I recently started my lab in Endocrinology at UChicago- I was a biology major here many years ago and I’m excited to be back! My PhD work was in the lab of Jun Wu at the University of Michigan where I studied the regulation of thermogenic adipocytes. I then did a postdoc in the lab of Evan Rosen at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where I used single nucleus RNA sequencing to study the heterogeneity of cell types in white adipose tissue and how cell type proportion and function are affected under different physiological conditions. My current work aims to further explore the effects of different physiological states on adipocyte heterogeneity. In my free time, I enjoy knitting and crocheting, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with my cat, Dr. Franklin.

I am excited to join Dr. Margo Emont’s lab as a Staff Scientist at the University of Chicago. My academic journey began with a Ph.D. from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in India, under the guidance of Dr. Partha Chakrabarti, where I investigated the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and obesity. In May 2022, I moved to the University of Chicago to work as a Postdoctoral Scholar in Dr. Raghavendra Mirmira’s lab. My research here has focused on the molecular interplay between inflammation and pancreatic function in diabetes. I am eager to apply my expertise in metabolic disease research and to contribute to advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms in my new role.

Aside from research, I am passionate about videography, photography, traveling, and chatting with friends. The University of Chicago provides a supportive and inspiring environment, and I am excited to see what the future holds.

I study how preadipocytes differentiate into mature adipocytes and how physiological cues regulate this process. Throughout my scientific training, I have been fascinated by how cells acquire their identities during development and how these processes adapt in adult tissues. During my PhD in Elazar Zelzer’s lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, I investigated the development of tendon-to-bone attachment cells. I then joined Neil Shubin’s lab at the University of Chicago as a postdoctoral scholar, where I developed a Xenopus tropicalis model to study lung development and fibrosis, and explored questions in evolutionary developmental biology.

I’m excited to join Dr. Margo Emont’s lab to apply my expertise in imaging, mouse genetics, and cell biology to investigate adipose progenitor biology and the role of these cells in metabolic disease. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, swimming, and practicing yoga with my son.

I first became interested in research at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where I graduated with a double major in Neuroscience and Biochemistry. During my time at UMN, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in two different labs to study the neuroscience of decision-making and the biochemical properties of nautral herbicides. From there, I moved to Ann arbor and earned my Ph.D.in Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan. During my Ph.D., I worked in the lab of Dr. Scott Leiser to study cell nonautonomous regulation of aging and behavior using the model organism C. elegans. For my postdoctoral research in the Emont lab, I am excited to investigate the role of glutamate signaling in adipose tissue health and disease, as well as learn a few new model organisms (cell culture and mice)! I am also enthusiastic about  learning more computational skills to explore transcriptional changes that occur in adipose tissue during lipedema. Outside of the lab, I enjoy drawing, running, lifting weights, and spending time with my husband and our cats.

I graduated from Purdue University with my Bacehlor’s in Biology. During my time there, I studied aquatic ecotoxicology in amphibian species. Since graduating, I have been working at the University of Illinois Chicago performing pre-clinical research  with studies in general toxicology, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, and acute radiation models. I’m excited to be working with Margo, and to learn more about how hormones differences affect adipose tissue and contribute to differences in metabolic disease. In my free time, I Iike to read, color, and spend time with my loved ones.

I’m a recent graduate from the University of Chicago in the Biological Sciences. I was first introduced to Dr. Emont’s lab through endocrinology courses as an undergraduate. I’m incredibly excited to bring information from my coursework and prior lab work with Hibino Lab to create better models and find more information about the signaling of adipose tissue in metabolic disease so that ‘knowledge may grow in order that life may be enriched,’ as the UChicago motto goes. In my free time, I’m a martial artist in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a classical opera focused singer, and a language learner.

I graduated from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biology with Honors. During my time at UMich, I worked in Dr. Jun Wu’s lab for nearly two years, where I studied the mechanisms of alcoholic liver disease, focusing on the role of adipocytes in disease progression. I’m very excited to begin my work here at UChicago in Dr. Margo Emont’s lab! Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, discovering great restaurants, and watching TV dramas.

I am a current third year at the University of Chicago studying Biology on the Pre-Med track and History. I’m very excited get to learn everything about adipose tissue such as the cell signaling that takes place within it, as well as helping to make a difference in metabolic disease. In my free time I like to skateboard, read, shoot photos, and play card games with my friends.

Dr. Franklin’s research involves looking out of the window to study local birds. In her free time, she enjoys napping and complaining.

Charlie is currently working to advance our understanding of the smallest hole an adult male cat can fit in without getting stuck. Sassy spends her time developing novel predictive algorithms for when the automatic feeder will dispense food. Both cats spend their free time asking for attention, sitting in boxes, and hunting houseplants.