This training program targets students with strong quantitative skills who are motivated to learn across the disciplines of neuroscience and engineering. MBM Research trainees are co-advised by two of our 12 core faculty (and sometimes guest faculty). Trainees incorporate some form of research on brain organoids or brain slices into their studies during their participation in the program.
Current Trainees
Our first cohort of trainees started Spring/Summer 2018. We began a second cohort in Spring 2020. Our third cohort began in Spring 2021, with two more joining that fall.
 | William Baker Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Third Cohort Advisors: Deborah Leckband, Hyunjoon Kong Research Topic: Modulating effects of extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by mesenchymal stem cells on neuronal cell activities, brain organoid assembly, and brain organoid-modulating muscle actuation |
 | Shannon Berneche Neuroscience Third Cohort Advisors: Jonathan Sweedler, Martha Gillette Research Topics: To measure brain chemistry concentrating on neuropeptides and hormones in small domains; time of day neurochemical changes in both cerebrospinal fluid and glymphatic fluid during various day/night stages. Learn More>> |
 | Meghan Connolly Psychology Fourth Cohort Advisors: Justin Rhodes, Taher Saif Research Topics: Neural-immune interactions, Neurogenesis, Glial biology, Neural plasticity, Glial interactions |
 | Taylor Jorgensen Neuroscience Third Cohort Advisors: Daniel Llano, Justin Rhodes Research Topic: Mechanisms underlying the interplay between the dynamics of astrocyte networks and the emergence of plasticity in hippocampal circuits Learn More>> |
 | Charles Marchini Bioengineering Third Cohort Advisors: Brad Sutton, Martha Gillette Research Topic: Implementation of MRI Perfusion Imaging Using a Partial Separability Method Learn More>> |
 | Samuel Okyem Chemistry Third Cohort Advisors: Jonathan Sweedler, Martha Gillette Research Topic: Unusual neurochemicals signaling systems related to D-amino acids in the brain Learn More >> |
 | Olawale Salaudeen Computer Science Third Cohort Advisors: Brad Sutton, Sanmi Koyejo Research Topics: Deep Learning, Transfer Learning (Domain Generalization), Causal Inference/Discovery, Probabilistic Graphical Models Learn More>> |
Alumni
As our trainees advance in their studies, we must be prepared for them to move on to the next phase of their careers. They may end their traineeship appointments, but they will continue to be alumni of the program.
 | Natalie Wai-Yee Aw MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2019 Advisors: Brad Sutton, Hyunjoon Kong Thesis: “Cerebrospinal fluid flow quantification in the brain using magnetic resonance imaging” Learn More >> |
 | Brian Baculis PhD in Neuroscience, 2021 Advisors: Hee Jung Chung, Gabi Popescu Dissertation: “Activity-Dependent Regulation of Girk And Kv7 Channels In Homeostatic Plasticity And Epilepsy” Learn More >> |
 | Sara Bell Chemistry Expected Graduation: 2023 Advisors: Jonathan Sweedler, Rashid Bashir Research Topic: Developing small-volume mass spectrometry-based approaches to characterize neurochemical dynamics in rodent and fish brains Learn More >> |
 | Lauren Gapinske PhD in Bioengineering, 2022 Technical Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific Advisors: Rashid Bashir, Hyunjoon Kong Dissertation: “Enhancing the Functionality and Applicability of Engineered Skeletal Muscle Tissue" Learn More >> |
 | Jennie Gardner Psychology Expected Graduation: 2024 Advisors: Justin Rhodes, Taher Saif Research Topic: Cognitive neuroscience: Effects of exercise on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognitive performance, specifically the relative contributions of muscle contractions versus acute neuronal activation of the hippocampus associated with physical activity Learn More >> |
 | Mikhail Kandel Electrical and Chemical Engineering PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2020 Software Engineer, Groq Inc. Advisors: Gabi Popescu, Martha Gillette Thesis: “Gradient Light Interference Microscopy For Imaging Strongly Scattering Samples” |
 | Collin Kaufman PhD in Neuroscience, 2021 Postdoctoral Associate, Alexey Terskikh's lab at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, San Diego Advisors: Martha Gillette, Rashid Bashir Dissertation: "Emergence Of Functional Neuromuscular Junctions In An Engineered, Multicellular Spinal Cord-Muscle Bioactuator" Learn More >> |
 | Jorge Maldonado De-Jesus Neuroscience Expected Graduation: 2023 Advisors: Gabi Popescu, Hee Jung Chung Research Topics: Imaging, brain plasticity, and molecular neuroscience Learn More >> |
 | Ryan Miller Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Advisors: Hyunjoon Kong, Hee Sun Han Research Topic: Exploring the extent that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive antioxidant crystal nullify ROS-induced neural stem cell senescence and senescence propagation (thermodynamics of drug-polymer interactions and implications on colloidal crystal assembly; roles of polymeric excipients on crystallization kinetics in drops; maintenance of intracellular ROS homeostasis pertaining to silver ion induced cardiac damage and aquatic toxicity, corneal inflammation, MSC and NSC senescence Learn More >> |
 | Shannon Murphy PhD in Chemistry, 2022 Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Advisors: Jonathan Sweedler, Martha Gillette Dissertation: "Analysis of small molecule neurotransmitters using capillary-electrophoresis mass spectrometry: applications for studying development and disease" Learn More >> |
 | Miles Norsworthy Cell & Developmental Biology Expected Graduation: 2023 Advisors: Martha Gillette, Gabriel Popescu Research Topic: Understanding how local signals shape the developing neuronal dendrite Learn More >> |
 | Gelson Pagán-Díaz Bioengineering PhD in Bioengineering, 2020 Chancellor's Fellowship, University of Texas, Austin Advisors: Rashid Bashir, Martha Gillette Dissertation: “Biofabrication Of Muscular and Neuronal In-Vitro Tissue For Multi-Cellular Engineered Living Systems” |
 | Karla Ramos Cruz MS in Bioengineering, 2021 Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Cook Medical Advisors: Martha Gillette, Rashid Bashir Research Topics: Neuroengineering Learn More >> |
 | Whitney Sinclair PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 2021 Advisors: Deborah Leckband, Hyunjoon Kong Dissertation: “Lung-on-a-Chip Device with In Situ Imaging Capabilities" |
 | Kathryn Sullivan PhD in Bioengineering, 2021 Technical Solutions Engineer, Epic Advisors: Hyunjoon Kong, Martha Gillette Dissertation: “Developing Disease-State Liver Models to Determine the Effects on Brain Function in vitro” Learn More >> |
 | Jennifer Walters PhD in Neuroscience, 2022 Advisors: Hee Jung Chung, Hyunjoon Kong Dissertation: “The Investigation Of The Genetic And Pharmacological Inhibition Of Striatal-Enriched Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (Step) And Its Role In Hippocampal Excitability And Seizure Propensity” Learn More >> |
 | Amanda Weiss Molecular and Cellular Biology Expected Graduation: 2023 Advisors: Martha Gillette, Hyunjoon Kong Research Topics: Brain organoid vascularization, growth factor guidance of neuronal growth Learn More >> |