Chris Dulla, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator
Chris heads up the lab and is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine. Chris trained with Dr. Kevin Staley, as a graduate student, and Dr. John Huguenard, as a post-doc. Throughout his career he has focused on understanding the how glutamate synaptic activity contributes to epilepsy and other neurological disorders an the Dulla Lab continues to focus on the molecular and cellular underpinnings of epileptogenesis. Techniques used in the lab center around electrophysiology, imaging, and EEG. Chris has also always enjoyed developing novel technical approaches and currently is exploring novel approaches to image voltage, high-speed imaging of neuronal activity, and models of epilepsy and brain injury.
Chris is addicted to hot sauce, loves to camp, play guitar, and has a significant collection of mullet wigs.
Chris heads up the lab and is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine. Chris trained with Dr. Kevin Staley, as a graduate student, and Dr. John Huguenard, as a post-doc. Throughout his career he has focused on understanding the how glutamate synaptic activity contributes to epilepsy and other neurological disorders an the Dulla Lab continues to focus on the molecular and cellular underpinnings of epileptogenesis. Techniques used in the lab center around electrophysiology, imaging, and EEG. Chris has also always enjoyed developing novel technical approaches and currently is exploring novel approaches to image voltage, high-speed imaging of neuronal activity, and models of epilepsy and brain injury.
Chris is addicted to hot sauce, loves to camp, play guitar, and has a significant collection of mullet wigs.
Moritz Armbruster, Ph.D. - Research Assistant Professor
Moritz did his doctoral training in the lab of Dr. Tim Ryan, where he focused on the kinetics and mechanisms of synaptic vesicle endocytosis and the large GTPase Dynamin. He joined the Dulla lab in 2012 to pursue his postdoctoral studies. His focus is on astrocyte biology and characterizing the perturbations in spatial and temporal control of glutamate reuptake in a model of developmental epilepsy.
Moritz grows his own wheat, mills his own flour, kneads his own dough, and bakes his own bread.
Moritz did his doctoral training in the lab of Dr. Tim Ryan, where he focused on the kinetics and mechanisms of synaptic vesicle endocytosis and the large GTPase Dynamin. He joined the Dulla lab in 2012 to pursue his postdoctoral studies. His focus is on astrocyte biology and characterizing the perturbations in spatial and temporal control of glutamate reuptake in a model of developmental epilepsy.
Moritz grows his own wheat, mills his own flour, kneads his own dough, and bakes his own bread.
Zin-Juan Klaft, M.D., doctorate - Scientist II
Zin joined the Dulla Lab in early 2018 moving to Boston from Berlin, Germany. He paused his medical studies at Charite for 4.5 years to do his doctoral training in Uwe Heinemann's lab at the Institute of Neurophysiology. His research there focused on mechanisms of drug resistance in epilepsy, seizure models and purinergic modulation of physiological and pathological network activities. He led the human brain slice program at his former institute for several years and initiated a drug development project in collaboration with Charite technology transfer. In the Dulla Lab he will focus on developmental disturbances of interneuron maturation.
In his free time he enjoys gold prospecting and has found a decent amount in California.
Zin joined the Dulla Lab in early 2018 moving to Boston from Berlin, Germany. He paused his medical studies at Charite for 4.5 years to do his doctoral training in Uwe Heinemann's lab at the Institute of Neurophysiology. His research there focused on mechanisms of drug resistance in epilepsy, seizure models and purinergic modulation of physiological and pathological network activities. He led the human brain slice program at his former institute for several years and initiated a drug development project in collaboration with Charite technology transfer. In the Dulla Lab he will focus on developmental disturbances of interneuron maturation.
In his free time he enjoys gold prospecting and has found a decent amount in California.
Sankhanil Saha, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Scholar
Sankhanil pursued his Ph.D. at Dr. Raghu Padinjat’s lab at NCBS, India where he looked into the regulation of Phosphatidylinositol signaling in Bipolar disorder patient-derived neuronal cultures. In the Dulla lab, Sankhanil aims to explore the transcriptomic and electrophysiological changes in interneurons following traumatic brain injury.
Outside the lab, Sankhanil is obsessed with Greek mythology, FC Barcelona and spends an exorbitant amount of time scribbling random thoughts.
Sankhanil pursued his Ph.D. at Dr. Raghu Padinjat’s lab at NCBS, India where he looked into the regulation of Phosphatidylinositol signaling in Bipolar disorder patient-derived neuronal cultures. In the Dulla lab, Sankhanil aims to explore the transcriptomic and electrophysiological changes in interneurons following traumatic brain injury.
Outside the lab, Sankhanil is obsessed with Greek mythology, FC Barcelona and spends an exorbitant amount of time scribbling random thoughts.
