Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Adrienne M. Antonson, PhD

Adrienne Antonson – Assistant Professor of Animal Sciences

Assistant Professor

Office: 220A Edward R. Madigan Laboratory | Phone: 217-265-8430

email: aantnsn2@illinois.edu | Google Scholar Profile | Twitter

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2021) Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus OH
  • PhD (2013-2018) Animal Science, Immunophysiology and Behavior, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL
  • BS (2009-2013) Biology, Ithaca College, Ithaca NY

Bio: Dr. Antonson is from Chatham, NY, a small rural town upstate. When she’s not in the lab, she can be found running/hiking/cycling/mountain biking, enjoying the local CU brews, listening to true crime podcasts, reading, cooking, and spoiling her two cats. Fun fact: Dr. Antonson has a twin sister named Hannah, who lives in Austin, TX and is way more hip!

PhD Students

Rafael J. Gonzalez-Ricon

Education

  • BSc. (2005-2011) Biochemistry, Universidad de la Republica (UDELAR), Uruguay.
  • BSc. (2013-2015) Clinical Biochemistry, Universidad de la Republica (UDELAR), Uruguay.
  • MSc. (2020-2021) Neuroimmunology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
  • PhD (2021-current) Neuroscience, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Bio: Rafael was born in Uruguay and grew up in a small town called “Olimar”, where he developed his passion for science and rugby. Rafael enjoys being with his family. Outside of the lab, he likes to play sports and hang out with friends.

Izan Chalen Paredes

Education

  • BS (2014-2018) Molecular Biology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
  • MS (2019-2021) Neuroimmunology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
  • PhD (2021-current) Neuroimmunology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Bio: Stay tuned for Izan’s bio!

Hao-Chun (Jason) Fan

Education

  • BS (2015-2019) Department of Life Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • MS (2019-2020) Graduate Institue of Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • MS (2019-2021) Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • PhD (2022-current) Animal Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Bio: Stay tuned for Jason’s bio!

Fernando Rigal

Education

  • BS (2017-2021) Physics & Applied Mathematics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
  • PhD (2021-current) Physics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Bio: Fernando was born in Cuba but grew up in Miami, Florida. He has a passion for imaging and applying imaging techniques to answer biological questions. Outside of the lab, Fernando is part of the Illini Swing Society where he teaches swing dancing and enjoys live music. He also enjoys being active so you can find him at the gym!

Arnav Kaushik

Education

  • BS (2020-2023) Cognitive Science with a Computational Emphasis, minors in Neuroscience and Philosophy, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
  • PhD (2024-current) Neuroscience, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Bio: Stay tuned for Arnav’s bio!

Lab Alumni

Prior Laboratory Manager:

Selena Wang

Education

  • BS (2016-2020) Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL
  • MD/PhD (2022 – current) Medical Scientist Training Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis IN

Bio: Selena is from Champaign, IL, born and raised amongst the cornfields. Selena enjoys the puzzle-aspect of research, solving problems and discovering new things, as well as the hands-on aspect of working in lab with other people and with animals. Outside the lab, Selena loves drawing painting (both digital and traditional!) and pottery, all while listening to podcasts. You can find her in the library, or on nature walks outside.

Prior PhD Students:

Ashley Otero

CONGRATULATIONS, DR. OTERO, ON SECURING A POSTDOCTORAL POSITION WITH ABBVIE IN CHICAGO, IL!

Education

  • BS (2016-2020) Biological Engineering, Minor in Biotechnology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
  • PhD (2020-2025) Neuroscience, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Bio: Ashley is from Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis. Outside of STEM, Ashley is involved in the performing arts and has been in competitive show choirs and theatre troupes throughout her life. During her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with people and hanging out with the best two kitties ever, Lady & Brie.

Meghan Connolly 

Congratulations to Dr Connolly on her postdoc position in Canada!

Education

  • BA (2014-2018) Psychology, Minors in Chemistry and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • MA (2019-2021) Psychological Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • PhD (2021-2025) Neuroscience, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
    [Rhodes Lab]

Bio: Meghan is from Winston Salem, NC. When Meghan is not in the lab she is spending time with her pup Frankie, enjoying the outdoors, or reading.

Meghan finished her PhD training in the lab of Dr. Justin Rhodes.