GRADUATE STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Current Students
| Student | Matriculation Year | Mentor | Education | Research |
| 2025 | Rotating | I am interested in women's health research, reproductive science and chronic autoimmune conditions. | |
 Adrian Grijalva | 2025 | Rotating | My past research focused on understanding the mechanisms of cardiac disease and repair, with an emphasis on developing innovative therapeutic strategies. I am interested in research that integrates tissue engineering, immunomodulation, and metabolomics to promote tissue regeneration and function. A key aim of my future work is to enable clinical translation of novel approaches to improve outcomes for patients. | |
 Jacob Anna | 2024 | Rotating | My research thus far has focused on how the vascular system functions normally and in response to various physiological stressors, disease states, and healthy aging. I am interested in determining how local cellular changes within the vessel influences its function and how this impacts clinical outcomes in highly prevalent cardiovascular disease states. | |
 Mariana Casa De Vito | 2024 | Rotating /Sucharov | BS in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience from CU Boulder | My research focuses on metabolic dysfunction in pediatric and adult heart failure. There is a shift in substrate utilization and mitochondrial function that happens in the failing heart that needs to be studied in order to develop novel heart failure therapies. I have an interest in studying the role mitochondrial metabolism play in disease and a personal interest in nutrition/ exercise physiology. |
 Christopher M. Clements | 2024 | D'Alessandro | My research focuses on the molecular underpinnings of (patho)physiology at the intersection of chemistry and physiology. Using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, proteomics, and lipidomics, I study how metabolism and hemolytic disorders influence organ systems, aging, and vascular health. I am particularly interested in redox biology, cellular stress responses, and systemic metabolic adaptation. As part of this work, I am also exploring how extreme physical exertion, such as ultramarathon running, impacts vascular and metabolic function. | |
 Kiarra Coger | 2024 | Stephanie Wesolowski and Colleen Julian | BA in Biological Sciences | I am interested in women's reproductive health research. More specifically looking at the pathophysiology of diseases and disorders within the female reproductive tract leading to infertility or pregnancy-related complications. I am also interested in maternal-fetal health and how different pregnancy-related disorders can lead to poor maternal or fetal outcomes and various maladaptive responses both long and short-term. |
| 2024 | Rotating/ Edward Lau | BS in Biological Science from Florida Atlantic University | Research: Cheyanne’s research explores the use of engineered heart tissues and stable isotope labeling to identify cellular crosstalk signals prevalent in cardiac disease. |
 Christopher Hoffer | 2024 | Dr. Kathleen (KC) Woulfe | B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa | Chris is a graduate student in the Integrated Physiology Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, where he works under the mentorship of Dr. Kathleen Woulfe. A native of Marion, Ohio, Chris served 15 years in the U.S. Marines before earning his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. |
| 2024 | Rotating | BA in Biology and Chemistry from Willamette University in Salem Oregon | I am interested in studying different organ systems under the pretense of cancer cachexia. Particularly, I am seeking to better understand the molecular mechanisms that drive muscle, endothelial, and bone cross talk. With this, I hope to find novel molecular targets to use for potential therapies in the treatment of cancer cachexia. |
 Dean Oldham | 2024 | Stephanie Wesolowski | In my view, obesity is the biggest health related issue in the U.S. My research interests involve the physiological changes with obesity and the effect it has on different organ systems (e.g. brain, cardiovascular, hepatic, etc.). | |
 LeAnna J. Phillip | 2024 | Matthew Wortham | B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, Indiana University | I am interested in whole-body metabolism and mechanisms of metabolic diseases like Diabetes and Obesity. |
 Natalia Weinzierl | 2024 | Elle Roberson | BS in Human Physiology at the University of Iowa | My research is focused on myometrial signaling and contractility throughout the estrous cycle, gestation, and birth. Specifically, I’m interested in investigating molecular mechanisms regulating myometrial quiescence and how dysregulation can result in pre-term birth. Natalia's ORCHID |
Carissa Birznieks | 2023 | Benninger | BS Biological sciences, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, MS Modern Human Anatomy University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus | I study connections between cells in the pancreatic islet to understand how disruptions in cell-cell communication may drive development of diabetes.
