Madhuri Bendale
Address: 5322 PBDB
Phone: 319-335-1574
Email: madhuri-bendale@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Andy Frank, PhD
Brendan Creemer
Address: 1-400 BSB
Phone: 319-335-7725
Email: brendan-creemer@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Amy Ryan PhD
Ashley Goll
Address: 246 BB
Phone: (319) 335-7713
Email: ashley-goll@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Tina Tootle, PhD
Salma Hassan
Address: 357 MRC
Phone: (319) 335-8306
Email: salma-hassan@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Arlene V. Drack, MD
Amelia Hurley-Novatny
Address: 1216 MERF
Phone: (319) 335-8303
Email: amelia-hurley-novatny@uiowa.edu
Program: Dr. Ken Li
Research Interest: Pathogenesis of bone diseases
Place of origin: Rockville, MD
Bio: I am an MD/PhD student doing my thesis in Dr. Ken Li's lab studying the pathogenesis of
osteoporosis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. After completing my graduate research, I plan to
apply for an orthopedic surgery residency. I hope to continue my career as an orthopedic
surgeon-scientist studying pathogenesis of musculoskeletal morbidities in genetic diseases. I
chose Iowa for the research, strength of the department of orthopedics, and the people!
Everyone is extremely friendly, helpful, and collaborative. In my free time, I powerlift, walk my
dogs, cook, and renovate my house.
Trevor Jones
Address: 1-661 BSB
Phone: 319- 384-4466
Email: trevor-jones-1@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Andy Frank PhD
Jie Li
Address: 246 BB
Phone: (319) 335-3997
Email: jie-li@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Tina Tootle, PhD
Emily Liu
Address: 1-400 BSB
Phone: 319-335-7725
Email: emily-liu@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Amy Ryan PhD
Tate Neff
Address: 3332 PBDB
Phone: (319) 335-7447
Email: tate-neff@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Ling Yang, PhD
Aparna Pathmanathan
Address: 1-400 BSB
Phone: 319-335-7725
Email: aparna-pathmanathan@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Amy Ryan PhD
Juan Rodriguez
Address: 3332 PBDB
Phone: (319) 335-8306
Email: juan-rodriguez@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Ling Yang, PhD
Research Interest: Obesity, diabetes, and liver diseases
Place of origin: Puerto Rico, United States
Bio: Hey there! I'm Juan, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I'm a PhD candidate in the Cell
and Developmental Biology program. In the lab, I channel my passion into unraveling the
molecular mechanisms underlying liver disease caused by obesity and other risk factors,
notably type 2 diabetes. As hobbies, I find joy in sports, particularly basketball, and outdoor
adventures like kayaking and skiing. Additionally, I love spending downtime watching movies,
which is the perfect way to add entertainment to my day.
Patil Sidramagowda
Address: 3332 PBDB
Phone: (319) 335-7447
Email: sahebgowda-sidramagowdapatil@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Ling Yang, PhD
Research Interest: Cell and molecular biology
Place of origin: Karnataka, India
Bio: I chose UIOWA for its vibrant research environment, evident from PIs consistently
publishing in high-impact journals. During my interview, a faculty member's endorsement
affirmed UIOWA as the best place for scientific exploration. My academic passion lies in
uncovering novel facets of science, and I envision a future in postdoctoral research. The
collaborative atmosphere and cutting-edge opportunities here align perfectly with my
aspirations. Outside the lab, I find joy in running, embracing the balance between intellectual
pursuits and a healthy lifestyle. I am excited to contribute to the dynamic scientific community at
UIOWA.
Danielle Talbot
Address: 246 BB
Phone: (319) 335-7763
Email: danielle-talbot@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Tina Tootle, PhD
Israel Wipf
Address: 246 BB
Phone: (319) 335-7763
Email: israel-wipf@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Tina Tootle, PhD
Research Interest: The role of lipid droplets in collective cell migration
Place of origin: South Dakota, United States
Bio: I am a PhD candidate in Cell and Developmental Biology. What drew me to the University
of Iowa was its reputation for excellence in biomedical research, the broad range of topics being
explored, and, of course, the people. The community here is welcoming and collaborative, and
there are many great opportunities for both scientific training and professional development. My
research interest is to understand the mechanisms controlling collective cell migration,
especially the role of lipids droplets (small storage organelles important for lipid and energy
homeostasis). Determining how cells migrate as collectives is important for understanding both
human embryonic development and cancer metastasis. Outside of science, I enjoy music
(especially playing the drums), reading and writing fiction, and many forms of exercise (weight
training, biking, and yoga).
Samantha Wuebker
Address: 1 -600 BSB
Phone: (319) 335-7713
Email: samantha-wuebker@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Eric VanOtterloo, PhD
Zewei Zhang
Address: 1 -500 BSB
Phone: (319) 335-7739
Email: zewei-zhang@uiowa.edu
Mentor: Thomas Rutkowski, PhD
Research Interest: Cell differentiation; liver diseases; bioinformatics
Place of origin: China
Bio: Academic interests: To understand how cells respond to stress conditions (anything that
perturbs normal cell function) in both homeostasis and disease, we focus on a cell organelle —
endoplasmic reticulum (ER, a site of protein synthesis and folding), in which non-/mis-folded
proteins abnormally accumulate to result in ER stress. Cellular response to this ER stress
impacts cell function and behavior. We are deciphering the ER stress's mechanisms and
consequences using approaches in vitro (cellular & molecular biology), in vivo (transgenic &
lineage tracing), and in silico (bulk & single-cell RNA sequencing). Noteworthy experiences: I
was trained and worked as a plastic surgeon & dermatologist in China, treating and researching
human skin diseases. During the research training, I come to learn how to express clearly and
fall in love with scientific writing. Future goals: a scientist, bioinformatician, or journal editor.
Favorite hobbies: walking, playing pool, & climbing stairs.