(Neuroscience Graduate Student) 

Jacen joined the lab in the winter of 2024 and is working to investigate SCA3 pathology in the spinal cord. He graduated from the University of Rochester in May 2023 where he studied microbiology and psychology. Jacen is broadly interested in glial biology, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Outside of the lab, Jacen enjoys weightlifting, cooking, and spending time with his cat, Ralph.

(MS Student-Genetics & Genomics Master's program)

Ping Jung joined the lab in the fall of 2023.  He graduated from National Taiwan University with a double BS degree in Animal Science and Technology, and Bio-industry Communication and Development. He is developing iPSC models for the study of hereditary ataxias. Outside of the lab, he enjoys listening to music, dancing, and photography, and now he is also learning to cook.

(PhD Candidate - Genetics & Genomics graduate program)

Bailey joined the lab in Sept 2022, to pursue a Ph.D. in Genetics & Genomics through the Pathway Program, after graduating from the Human Genetics MS program at the University of Michigan.  Prior to her MS, Bailey received her BS in Biology with a concentration In Molecular Biology and minors in Biochemistry, Healthcare Ethics, and Public Health. Bailey is using iPSC-derived neurons to study hereditary ataxias. Besides research, Bailey enjoys being outdoors, photography, and spending time with her bunny Kody. 

(PhD Candidate- Neuroscience Graduate Program)

Juan is a student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program (2022 Cohort) who joined the lab in the Winter of 2023. He graduated from Binghamton University in May 2022, where he studied Neuroscience and conducted research in learning and memory using rat models. Juan is studying peripheral neuropathy in SCA3. Outside of the lab, he spends his time running, cooking, going to the farmers market, and watching reality TV with friends.

(Principle Investigator)

Dr. Hayley McLoughlin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology with a secondary appointment in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan. She completed her Ph.D. Neuroscience training at the University of Iowa in Bev Davidson’s laboratory (2009-2013). She relocated to the University of Michigan and rose through the Department of Neurology ranks: first as a Postdoc (2014-2016 in Hank Paulson’s Lab), then as faculty on the research track (2016-2021), and now as an Assistant Professor on the tenure track (2021-present). Her lab is focused on elucidating disease mechanisms, developing gene therapy approaches, and discovering disease biomarkers for hereditary ataxias. She has a passion for science outreach and is a co-founder and managing editor for SCAsource and a Board Member for the National Ataxia Foundation. Outside the lab, she enjoys family time, cooking, and burning off stress with power tools and home improvement projects.

(Undergraduate Research Assistant) 

Arsal is an undergraduate student who joined the lab in Fall 2021. He is currently a second-year student who intends to major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and minor in Computer Science, and intends to go to medical school. Arsal is assisting Juan in his peripheral neuropathy studies. Outside of the lab, you can find Arsal playing basketball, listening to music, or hanging out with friends. 

(PhD Candidate- Neuroscience Graduate Program)

Alexa is a student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program (2021 Cohort) who joined the lab in the spring of 2022. She graduated from Duke University in December 2020, where she studied Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Biology. Alexa is studying oligodendrocyte maturation impairments in SCA3. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing board games, baking, and spending time outdoors.

(Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Jacob joined the lab in the summer of 2021 as an undergraduate research assistant. He is currently a senior who is majoring in neuroscience. Jacob is currently assisting with mouse colony and lab management. In his free time, Jacob enjoys exploring new places, listening to music and podcasts, and eating sushi.

(Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Vikram joined the lab in Jan of 2022 as an undergraduate research assistant. Vikram is assisting Alexa in her glial biology studies for SCA3.

(Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Ethan joined the lab in Dec 2023 as an undergraduate research assistant. He is currently a second-year student who intends to major in Biology and minor in International Studies with plans to attend medical school. Ethan is assisting Juan in his peripheral neuropathy studies for SCA3. Outside of the lab, you can find Ethan binging movies/TV shows, creating music playlists, or spending time with friends.

