Principal Investigator

Dr. Joanne Garbincius joined the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology after completing graduate research with Dr. Daniel Michele on nitric oxide signaling in muscular dystrophy and post-doctoral studies with Dr. John Elrod on the mechanisms that mediate mitochondrial calcium efflux. She leads an interdisciplinary laboratory that investigates the fundamental mechanisms allowing striated muscle cells to meet their highly dynamic energy demands. This work spans from in vitro structure-function studies of individual proteins up to in vivo assessments of heart and skeletal muscle performance in genetic mouse models of human disease.

Contact

jgarbinc@umich.edu

Research Technician

Elena Runion is a University of Michigan alumna who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology program. She grew up in Northern Ohio, but was never a Buckeyes fan. She enjoys reading, cooking and baking, playing the violin, being in nature, and doing research. 

Research Technician

Amy Liu received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Michigan State University. Her previous research focused on studying circadian rhythm phenotypes and disorders in a diurnal rodent model. She joined the Garbincius Lab in 2026 and is excited to continue her knowledge in cellular biology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys trying new restaurants, going on hikes, and cooking.  

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Natalie Chen is from Bloomfield Hills, MI, and is currently a UofM undergrad studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology on the pre-medical track, and minoring in Music. She hopes to either become a physician or work in academia, and she is especially interested in pathology, oncology, and cardiology. When she is not in the lab, she is most likely volunteering at the University Hospital, playing piano, or exploring Ann Arbor.

Frankel Cardiovascular Center Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

Anika Patel is a dual-degree undergraduate student at the University of Michigan pursuing Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy and Violin Performance in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She joined the lab as an American Heart Association Fellow in the Frankel Cardiovascular Center Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Her research interests include molecular physiology, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine. Outside of the lab, Anika is active in music based healthcare outreach initiatives and serves in leadership roles focused on integrating music, medicine, and community engagement. She hopes to pursue a career combining patient care with translational biomedical research.