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Principal Investigator:
Principal Investigator:
Peter K. Todd, M.D., Ph.D.
Peter K. Todd, M.D., Ph.D.
email: petertod_at_med.umich.edu
Peter is the Chester and Anne Sackett Endowed Professor of Neurology and the Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Neurology. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego and then entered the Medical Science Training Program at the University of Wisconsin, where he completed his doctorate and medical degree. His Ph.D research focused on synaptic defects in Fragile X Syndrome, a common inherited cause of cognitive impairment in children. He completed a neurology residency at the University of Pennsylvania where he did research with Dr J. Paul Taylor. He came to Michigan in 2008 as an American Academy of Neurology clinical research fellow and trained in the laboratory of Henry L. Paulson, M.D., Ph.D while getting clinical training in movement disorders and neurogenetics. Dr. Todd Joined the Michigan faculty in 2010. When he is not in the lab, Dr Todd sees adult patients with Fragile X-associated disorders (Fragile X Syndrome, FXTAS, FXPOI) and Cerebellar Ataxia at the University of Michigan. He also sees patients with movement disorders at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. Peter spends his free time with his wife and daughters. He is an avid cyclist, craft cocktail maker and indie pop music enthusiast.
Peter is the Chester and Anne Sackett Endowed Professor of Neurology and the Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Neurology. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego and then entered the Medical Science Training Program at the University of Wisconsin, where he completed his doctorate and medical degree. His Ph.D research focused on synaptic defects in Fragile X Syndrome, a common inherited cause of cognitive impairment in children. He completed a neurology residency at the University of Pennsylvania where he did research with Dr J. Paul Taylor. He came to Michigan in 2008 as an American Academy of Neurology clinical research fellow and trained in the laboratory of Henry L. Paulson, M.D., Ph.D while getting clinical training in movement disorders and neurogenetics. Dr. Todd Joined the Michigan faculty in 2010. When he is not in the lab, Dr Todd sees adult patients with Fragile X-associated disorders (Fragile X Syndrome, FXTAS, FXPOI) and Cerebellar Ataxia at the University of Michigan. He also sees patients with movement disorders at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. Peter spends his free time with his wife and daughters. He is an avid cyclist, craft cocktail maker and indie pop music enthusiast.
Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Faculty:
Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Faculty:
Evrim Yildirim, Ph.D.
Evrim Yildirim, Ph.D.
Evrim joined the lab in 2022 after a prior post-doc at Northwestern University and a Ph.D. at Rutgers University. He is using Drosophila to study repeat expansion disorders.
Evrim joined the lab in 2022 after a prior post-doc at Northwestern University and a Ph.D. at Rutgers University. He is using Drosophila to study repeat expansion disorders.
Nurun Nahar Borna, MD, PhD
Nurun Nahar Borna, MD, PhD
Borna joined the Todd lab in late 2023 after prior work on mitochondrial disorders. She is working on mouse models of FXTAS.
Borna joined the Todd lab in late 2023 after prior work on mitochondrial disorders. She is working on mouse models of FXTAS.
Richard Albertson, MD, PhD
Richard Albertson, MD, PhD
Richard joined the lab as an R25 fellow in 2024. he is studying how homeostatic compensation influences neurodegenerative disease onset and trajectory.
Richard joined the lab as an R25 fellow in 2024. he is studying how homeostatic compensation influences neurodegenerative disease onset and trajectory.
Graduate Students:
Graduate Students:
Samantha Grudzien
Samantha Grudzien
Samantha joined the lab as a Neuroscience grad student in the Spring of 2021. She is using mouse models to study and develop treatments for Fragile X-associated disorders.
Samantha joined the lab as a Neuroscience grad student in the Spring of 2021. She is using mouse models to study and develop treatments for Fragile X-associated disorders.
Clare Wieland
Clare Wieland
Clare joined the lab as a Neuroscience grad student and MSTP student in the summer of 2022. She is exploring neuronal-specific mechanisms governing RAN translation in repeat expansion disorders.