Rebecca Suthard, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Scholar
Rebecca is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Boston College in 2019 with degrees in Biology and Psychology. While in undergrad, she studied how serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus contribute to threat learning using optogenetics with Dr. Michael McDannald. After graduation, she moved just down the road to Boston University to complete her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the lab of Dr. Steve Ramirez in May of 2024. Here, her work focused on the role of astrocytic calcium dynamics in fear learning and memory using in vivo fiber photometry, one-photon imaging, opto- and chemogenetics. Shortly after, she joined the Dulla Lab and will explore the role of astrocytic voltage dynamics within circuit function and behavior using in vivo and in vitro imaging and electrophysiological methods.
Outside of the lab, Rebecca can be found going on very long walks, tending to her collection of plants and perfecting the blueberry scone.
Rebecca is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Boston College in 2019 with degrees in Biology and Psychology. While in undergrad, she studied how serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus contribute to threat learning using optogenetics with Dr. Michael McDannald. After graduation, she moved just down the road to Boston University to complete her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the lab of Dr. Steve Ramirez in May of 2024. Here, her work focused on the role of astrocytic calcium dynamics in fear learning and memory using in vivo fiber photometry, one-photon imaging, opto- and chemogenetics. Shortly after, she joined the Dulla Lab and will explore the role of astrocytic voltage dynamics within circuit function and behavior using in vivo and in vitro imaging and electrophysiological methods.
Outside of the lab, Rebecca can be found going on very long walks, tending to her collection of plants and perfecting the blueberry scone.
Jacqueline Garcia - Ph.D. Student
Jacqueline is originally from Pagosa Springs, Colorado and graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2019 with a degree in Biology and Biotechnology. For her senior thesis project she investigated novel mutations in the kinesin motor (KIF5A) associated with familial ALS. She joined the Dulla lab in May of 2020 and will explore changes in glutamate dynamics following traumatic brain injury.
Jacqueline is an avid Celtics fan and enjoys crafting Spotify playlist for all occasions.
Jacqueline is originally from Pagosa Springs, Colorado and graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2019 with a degree in Biology and Biotechnology. For her senior thesis project she investigated novel mutations in the kinesin motor (KIF5A) associated with familial ALS. She joined the Dulla lab in May of 2020 and will explore changes in glutamate dynamics following traumatic brain injury.
Jacqueline is an avid Celtics fan and enjoys crafting Spotify playlist for all occasions.
Reyna Gariepy - Ph.D. Student
Reyna is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in May 2021 as the first student to major in Neuroscience. While in undergrad she studied sex differences in rodent stress models in the Grafe Lab. For her undergraduate senior thesis Reyna investigated the effects of perceived socioeconomic status on stress and coping during COVID-19 in human cohorts. She joined the Dulla lab in May 2022 and will explore how GABA dynamics are shaped by astrocytes.
Outside of lab, Reyna applies the scientific method to find the optimal curly hair styling routine.
Reyna is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in May 2021 as the first student to major in Neuroscience. While in undergrad she studied sex differences in rodent stress models in the Grafe Lab. For her undergraduate senior thesis Reyna investigated the effects of perceived socioeconomic status on stress and coping during COVID-19 in human cohorts. She joined the Dulla lab in May 2022 and will explore how GABA dynamics are shaped by astrocytes.
Outside of lab, Reyna applies the scientific method to find the optimal curly hair styling routine.
Haley Dame - Ph.D. Student - Co-mentored with Dr. Madeleine Oudin
Haley is originally from Alton, New Hampshire and graduated from Suffolk University in 2019 with a degree in Biochemistry. During her undergrad she studied the bacterial conjugation of Bacillus Subtilis in the Berkmen Lab. Post-grad Haley worked as a protein engineer in the Boston Biotech industry. In 2021 she started Tufts GCMB program joining the Oudin and Dulla labs, focusing on genetic therapies for SCN8A epilepsies.
Outside the lab, Haley enjoys skiing, rock climbing and reading either bad romance books or historical fiction.
Haley is originally from Alton, New Hampshire and graduated from Suffolk University in 2019 with a degree in Biochemistry. During her undergrad she studied the bacterial conjugation of Bacillus Subtilis in the Berkmen Lab. Post-grad Haley worked as a protein engineer in the Boston Biotech industry. In 2021 she started Tufts GCMB program joining the Oudin and Dulla labs, focusing on genetic therapies for SCN8A epilepsies.
Outside the lab, Haley enjoys skiing, rock climbing and reading either bad romance books or historical fiction.
Panorea Tirja - Ph.D. Student
Panorea is originally from Greece and completed her undergrad at the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry in 2021. During her undergrad she worked in chemistry labs, but soon realized she wanted to get into the neuroscience field. In 2019 while studied abroad in Australia she joined the Holsinger Lab to work on an Alzheimer’s disease project. In 2021 she joined the Dulla lab as a research technician working on developing a cell-based assay to optimize GLT1 expression. Currently she is a PhD student in the lab working on characterizing atypical astrocytes in aged and AD mouse brains.
