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Principal Investigator
Elizabeth Proctor, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Pharmacology, Biomedical Engineering, and Engineering Science & Mechanics
Associate Director, Cross-Disciplinary Neural Engineering training program
July 2018-present
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Proctor holds a B.S. in Physics (Honors) and a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature (Honors) from Purdue University. She received her Ph.D. in the field of computational molecular biophysics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working with Dr. Nikolay Dokholyan, and completed her postdoctorate in the field of bioengineering and systems biology with Dr. Douglas Lauffenburger at MIT. When not in the lab, she enjoys running, pole vaulting, gymnastics, and going on adventures with her very energetic toddler.
Research Technologist
Chaemin Kim, B.S.
Research Technologist 1
July 2023-present
Ms. Kim holds a B.S. in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences from Penn State University. She is interested in understanding the cognitive physiology of the nervous system, especially how memory is stored and retrieved. In her free time, Chaemin enjoys reading and learning new languages.
Graduate Students
Dennis Chan, B.S.
Graduate Student, Bioengineering (G6)
Cross-Disciplinary Neural Engineering NIH T32 Fellow
November 2018-present
dcc5251@psu.edu
Mr. Chan holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University. Co-advised with Dr. Nanyin Zhang (BME), Dennis is studying the interacting relationships of inflammation, metabolism, and functional brain networks in Alzheimer’s disease using a combination of awake-animal fMRI, Luminex multiplexing immunoassays, and metabolomics integrated with mathematical modeling.
Rachel Kang, M.S.
Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences (G2)
April 2023-present
ryk5255@psu.edu
Mx. Kang holds a BS and MS from Drexel University in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Rachel is interested in understanding the mechanisms of amyloid beta clearance through APOE as a result of a variety of different contributing factors such as lipidation, exercise, and sleep. Outside of the lab, Rachel enjoys fencing, running, and cooking.
Undergraduate Students
Ashley Thommana
Premedical-Medical Program (UG2)
August 2022-present
abt5414@psu.edu
Resume
Our laboratory is part of the following graduate degree programs:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Bioinformatics & Genomics
- Engineering Science & Mechanics
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD)
- Anatomy
Lab Alumni
Graduate Students
Rebecca Fleeman, Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, March 2019-March 2023
Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral NRSA (NIH F31) Fellow
Thesis: Alzheimer’s disease Risk Conveyed by APOE4: Immunometabolism and the Brain-Body Connection
Current position: Neurology Medical Science Liaison, Teva Pharmaceuticals
Madison Kuhn, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, October 2018-December 2023
Cross-Disciplinary Neural Engineering NIH T32 Fellow
Thesis:Â The Contribution of Dynamic Neuroinflammatory States in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current position: on the job market!
Technicians
Nathan Morris, Research Technologist — currently Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences PhD program, Penn State College of Medicine
Dr. Amanda Snyder, Research Technologist — currently Research Project Manager, Department of Neurology, Penn State College of Medicine
Lynne Beidler, Research Technologist — currently Research Technologist, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine
Undergraduate Students
Morgan McNamara, Undergraduate Summer Student — currently Orthopedic Instruments Sales Representative, Stryker
Tyler Vokes, Undergraduate Summer Student — currently Lab Intern, Sidero Bioscience
High School Students
Sophia Dokholyan, High School Intern — currently Class of 2024, Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder
Alessia Ianuzzi, High School Intern — currently Class of 2024, Carlisle High School