S.

Natural Resource Specialist

University of Texas at Arlington

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