Katheryn Rothenberg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
Interests: rabbits, hiking, cell adhesion
katheryn-rothenberg AT uiowa.edu
Jiarui Jiang
PhD Candidate, Cancer Biology Program
B.S. Biology, University of Washington
Interests: art, astronomy, collective cell migration
jiarui-jiang AT uiowa.edu
Elizabeth Martin
PhD Student, iBio Program
Honors in Major B.A. Biology & Minor in Psychology, University of Iowa
Interests: key lime pie, hiking // national parks, cancer metastasis
elizabeth-martin AT uiowa.edu
Brianna O'Donnell
PhD Student, iBio Program
B.S. Biology & Minor in Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Superior
A.A. & A.S. Science, Iowa Lakes Community College
Interests: national parks, reading, cells
brianna-odonnell AT uiowa.edu
Alither Mugisha
PhD Student, iBio Program
B.S. Biology, Iowa State University
Interests: traveling, perfumery, cell migration
alither-mugisha AT uiowa.edu
Lewis Reed
Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology
Pursuing: B.S. Biology, Pre-Medicine
A.S. Biology, South Eastern Community College
Interests: games, fettuccine alfredo, surgery
lewis-reed AT uiowa.edu
Allie Orozco
Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology
Pursuing: B.S. Biology, Spanish Minor
Interests: reading, music, pharmacology
allison-orozco AT uiowa.edu
Nyla Valencia
Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology
Pursuing: B.S. Biology (with Honors), Expected 2027
Interests: wrestling, piano, tissue repair/wound healing
nyla-valencia AT uiowa.edu
Christian Engen-Carter
Undergraduate Researcher
Pursing: Pre-Nursing degree
Interests: traveling, hiking, anesthesia
christian-engen-carter AT uiowa.edu
Law Quinn
Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Pursuing: B.S.E. Biomedical Engineering
Interests: skateboarding, working out, liquid biopsies
lawrence-quinn AT uiowa.edu
Lab Alumni
Undergraduate Students
Samuel Smith, Visiting Undergraduate Researcher (2026)
Current Position: Physics and Mathematics Undergraduate Student, University of Chicago
Aiza Khan, Honors Undergraduate Researcher (2024-2026)
Current Position: pursing DO at A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Luke Cuasay, Undergraduate Researcher (2025-2026)
Tate Steig, Undergraduate Researcher (2025-2026)
Annadelle Brown, Visiting BSURP Researcher (2025)
Current Position: Biology and Chemistry Undergraduate Student, University of Virgin Islands
Amilia Sanchez, Undergraduate Intern (2024)
Current Position: Biology Undergraduate Student, University of Iowa
Staff
Olivia Fortman, ICARE Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Current Position: pursuing M.S. Biomedical Sciences at Rocky Vista University