Lab Members
Katrina Adams, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Email: [email protected] | Twitter: Katrina_L_Adams | Google Scholar
Katrina grew up in San Diego, California and got her PhD in molecular biology from UCLA, where she studied motor neuron development and stem cell biology. She did her postdoctoral research at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC, investigating signaling pathways that regulate neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes during postnatal brain development. She joined the University of Notre Dame as an Assistant Professor in January 2023. In addition to science, Katrina loves being a mom, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Principal Investigator
Email: [email protected] | Twitter: Katrina_L_Adams | Google Scholar
Katrina grew up in San Diego, California and got her PhD in molecular biology from UCLA, where she studied motor neuron development and stem cell biology. She did her postdoctoral research at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC, investigating signaling pathways that regulate neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes during postnatal brain development. She joined the University of Notre Dame as an Assistant Professor in January 2023. In addition to science, Katrina loves being a mom, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Catherine Thordarson
Research Technician
Catherine earned her degree in Biochemistry from Indiana University where she worked in a protein engineering lab. She is excited to have the opportunity to learn more about neurobiology through Dr. Adams' mentorship.
Research Technician
Catherine earned her degree in Biochemistry from Indiana University where she worked in a protein engineering lab. She is excited to have the opportunity to learn more about neurobiology through Dr. Adams' mentorship.
Erin Aboelnour, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Erin grew up in South Kingstown, Rhode Island and attended the University of Rhode Island for her undergraduate studies. After completing her B.S. in Microbiology and B.A. in Chemistry, Erin moved on to Purdue University to do her Ph.D. in Biochemistry with Dr. Joseph Ogas. Her thesis focused on the use of zebrafish to study the role of a chromatin remodeler Chd5 in neural development, and how its loss can contribute to the development of neuroblastoma. During her time at Purdue, Erin also taught Introduction to Biochemistry, founded the department's Graduate Student Organization and built and managed her own zebrafish research facility. After graduating, Erin moved to Munich, Germany in 2020 to work with Dr. Boyan Bonev at the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus on the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of neural maturation in the developing mammalian cortex using the murine model, and expansion of CRISPR perturbation tools for in vivo use. Now Erin has brought her expertise in single cell genomics and brain development to work with Dr. Adams on the genetic and cellular basis of demyelination pathologies.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Erin grew up in South Kingstown, Rhode Island and attended the University of Rhode Island for her undergraduate studies. After completing her B.S. in Microbiology and B.A. in Chemistry, Erin moved on to Purdue University to do her Ph.D. in Biochemistry with Dr. Joseph Ogas. Her thesis focused on the use of zebrafish to study the role of a chromatin remodeler Chd5 in neural development, and how its loss can contribute to the development of neuroblastoma. During her time at Purdue, Erin also taught Introduction to Biochemistry, founded the department's Graduate Student Organization and built and managed her own zebrafish research facility. After graduating, Erin moved to Munich, Germany in 2020 to work with Dr. Boyan Bonev at the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus on the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of neural maturation in the developing mammalian cortex using the murine model, and expansion of CRISPR perturbation tools for in vivo use. Now Erin has brought her expertise in single cell genomics and brain development to work with Dr. Adams on the genetic and cellular basis of demyelination pathologies.
Lawry Soto Escobar, B.S.
Graduate student
Lawry is an art-loving scientist from Moca, Puerto Rico. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where she was first introduced to Neuroscience research. In her undergraduate years, she was part of Dr. Zaira Mateo-Mayol’s lab and studied melatonin levels in Caenorhabditis elegans with the perspective of using this neurohormone as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Post-graduation, she worked in a Neuroscience lab at the Ponce Health Sciences University under the mentorship of Dr. James Porter. During her free time, Lawry can be found watching movies, talking to her family back home, cooking, and dancing (both with a Latino flavor) or simply admiring Creation. She is very happy to be a part of the Adams lab for her graduate career and hopes to continue growing as a professional.
Graduate student
Lawry is an art-loving scientist from Moca, Puerto Rico. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where she was first introduced to Neuroscience research. In her undergraduate years, she was part of Dr. Zaira Mateo-Mayol’s lab and studied melatonin levels in Caenorhabditis elegans with the perspective of using this neurohormone as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Post-graduation, she worked in a Neuroscience lab at the Ponce Health Sciences University under the mentorship of Dr. James Porter. During her free time, Lawry can be found watching movies, talking to her family back home, cooking, and dancing (both with a Latino flavor) or simply admiring Creation. She is very happy to be a part of the Adams lab for her graduate career and hopes to continue growing as a professional.
