People
Benjamin H Singer is currently an Associate Professor in Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Singer’s research focuses on basic and translational studies of long-term brain injury after critical illness, specifically sepsis. These studies utilize animal models of sepsis and patient autopsy specimens to examine the immune and vascular responses to sepsis in the brain that persist for weeks to months after the outward signs of illness have resolved. How preexisting neuropathology, such as beta amyloid, might predispose sepsis survivors to brain dysfunction is a major area of interest. This work aims to identify strategies to minimize and rehabilitate ongoing brain injury in sepsis survivors. Areas of particular clinical focus include the care of patients with advanced neuromuscular disease requiring chronic assisted ventilation. He is medical director of the Medicine Pulmonary service at UM hospital which specializes in the care of patients who need chronic assisted ventilation or who are recovering from critical illness. He completed all of his academic and clinical training at the University of Michigan. Outside of work he enjoys woodworking with his family.
Benjamin H Singer is currently an Associate Professor in Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Singer’s research focuses on basic and translational studies of long-term brain injury after critical illness, specifically sepsis. These studies utilize animal models of sepsis and patient autopsy specimens to examine the immune and vascular responses to sepsis in the brain that persist for weeks to months after the outward signs of illness have resolved. How preexisting neuropathology, such as beta amyloid, might predispose sepsis survivors to brain dysfunction is a major area of interest. This work aims to identify strategies to minimize and rehabilitate ongoing brain injury in sepsis survivors. Areas of particular clinical focus include the care of patients with advanced neuromuscular disease requiring chronic assisted ventilation. He is medical director of the Medicine Pulmonary service at UM hospital which specializes in the care of patients who need chronic assisted ventilation or who are recovering from critical illness. He completed all of his academic and clinical training at the University of Michigan. Outside of work he enjoys woodworking with his family.
Scott J Denstaedt is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Denstaedt currently works in basic and translational studies of long-term morbidity and mortality after sepsis. He is interested in persistent alterations in innate immunity after sepsis and how these affect patient outcomes. He has particular interest in epigenetic mechanisms of monocyte and macrophage reprogramming that predispose patients to subsequent complications. Dr. Denstaedt completed his Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship training at the University of Michigan. Outside of the lab and work he likes brewing beer and tending to his hop garden.
Scott J Denstaedt is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Denstaedt currently works in basic and translational studies of long-term morbidity and mortality after sepsis. He is interested in persistent alterations in innate immunity after sepsis and how these affect patient outcomes. He has particular interest in epigenetic mechanisms of monocyte and macrophage reprogramming that predispose patients to subsequent complications. Dr. Denstaedt completed his Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship training at the University of Michigan. Outside of the lab and work he likes brewing beer and tending to his hop garden.
Michael Newstead
Michael Newstead
Lab Manager
Lab Manager
Kate Giffin is a PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. She is interested in the mechanisms of long-term brain dysfunction after sepsis. Kate uses a range of neuroscience techniques, from transcriptomics to behavior, to study how sepsis can change the immune cells of the brain, microglia, and how that can ultimately disrupt brain function. Before starting her PhD studies, Kate completed her AS at Beaufort County Community College, her BA in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a post-baccalaureate research program at UNC-CH with Dr. Joyce Besheer. In addition to scientific pursuits, Kate loves to write, travel, and explore the outdoors.
Kate Giffin is a PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. She is interested in the mechanisms of long-term brain dysfunction after sepsis. Kate uses a range of neuroscience techniques, from transcriptomics to behavior, to study how sepsis can change the immune cells of the brain, microglia, and how that can ultimately disrupt brain function. Before starting her PhD studies, Kate completed her AS at Beaufort County Community College, her BA in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a post-baccalaureate research program at UNC-CH with Dr. Joyce Besheer. In addition to scientific pursuits, Kate loves to write, travel, and explore the outdoors.
Andrew Stephens, PhD
Andrew Stephens, PhD
Andrew Stephens is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, supported by the Michigan Medicine NIH T32 Multidisciplinary Training Program in Lung Disease. His research focuses on developing rapid and scalable microfluidics immunoassays to enable patient-personalized approaches to critical care. Andrew completed his PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing golf, skiing, traveling, and cheering for Michigan sports.
Andrew Stephens is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, supported by the Michigan Medicine NIH T32 Multidisciplinary Training Program in Lung Disease. His research focuses on developing rapid and scalable microfluidics immunoassays to enable patient-personalized approaches to critical care. Andrew completed his PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing golf, skiing, traveling, and cheering for Michigan sports.
Grace Roughton
Grace Roughton
Grace Roughton is the lab technician for the Singer-Denstaedt lab. She helps with day-to-day activities of the lab such as conducting experiments, managing the mice colonies, and ordering supplies. Grace completed her BS in biology from the University of Iowa, where she also held a post-baccalaureate position in a cancer research lab. In her free time Grace likes hiking, knitting/embroidering/handcrafting, and binging TV shows.
Grace Roughton is the lab technician for the Singer-Denstaedt lab. She helps with day-to-day activities of the lab such as conducting experiments, managing the mice colonies, and ordering supplies. Grace completed her BS in biology from the University of Iowa, where she also held a post-baccalaureate position in a cancer research lab. In her free time Grace likes hiking, knitting/embroidering/handcrafting, and binging TV shows.
Samin Hassan
Samin Hassan
Samin Hassan is an undergraduate researcher and student at the University of Michigan LSA College, projected to graduate in 2024. She is currently majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, with a minor in Creative Writing. Samin is interested in exploring how sepsis affects the brain's cognitive function and role of chemokines such as CCL11. Samin is also interning at the Detroit News this summer in hopes to explore health reporting for future aspirations.