Outside the lab she enjoys hiking, extreme sports, trying out new food places or travelling.
Panorea is originally from Greece and completed her undergrad at the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry in 2021. During her undergrad she worked in chemistry labs, but soon realized she wanted to get into the neuroscience field. In 2019 while studied abroad in Australia she joined the Holsinger Lab to work on an Alzheimer’s disease project. In 2021 she joined the Dulla lab as a research technician working on developing a cell-based assay to optimize GLT1 expression. Currently she is a PhD student in the lab working on characterizing atypical astrocytes in aged and AD mouse brains.
Outside the lab she enjoys hiking, extreme sports, trying out new food places or travelling.
Jesse Blackman - Technician
Jesse graduated from Brandeis University in 2022 with a B.A. in psychology. During undergrad she worked in Ray Knight's psychopathy lab, and began to take an interest in neuroscience through coursework. In the Dulla lab, Jesse is researching how traumatic brain injury effects astrocyte protein expression. She is also collaborating with the Moss lab for an in-vitro GLT-1 potentiator assay.
Jesse is a trained jazz pianist and vocalist, loves to cook, and is addicted to Pinterest.
Jesse graduated from Brandeis University in 2022 with a B.A. in psychology. During undergrad she worked in Ray Knight's psychopathy lab, and began to take an interest in neuroscience through coursework. In the Dulla lab, Jesse is researching how traumatic brain injury effects astrocyte protein expression. She is also collaborating with the Moss lab for an in-vitro GLT-1 potentiator assay.
Jesse is a trained jazz pianist and vocalist, loves to cook, and is addicted to Pinterest.
Kathryn (Ryn) Mykyten - Technician
Kathryn hails from Atlanta, GA, where she graduated in 2021 from Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS in Neuroscience. In her undergrad she trained with Dr. Jennifer Curtis's Biophysics lab on a variety of techniques while studying the role of hyaluronan in the extracellular matrix. She has previously researched at the HNRCA Neuroscience Lab, focusing on the effects of bioactive compounds on adult neural progenitor cell health. In the Dulla lab, she is a lab technician assisting with the development of a murine model of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome through behavioral testing of mice.
When not in the lab, Ryn can reliably be found strolling around the Boston Public Library or Mahoney's Garden Center.
Kathryn hails from Atlanta, GA, where she graduated in 2021 from Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS in Neuroscience. In her undergrad she trained with Dr. Jennifer Curtis's Biophysics lab on a variety of techniques while studying the role of hyaluronan in the extracellular matrix. She has previously researched at the HNRCA Neuroscience Lab, focusing on the effects of bioactive compounds on adult neural progenitor cell health. In the Dulla lab, she is a lab technician assisting with the development of a murine model of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome through behavioral testing of mice.
When not in the lab, Ryn can reliably be found strolling around the Boston Public Library or Mahoney's Garden Center.
Vama Rao - Technician
Vama is originally from Albany, NY, and graduated from Dickinson College in 2022 with a BS in Neuroscience. Through coursework, she developed interests in many different areas of neuroscience, especially those related to behavioral pharmacology, inflammatory processes in neurodegenerative disease, and the connection between the gut-brain axis and neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, she is researching the different properties of microglia within atypical vs. typical astrocyte areas.
Outside the lab, Vama loves going down Spotify rabbit holes, listening to loud guitar music, and going to concerts, but she has left her crowdsurfing days behind her to avoid risking a TBI.
Vama is originally from Albany, NY, and graduated from Dickinson College in 2022 with a BS in Neuroscience. Through coursework, she developed interests in many different areas of neuroscience, especially those related to behavioral pharmacology, inflammatory processes in neurodegenerative disease, and the connection between the gut-brain axis and neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, she is researching the different properties of microglia within atypical vs. typical astrocyte areas.
Outside the lab, Vama loves going down Spotify rabbit holes, listening to loud guitar music, and going to concerts, but she has left her crowdsurfing days behind her to avoid risking a TBI.
Jason Wang - Undergraduate Researcher
Jason is from Holmdel, New Jersey and is currently an undergraduate student at Tufts University majoring in Biochemistry. In the Dulla lab, he studies metabolic changes within the brain after traumatic brain injuries. His interest in TBIs and neuroscience stems from concussive injuries in sports.
Jason thoroughly enjoys Greek yoghurt and playing all sports (especially golf and ice hockey).
Jason is from Holmdel, New Jersey and is currently an undergraduate student at Tufts University majoring in Biochemistry. In the Dulla lab, he studies metabolic changes within the brain after traumatic brain injuries. His interest in TBIs and neuroscience stems from concussive injuries in sports.
Jason thoroughly enjoys Greek yoghurt and playing all sports (especially golf and ice hockey).
