Former Lab Members

 Bethany Stieve graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Neurobiology.  She joined the KM lab in June of 2018 to purse her PhD in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, and became Dr. Stieve May 26, 2022.   After doing a short postdoc in the KMLab, she joined the labs of Andrew Knox and Aaron Struck at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a postdoc at the end of 2022.  Bethany enjoys hiking, camping, and going to concerts.  

Publications

Zach Zeidler received a BA in Neuroscience from Colorado College and his PhD in Neuroscience with a minor in Neuroengineering through the University of Minnesota August 2020. He joined the KM lab in March of 2015.  Zach particularly enjoyed the lab pranks whenever Esther was out of town.  He is now a postdoc in the lab of Laura DeNardo at UCLA.

Publications

 Zoé Christenson Wick received her PhD in the K-M lab through the Graduate Program for Neuroscience in August 2019.  Dr. Christenson Wick received a BA in Psychology and a concentration in Neuroscience from St. Olaf College.  Zoé joined the KM lab in March of 2015.  When not in the lab, she liked to explore Minnesota with her camera, drink lots of coffee, read, and talk to her cats.  She is currently a postdoc in the lab of Tristan Shuman at Mt. Sinai.

Publications

www.zoechristensonwickphd.com 

Madison (Madi) Tetzlaff joined the KM Lab as a UMN undergraduate student pursuing a dual B.S. in Neuroscience and Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, with a minor in Philosophy in March 2018, to learn basic neuroscience research practices.  She graduated in 2020, and started full time work in the lab as a Researcher 1 PostBac.  She aspires to someday work at the intersection of research, medicine, and education as a physician-scientist, and will be joining the MSTProgram at UC Irvine Fall 2021.  Check out Madi's work on LINCs here.

Benjamin Kottke graduated from Luther College in 2020 with a BA in Biology and Spanish. He joined the KM lab in June of 2021 after spending a year working various part term jobs and completing several classes, and started in the Ebner lab in June of 2023. In addition to helping manage the lab, during his time in the KM lab, Ben learned how to measure tremor in a mouse model of SCA, how to use DeepLabCut, and how to perform in vivo widefield calcium imaging.  In his free time, Ben enjoys playing and watching soccer, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and anything that involves puzzles.  

Martha Streng, PhD has a BA in Neuroscience from Mount Holyoke College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. She joined the KM lab in August 2017, and started her own independent lab as a tenure track Assistant Professor in Nov of 2023.

Contact: stren021@umn.edu

Publications

Thomas Richner, PhD has a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, a BS in Mathematics from Northland College, and  PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He did postdoctoral training at the University of Washington in the labs of Chet Moritz and Adrienne Fairhall, prior to joining the KM lab and Netoff lab in September 2017.  In September 2019, he started a new position as an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, working with Dr. Kai Miller, at Mayo.  In March 2021, he transitioned to working with Brian Lundstrom and Greg Worrell.

Publications

Angela Nietz, PhD  received her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and when not in lab, she likes to hang out with her nephew. She also enjoys singing, playing the piano, and playing with her cats. She joined the KM lab in October 2017 and transitioned to the lab of Tim Ebner in March 2018.

Publications 

Wilson Yu, PhD has a BSc and MSc in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto and a PhD from Albany Medical College. In June 2015, he joined the K-M lab as a postdoctoral fellow to continue his research investigating seizure mechanisms in order to develop improved neuromodulatory therapies for epilepsy. He left the KM lab in May 2017 to pursue consulting and project management in Canada.  He currently does health resource analysis and project management at Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario). 

Publications

Isaac Hoff graduated from the U of M in 2012 with a BS in Psychology. After working as a lab assistant for a few years outside of academia, he joined the KM Lab in June 2017.  He kept the lab running excellently, and pitched in with various experimental needs until July 2021.  Outside work, he loves playing sitar, listening to records, hiking, and relaxing with his cats and chinchillas.

Caara Leintz is a graduate of St. Olaf College with Bachelors’ degrees in Chemistry and Spanish. Previously to joining the KM lab in 2015 she had over two years of experience in a microbiology laboratory. In addition to her lab responsibilities maintaining the mouse colony and lab supplies, Caara was involved in several projects in the lab and performed surgeries, processed tissue, and supervised some undergraduate students. She left the KM lab in August 2017 to pursue her Master's degree at St. Catherine's University in the Physician Assistant Program.