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant) 

Gursharan was an undergraduate student who joined the lab in Winter 2021-Fall 2021. He left the lab in hopes of pursuing finance sector career options.

(former Research Lab Technician Associate)

Sierra joined the lab in the summer of 2019 as a research technician after graduating with a BS in both neuroscience and psychology from Michigan State University. She left the lab to pursue a research laboratory position at Emory University.

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Kate joined the lab in the fall of 2015 as a research assistant through UROP and culminated her four years in the lab by writing an honors thesis. She received her bachelors degree in 2019 in Biochemistry and in 2020 began her medical training at Chicago Medical School- Rosalind Franklin University. 

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Danielle joined lab in the fall of 2018 as a research assistant through UROP. She majored in MCDB (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology) and minored in Gender and Health. In 2022, she left the lab to pursue her graduate training at the University of Arizona. 

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Zaid was an undergraduate student who joined the lab in the Summer of 2019. He majored in both Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) and Political Science. In 2022, he left the lab to pursue a medical degree from Wake Forest. 

(former Rotating Student - Genetics & Genomics Ph.D.)

Cecilia rotated in the lab during the summer of 2022, after graduating from the Human Genetics MS program at the University of Michigan. She joined the Iwasi Lab

(former Research Lab Technician Senior)

Anthony was a research technician who joined in April 2022, after getting his MS in Medical Genetics and Genomics from Tulane University School of Medicine.

(former Rotating PIBS-Neuroscience Grad Student)

Emily rotated in the lab Winter 2023. In 2022, she graduated with a BS in Cell & Molecular Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience from John Carroll University.  She joined our collaborator's lab, Andy Lieberman. 

(Research Lab Technician Associate)

Sabrina joined the lab in the summer of 2021-Jan 2024, after graduating with a BS in psychology and biology at the University of Michigan - Flint. Sabrina was the lab mouse colony manager and behavior technician. 

(Former Rotating PIBS-Neuroscience Grad Student)

Kayla rotated in the lab Fall 2023. She graduated from New Mexico State University with degrees in Genetics and Philosophy. 

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Kenneth is an undergraduate student who joined the lab as a research associate in the winter of 2019. He is studying MCDB (molecular, cellular, and developmental biology) at the University of Michigan and plans to pursue a career as a geneticist. 

(former Summer BP-Endure Undergraduate Student)

Femi is a rising junior attending NYU and serving as a summer student in the lab. She is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in art history on the pre-med track. She plans to pursue an MD/PhD post-grad.

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Amanda is an undergraduate student who joined the lab in the winter of 2019. She received her degree in neuroscience in 2020 and in 2021 she began medical school at Michigan State University. 

(former Research Lab Specialist Intermediate/Lab Manager)

Kristen joined the lab in the fall of 2019 as a research technician after earning her Master’s degree in Neuroscience from University College London. She attended Northwestern University for her Bachelor’s degree, where she studied Neuroscience and Communication Sciences and Disorders. In 2022, she left the lab to pursue neuroscience graduate training at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

(former Undergraduate Research Assistant)

Nicholas is an undergraduate student who joined the lab through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program in Fall 2018. He majored in Biomedical Engineering. Outside the lab, Nick enjoys sports such as baseball and football as well as playing the piano.  In 2022, he left the lab to pursue graduate training in BME and is currently working in a government and public sector consulting firm. 

(Research Lab Technician Senior)

Isabel is a research technician who joined in August 2022, after getting her MS in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan. In fall 2023, she left the lab to pursue an industry research position.

(former Research Lab Technician Intermediate)

Annie joined the lab in the spring of 2018 as a research technician after graduating from the University of Michigan. She earned her degree in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience as well as a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.  In fall 2020, she began graduate school at Northwestern University. 

(Undergraduate Research Assistant) 

Kevin is an undergraduate student who joined the lab in Fall 2021 through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). He is a first-year student who intends to double major in Biochemistry and Computer Science. in 2022, he transferred to UPenn to complete his undergraduate degree.