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Gilda Opoku | 2023 | Evans | MD, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology | I am interested in respiratory physiology. My research focuses on the assembly of Muc5ac and the phsyiological impact of discrupting it. This would inform potential therapeutic measures in the management of conditions like Asthma. |
 Gabriel Medrano | 2023 | Melanie Cree | BS, Human Biology, University of California Irvine | I conduct clinical research on the pathophysiology and risk factors of pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Using stable isotope tracers, I investigate the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists to reduce hepatic lipogenesis, particularly in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). |
| 2022 | Henry | BS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester; MS, Reproductive Science and Medicine, Northwestern University | The impact of obesity on the progression of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and drug efficacy. |
| 2022 | Sucharov | MD, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana | I study pediatric heart failure. I am currently working on developing an animal model of disease for pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy. |
| 2022 | Lau | BS, Pre-health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Northern Colorado | My research is investigating the effects of tissue cross talk using iPSC derived adipocyte and cardiomyocyte models. |
| 2022 | Restrepo and Gibson | BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bellarmine University; MS, Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus | My research involves studying associative learning and memory in the dCA1 region of the hippocampus in mice. I am especially interested in the complex circuitry dynamics between different types of neurons, and how their interplay can generate powerful memories leading to correct behavioral outcomes. This work will hopefully lay the ground work for creating new mechanisms for memory preservation or regeneration in those suffering from memory diseases or disorders such as Alzheimer's and concussion. |
| 2021 | Melanson and Catenacci | BS, Dietetics, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; MS, Exercise Physiology, West Virginia University | My research focuses on novel dietary interventions to improve obesity treatment strategies. Specifically, I am utilizing doubly labeled water (DLW) for assessing objective measures of energy intake and diet adherence from a 12-month randomized trial comparing weight loss generated from intermittent fasting and daily caloric restriction. I am also interested in reward-based eating behaviors and appetite hormone alterations from weight loss. |
| 2021 | Boyle | BS in Biochemistry, Minor in Environmental Toxicology, North Carolina State University | Suzzi focuses on the effects of gestational exposure- such as to PFAS chemicals, obesity, or stress- on long-term offspring metabolic health. She utilizes umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as her experimental model. |
| 2021 | Nozik | BS Biological Science (Microbiology), Minors in Bioinformatics and Chemistry, San José State University | I am interested in the maternal stress on neonatal to adulthood outcomes! My research focuses on extracellular superoxide dismutase on the development of lung and pulmonary vasculature and the macrophage accumulation with prenatal hypoxic stress. |
| 2020 | Reusch | BS, Exercise Science, Harding University; MS, Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University | My scientific focus is on the effects of type 2 diabetes on skeletal muscle. I am interested in hyperglycemia's independent effects on muscle architecture and blood supply. |
| 2020 | Santoro | BS, Physiology with a minor in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming | My research focuses on the composition of the olfactory system and how it is altered by experience. I am particularly interested in lifelong neurogenesis and how it may serve an adaptive as well as a reparative function in the olfactory system. |
Mackenzie Amrine
Cheyanne Durham
Patrick Livingston
Student Leadership (2024-2025)
Admissions Committee
Karlin, Kira and Obed
ORE Student Council
Nick and Jay
Recruitment Leads
Jay, Karlin, and Suzzi
Retreat Committee
Asia, Nick, Tina, Tyler, Gilda
Seminar Planners
Gilda and Matt
Social Media Manager
Francesca
Social Events Planner
Carissa, Gabriel and Suzzi
Website Managers
Obed and Tina
Alumni
| Name | Thesis Mentor | Program | Graduation Year |
| Dobbs, Tyler | Nadeau, Kristen | IPHY | 2025 |
| Cendali, Francesca | D'Alessandro, Angelo | IPHY | 2025 |
Dubner, Allison M. | Weiser-Evans, Mary C.M. | IPHY | 2023 |
McDonald, Rosie | Kumar, Raj | IPHY | 2023 |
Swenson, Karli | Bates, Emily | IPHY | 2023 |
Nash, Michael | Friedman & Wesolowski | MSTP | 2022 |
Kahn, Darcy | Bergman, Bryan | IPHY | 2022 |
Llerena Cari, Evelyn | Johnson, Joshua | IPHY | 2022 |
Dahle, Jared | Catenacci, Victoria A. and Melanson, Edward L. | IPHY | 2021 |
Strand, Keith A. | Weiser-Evans, Mary C.M. | IPHY | 2020 |
Presby, David M. | MacLean, Paul S. | IPHY | 2019 |
Foright, Rebecca M. | MacLean, Paul S. | IPHY | 2019 |
Coates, Sydney L. | Moore, Lorna | IPHY | 2019 |
Oliphant, Michael U. J. | Ford, Heide L. | IPHY | 2019 |
Soderborg, Taylor K. | Friedman, Jacob E. | MSTP | 2019 |
Libby, Andrew E. | McManaman, James L. | IPHY | 2018 |
Schmidt, Linnea G. | Williams, Trevor J. | IPHY | 2017 |
Roof, Allyson K. | Gutierrez-Hartmann, Arthur | IPHY | 2017 |
Rumer, Kristen K. | Winn, Virginia D. | MSTP | 2013 |
Alumni Testimonials
The IPHY program provided a broad, supportive environment that was integral to my development as a scientist. As an IPHY student, access to the state-of-the-art resources on the Anschutz Medical Campus contributed significantly to my successful research in graduate school.
Keith Strand
PhD, Senior Scientist, PfizerIPHY provided a very supportive and collaborative environment. The training and curriculum allowed me to be well prepared for the rigors of a postdoc.
Mike Oliphant
PhD, Graduated 2019, NCI F99/K00 Postdoctoral Fellow, Joan Brugge and Senthil Muthuswamy Labs, Harvard Medical SchoolI am thankful for the breadth of research I was exposed to while in the IPHY Program, as it gave me a birds-eye view of physiology in addition to a focused education in reproductive physiology. I gained experience in both translational and clinical research that prepared me for a research career in a clinical setting.
Sydney Coates Lane
PhD, Maternal Health Scientist, Ferring Pharmaceuticals