ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Olena earned a degree in Human and Animal Physiology at the Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology in Kiev, Ukraine, and had postdoctoral trainings in Dr Natalia Shirokova’s laboratory in the Rutgers Medical School, New Jersey and the laboratory of Dr. Gregory L Holmes at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, New Hampshire. Olena Isaeva joined Cheryl Stucky’s lab in October of 2021, where she applies her expertise in single-channel and whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and optical fluorescence assays to study cellular signaling pathways involved in the crosstalk between sensory neurons and epidermal keratinocytes in health and disease. In her free time, Olena enjoys travelling, reading books, cooking, and spending time with her family.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Vanessa completed her BA in Psychology at Winona State University in Minnesota, and her MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Her dissertation examined the role of the ventral hippocampus in Pavlovian fear learning. Vanessa joined the Stucky lab as a postdoc in October 2020, where she is using calcium imaging and electrophysiology to examine the peripheral mechanisms that contribute to pain in sickle cell disease. Outside of lab, Vanessa enjoys knitting/crocheting, running the Oak leaf trail, and going to Brewers games with her husband, Jon.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Jonathan completed his BS in Molecular Biology at William Jewell College in Missouri, and his Cell Biology MSc and Neuroscience PhD at the University of Kansas Medical Center. His dissertation explored mechanisms of pain-relief by a very-low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet in acute and chronic pain models, especially diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Jonathan joined the Stucky Lab as a postdoc in June of 2023 where he is learning electrophysiology and calcium imaging to study the contributions of keratinocytes to the peripheral sensation of pain and cold. When out of the lab, Jonathan enjoys training in the gym, cooking, and exploring breweries with his wife, Maria.

PhD CANDIDATE

Alex completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University in Provo Utah and is a Neuroscience PhD student at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Alex joined the Stucky Lab in May of 2019. His research focuses on how keratinocytes and sensory neurons communicate with each other to mediate normal somatosensation, as well as how this communication is altered following injury. When not thinking about skin cells, Alex is probably listening to audiobooks, playing bass guitar, or dungeon mastering his Dungeons and Dragons groups.

PhD CANDIDATE

Dianise (DRG) is a Neuroscience PhD candidate at MCW who obtained a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce. During her undergraduate training, she was a NIH RISE trainee researching endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. Wanting to further her understanding in pain and touch, she joined the Stucky lab in March of 2021. Along with other lab members, she is interested in understanding the role of sensory neurons in migraine. Outside of lab, DRG can be found saying hi to dogs on the street, trying new beers at a local brewery, or adding to her ever-growing collection of plants!

PhD CANDIDATE

Christina completed her undergraduate training from The University of Scranton where she was given the opportunity to perform thesis research as a member of the university’s Honors Program. During her undergraduate time, Christina was able to complete two summer fellowships at the Medical College of Wisconsin, the first of which being hosted by the Stucky lab. It was during this fellowship she found her passion for pain research. Currently, Christina studies the contributions of ion channels to mechanically evoked ATP release in healthy and neuropathic disease states. Outside of lab, Christina can be found at the gym, with her pets, or playing DnD.

MEDICAL SCIENTIST TRAINEE

Sam completed his BS in Biochemistry at Santa Clara University in California. After graduating, he moved to the Minnesota to work as a research scientist with Dr. Dan Garry studying cardiac regenerative medicine and later with Dr. Faqian studying fetal reprogramming of the myocardium during heart failure. Sam joined the Stucky lab for the graduate research portion of his MD/PhD at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2021, where he currently studies the role of intravascular hemolysis in the development and maintenance of sickle cell disease pain. In his free time, Sam loves to play board games, cook extravagant meals, and go camping with his partner Sami and dog Ali.