Christi Gendron, Ph.D.

B.A.- Biology; University of Minnesota

Max Planck Demographics Research Technician

Ph.D.; Imperial College London

Post-Doc; Texas A&M University

Research Assistant Professor

Platform speaker, Drosophila Genetics Conference 2013

TED: The Science of Lifespan... 

gendronc@med.umich.edu

The focus of my research is to discern the mechanism by which environmental cues impact fly lifespan and physiology. While specific cues may be species specific, the neuronal pathways utilized are likely conserved across species. I am also interested in how the brain integrates the information from different environmental cues and whether certain cues use similar or different neuronal networks. 

David Paris

B.A.- Biology, Eastern Michigan University

Research Laboratory Specialist/Lab Manager

davidpar@med.umich.edu 

Responsible for laboratory productivity, including Drosophila food preparation, controlled climate maintenance, automation development and maintenance, inventory control, and various design & assembly related to assisting researchers with experimental methods. Recipient: 2021 Research Technical Staff Recognition Award. This award honors staff members for important contributions to the university’s research mission through exceptional performance and by going beyond the ordinary fulfillment of position duties.

Tatyana Fedina, Ph.D.

Research Lab Specialist Assoc 

tfedina@med.umich.edu

 I'm interested in sexual selection and evolution of life histories. While these topics have received substantial theoretical treatment, empirical progress so far has been mostly phenotypic studies at organismal and population levels. Insufficient effort has been made to gain mechanistic explanations of observed phenomena. Bridging the gap between evolutionary ecology and molecular physiology, we have recently discovered that insulin signaling within female body affects composition and sexual attractiveness of female cuticular pheromones via transcriptional regulation of genes encoding pheromone synthesis enzymes. My current work objective is to further dissect the molecular connections between insulin signaling and female attractiveness, and identify the role of this nutrient-sensing pathway in male reproductive physiology. 

Kristy Weaver, Ph.D.

Post-Doc

kjweaver@med.umich.edu

Evelynn (Evie) Henry

Ph.D. Candidate

eihenry@med.umich.edu

Rachel Rucker

B.A. Neuroscience & Chemistry, University of South Dakota

Ph.D. Candidate

raruck@med.umich.edu

My research focuses on the neuronal circuits that are responsible for homeostatic and hedonic feeding, which has implications in aging. Also, I plan to look at how certain neuronal receptors and how the circuitry involved in feeding are related to sleep. Previously, I received Neuroscience and Chemistry degrees from the University of South Dakota. 

Anibal Tornes Blanco

Ph.D. Candidate

atornes@med.umich.edu

I pursued my B.S. in Integrative Biology at the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras https://www.uprrp.edu/english/ followed by a short NIH-PREP at Case Western Reserve University before starting in the Biological Chemistry Ph.D program at UMich. 

My research is looking into defining the biochemical circuits and epigenetic memory of the Drosophila social interaction spectrum. I am interested in tackling these questions by designing and developing state-of-the-art methods that integrate bioinformatic approaches to establish metabolome profiles following distinct social interactions. 

Jane Kruskop

Ph.D. Candidate

kruskop@med.umich.edu

I received my B.S. in Neuroscience with honors from Brown University in 2020, where I studied genetic modifiers of neurodegenerative diseases in C. elegans. I then worked as a research tech for two years at Massachusetts General Hospital before joining the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UMich.

My research investigates the physiological and neurological circuits and mechanisms of gentle touch in Drosophila, specifically in the context of aging and longevity. 

Tahrim Choudhury

B.S. Neuroscience, University of Michigan

Ph.D. Candidate

ctahrim@umich.edu

I received my Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with honors from the University of Michigan and completed the NIH-PREP program here as well. I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

I study the neuronal mechanisms underlying metabolism, aging, and social interaction in fruit flies. Specifically, I observe how manipulating brain insulin in flies influences their social behaviors across lifespan.

Megan Moran

B.A. in Psychology, B.S. in Mathematics

Ph.D. Candidate

moranmeg@med.umich.edu 

I received a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Mathematics from Anderson University (IN) in 2022. At Anderson, I completed clinical and survey-based research on Parkinson’s disease as well as mathematical research on polynomial root sequences and Rolle’s Theorem. I then completed a one year post-bac position as a research coordinator at the Clinical & Cognitive Neuroscience Center at Indiana University under Drs. Hetrick and Wisner before joining the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Michigan in the Fall of 2023.