LAB MEMBERS
AMY LEE, PH.D.
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 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.
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.
LUCAS MILLER, PH.D.
RESA IV
Lucas received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Under the mentorship of Dr. Lydia Contreras, Lucas characterized the molecular interactions that facilitate post-transcriptional gene regulation of chemically modified RNAs using both in vitro binding affinity quantification and computational biophysics techniques. His current research interests include identifying the molecular mechanisms of calcium channel trafficking in photoreceptors and profiling gene expression in a variety of retinal cell types and disease states. In his free time, Lucas enjoys cooking, playing with his dog, and exercizing.
VALERIE BALOG, B.A.
PhD Student
Co-advised by Dr. Nace Golding
Valerie is a graduate student in INP and holds a B.A. in Neuroscience and in Science and Technology Studies from Wesleyan University. She is interested in multisensory integration in the auditory system. Outside of the lab, she enjoys gardening, poetry, and learning violin pieces on the mandolin.
MEREDITH LINNELL, B.S.
Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate,
Lab Manager
Meredith earned their BS in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin. They are interested in the regulation of ion channels by Ca²⁺-Binding Proteins in the context of disease in the retina and mechanosensory systems. Outside the lab, Meredith enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, spending time with their cats, and volunteering at the local children's hospital.
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ARYAN PILLAI, B.S.
Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate
Aryan is a working as a post-bacc in the lab after earning his degree in neuroscience from the University of Texas. He is interested using patch clamp electrophysiology to research the properties of HCN channels in the retina. Outside of the lab, he likes video games and football.
KIERRA HOWARD, B.S.
Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate
Kierra is a research assistant and holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin. She is interested in the functional roles and molecular organization of ion channels in the retina. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing video games and making video edits of her favorite memories.
ISABELLA NATIONS
Undergraduate Student
Isabella is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin. She is interested in understanding how calcium-binding proteins regulate ion channels and contribute to sensory processing, particularly mechanosensation. In the lab, she is involved in mouse colony maintenance, genotyping, and assisting with ongoing experiments. Outside of the lab, Isabella enjoys music and spending time outdoors, especially running and hiking.
SACHI DODAMANI
Undergraduate Student
Sachi is a sophomore undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience. She is currently involved in mouse colony maintenance and genotyping.
NITHIN MANIVASAGAM
Undergraduate Student
Nithin is a sophomore undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience. He is currently involved in mouse colony maintenance and genotyping.
LAB ALUMNI
POSTDOCTORAL TRAINEES
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
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
Skylark Bio
EDGAR GARZA
-LOPEZ, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Vanderbilt University
GREG ORDEMANN, Ph.D.
Research Engineering/Associate
The University of Texas at Austin
J.WESLEY MADDOX, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
SUNY Upstate
Medical University
JIAXIN SUN, Ph.D.
Microbiologist
Nivagen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Names and Current Positions
ALYSSA TIPPENS,
Ph.D.
Director, Global Market Access and Pricing Strategy, Bristol Myers Squibb
LISA KREINER, Ph.D.
Contract Scientific Editor,
American Journal Exports
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MEAGAN JENKINS,
Ph.D.
Senior Director, Medical Strategy, CH1 Consulting
KRISTIN KIM, M.S., D.M.D.
Resident, Univ. Iowa College of Dentistry
SHI YI WANG, Ph.D.
Postdoc,
Duke University
JESSICA THOMAS,
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Meharry Medical College
BRITTANY WILLIAMS,
Ph.D.
Scientist,
KBI Biopharma
ANNETTE KLOMP
Graduate student,
University of Iowa
JOSUE LOPEZ, Ph.D.
Postdoc,
Scintillon Institute
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Names and Current Positions
DRAKE BOUZEK,
M.D./Ph.D.
Pediatric Pulmonologist
University of Iowa
GRANT STALKER, B.S.
MD student
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
ANNAMARIE YAMAMOTO,
B.S.
Marketing Data Analyst, Blue Learning
ANGIE HUANG, B.S.
PhD student
UT Southwestern
WAI-LIN KAUNG, B.S.
PhD student
UT Austin
NATALIA CARDONA,
B.S.
Lead Engineer,
Arconic
MACKENZIE MCKNIGHT,
M.D.
Resident, Washington University
KATE RANDALL, B.S.
PhD student
Oregon Health
Sciences University
CONSUELO ORNEJAS,
B.S.
PhD student
Johns Hopkins University
AYLA AMJAD, B.S.
Medical Assistant
DANIEL SOH, D.D.S
Dental surgeon
MARKUS DREALAN,
B.S.
PhD Program,
University of Minnesota
JORDAN BREFFLE,
Ph.D.
Data Scientist
Scipher Medicine
WILSON SUN, B.S.
PhD student
UC Berkeley
LEYLI AKHMEDOV,
B.S.A.
Medical Assistant
JI-EUN CHOI, M.S.W.
Clinical Social Worker, Massachusetts General Hospital
AMARIS MENDOZA,
B.S.
Research Coordinator,
University of Texas
SAMIKSHA ANNIRA,
M.D.
Resident, OB/GYN
Nassau University
Medical Center
CHRISTOF GAULT, B.S.
MD/PhD student
UTMB
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Name and Current Position
XIAONI LIU, PH.D.
Project Leader,
Boston Consulting Group
JUSSARA HAGEN, M.S.
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