Rebecca Krauss - Undergraduate Researcher
Rebecca is from Princeton, New Jersey and is majoring in Biology at Tufts University. Earlier in undergrad, Rebecca studied metastatic pathways in cancer progression. Her lifelong fascination with the brain led her to the Dulla Lab, where she focuses on the effect of traumatic brain injury on astrocyte protein expression.
Outside of lab, Rebecca loves learning historical trivia facts and sleeping on the beach.
Rebecca is from Princeton, New Jersey and is majoring in Biology at Tufts University. Earlier in undergrad, Rebecca studied metastatic pathways in cancer progression. Her lifelong fascination with the brain led her to the Dulla Lab, where she focuses on the effect of traumatic brain injury on astrocyte protein expression.
Outside of lab, Rebecca loves learning historical trivia facts and sleeping on the beach.
Lab Alumni
Previous Post-doctoral scholars:
David Cantu, Ph.D. - Associate Director, Medical Affairs at Sunovion
Theresa Rimmele, Ph.D. (co-mentored with Paul Rosenberg) - Now a scientist at Novartis
Isabel Derera, Ph.D. - Medical Writer at BlueBird Bio
Saptarnab Naskar, Ph.D. - Post-doctoral scholar at Northwestern University
David Cantu, Ph.D. - Associate Director, Medical Affairs at Sunovion
Theresa Rimmele, Ph.D. (co-mentored with Paul Rosenberg) - Now a scientist at Novartis
Isabel Derera, Ph.D. - Medical Writer at BlueBird Bio
Saptarnab Naskar, Ph.D. - Post-doctoral scholar at Northwestern University
Previous graduate students:
Elizabeth Hanson, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2017 - Now an Assistant Professor @ OHSU
Lauren Andresen Lau, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D in 2017 - Now an Instructor @ Harvard
Jennifer Shih, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2017 - Now an Imaging Specialist @ Sanofi
Jenny Koenig, Ph.D . - Defended her Ph.D. in 2019 - Now a Fellow in Ob/Gyn @ UCSD
Rachael Ryner, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2023 - Now a science writer @ AdMed, Inc
Samantha Bottom-Tanzer, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2024 - Now finishing her M.D. @ Tufts
Sadi Quiñones, Ph.D - Defended his Ph.D. in 2024 - Now a post-doc @ Harvard in Jeff Macklis' Lab.
Elizabeth Hanson, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2017 - Now an Assistant Professor @ OHSU
Lauren Andresen Lau, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D in 2017 - Now an Instructor @ Harvard
Jennifer Shih, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2017 - Now an Imaging Specialist @ Sanofi
Jenny Koenig, Ph.D . - Defended her Ph.D. in 2019 - Now a Fellow in Ob/Gyn @ UCSD
Rachael Ryner, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2023 - Now a science writer @ AdMed, Inc
Samantha Bottom-Tanzer, Ph.D. - Defended her Ph.D. in 2024 - Now finishing her M.D. @ Tufts
Sadi Quiñones, Ph.D - Defended his Ph.D. in 2024 - Now a post-doc @ Harvard in Jeff Macklis' Lab.
Previous Technicians:
Amaro Taylor - Recieved his Ph.D in Bioinformatics at Harvard, now VP of Machine Learning R&D at PathAI
David Hampton - Received his Ph.D in Neuroscience at Brandeis University, now a data scientist at DCI Solutions
Elliot Kim - Now an M.D./Ph.D. student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Mary Sommer
Amaro Taylor - Recieved his Ph.D in Bioinformatics at Harvard, now VP of Machine Learning R&D at PathAI
David Hampton - Received his Ph.D in Neuroscience at Brandeis University, now a data scientist at DCI Solutions
Elliot Kim - Now an M.D./Ph.D. student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Mary Sommer
Previous PREP Students:
Ashley Ortiz - Scientist at Editas Therapeutics
Sofia Corella - M.D./Ph.D. Student at Case Western University
Emmy Fulcidor
Arelis Baez Rosario
Ashley Ortiz - Scientist at Editas Therapeutics
Sofia Corella - M.D./Ph.D. Student at Case Western University
Emmy Fulcidor
Arelis Baez Rosario
Previous Undergrads:
Anar Kansara, Gokce Ozdemir, Pablo Gonzalez, Israel Robinson, Annabel Rutherford, Josh Pang, Alix Generous, Olivia Drake
Anar Kansara, Gokce Ozdemir, Pablo Gonzalez, Israel Robinson, Annabel Rutherford, Josh Pang, Alix Generous, Olivia Drake
Previous Visiting Scientists:
Line Duerrwald - Boehringer Ingelheim Fellow
Marie Rehm - Boehringer Ingelheim Fellow
Line Duerrwald - Boehringer Ingelheim Fellow
Marie Rehm - Boehringer Ingelheim Fellow
