The Kirby Lab, June 2024
From left to right: Liz, Lisa, Nidhi, India, Ileanexis, Meg, Emma, Emily, Bryon
Principal Investigator
Elizabeth D. Kirby, PhD Kirby_CV_June_2024
“I am interested in how stem cells shape the function of the adult brain. I am also passionate about lowering barriers to science education and making publicly-funded science accessible to the public. My hobbies include running, biking and triathlon. I also enjoy hanging out with my spouse and son.”
Lab Manager
Bryon M. Smith, BS
“Bryon’s goal is to keep everyone in the lab working at maximum efficiency. This means ensuring that they have access to all the tools and materials they require to conduct their research. He can often be found building new tools and equipment or repairing existing ones. Additionally, he creates, optimizes and troubleshoots protocols throughout the lab. He is a much utilized resource as he is the epitome of a jack of all trades. However, perhaps most importantly, he is a provider of large quantities of chocolate for the lab.”
Postdoctoral Fellows
Lisa Miller, PhD
“I have always had a strong interest in adult neurogenesis, and I plan to explore how these neural stem and progenitor cells interact with and influence the rest of the dentate gyrus. I believe collaboration, patience, and kindness are important keys to successful science. Outside of lab, I enjoy lifting weights, crocheting, and playing board games.”
Graduate Students (degree target)
Ileanexis Rosado-Burgos (PhD)
“I am interested in how learning can alter the activation state of neural stem cells and how they respond to pathology, including glutamate at neurotoxic levels. My hobbies outside of lab are singing, playing piano, biking, gardening, and watching series/movies. I also enjoy making or failing to make classic Puerto Rican food from home, regardless of the outcome, it is always fun.”
Nidhi Devasthali (PhD)
“I am interested in understanding how hippocampal neural stem cells interact with their niche and how they are impacted by it, with a particular focus on glutamate transport. My hobbies outside of lab include reading, knitting, baking, and cooking Indian food for my friends. My hobbies inside of lab include making tiny origami birds while things incubate.”
Undergraduate Students (alphabetical)
- India Carter
- Emma Corbett
- Meg Goldberg
- Mia Marcellana
- Emily Maria
- Ash Mertens
Alumni (most recent to least recent)
- Tyler J. Dause, PhD (PhD student, 2017-2023, Current position: Senior Research Associate in molecular biology, Novasenta)
- Ashley Walters (technician, 2021-2023, Current position: research technician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital)
- Robert Osap (undergrad, grad Sp23, senior thesis, Current position: med student at Ohio University)
- Gwen Sebring (undergrad, grad Sp23, Current position: PhD Student at University of Cincinnati).
- Lexi Kreuser (undergrad, grad Au22, Current position: applying to PA school)
- Nidhi Devasthali (undergrad, grad Sp22, senior thesis, Current position: OSU neuroscience PhD student)
- Raina Rindani (undergrad, grad Sp22, senior thesis, Current position: TBD, applying to med school)
- Sakthi Senthilvelan (undergrad, grad Sp22, Current position: Columbia University Masters in Public Health program)
- Josh D. Rieskamp, PhD (PhD student, 2016-2021, Current position: regulatory writing intern, RWC Global)
- Jiyeon K. Denninger, MD PhD (postdoctoral fellow, 2016-2021, Current position: Associate Director in Clinical Development, Sarepta Therapeutics)
- Jacob Christofi, MS (undergraduate and Master’s student, grad Sp 2021, Current position: OSU Medical school)
- Sheldon Ding, MS (undergraduate, grad Sp 2021, senior thesis, Current position: research technician at Nationwide Children’s hospital, applying to PhD programs)
- Abby Volk (undergraduate, grad Sp 2021, Current position: National Park Service Hydrology data analysis intern)
- Adithe Rivaldi (undergraduate, grad Sp 2021, Current position: Research assistant at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Institute for Genomic Medicine)
- Nick Soulas (undergraduate, grad Sp 2021, Current position: med student at Wright State University Medical School)
- Mark Fongheiser (undergraduate, grad Sp 2021, Current position: Research assistant at Columbia University)
- Eliza Ansar (undergraduate, grad Sp 2019, senior thesis, Current position: Podiatry student at New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM))
Historical lab photos
The Kirby Lab, September 2022
From left to right: Bryon, Gwen, India, Lisa (kneeing on ground), Ileanexis (partial kneel), Tyler, Ashley (in tree), Liz (kneeling on ground, triumphant), Robert
The Kirby Lab, May 2021
Up top, left to right: Liz, Bryon, Angela, Jacob, Jiyeon, Ileanexis
On ground, left to right: Tyler, Josh, Adithe, Sakthi, Nick S., Nidhi, Sheldon, Abby, Raina
The Kirby Lab, October 2019
Back (left to right): Jacob, Josh, Armaan, Nick, Tyler
Front (left to right): Akanksha, Nidhi, Chase, Sakthi, Abby, Sheldon, Jiyeon, Bryon, Liz