Clarke Sauve graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a BS in Biology and a minor in Marine Biology. They joined the KM lab in May 2018. In their free time, they enjoy reading, taking care of their aquatic turtle and continuing their education by taking classes at the U. Clarke moved to the lab of Peter Igarashi at the U of M in March 2019.

Katie Ostroviak graduated from University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 2022 with her B.S. of Psychology. She joined the KM lab in July 2022, promptly after completing her undergraduate studies. Katie enjoys concerts, traveling and playing with her husky, Hazel.   Katie departed the KM lab in Dec 2022.

Alex Ismail was part of the KM lab in from May 2023 through December 2023 as a senior studying neuroscience at Macalester College looking to attend medical school after graduating in 2024. In his free time, Alex takes great interest in sports with a particular connection to the Minnesota Vikings, in addition to cooking, listening to a variety of music, and spending time with his dog. 

Jessica Sanchez was an undergraduate studying psychology with a minor in neuroscience.  She worked in the KM Lab in the Fall semester of 2023.  In her free time she likes to read and take long drives and listen to very randomly specific Spotify playlists.  

Josh Atilade was a member of the KM Lab Fall of 2023, while majoring in Biology, Society, and the Environment.  In his free time, he loves spending time in his church, being around family, learning music, and watching sports. 

Samuel J. Phillip joined the KM lab in October 2021. He majored in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota and graduated in May of 2023.  In the future, he plans on attending medical school or a neuroscience graduate program. Outside of his studies, Sam enjoys sports, theater, movies, chess, and yoyoing.

Linh Luong joined the lab fall of 2021 as a first year Masters student at the U, and continued until Summer of 2023.  She immigrated to America when she was 10, and lived in Wisconsin.  She studied Neuroscience and Anthropology at Luther College.  Her undergraduate projects included ground penetrating radar Archaeology and Corvid Cognition. She is interested in both Neuroscience and Bioengineering, and investigated the cerebellum, epilepsy, and circadian rhythms while in the KMLab.  Linh enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, and painting!

Laurel Schuck joined the KM lab in March 2021 as a sophomore at the University of Minnesota pursuing a degree in neuroscience in the honors program with minors in psychology and French.  She graduated from the U of M and the KMLab in May of 2023.  As part of her time in the KM lab, Laurel completed her Honors Thesis, examining the impact of optogenetic activation of cerebellar Purkinje cells on the CA3 region of the hippocampus.  She plans to attend medical school and continue research through a career as a neurologist. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, yoga, sewing, and spending time with friends.

Claire McDonald is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, with interests in neuroscience research and science communication. She participated in research in the KM Lab from December 2022 until the summer of 2023. Outside of her studies, she enjoys swimming at the lake, teaching her dog tricks, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.

Joscelyn Miller was a member of the KM lab June - Dec 2022, as a senior at the University of Minnesota studying neuroscience. After she graduates she plans to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. Outside of her studies she enjoys cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her cat.

Misk Khalif was in the KM lab in during the summer of 2022, while a rising junior at Harvard College.  She is pursuing a major in Neuroscience and a secondary in Economics. Following graduation, Misk plans to attend medical school and, ultimately, become a physician. In her free time, she enjoys running, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and painting. 

Emily Jacobson graduated from the University of Minnesota , Spring 2022, with her Bachelors of Science in Biology, and continued her education in the field of dentistry.   Emily joined the KM lab in Sept 2021, as part of UMN's CBS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities program. Emily left the KM lab in the Summer of 2022 to study dentistry.

Jack Redeppening was part of the KM lab from March of 2021 through Spring 2022.  He plans to major in physics and minor in computer science and neuroscience. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Jack is considering getting a PhD in physics/astrophysics. In his free time he likes to read, is a huge star wars fan and likes to consume all types of star wars media, loves spending time with animals and rock climbing. 

Yeritzah Ayala plans on majoring in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota, graduating Spring 2022.  In the future, she plans on attending medical school and hopes to become a neurologist. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Marvel movies, or playing soccer.  Yertizah joined the KM lab in Sept 2021, as part of UMN's CBS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities program.   She was part of the KMLab for both Fall and Spring semesters of the 2021-2022 school year.

Jane Yap volunteered in the KM lab from January of 2019 - May 2021 as a University of Minnesota undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Public Health.  She graduated in 2021.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, trying new foods, painting, playing with dogs, and binge-watching Parks and Recreation or The Office.  Jane plans to pursue a career in medicine and research.

