Mitra Heshmati, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine; Joint appointment in the Department of Biological Structure

Attending Anesthesiologist, University of Washington Medical Center-Montlake

Affiliate Faculty,  Center for Excellence in Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain & Emotion

I am a physician-scientist with a research background focused on nucleus accumbens neural circuitry and a clinical practice in Anesthesiology, bringing my preclinical research and clinical interests together to understand how anesthetics affect stress, pain, and arousal circuitry to modify behavior.

Ainsley Barrow

Research Technologist

 I graduated from the University of Washington in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and was initially drawn to the field after working with patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Throughout my undergraduate career, I became more interested in the neural mechanisms behind psychiatric disorders and behavior, which attracted me to the lab. 

Carlee Toddes, PhD

Postdoctoral Scientist, Weill Neurohub Fellow 

Primary appointment in the Golden Laboratory, co-mentored by Dr. Heshmati

I am a postdoctoral research fellow specializing in the study of neural dynamics underlying pain-modulated social behavior. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, where I conducted research in the Rothwell Lab investigating opioidergic mechanisms that underlie social affiliative behaviors. Beyond my laboratory work, I am deeply committed to promoting positive change in the scientific community through active involvement in science policy and advocacy.  

Ella Apley

Undergraduate Student 

I am a current sophomore hoping to study biochemistry at the University of Washington. After I graduate, I plan on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in medicine or biological sciences. Besides research, I love spending time with my friends, hiking, and traveling outside of Washington State! 

Riley Keeler

Undergraduate Student 

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Biochemistry. Following graduation I plan to work as a ski patroller and then attend medical school with hopes of becoming a surgeon. Within lab I am interested in understanding chronic pain with hopes of finding effective treatment approaches. 

Silvana Segura

Undergraduate Student 

I am currently a Psychology student at the University of Washington, interested in cognitive disorders, behavior, and clinical applications of wet lab research. In the future I hope to attend medical school, and find a specialty in medicine I am passionate about. Aside from my interests in psychology and neuroscience, I love music and also sing in the UW Chorale choir.  

Jason Zhang

Undergraduate Student 

I am currently majoring in Biochemistry along with two additional minors. I hope to pursue a career in medicine specializing in anesthesiology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and family as well as learning niche skills.