Team

Helen Lai

Helen Lai, Ph.D. (PI)

Education:

  • B.A. in Chemistry, Cornell University
  • Ph.D. in Biophysics, UCSF

Mentor: Dr. Lily Jan
Thesis: Gating mechanism of voltage-gated potassium channels.

Postdoc: Dr. Jane Johnson
Topic: Transcription factors specifying neuronal cell fates.

Fellow: Frank and Sara McKnight Fellow
Topic: Development and function of the somatosensory system.

Favorite lab item(s): Mini volumetric and Erlenmeyer flasks
Favorite cell type: All non-brain neurons
Daily addiction: NYT Crossword puzzle
Favorite outside lab activity: Watching the kids grow

Iliodora Pop

Iliodora Pop, Ph.D. (Scientist)

Education:

  • M.D. University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania
  • Ph.D. University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania

Mentor: Dr. Florin Bogdan
Thesis: Contributions to the study of the constitution of the histological table of human skeletal striated muscle tissue in trichinosis.
Postdoc: Dr. Ellen Vitetta

Lab Project(s): Understanding how proprioceptive information is organized at the level of spinocerebellar neurons in the spinal cord.

Favorite lab item(s): Microscope
Favorite cell type: Clarke’s column (CC) neurons
Daily addiction: Taking care of my flowers
Favorite outside lab activity: Talking with my kids and walking our dog Nyx

Sarah Jobbins

Sarah Jobbins (Graduate Student)

Education: B.S. in Neuroscience, UCLA
Mentor: Dr. Larry Hoffman
Topic: Efferent terminal distribution in vestibular epithelia.

Post grad:

  • Mentor: Dr. Heather Christofk
  • Topic: Metabolic effect of Epstein-Barr Virus lytic reactivation.

Grad:

  • Mentor: Dr. Helen Lai
  • Topic: Maintenance of peripheral sensory neuron identity.

Favorite lab item: Repeat pipettor
Favorite cell type: Mirror neurons
Daily addiction: My morning tea
Favorite outside lab activity: Reading & DnD

Deanna Hopkins

Deanna Hopkins (Tech)

Education: B.S., Upper Iowa University

Lab Project(s): Sensory axonal regeneration    

Favorite lab item: Colorful tape and pipettes
Favorite cell type: Non-peptidergic neurons
Daily addiction: Drinking coffee
Favorite outside lab activity: Escape rooms

Rohit Kamath

Medical Student

Former Lab Members

NameRole
Anthony HoResearch Technician (2015-2017)
Tejas JoshiSURF Student (Summer 2016)
Katherine CaseySTARS Student (Summer 2017, 2018)
Clayton TrevinoSURF Student (Summer 2018)
Lorelai PopSTARS Student (Summer 2018)
Mike ViacheslavovResearch Technician (2017-2018)
Razaq DurodoyeResearch Asst (2018-2019)
Adelaide BrooksSummer Intern (Summer 2019)
Megan GoyalSURF Student (Summer 2019, 2020)
Marghi Jani UTDGreen Fellow (Spring 2020)
Portia OkaforResearch Technician (2020-2021)
Osita OgujioforResearch Assistant (2017-2021)
Felipe Espinosa-Becerra, Ph.D.Scientist (2018-2023)
Tet Piermartiri, Ph.D.Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-2021)
Mark Landy, Ph.D.MD/PhD Graduate Student (2017-2021)
Grace MooreUTD Green Fellow (Spring-Summer 2022)
Gabe OrtizSURF Student (Summer 2022, 2023)
David ZahaSummer Intern (Summer 2023)