Lab Members

Esther Krook-Magnuson, PhD has a BA in Cognitive Science from UC Berkeley and a PhD in Neuroscience from Georgetown University. She completed her thesis work in the lab of Dr. Molly Huntsman, and completed her postdoctoral training at UC Irvine with Dr. Ivan Soltesz.  She joined the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota in December 2014.

Esther's Mentoring Statement can be found here.

Contact: EKrookMa@umn.edu

João Pedro Carvalho-Moreira holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Universidade Federal de São João del Rei (UFSJ - Brazil, 2021) and a PhD from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG - Brazil, 2025). He joined the lab at the end of August, 2025.  His research interests include electrophysiology, the development of low-cost technologies for neuroscience, programming, and data science. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing games, and visiting museums and parks. 

Madison Smith is the KMLab Manager and head technician.  She graduated from Carthage College in 2012 with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Psychology. After spending a few years outside of science working as a manager at a local restaurant, she joined the lab in March 2021. Outside of work, Madison enjoys making ceramics, spending time at her family cabin, and reading.  

Contact: smit6612@umn.edu or kmlab@umn.edu

Edmund Havener graduated with a BA in neuroscience from Pomona College in 2022, joining the KM lab in July of 2024 as a Researcher 1.   He loves mountains, rivers, forests, trees, climbing, biking, running, and reading. 

Kat Paige joined the KM lab in June 2023 as an undergraduate majoring in neuroscience with a minor in psychology. Outside of the lab, she played clarinet in the marching band.  She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and watching basketball.  
Kat was awarded a UROP for Spring 2025 to explore stimulation approaches targeting the fastigial nucleus in temporal lobe epilepsy, and graduated in May 2025.

Kat now continues in the KM lab as a Researcher 1.

Mackenzie Woods joined the KM lab during the Spring semester of 2025 and provides excellent assistance with lab work, primarily with colony management.

You?  If you are interested in pursing a postdoc in the KMlab, please email Esther at ekrookma@umn.edu

Lauren Glassburn received a BA in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in May 2018 and is now pursuing a PhD through the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. She joined the KM lab in July 2020 and is looking forward to learning slice electrophysiology. When she’s not in lab, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and hanging out with her pet bearded dragon, Beardo.  

Contact: glass233@umn.edu 

Shayne Hastings graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2018. She joined the KM lab in 2021 as a doctoral student in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. Her scientific interests include neuromodulation and brain circuit physiology. Shayne enjoys cross stitch, hiking with her friends, and relaxing with her cat Mowgli.  

Contact: hasti246@umn.edu 

Publications

Brandon Hoang joined the KM lab in 2024 as a doctoral student in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. He completed his B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science at the University of California, Riverside. During his undergraduate studies, Brandon worked with Dr. Michael Adams, Dr. Heyrim Cho, and Dr. Viji Santhakumar.  His research interests include neural activity decoding, predictive modeling of neural signals, neuromodulation techniques, epilepsy research and treatment, and brain circuit physiology.  In addition to his academic pursuits, Brandon enjoys weightlifting, playing poker, reading, and video games.

Brandon is co-mentored by Dr. Tay Netoff. 

Contact: hoang392@umn.edu 

Vienna Behnke joined the KM lab in 2025, after her  first-year student in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience.   She has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Psychology (Behavior Analysis) from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Prior to attending the University of Minnesota, she played professional soccer for eight years in Europe.  Her research goals focus on how the cerebellum contributes to nonmotor behavior and higher cognitive function. She intends to study the cerebellum’s structural and functional anatomy, its network connectivity, and its relationship to other brain structures such as the thalamus, striatum, and hippocampus. She is interested in characterizing optimal cerebellar function as well as dysfunction in disorders such as autism and epilepsy. 

You?  If you are interested in pursing a graduate degree in the KMlab, consider one of these great programs:

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience

UMN's Medical Science Training Program

UMN's BioMedical Engineering (BME)

Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics Graduate Program

Already a member of a graduate program at the University of Minnesota?  Reach out to Esther at ekrookma@umn.edu

Jacob Weiner joined the KM lab in March of 2021 as an undergraduate, and contributed to many research projects during his undergraduate time in the KMLab.  Jacob graduated from the U of M in May of 2023, and became a Post-Bac in the KM and Netoff Labs in June of 2023.  He started Medical School at U in 2024.   Outside of lab and clinical-related activites, he loves to cook, read, watch movies, spend time with friends, and spend as much time as possible outside before winter comes.  

Leeanne Vazquez-Ramirez joined UMN in June 2025 as a first-year MD/PhD student.  She did a summer rotation in the KM lab in 2025, and continues to help out with lab work as her schedule allows.  Leeanne graduated from the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. Before joining UMN, she completed post-baccalaureate research fellowships at Tufts University and the NIH, solidifying her interest in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders.  Outside of med school, she likes to catch up with family back home, dance, learn a new language, and expand her knowledge and skills of cosmetics. 

Mansha Haque joined the KMLab in September 2024 as a first-year MINDS postbaccalaureate scholar.  She graduated from St. Olaf College in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and spent the following year working with the Minnesota Epilepsy Group at Children's Hospitals MN and Abbott Northwestern Hospital as an EEG Technologist.  She is eager to dive deeper into neural networking and strengthen her knowledge base in neuroscience before pursuing a PhD program.  Outside of academics, she loves reading, trying out new food spots, and binge-watching TV.  

Michael Langeberg joined the KM lab in October 2024 as a junior at Hamline University. He is studying Neuroscience and on a pre-med track. In his free time, he enjoys experimenting with music, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.  

Pooja Muruganandan joined the KM lab in October 2024 as a rising sophomore. She is majoring in neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, and intends to pursue post-graduate education after graduation. Outside the lab, she likes to travel, watch soccer, and spend time with her friends and family.  

Paul Mroch joined the KM lab in June 2025 as a rising junior. He is majoring in Neuroscience and biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. Outside of the lab he enjoys hanging out with friends, hiking, and going for walks. 

Nokwanda Matse joined the KM lab in May of 2025 as a rising senior at Macalester College.  She is majoring in Neuroscience and Biology with minors in Data Science and Psychology. Outside of the lab she enjoys spending time outside, with her friends, listening to music and travelling.  

You?  If you are interested in contributing to the KMLab as an undergraduate researcher, complete this form.

Chris Krook-Magnuson has a M.S. in Applied Mathematics from Eindhoven University, NL. He provides extremely useful help with stats and programming.