Clare joined the lab as a Neuroscience grad student and MSTP student in the summer of 2022. She is exploring neuronal-specific mechanisms governing RAN translation in repeat expansion disorders.
Ross Kaufhold
Ross Kaufhold
Ross joined the lab as a Biochemistry grad student and MSTP student in the spring of 2023. He is being co-mentored by Jay Brito Querido. His project is exploring using structural tools to understand how repeats modulate translational initiation.
Ross joined the lab as a Biochemistry grad student and MSTP student in the spring of 2023. He is being co-mentored by Jay Brito Querido. His project is exploring using structural tools to understand how repeats modulate translational initiation.
Sydney Willey
Sydney Willey
Sydney is a graduate student in Neuroscience who joined the lab in 2024. She is using stem cell model systems to study Cerebellar Ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS).
Sydney is a graduate student in Neuroscience who joined the lab in 2024. She is using stem cell model systems to study Cerebellar Ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS).
Senior Lab Scientist:
Senior Lab Scientist:
Amy Krans
Amy Krans
email: kransa_at_umich.edu
Amy has served as primary research support staff to the Todd Lab since 2010. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University in Biomedical Science and then earned a Master of Science degree from Purdue University in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.
Amy has served as primary research support staff to the Todd Lab since 2010. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University in Biomedical Science and then earned a Master of Science degree from Purdue University in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.
Administrator:
Administrator:
Lori Kunkel
Lori Kunkel
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (734) 615-5632 || Fax: (734) 647-9777
Phone: (734) 615-5632 || Fax: (734) 647-9777
Email: loriku_at_med_dot_umich_dot_edu
Email: loriku_at_med_dot_umich_dot_edu
Lori serves as the primary administrative support person to the Todd lab
Lori serves as the primary administrative support person to the Todd lab
Undergraduate Researchers:
Undergraduate Researchers:
Eric Ji: Working with Shannon Miller and Evrim Yildirim on Drosophila models of FXTAS and ALS.
Eric Ji: Working with Shannon Miller and Evrim Yildirim on Drosophila models of FXTAS and ALS.
Bertha
Bertha
Bertha is a new lab member whose project involves filling the space left by Peter whenever he is out of the lab while providing the same cool demeanor.
Bertha is a new lab member whose project involves filling the space left by Peter whenever he is out of the lab while providing the same cool demeanor.
Todd Lab Alumni:
Todd Lab Alumni:
Shannon Miller, Ph.D in Cell and Molecular Biology 2020-2025.
Shannon Miller, Ph.D in Cell and Molecular Biology 2020-2025.
Sinem Ovunc, MD. Volunteer 2020-2021. Research Fellow 2023-2025
Sinem Ovunc, MD. Volunteer 2020-2021. Research Fellow 2023-2025
Now: Neurology Resident, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Now: Neurology Resident, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Melissa Asher, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow 2022-2025
Melissa Asher, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow 2022-2025
Connor Maltby, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow 2020-2024
Connor Maltby, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow 2020-2024
Now: Team Leader, Ulysses Neuroscience
Now: Team Leader, Ulysses Neuroscience
Andrea Suarez UM-PREP student 2023-2024
Andrea Suarez UM-PREP student 2023-2024
Now: PhD Student at University of Florida
Shasha Zhang, PhD; Reserach team scientist 2022-2023
Shasha Zhang, PhD; Reserach team scientist 2022-2023
Now: Research Administrator , University of Michigan
Now: Research Administrator , University of Michigan
Indranil Malik, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2023
Indranil Malik, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2023
Now: Assistant Professor at IIT Hyderabad, India
Now: Assistant Professor at IIT Hyderabad, India
Yi-Ju(Lulu) Tseng, Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology 2019-2023. MsC in MCDB, 2016-2018
Yi-Ju(Lulu) Tseng, Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology 2019-2023. MsC in MCDB, 2016-2018
Now: Scientist at Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Now: Scientist at Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Shannon Wright, PhD in Neuroscience 2017-2022
Shannon Wright, PhD in Neuroscience 2017-2022
Post Todd lab: Post-doctoral Fellow at MIT
Post Todd lab: Post-doctoral Fellow at MIT
Now: Scientist at Quralis Pharmaceuticals
Becky Glineburg, Ph.D. Post-doctoral Fellow 2016-2022
Becky Glineburg, Ph.D. Post-doctoral Fellow 2016-2022
Now: Assistant Professor at Chapman University
Now: Assistant Professor at Chapman University
Yomira Palacios. UM prep student 2021-2022
Yomira Palacios. UM prep student 2021-2022
Now: PhD. student at UC Davis
Now: PhD. student at UC Davis
Geena Skariah, Ph.D. Post-doctoral Fellow 2017-2021
Geena Skariah, Ph.D. Post-doctoral Fellow 2017-2021
Now: Senior Scientist at Johnson and Johnson/ Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Now: Senior Scientist at Johnson and Johnson/ Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Samantha Fernandes: UM Prep student 2020-2021.
