Team

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University 2016

B.A. in Psychology (Neuroscience Concentration), Grinnell College 2009

University of Michigan Faculty Profile  

ORCiD , Google Scholar 

Favorite ion channel or neuromodulator: G Protein-Coupled Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channel (GIRK)

Dream non-science job: Gardener

PhD Candidate, Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology 

M.S in Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (Roorkee) 2019

B.S in Microbiology, St. Xavier' College (Kolkata) 2017

Investigating cholinergic regulation of dopamine in healthy and diseases conditions. 

Vinayak began his research during his Master's thesis in Professor Partha Roy's lab at IIT Roorkee, investigating the role of natural compounds as antioxidants in neurodegeneration. He then served as an intern in Dr. Hiyaa Ghosh's lab at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, India where he worked to understand the role of tcf4 in  adult hippocampal neurogenesis. He then went on to work as a Project Assistant in Dr. Bhavani Shankar Sahu's lab at the National Brain Research Centre, India where he explored the role of adaptor proteins in  affecting  dense core vesicle exocytosis before joining University of Michigan and Dr. Paul Kramer's lab as a PhD student. 

Google Scholar 

Favorite ion channel or neuromodulator: α6 subunit of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs)

Dream non-science job: Open a restaurant with cuisine rotations.

PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Graduate Program

A.B. in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College 2023

Investigating the synaptic and intrinsic properties controlling dopamine axon excitability.

Jackie began her research in Dr. Patsy Dickinson's lab at Bowdoin College, completing an honors thesis on the neuromodulatory capacity of the stomatogastric nervous system in different species of crab, and effects of modulators on neuromuscular junction activity. She then worked as a research technician in Dr. Eve Marder's lab at Brandeis University exploring the role of K-ATP channels in the cardiac ganglion and stomatogastric ganglion of Cancer borealis. Jackie is also an alumni of the NGP SIREN-NURO summer program at the University of Michigan.

ORCiD , Google Scholar 

Favorite ion channel or neuromodulator: ATP-sensitive K+ channels

Dream non-science job: Indoor cycling instructor

Undergraduate Student

Investigating the effect of Parkinson’s disease on changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) level.

Pursuing B.S. Biology, Health, and Society, University of Michigan 

Favorite ion channel or neuromodulator: Dopamine

Dream non-science job: Professional surfer

Undergraduate Student

Studying structural components of axonal excitability.

Pursuing B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biology, University of Michigan

Olivia began her research in Dr. Alexandre Marand's  lab at the University of Michigan studying transformation in maize.  She then was a recipient of the Magnificent Michigan Fellowship for Neuroscience to pursue research in Dr. Paul Kramer's lab.

Favorite ion channel or neuromodulator: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Dream non-science job: Author