Kayla Togneri joined the KM in January 2020.  She is from southern California and is a Macalester undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience and Biology with a minor in Spanish. Kayla is also on the Macalester basketball and soccer teams, and loves sports. Outside of school and sports, she also enjoys baking, traveling, and playing with her golden retriever whenever she is home on breaks!   Kayla finished in the KMLab in August 2021, and started a Fulbright in Peru studying neurocysticercosis.

Thai Loyd was part of the KM lab from March 2021 - August 2021 as a University of Minnesota PSEO student.  He  plans on majoring in neuroscience and economics at Loyola University Chicago. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career as a psychiatrist and get involved in neuroethics research. During his free time, he enjoys writing science fiction short stories, reading, and growing his bonsai tree. 

Madeline Marker started volunteering with the KM lab in September 2020.  She graduated from Carleton College with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience.  She starts at the University of Minnesota's Medical School Fall 2021.  In her free time, she enjoys working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.  

Teighan Thompson volunteered while an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Spanish, starting in the KMlab Summer 2020, and given remote learning during COVID, continuing Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2021.  After completing her undergraduate studies in Dec 2020, Teighan plans to continue her studies in medical school. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, writing, cooking with her family, and playing with her dogs. 

Ayan Sheikdon volunteered remotely in the K-M lab during the Fall of 2020.  After graduation, Ayan hopes to pursue a dual MD/MS degree.  Outside of school and lab, she likes to play soccer with her siblings and practice playing the clarinet. 

 Divya Sivaraman is current UMN undergrad student pursuing a B.S in Biology. She provided excellent colony management support for the KM lab between June 2019 until March 2020. She enjoys going for walks, hanging out with her dog, trying out video games, and spending time with friends.

Dylan Livingston joined the KM lab in March of 2019 as a University of Minnesota Junior majoring in Biology, with minors in Public Health and Neuroscience, and graduated in Spring 2020.  Outside of lab he enjoys fishing, reading, playing video games, and most importantly spending time with friends. Dylan hopes to continue learning about physiological processes during medical school.

Sami Mitchell started doing research in the Krook-Magnuson Lab as a freshman in April of 2017 and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience in 2020.  She loves to sing, read, watch movies, and hike and rock climb when she has the chance.

Shine Chin started participating in research in the KM lab Spring 2020, as a senior neuroscience major at Macalester College, and continued in the lab (remotely) after graduation during the summer of 2020. Outside of lab, she enjoys writing and exploring the world. 

Casey Xamonthiene graduated in Fall 2015 with a BA in Psychology and a BS in Neuroscience.  He joined the KM lab in May of 2015 and worked as a part time Research Assistant until Fall 2018.  In his free time, he likes to watch movies with friends and venture to a variety of restaurants.

Zach Montes graduated from Carleton College in June 2017 with a B.A. in Cognitive Science and a Concentration in Neuroscience. He was a member of the KM lab from July 2017 -- June 2018.  While in the lab, Zach Montes worked on a variety of projects, and provided excellent support with behavioral testing.  Outside the lab he enjoyed rugby, reading, and geeking out about Game of Thrones.

Jennifer Chmura was a Researcher I in the KM Lab from August 2016 - 2018.  

Maud Prineas received a B.A. in biology from Carleton College.  She worked in KM Lab from June 2017 - May 2018, performing rodent stereotaxic surgeries.

Shane Allen (St. Olaf College '14) was a programmer in the KM lab April 2015 - summer 2017.  When he wasn't Matlabbing for the KM lab, Shane could be found walking dogs, building websites, dancing lindy hop, playing music, or reading pulpy science fiction.  

Sam McConnell graduated from Grinnell College in 2017 with a BA in Biological Chemistry and a concentration in Neuroscience.  Sam joined the KM lab as a part-time employee in June 2017 and shortly thereafter took a full-time positing in Linda McLoon's lab at the U. Apart from science, Sam enjoys rock climbing, reading, and learning foreign languages. 

Hannah Springer worked as a Junior Scientist in 2015-2016. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College with a BA in biology. In 2013, she participated in the University of Minnesota’s Life Sciences Summer Research Program, where she worked in a lab focused on neuropathic pain processing. She also has 2 years of medical experience from working in veterinary clinics during her time at St. Olaf. She was involved with tissue processing and animal surgery.