Samantha Fernandes: UM Prep student 2020-2021.
Now: Ph.D student at University of Washington, Seattle.
Now: Ph.D student at University of Washington, Seattle.
Bryana Bayly, MD Med student 2018-2021
Bryana Bayly, MD Med student 2018-2021
Now: Pediatric Psychiatry Resident, Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Now: Pediatric Psychiatry Resident, Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Yuan Zhang, MD, PhD. Visiting Scientist (performed her PhD work in the lab) 2017-2020.
Yuan Zhang, MD, PhD. Visiting Scientist (performed her PhD work in the lab) 2017-2020.
Then: Sleep research fellowship at Harvard Medical School.
Then: Sleep research fellowship at Harvard Medical School.
Now: Physician at Xaingya Hospital, Central South University. Changsha, China.
Now: Physician at Xaingya Hospital, Central South University. Changsha, China.
Katelyn Green, Ph.D. Cell and Molecular Biology 2015-2020.
Katelyn Green, Ph.D. Cell and Molecular Biology 2015-2020.
Post-Todd lab: Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Michigan
Post-Todd lab: Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Michigan
Alex Linsalata, Ph.D. CMB Graduate program and MSTP program 2014-2019.
Alex Linsalata, Ph.D. CMB Graduate program and MSTP program 2014-2019.
Now: PTSP/Internal medicine resident, Vanderbilt University
Now: PTSP/Internal medicine resident, Vanderbilt University
Caitlin Rodriguez, Ph.D. Neuroscience Graduate Student 2013-2018. Post-doc 2018-2019
Caitlin Rodriguez, Ph.D. Neuroscience Graduate Student 2013-2018. Post-doc 2018-2019
Then: Post-doctoral fellow, Gitler lab, Stanford University.
Then: Post-doctoral fellow, Gitler lab, Stanford University.
Now: Scientist, Maze therapeutics.
Now: Scientist, Maze therapeutics.
Jill Haenfler, Ph.D. - Post-doctoral Fellow 2015-2017
Jill Haenfler, Ph.D. - Post-doctoral Fellow 2015-2017
Now: Instructor in Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan.
Now: Instructor in Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan.
Michael Kearse, Ph.D. - Post doctoral fellow 2013-2016.
Michael Kearse, Ph.D. - Post doctoral fellow 2013-2016.
Then: A Post-doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania with Jeremy Wilusz.
Then: A Post-doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania with Jeremy Wilusz.
Now: Assistant professor, The Ohio State University (Go Blue!)
Now: Assistant professor, The Ohio State University (Go Blue!)
Fang He, Ph.D. - Post-doctoral fellow 2011-2016.
Fang He, Ph.D. - Post-doctoral fellow 2011-2016.
Now: Associate Professor, Texas A&M University at Kingsville.
Now: Associate Professor, Texas A&M University at Kingsville.
