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Get to know our lab members!
Get to know our lab members!
Yi Ren MD, Ph.D Professor
Yi Ren MD, Ph.D Professor
Hometown
Education
Post-Doctoral training, University of Nottingham and Edinburgh
Ph.D., Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK. Major: Cell Biology
MPhil, Chinese Disease Control, Major: Immunology and Virology
M.D., Guiyang Medical School, Major: Medicine
Bio
Dr. Yi Ren directs a group interested in the molecular cell biology of inflammation, especially macrophage function in CNS trauma and tumor progression. She received her medical training in China and then undertook her Ph.D at Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK. She joined Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine in 2013.
Dr. Li Sun, PhD Research Faculty
Dr. Li Sun, PhD Research Faculty
Hometown
Education
Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
BS, Bioengineering science, 2004
Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
PhD, 2013
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
Postdoctoral Fellow, Biomedical Science, 2021
Bio
I have interested in several different fields from Next Generation Sequencing to macrophage in SCI. My current projects include macrophage derived exosome function, single cell RNAseq on spinal cord injury model and new EV isolation/characterization method (MagPEG).
Dr. Yang Liu MD, PhD Post-doctoral Scholar
Dr. Yang Liu MD, PhD Post-doctoral Scholar
Hometown
Hometown
Anshun, Guizhou Province, China
Education
M.D., Clinical Medicine, Guiyang Medical College, China, September 2002 - June 2007
M.D., Anesthesiology, Guiyang Medical College, China, September 2008 - June 2011
M.D. Ph.D., Medical Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, China, September 2016 - June 2021
Bio
Bio
Role of Macrophage Function in Spinal Cord Injury: Investigating the impact of macrophage activity on inflammation and recovery processes following spinal cord injury.
Role of Macrophage Function in Spinal Cord Injury: Investigating the impact of macrophage activity on inflammation and recovery processes following spinal cord injury.
Anesthesia and Cognitive Dysfunction: Exploring the effects of anesthetic agents on cognitive function, with a focus on cognitive disorders.
Anesthesia and Cognitive Dysfunction: Exploring the effects of anesthetic agents on cognitive function, with a focus on cognitive disorders.
Dr. Grace Hammel, PhD Post-doctoral Scholar
Dr. Grace Hammel, PhD Post-doctoral Scholar
Joined the lab: Fall 2017
Joined the lab: Fall 2017
Hometown
Hometown
Eyota, Minnesota USA
Education
Winona State University - Winona, MN 2013-2016, BS Cell and Molecular Biology
Bio
Current research at Florida State University investigates the role of myelin debris in inducing pathophysiological changes in the microvasculature of the spinal cord injury site microenvironment.
Michael Poppell Rotating Graduate Student
Michael Poppell Rotating Graduate Student
Hometown
Plant City, FL
Education
MS, Medical Science, University of South Florida
BS, Chemistry, University of Florida
Bio
Spring 2024: Rotation Student
Spring 2022: Lab Volunteer
Starting in the spring of 2024 I joined the Ren lab as a graduate rotation student after being accepted into the program and began studying the effects of debris-stimulated tumor growth.
Beginning in the spring of 2022 I assisted Grace with her work on the role that endothelial cells play in SCI.
Gabriela De Jesus Lab Technician
Gabriela De Jesus Lab Technician
Hometown
Apopka, Florida
Education
Florida State University, Bachelor's of Science in Biological Sciences with Honors; 2023
Bio
Dr. Jerome Irianto FSU (2022-2023):
Undergraduate Researcher (DIS/Volunteer), Honors In the Major Student
Honors Thesis: "Exploring The Effects of Modulating Integrin Expression on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Phenotype"
Dr. Yi Ren FSU (2024 - present):
I am currently working in Dr. Ren's lab as a research assistant where I am researching how phagocytosis of myelin debris affects bone marrow derived macrophages. Specifically, we are focusing on changes to F-actin, cell stiffness, motility, proliferation, and potential changes to cell - ECM interactions. In addition, I help with general lab duties such as: ordering needed supplies, animal colony management, cell culture, and assisting other lab members with their various projects as needed.
This team of likeminded, caring, and hard-working scientists have truly supported me in learning and growing in this role and I am extremely grateful to have met them and excited to see all we will accomplish.
Quinn Ragan Undergraduate Research Assistant
Quinn Ragan Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown
Saratoga Springs, New York
Education
I am currently studying Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry at Florida State University. Expected: 12/12/25
Bio
I am currently working in Dr. Rens lab as an undergraduate research assistant. I currently assist with maintenance of the lab’s vivarium, DNA isolation, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. I plan on pursuing an MD with a focus on neuroscience and neurodegenerative disorders.
Emily Swan Undergraduate Research Assistant
Emily Swan Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown
Parkland, Florida
Education
Current Florida State University student majoring in behavioral neuroscience and minoring in chemistry
Bio
I am an undergraduate researcher (DIS/volunteer) at the Ren Lab. After graduating from FSU, I intend to attend medical school and study to be an anesthesiologist.
Samuel Salib Undergraduate Research Assistant
Samuel Salib Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown
Jacksonville, Florida
Education
Current Florida State University student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
Bio
I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Florida State University. I volunteer in the Ren Laboratory and am passionate about understanding how cellular responses to injury affect recovery in the nervous system. I plan to pursue an MD after graduation.
Former Ren Lab Students
Maryam Ayazi, PhD Former Graduate Research Assistant
Maryam Ayazi, PhD Former Graduate Research Assistant
January 2019 - February 2025
January 2019 - February 2025
Hometown
Hometown
Karaj, Iran
Education
Biotechnology University of Tehran, Iran - Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Bio
The injured spinal cord in packed with myelin-laden macrophages. My research focuses on the interaction of myelin-laden macrophages and CNS resident macrophages, microglia.
Sandra Zivkovic, PhD Former Graduate Research Assistant
Sandra Zivkovic, PhD Former Graduate Research Assistant
January 2019 - February 2025
January 2019 - February 2025
Hometown
Hometown
Born in Croatia and lives in Tampa, FL
Education
University of South Florida – Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
University of South Florida – Master of Science in Biology with Concentration on Cellular and Molecular Biology
Bio
Current research at Florida State University explores the role of neutrophils following traumatic spinal cord injury and their contribution to the secondary injury that causes unresolved chronic inflammation and poor recovery.
Previous research at the University of South Florida explored the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
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