Student Research Program

Daniel Burns

Robinson Lab, PI: Dr. Tim Robinson, Department of Mathematics & Statistics

I am a biostatistician and data scientist with broad interest in clinical and biomedical research, specifically oncology, immunology/infectious diseases, and neuroscience. I study AI use in clinical applications and decision making, interpretable AI/machine learning, and disease modeling and detection and love teaching and mentoring students in research methods and statistics. Outside of work, I enjoy being outside as much as possible (hiking, camping, skiing), spending time with my family, and traveling.

Priscilla Phan

Levy Lab, PI: Dr. Dan Levy, Department of Molecular Biology

Steven Poyer

Bowan Lab, PI: Dr. Grant Bowman, Department of Molecular Biology

I work in the Grant Bowman lab, where my research focuses on genetic approaches to enhance bioreactor productivity across a range of species of bacteria and yeast. In the future, I hope to apply the skills I have developed towards a career in industry. Outside the lab you can find me fishing, snowboarding, or enjoying many of the other outdoors activities offered in Laramie.

Madison Rhuman

Navratil & Todd Labs, PIs: Drs. Amy Navratil & William Todd, Department of Zoology & Physiology

My research focuses on understanding sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease, and how sex hormones affect circadian rhythms and Alzheimer’s disease pathology such as hyperphosphorylated Tau. I aim to investigate how sexual dimorphisms in receptor expression in the hypothalamus and the brain stem may contribute to worse pathology and behavior in females compared to males. In the future I plan to study hormone replacement therapy as an early intervention treatment for menopause, cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease.
Hobbies include: Skiing, Hiking, Painting, Yoga & Reading

Adrianna (Addie) Crnich

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Tak Suyama Lab, Chemistry

Development of Selective Drug Delivery Platforms: Modifying the Surface Chemistry of the Albumin Ruthenium Conjugate to Favor Biodistribution to Tumor Sites
Outside the Lab Interests:  Playing guitar, rock climbing, live music, hiking

Zachary (Zach) Friel

Hometown: Green River, WY
Alex French Lab, Pharmacy

Opioid and Psychedelic Co-Administration as a Therapeutic Strategy for Alcohol Use Disorder
My interests outside of the lab include participating in many sports like golf, pickleball, and snowboarding, and watching other sports such as football. I also love to go to the beach and spend time in warm weather. Finally, I enjoy playing almost any type of game: board games, intramural sports, video games, and more.

Xander Lindsey

Hometown: Crosby, ND
Alex French Lab, Pharmacy

Preventing Solid-State Crystallization of Indomethacin with Protective Organic Compounds
I love to read. I like to exercise, specifically long-distance running. I'll be running my first marathon in September. I also love watching movies.

Alanna Link

Hometown: Gillette, WY
Nicole Bedford Lab, Zoology & Physiology

Genetic Characterization of the Neuronal Populations controlling Hypothermia  and its Effect on Cognition
I really enjoy reading, hiking, working out, photography, and relaxing outdoors, usually in the hammock!

Britney Martinez

Hometown: Rawlins, WY
Dan Wall Lab, Molecular Biology

Exploring Broad-Host-Range Plasmid Compatibility in a Novel Microvirga Species
Hobbies: Fishing, going to the gym, and playing basketball

Hudson Poyer

Hometown: Rock Spring, WY
INBRE Transfer Fellow from Western Wyoming Community College
John Oakey Lab, Chemical/Biomedical Engineering

Mechanical Characterization of Biocompatible, Elastic Bottlebrush Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering
My outside the lab interests/hobbies are: Triathlon, hunting, snowboarding, and vehicle mechanics.

Cora Remacle

Hometown: Pavillion, WY
Tak Suyama Lab, Chemistry

Biosynthetic Investigation of Phthalate Esters Isolated from Tardigrade Gut Bacteria (investigating the biochemical pathways behind natural products made by bacteria in the tardigrade microbiome)
Some things I like to do outside of school and the lab is drawing/painting and playing video games.

Hannah Shuler

Hometown: Rock Springs, WY
INBRE Transfer Fellow from Western Wyoming Community College
Brandon Roberts Lab, Zoology & Physiology

Dysregulated Metabolism Alters Affect and Gene Expression in the Brain
My research focuses on the intersection of metabolism, circadian rhythms, and affective behaviour. Specifically, I’m studying neural circuits that link metabolic function with cognition and anxiety-like behaviours. For these questions, I’m utilizing immunohistochemistry and RNAscope to analyze how key synaptic markers in these circuits are altered after sleep disruption. 

Outside of school, I really enjoy the outdoors. I love mountain biking, running, climbing, backpacking, etc. I also enjoy music and musical theatre. I like doing all kinds of art even though it is not my strong suite. The two subjects I could talk about for hours are Harry Potter and Star Trek. One of my favorite outdoor adventures was climbing Devil’s Tower.

Amanda Sinnott

Hometown: Cheyenne, WY
INBRE Transfer Fellow from Laramie County Community College
Todd Schoborg Lab, Molecular Biology

Natural Variation in Brain Size Across Wild-Type Lines of Drosophila melanogaster
My outside of lab hobbies include hiking, painting, going to concerts, and collecting vinyl. 

Kooper Taylor

Hometown: Cheyenne, WY
Amy Navratil/William Todd Labs, Zoology & Physiology

Sex Differences in Sex Hormone Receptor Expression in Circadian Circuitry and their Role in Rhythms and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
I like to travel, spend time with my sisters, and go to the lake!

Jacob Turner

Hometown: Casper, WY
Brandon Roberts Lab, Zoology & Physiology

Acute High-Fat Diet Exposure Alters Affective Behavior and Synaptic Activity Markers in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus Across the Circadian Cycle in Mice
Outside the lab, I enjoy playing video games and reading to unwind or explore new ideas. I also enjoy staying active by working out and playing basketball with friends.

Jacob Vann

Hometown: Minot, ND
David Fay Lab, Molecular Biology

Proteomic approaches to understanding the regulation and functions of bridge-like transfer proteins in intracellular lipid transport
I like to play Cello, read, and swing dance in my free time.

Josie Walton

Hometown: Sheridan, WY
INBRE Transfer Fellow from Sheridan College
Thomas Boothby Lab, Molecular Biology

Testing the Contribution of the Tardigrade Microbiome to Desiccation Survival
I enjoy spending time running, playing chess, and I love anything space related.