Members

Anna Lee - Associate Professor

Anna earned her B.S. in Pharmacology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada and her Ph.D. in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. She completed her post-doc training with Dr. Robert Messing at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at the University of San Francisco, California. After a brief stint at the University of Texas, Austin, Anna started her own lab in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota.

Sophia Scott

Sophia is a research technician in the Lee Lab. She has a B.S. in Biomedical Science from The University of Akron and previously studied neurodegenerative diseases as an undergraduate student researcher and a research technician at NEOMED. Her current research focuses on sex differences in ethanol metabolism and molecular mechanisms of alcohol withdrawal.

Rachel Schorn

Rachel Schorn is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program of Neuroscience, co-mentored by Dr. Lucy Vulchanova and Dr. Anna Lee. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience and Genetics/Cell Biology/Development from the University of Minnesota in 2021. Her project focuses on alcohol and pain interactions, specifically investigating the behavioral and neurobiological effects of chronic alcohol consumption on persistent pain.

Aishwarya Belhe

Aishwarya is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, co-mentored by Dr. Jeff Boissoneault and Dr. Anna Lee. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience (with a minor in Computer Science) from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2022. Her current research focuses on measurement of alcohol drinking topography in human and preclinical mice models of pain to understand self-management of pain using alcohol.

Ruth Dobbelmann

Ruth Dobbelmann has been an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Anna Lee’s lab since February 2023. She is a third year working towards a major in neuroscience and a minor in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota. Her main research interest lies in the molecular changes that occur during chronic alcohol consumption and withdrawal. She enjoys singing, playing the flute, and running in her free time.

Ariel Martin

Ariel is an undergraduate researcher and a senior majoring in Biology at the University of Minnesota. She enjoys hiking in her free time and aims to go to medical school after she graduates in 2026.

Nicole Moravec

Nicole is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota studying neuroscience with minors in music ensemble and studies in cinema and media culture. She hopes to go to medical school after graduating and likes to spend time outside going for walks and playing her violin.

Aditeya Biswas

My name is Aditeya Biswas, and I’m currently on the pre-med track, majoring in Neuroscience as I’ve always been fascinated by how the brain works. Outside of academics, I love going to the gym and pushing myself to improve both mentally and physically. I’m also passionate about music—whether it’s discovering new artists or going to concerts with friends, it’s one of my favorite ways to unwind. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and making memories that keep life balanced and fun.

Sarah Mulloy, PhD

Sarah received a degree in B.S. in Biology and B.A. Latin from Wake Forest University in 2018. Sarah completed her PhD in 2024 and is interested in applying her skills towards problems related to data science, visualization and programming. Sarah is now a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. William Nobis at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Margot DeBaker, PhD

Margot DeBaker graduated from the Graduate Program in Neuroscience with her PhD in 2022 and is currently a Regional IP and Licensing Associate at WiSys Technology Foundation. 

Janna Moen, PhD

Janna Moen completed her B.A. in Biology from Saint Anselm College in 2014. She spent a year at the National Institutes of Health working in cancer biochemistry and pharmacology. Janna completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota in the Lee lab and is now a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. Akiko Iwasaki at Yale University.

Mariana Lanz, MS

Mariana completed her Bachelor of Science from UC Santa Barbara, specializing in Pharmacology. She completed her two-year Master of Science in Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota in 2025, while competing as a varsity track and field athlete. Mariana is interested in pursuing a career in biotech.

Ketki Pawaskar, MS 

Ketki completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy from Mumbai University, India in 2018. She completed her Master of Science in Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota in Dr. Lee's laboratory in 2023 and is working in industry.

Jenna Robinson, MS

Jenna completed her Master's degree in Pharmacology in the Lee Lab in 2018, and chose to stay in the lab as a research associate for another year to continue her work on alcohol aversion. Jenna was then accepted into medical school at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

Nichole Payne 

Nichole Payne completed her two-year post-baccalaureate in the MINDS (Minnesota Inclusive Neuroscience Development Scholars) program. Her research focused on exploring behavioral and molecular sex differences in male and female mice during alcohol withdrawal. She graduated with a bachelor's of science in Psychology at Minnesota State University. Some of her hobbies include writing, biking, singing and performing slam poetry.

Nichole is currently a PhD student in the Neuroscience program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jill Touchette, PhD 

Jillienne Touchette graduated from University of Missouri – St. Louis with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology in 2009.  Jill earned a PhD in Pharmacological and Physiological Science from St. Louis University in 2015. After her post-doctoral training in the Lee lab, Jill entered industry in 2018 and is currently CEO of Superior Medical Experts.

Shaydel Engel - Research scientist

Shaydel earned her BA in International Studies from the University of South Dakota in 2014. She went on to complete a MS in Basic Biomedical Sciences, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience, from the University of South Dakota in 2018. She is interested in developmental effects on neurocircuitry and its relation to addiction behaviors. When not in the lab, Shaydel enjoys promoting science communication and community outreach.

Runbo Gao - Research scientist

Runbo received his B.S. in Bioscience from Huazhong Agricultural University in 2018 and his M.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Minnesota in 2020. He is interested in molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying substance use disorders (e.g. alcohol & nicotine) and related behaviors. Runbo is currently pursuing his PhD at Baylor College of Medicine.

Ky O'Rourke - Research scientist

Ky O'Rourke graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul in 2014 with a B.Sc in Biology. Ky left the lab in June 2017 to pursue a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering and is currently working in industry.

Matthew Scalf 

Matt graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in Biology and a minor in Management. He hopes to go to medical school after graduating and is interested in pediatrics, physiatry, and emergency medicine.