Dr. Martha Gillette, Ph.D, PI
Dr. Gillette is a professor of Cell & Developmental Biology, Physiology, Bioengineering, and Neuroscience; Director of the U of I Neuroscience Program; and on the faculty of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. She is affiliated with the Institute for Genomic Biology, the Micro & NanoTechnology Laboratory, and the Center for Nanoscale Science & Technology. Professor Gillette received her A.B. from Grinnell College, M.S. from the University of Hawaii in Zoology, Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from the University of Toronto, and completed postdoctoral training in Neuroscience at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research seeks to understand at multiple levels the actions of molecules in neurons and glial cells, signal processing in the brain, and the effects of circadian rhythms on brain function and metabolism.
Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, Ph.D, Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Mitchell completed her PhD and post-doctoral training in Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Illinois and has served since 2006 as a senior research scientist in the Clockworks Laboratories on the Life Sciences campus and in the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology
Graduate Students
Quang Nguyễn
Quang is a sixth-year graduate student in the Molecular and Integrative Physiology doctoral program. He graduated from California State University, Fresno with a BS in Biochemistry (Go Bulldogs!). He currently investigates the intrinsic circadian rhythms of cerebral endothelial cells, an important component of the blood-brain interface, and its relation to strokes. During his free time, Quang enjoys watching the Drag Races franchise and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends.
Tanner Cress
Tanner is a fifth-year analytical chemistry graduate student focusing on mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism in the blood-brain interface. He received his B.A. in Chemistry and Psychology from Claremont McKenna College in 2021. During his time there, he worked with Dr. Purvis-Roberts on atmospheric chemistry and participated in a field study and collaborative work with the University of California, Riverside, and the USDA. Since arriving at UIUC, he has received a School of Chemical Sciences teaching award for his work as a teaching assistant and is a fellow of the Chemical-Biological Interface Training Program. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and kayaking.
Sarah Asif, MS
Sarah is a third-year neuroscience PhD student focusing on how the the circadian-modulated blood-brain interface permeability contributes to stroke risk and severity. She received her B.S in Neuroscience with Honors from the University of Illinois Chicago and her M.S in Neurobiology from Northwestern University. Outside of lab, Sarah enjoys reading novels, gardening, and watching movies.
Canran Deng, M.S
Canran is a third-year graduate student in the MIP department. She is currently studying how circadian rhythm regulates the permeability of blood brain barrier by using hiPSC-derived endothelial cells. She has earned the MS degree of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine in University of Southern California. Her master’s project focused on the effect of bacteria metabolite butyrate, regulating several signaling pathways on intestinal stem cell development. She got a BS degree in Biotechnology, with an undergraduate thesis project on protein-protein interaction. In her free time, Canran likes to eat ships, go snowboarding, and playing video games.
Hannah Eichenberger
Hannah is a second-year graduate student in the Molecular and Integrative Physiology program. She received her B.S in Biology summa cum laude from Bradley University. She is currently starting her project on understanding the circadian dynamics of the blood-brain interface. Hannah is a coffee addict and likes to bake in her free time.
Vincent Wong
Vincent is a second-year graduate student in the Molecular and Integrative Physiology program. He received his B.S in Biology from the University of Michigan. He is currently studying the role of astrocytes in a hiPSC model of the blood-brain interface. Vincent likes to play video games and watch anime.
Undergraduate Students
Jason Kowalewski: Jason is a senior in MCB
Mehir Shah: Mehir is currently a sophomore in bioengineering and joined the lab in the fall semester of 2024. He is also a member of Illini Solar Car and CCIL-SO. Outside of class and lab, he enjoys spending time with friends and watching Illinois basketball.
Elsa Wartick: Elsa is a junior in MCB
Lena Trinh: Lena is a sophomore in MCB