Abbie Renoux Ph.D. - Graduate student 2010-2015
Abbie Renoux Ph.D. - Graduate student 2010-2015
Then: Post-doctoral Fellowship at Tufts/AstraZeneca with Stephen Moss.
Then: Post-doctoral Fellowship at Tufts/AstraZeneca with Stephen Moss.
Now: Research Scientist, Triplet Therapeutics, Boston.
Now: Research Scientist, Triplet Therapeutics, Boston.
Courtney Collins- Research Technician/Undergraduate Research fellow. Completed Honor's thesis. Now: A Medical Student at Kentucky.
Michelle Fraser- Research Technician/Undergraduate Research fellow. Completed Honor's thesis in lab. Now: A Neuroscience Graduate student at UCLA.
Arya Ahmady-Research Technician/Undergraduate Research fellow. Completed Honor's thesis in the lab. Now: Medical Student at Case Western Reserve University.
Yash Sharma- Undergraduate Research fellow. Now: In Dental School.
Nick Carducci- Research Technician. Now: A medical student at the University of Pennsylvania.
Feras Ackall- Research Technician/Undergraduate Research fellow. Completed Honors thesis in the lab. Now: ENT surgeon at Duke.
Seok Yoon Oh- Master's Student 2009-2011; Research Fellow 2011-2014. Now: a Medical Student in Chicago.
Kelsey Hamrick- Research Technician/Undergraduate Research fellow. Completed honor's thesis in the lab. Now: A PhD student in psychology at Wayne State.
Kush Sharma- Research Technician/Undergraduate Research fellow. Completed Honor's thesis in lab. Then: Medical Student. Now: A Surgery Resident at Spectrum Health .
Jinghan (Jane) Cheng- Undergraduate Research fellow Now: Medical school
Aly Shea- Undergraduate Research fellow.
Mariam Shiekh- Undergraduate Research fellow.
Grace Van Hyfte- Undergraduate Research fellow.
Dana Abufarha- Undergraduate Research fellow.
Elena Cortes- Visiting Undergraduate Research Fellow. Now: Ph.D. Student at University of Chicago.
Samir Nath- MSTP rotation student. Now: Neurology Resident, Mayo.
Sam Natla- Undergraduate Research Fellow. Sam joined the Todd Lab in the spring of 2013 as a high school student and stayed on as an undergraduate at Michigan. Now applying to Medical School.
Brittany Flores- Rotation Student. Brittany rotated in the lab as a CMB graduate student in winter 2014.
Logan Morrison- Rotation student. Logan rotated in the lab as a neuroscience graduate student in winter 2017.
Vikram Saraan- Vikram is an undergraduate who worked in the lab from 2015-2017. Now: Medical school
Sylvia Edoigiawerie Sylvia was a UM-SMART student fellow in 2017. She is now an MSTP student at the University of Chicago.
Veronica Towianski Veronica was in the lab as a volunteer in 2016 and as a FXAM-sponsored undergraduate fellow in 2017.
Austin Taylor- Rotation student. MSTP student who rotated in the lab in the summer of 2016.
Kallisse Dent Kallisse joined the lab in the fall of 2016 and stayed on as an SROP fellow in 2017 and completed and honors thesis. Now: UM MPH program.
Nico Gomez - MSTP Rotation student summer and fall of 2017 . Now: Barmada lab.
Stephen Fedek Stephen was an undergraduate who was in Todd lab from 2015-2018. He now has a position in industry.
Udit Sheth Udit was a neuroscience undergraduate who completed an honors thesis in our lab from 2016-2019. He now is a Ph.D. Student at the Mayo Clinic.
Hannah McKay- UROP student in the lab in 2018.
Prithika Ramaiyer -UROP student in the lab in 2018.
Jason Hu - Summer undergraduate volunteer in 2019.
Emma Thornton-Kolbe- Rotated as a neuroscience graduate student in winter 2020. Now: PhD student in Clowney Lab.
Taylor Takla- Undergraduate researcher 2019-2020. Now: Graduate school at Wayne St.