Julia Klein graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience in 2019. She joined the lab in August of 2017. Outside the lab, Julia enjoyed volunteering at Children’s Hospital, reading, drinking tea, and ballet dancing.   While in the lab, Julia completed a project exploring the ability of mice lacking the GABA(A)alpha1 subunit in Purkinje cells to do the accelerating rotarod task; a preprint describing this and other work can be found here.  Julia will start at the University of Minnesota's Medical School in the Fall of 2021.

Emily Hackerson studied genetics, cell biology, and development with a minor in health psychology at the University of Minnesota. She was a member of the K-M lab between March 2018 and August 2019, and enjoyed being able to experience the techniques she learned about in class first hand. Her goal and dream is to become a pediatrician and empower young people to understand the complexities of their health. Her hobbies include photography, reading, golf, and musical theater.

Shabad Washist graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology in May 2019. Shabad joined the KM lab in March of 2018. Outside of lab, he enjoyed listening to and making music, exploring, and relaxing on his hammock. 

Bayla Breningstall graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in Physiology and minor in Neuroscience in May 2019. She joined the KM lab in August 2018, where she assisted with tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, optic fiber preparation, and seizure analysis. She looks forward to grad school and a career in  research. Aside from neuroscience, she enjoys bouldering, eating peanut butter, and occasionally attempting guitar.

Brandon McCollam plans to major in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Health. He volunteered in the Krook-Magnuson Lab from May 2017 - Oct 2018, and helped organize the 2017 KM lab baked goods fund raiser for the Epilepsy Foundation's  Rise Above Seizure Walk. He enjoys hiking, going to concerts, and reading fiction.

Mikaela Brandt-Fontaine is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in English literature at the University of Minnesota. She was part of the Krook-Magnuson Lab from January 2016 until summer 2018. She enjoys reading, writing, cleaning the lab and spending time with Kat. She plans to pursue a career in medicine after graduating.

Kalista Vang is pursuing a Neuroscience B.S. at the University of Minnesota. She volunteered in the Krook-Magnuson Lab in Spring semester of 2018. She loves to cook, play viola, drink tea, and spend time with her brothers.

Bin Huang graduated from UMN in 2018 with a BS in Neuroscience through the College of Biological Sciences and Public Health Minor. He volunteered in the Krook-Magnuson lab from April of 2015 until his graduation in Fall 2018.  Bin did his honor's thesis in the KM Lab, and started at the University of Minnesota's Medical School in 2019.

Katerina Hoffman was an undergraduate research volunteer in the KM lab from 2016 - 2018, as she pursued her Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology.  She will be starting PA school Fall 2021.

Yaroslav Pochinka graduate from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience in 2018.  He joined the KM lab in September 2016 as a volunteer researcher and completed his honors thesis in the lab.  He will begin medical school at the University of Minnesota in the Fall of 2021.

Samuel Nelson was a research volunteer in the KM lab Fall of 2016 to gain hands on research experience and learn more about neuroscience. In his free time, Sam can be found playing piano, bass guitar, listening to music, or beat boxing randomly.

 Joshua Cadavez worked in the KM lab as a volunteer researcher from February 2016 through December 2016. During this time he helped advance custom Matlab software to analyze seizures.  In his free time, Joshua likes to try various activities like watching older movies, playing the piano, or attempting animation such as Lego stop-motion.

Anmol Jaguste, as a University of Minnesota undergraduate student pursuing a bachelors in biomedical engineering, volunteered in the KM lab as a researcher from August 2015 through 2016. He is always ready to play ping pong or go on a bike ride.

Joey Mathew, as a sophomore at the University of Minnesota pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, was a volunteer researcher in the KM lab in 2016. In his free time he enjoys running, hiking, and eating all kinds of different foods.

Brianna Gasterland was a visiting summer volunteer in the KM lab while a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biopsychology at Liberty University.  In her free time she enjoys figure skating, and she is currently a captain of Liberty's synchronized skating team.

Frank Valdes worked in the KM-lab during the summer of 2015 through the LSSURP summer research program.

Isabelle Febvre assisted in research in the Krook-Magnuson lab during the summer of 2015 through an internship program sponsored by Colorado College. 

Sean Sakry volunteered in the K-M lab between February 2019 and February 2020.  Sean has a degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota - Duluth.