Samin Hassan is an undergraduate researcher and student at the University of Michigan LSA College, projected to graduate in 2024. She is currently majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, with a minor in Creative Writing. Samin is interested in exploring how sepsis affects the brain's cognitive function and role of chemokines such as CCL11. Samin is also interning at the Detroit News this summer in hopes to explore health reporting for future aspirations.
Niyati Puranik
Niyati Puranik
Niyati Puranik is an undergraduate researcher and a junior in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. She is interested in utilizing analytical techniques to uncover the mechanisms behind cognitive deficits following recovery from sepsis. She has published prior work in neuroscience through the V.A. Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, her hometown.
Niyati Puranik is an undergraduate researcher and a junior in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. She is interested in utilizing analytical techniques to uncover the mechanisms behind cognitive deficits following recovery from sepsis. She has published prior work in neuroscience through the V.A. Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, her hometown.
Kevin Chen
Kevin Chen
Kevin Chen is an undergraduate researcher and student in Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Michigan. Kevin has experience in cutting-edge biotechnology research, development, manufacture, and management. Kevin focused on the research and development of digital ELISA, and now shifting toward technological applications in animal and patient research. In his free time, Kevin likes playing his saxophone, traveling, and contemplating over the purpose of life.
Kevin Chen is an undergraduate researcher and student in Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Michigan. Kevin has experience in cutting-edge biotechnology research, development, manufacture, and management. Kevin focused on the research and development of digital ELISA, and now shifting toward technological applications in animal and patient research. In his free time, Kevin likes playing his saxophone, traveling, and contemplating over the purpose of life.
Brett Arenberg
Brett Arenberg
Brett Arenberg is an undergraduate researcher and student at the University of Michigan. He is studying biochemistry and will be graduating in 2024. Brett is interested in how metabolic byproducts from epithelial cells can affect the inflammatory response of post sepsis monocytes. He will be completing an undergraduate honors thesis on how post sepsis monocytes interact with other cells in the lung space to enhance inflammatory reactions in response to LPS. Outside of the lab, Brett enjoys singing in his a Capella group, writing and working out.
Brett Arenberg is an undergraduate researcher and student at the University of Michigan. He is studying biochemistry and will be graduating in 2024. Brett is interested in how metabolic byproducts from epithelial cells can affect the inflammatory response of post sepsis monocytes. He will be completing an undergraduate honors thesis on how post sepsis monocytes interact with other cells in the lung space to enhance inflammatory reactions in response to LPS. Outside of the lab, Brett enjoys singing in his a Capella group, writing and working out.
Grace Randolph
Grace Randolph
Grace Randolph is an undergraduate researcher and a junior majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She is interested in how sepsis can affect the brain's cognitive function. In her free time, she likes to run/workout, listen to music, and travel.
Grace Randolph is an undergraduate researcher and a junior majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She is interested in how sepsis can affect the brain's cognitive function. In her free time, she likes to run/workout, listen to music, and travel.
Simran Tumber
Simran Tumber
Simran Tumber is an undergraduate researcher and a sophomore in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Simran is interested in utilizing standard flow cytometry to study the long-term effects of sepsis on the lungs using mouse models. Beyond research, she enjoys working out, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Simran Tumber is an undergraduate researcher and a sophomore in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Simran is interested in utilizing standard flow cytometry to study the long-term effects of sepsis on the lungs using mouse models. Beyond research, she enjoys working out, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Zeshan Fahim
Zeshan Fahim
Undergraduate Researcher
Undergraduate Researcher
Leah Wheaton
Leah Wheaton
Leah Wheaton is an undergraduate researcher and a sophomore studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience in the College of LSA at the University of Michigan. Leah is interested in investigating how sepsis affects brain dysfunction. She was trained in Phlebotomy at MidMichigan College and took courses at Delta College while she attended Coleman High School. She enjoys bowling and spending time with her family.
Leah Wheaton is an undergraduate researcher and a sophomore studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience in the College of LSA at the University of Michigan. Leah is interested in investigating how sepsis affects brain dysfunction. She was trained in Phlebotomy at MidMichigan College and took courses at Delta College while she attended Coleman High School. She enjoys bowling and spending time with her family.
Lab Alumni and Current Positions
Lab Alumni and Current Positions
Huiyin Deng, MD - Postdoctoral Fellow, Central South University, China
Huiyin Deng, MD - Postdoctoral Fellow, Central South University, China
Chitra Parthasarathy – Research Assistant, University of Michigan
Chitra Parthasarathy – Research Assistant, University of Michigan
Avnee Kumar, MD – Post-doctoral Fellow and Attending Physician, University of California San Diego
Avnee Kumar, MD – Post-doctoral Fellow and Attending Physician, University of California San Diego
Zhuoer Zeng – Graduate Student, University of California, Davis
Zhuoer Zeng – Graduate Student, University of California, Davis
Alex Hjelmaas, MD – Anesthesia Resident, Northwestern University
Alex Hjelmaas, MD – Anesthesia Resident, Northwestern University
Ramya Ghantasala, MD – Pediatric Neurology Resident, Northshore Medical Center
Ramya Ghantasala, MD – Pediatric Neurology Resident, Northshore Medical Center
Annie Zhao – Epic Software
Annie Zhao – Epic Software
Marc Padilla – Neuroscience Graduate Program PhD Student, University of Michigan
Marc Padilla – Neuroscience Graduate Program PhD Student, University of Michigan