Rusan Lab / Science & people

Past Members

Former Postdoctoral Fellows

Ramya Varadarajan

Ramya Varadarajan

NIH · 2016–2023

Now: Scientist II · University of Wisconsin–Madison

Former Graduate Students

Karen Plevock

Karen Plevock

NIH · 2012–2016

Now: Program Director / Health Science Administrator · NHLBI, NIH

After the lab: NICHD, NIH · Mary Dasso laboratory

Former Postbaccalaureate Fellows

Makenzie Thomas

Makenzie Thomas

NIH · 2024–2026

Next institution: University of Virginia (UVA)

Emma Burns

Emma Burns

NIH · 2024–2026

Next institution: Yale University

Katie Munch

Katie Munch

NIH · 2025–2026

Solo Aviles

Solo Aviles

NIH · 2023–2025

Jacie Cheng

Jacie Cheng

NIH · 2024–2025

Next institution: NIH

Kathleen Holmes

Kathleen Holmes

NIH · 2021–2023

Next institution: University of North Carolina

Afeez Sodeinde

Afeez Sodeinde

NIH · 2019–2021

Next institution: Yale University

Samantha Smith

Samantha Smith

NIH · 2017–2019

Next institution: University of California, Berkeley

Rachel Ng

Rachel Ng

NIH · 2017–2019

Next institution: Stanford University

Frances Welsh

Frances Welsh

NIH · 2017–2019

Next institution: University of Washington

Zac Swider

Zac Swider

NIH · 2015–2017

Next institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Sarah Speed

Sarah Speed

NIH · 2015–2017

Next institution: Caltech

Jacob Ortega

Jacob Ortega

NIH · 2015–2017

Next institution: Baylor University

Katherine Jacobs

Katherine Jacobs

NIH · 2013–2015

Next institution: Duke University

Holly Jordan

Holly Jordan

NIH · 2013–2014

Next institution: Pharmacy school

Rodrigo Guillen

Rodrigo Guillen

NIH · 2011–2013

Next institution: Vanderbilt University

Amber Beg

Amber Beg

NIH · 2011–2012

Next institution: Medical school

Former Interns & Volunteers

  • Anthea Luo · NIH, 2023 · Northwestern University undergraduate
  • Mehmet Tascioglu · NIH, 2023 · Stanford University undergraduate
  • Lana Anderson · NIH, 2017–2019 · Takoma Park Middle School / Montgomery Blair High School
  • Lauren Smith · NIH, 2016 · NIH High School Summer Training Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
  • Dina Alaeddin · NIH, 2014 · Cardiff University School of Biosciences
  • Kareema A. Nahavandi · NIH, 2013 · The Islamic Saudi Academy High School
  • Nikolle A. Lambrinos · NIH, 2013 · Florida Atlantic University
  • Jacob M. Ortega · NIH, 2013 · Texas Christian University

Co-mentored Trainees

  • Prasanthi Kunamaneni · NIH, 2022–2026 · Co-mentored postbaccalaureate fellow with the Taraska and Hinshaw labs

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