Authors

Lindsay Ejoh graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Neuroscience in 2020, where she conducted a variety of research projects including the relationship between musical ability and second-language learning, protein aggregate formation in ALS, and disorders of the gut’s nervous system. Her primary research interests include pain neurobiology, and the gut-brain axis. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys singing, playing guitar and piano, and reading.

Catrina is a Neuroscience PhD student in Dr. Nicole Rust’s lab at UPenn. She is broadly interested in the neural correlates of cognitive processes and is currently studying how we remember what we see. When she’s not in the lab she enjoys reading, playing the viola, and playing games with friends. You can read more about her work on her personal website: catrinahacker.com. Catrina co-leads our ongoing collaboration with the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society blog.

Sophie is an MD-PhD student at Penn in the lab of Dr. Ethan Goldberg, where she studies the role of interneurons in neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition to neuroscience, she enjoys creative writing, ambitious projects in the kitchen, exploring the different Philly neighborhoods, and runs along the Schuylkill river. Sophie co-leads our ongoing collaboration with the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society blog.

Marissa is a Neuroscience PhD student in Erica Korb’s lab at Penn. She studies how epigenetic modifications in the brain impact neuronal function and how dysregulation of these modifications can lead to disease. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, walking with her dog Linus, and caring for her plants.

Serena is a Neuroscience PhD student at Penn interested in the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease. She is also curious about how neurons can regrow following neurodegeneration or injury. When not in the lab, Serena loves anything that will allow her to explore the outdoors. She also enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen and honing in her creative side through painting.

Joe is a 2^nd year Neuroscience PhD student at Penn broadly interested in sleep and systems neuroscience. He has a particular interest in the neural mechanisms regulating transitions between sleep states and wakefulness. When not in lab he enjoys rock climbing, reading science fiction, and hanging out with his cat Lux.

Julia is a Neuroscience PhD student in Dr. Erika Holzbaur’s lab. Her work focuses on identifying the consequences that damaged mitochondria (the powerhouses of the cell) have on the function of astrocytes, a type of cell found in the brain. Outside of lab, she plays and coaches ice hockey and makes lots of mugs at pottery. 

Margaret is a first-year NGG student interested in using neuroimaging to study the basis of psychiatric disorders. She can often be found in coffee shops, listening to comedy/paranormal podcasts, or doting on her dog, Sasquatch. 

Kara is a Neuroscience PhD student in Josh Gold’s lab at Penn. She studies how uncertainty and instability affect decision-making behavior and neural activity. Outside of research, Kara enjoys cooking with friends, yoga, and exploring with her dog, Mo.

Barnes is a Neuroscience PhD student at Penn, studying in the lab of Dr. Nicole Rust. His work focuses on understanding how the brain remembers the things we have seen. In addition to his love for learning, Barnes enjoys spending his time at the climbing gym or at a game night. 

Lisa Wooldridge is a Penn Neuroscience PhD student in the lab of Dr. Gregory Corder. Her work examines how opioid dependence interacts with the neural systems for pain. When she’s not in the lab, Lisa can be found singing early music with the Penn Collegium and the choir of St. Mary’s @ Penn, or spoiling her cat (Rosie) and her nieces (Scarlett and Ivy).

Omer is a PhD student at Penn with a background in how the brain regulates social behavior and competition. Outside of lab, Omer enjoys gardening, sci-fi, and biking along the Schuylkill river.

Andrew is a first-year PhD student in NGG at Penn. He is broadly interested in circadian rhythms, sleep, the gut-brain axis, innate behaviors, neuroimmunology, and neurodegeneration. Beyond the lab, you can find him in the kitchen cooking, tending to his various plants, rollerblading and longboarding, and hanging out with his dog, Bruno. 

Stephen is a first year neuroscience PhD student broadly interested in translational neuroscience with a focus on Alzheimer’s, communication between the gut and brain, and psychedelics.  After obtaining his BA in neuroscience from Hamilton College in 2020, he completed a postbac research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.  When not in the lab, Stephen is likely outside engaging in various activities like hiking, skiing, and backpacking, or can be found brewing his next beer.

Joseph is a PhD Candidate in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy. His lab work involves understanding how a class of brain cells called astrocytes contribute to diseases like Multiple Sclerosis. Outside of science, he enjoys playing his guitar and collecting music, as well as being out in nature with activities like camping and hiking.

Abby is a Neuroscience PhD student at Penn interested in studying how different regions of our brain are used to perform the same action depending on our internal state (e.g. whether we are hungry, thirsty, sleepy, lonely, happy etc.). When she’s not in lab, you can find Abby doing yoga, cooking new recipes, exploring Philly, or squealing over cute animals.

Jake is a Neuroscience PhD student who studies how people efficiently use limited mental resources to make decisions. A DC area native, he obtained a B.S. in Neuroscience from New York University, then spent four years as a post-baccalaureate research fellow at the NIH before coming to Penn. In his free time, Jake enjoys Olympic-style weightlifting, photography, making coffee, science outreach, and learning new things.

Jafar is a 3^rd year Neuroscience PhD student at Penn who is broadly interested in the neural mechanisms of learning and decision making. He is particularly interested in electrophysiology and developing computational models of the brain. When he’s not in the lab, Jafar spends free time at the gym, biking, or playing pool.