Kristen M. Lozada-Soto- MSTP rotation student. Now: Nursat Lab.
Katy Calleja- joined the lab as a UROP student in fall 2019.
Sofia Bennett- Joined lab as HS summer volunteer in 2019. She is now in the Honors College at Penn St.
Sofia Bennett- Joined lab as HS summer volunteer in 2019. She is now in the Honors College at Penn St.
Evan Hall- Undergraduate volunteer in 2020.
Julia Alexander- Undergraduate researcher 2018-2021. NFXF fellowship recipient. Now: Med School
Hamza Islam- Undergraduate volunteer 2021.
Kristina Zheng - Undergraduate student from 2019-2020.
Favour Afolabi- Undergraduate student in lab summers 2020 and 2021. Now: PhD program Biomedical engineering
Sinem Ovunc- Medical student from Turkey. Remote in 2020/ in person summer 2021. NOW: finishing medical school.
Quinn Doctrove- NGP rotation student 2021. Now: Meisler Lab.
Faith Carranza- CMB Rotation student 2021. Now: Leiser Lab
Emily Pierant- NGP Rotation student 2022. Now: In Bielas Lab.
Alexa Putka- NGP Rotation student 2022. Now: McLaughlin Lab.
Jessica Muinos- UM SMART student, Summer 2022. Now: Finishing Undergrad at Bradley
Dominic DeBiasi- Worked with Samantha Grudzien on mouse models of FXTAS; NFXF summer research Fellow.
Summer Ann- Worked with Lulu on RAN translation of ALS associated repeats.
Corey Stewart- Rotation Student, fall 2023
Brenna Saladin- Rotation Student, fall 2023
Kirsten Warcup- Rotation student, Spring/Summer 2024
Muntaha Rahman- Undergraduate assistant, Summer/fall 2024
Rayyan Khan: Working with Samantha Grudzien on mouse models of FXTAS.
Rayyan Khan: Working with Samantha Grudzien on mouse models of FXTAS.
Rosey Sung- Undergraduate assistant 2024-2025
University of Michigan Alzheimer's Disease center
University of Michigan Alzheimer's Disease center
and Michigan Udall Center
and Michigan Udall Center
The Todd lab is part of a larger group of Neurology research labs focused on Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration. These include the laboratories of Dr. Henry Paulson, Dr. Vikram Shakkottai, Dr. Sami Barmada, Eva Feldman, and Dr. Dan Leventhal. All of these labs share common space as well as certain equipment and all the labs interact intellectually and socially.
The Todd lab is part of a larger group of Neurology research labs focused on Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration. These include the laboratories of Dr. Henry Paulson, Dr. Vikram Shakkottai, Dr. Sami Barmada, Eva Feldman, and Dr. Dan Leventhal. All of these labs share common space as well as certain equipment and all the labs interact intellectually and socially.
University of Michigan Center for RNA biomedicine.
University of Michigan Center for RNA biomedicine.
The Todd lab is a very active member of the UM Bioinitiative funded RNA center at Michigan that focuses on the roles or RNA in human disease and as a therapeutic tool. We regularly interface with other CRB labs and Peter serves on the executive committee.
The Todd lab is a very active member of the UM Bioinitiative funded RNA center at Michigan that focuses on the roles or RNA in human disease and as a therapeutic tool. We regularly interface with other CRB labs and Peter serves on the executive committee.
University of Michigan Precision health initiative and Taubman Institute
University of Michigan Precision health initiative and Taubman Institute
In collaboration with Drs. Ryan Mills, Kara Wyant and Alan Boyle, The Todd lab is an active participant in the UM Precision health initiative. We are involved in expanding neurology patient sample collection (through the MIND-PRO program) and are doing research into the broader roles of repeats in human diseases.
In collaboration with Drs. Ryan Mills, Kara Wyant and Alan Boyle, The Todd lab is an active participant in the UM Precision health initiative. We are involved in expanding neurology patient sample collection (through the MIND-PRO program) and are doing research into the broader roles of repeats in human diseases.
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