Veronica Vanoverbeke, B.S.
Graduate student
Veronica grew up in Youngstown, OH and received her Bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, where she studied the development of the inner ear. After graduating, she worked as a Research Technician at the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Yu-Shang Lee. There, she worked to develop novel and minimally-invasive treatments for spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries as well as slowing the progression of the motor neuron disease ALS. As a member of the Adams Lab, Veronica is most excited to be conducting translational research that could go on to help patients in the clinic. When she's not in lab, you can find her reading, baking, or playing with her cats, Cam and Ozzie.
Graduate student
Veronica grew up in Youngstown, OH and received her Bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, where she studied the development of the inner ear. After graduating, she worked as a Research Technician at the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Yu-Shang Lee. There, she worked to develop novel and minimally-invasive treatments for spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries as well as slowing the progression of the motor neuron disease ALS. As a member of the Adams Lab, Veronica is most excited to be conducting translational research that could go on to help patients in the clinic. When she's not in lab, you can find her reading, baking, or playing with her cats, Cam and Ozzie.
Raemeir Javelosa
Undergraduate researcher
Raemier (Rae) is a Biological Sciences Major with a Minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine from the island of Guam. As a pre-medical student with a strong research interest, she is always eager to find ways to bridge her love for learning and serve people representing different backgrounds. Rae is fascinated by the brain and its complexity, so she is excited to be part of the Adams lab studying demyelination. When Rae is not busy with academics, she enjoys reading, playing instruments or singing, running, and watching Netflix!
Undergraduate researcher
Raemier (Rae) is a Biological Sciences Major with a Minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine from the island of Guam. As a pre-medical student with a strong research interest, she is always eager to find ways to bridge her love for learning and serve people representing different backgrounds. Rae is fascinated by the brain and its complexity, so she is excited to be part of the Adams lab studying demyelination. When Rae is not busy with academics, she enjoys reading, playing instruments or singing, running, and watching Netflix!
Valeria Perez
Undergraduate researcher
Valeria is a Neuroscience and Behavior major with a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine living in Walsh Hall, originally from Puerto Rico. Her previous research experience includes working with cell culture at the Colorado Undergraduate Summer Program studying MUC5B gene expression in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Undergraduate researcher
Valeria is a Neuroscience and Behavior major with a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine living in Walsh Hall, originally from Puerto Rico. Her previous research experience includes working with cell culture at the Colorado Undergraduate Summer Program studying MUC5B gene expression in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Maddie Hatfield
Undergraduate researcher
Maddie is a member of the class of 2025 majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior and minoring in Compassionate Care in Medicine and Education, Schooling, & Society. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Maddie calls Cavanaugh Hall her home on campus. Maddie has had a love for science for as long as she can remember. It started with an outer space obsession, and quickly grew into a curiosity for every discipline. In her time at Notre Dame, she has fallen in love with neuroscience, as well as patient advocacy and equitable education. She is proud to perform research in the Adams Lab, and hopes to make strides in neurodegenerative disease research, a cause very close to her heart. Outside of her science endeavors on campus, Maddie can be found giving campus tours, working on designing posters and social media posts for Notre Dame's Student Government, editing for Scientia Magazine, having fun at Best Buddies and Special Olympics, or eating North Dining Hall pasta with her friends.
Undergraduate researcher
Maddie is a member of the class of 2025 majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior and minoring in Compassionate Care in Medicine and Education, Schooling, & Society. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Maddie calls Cavanaugh Hall her home on campus. Maddie has had a love for science for as long as she can remember. It started with an outer space obsession, and quickly grew into a curiosity for every discipline. In her time at Notre Dame, she has fallen in love with neuroscience, as well as patient advocacy and equitable education. She is proud to perform research in the Adams Lab, and hopes to make strides in neurodegenerative disease research, a cause very close to her heart. Outside of her science endeavors on campus, Maddie can be found giving campus tours, working on designing posters and social media posts for Notre Dame's Student Government, editing for Scientia Magazine, having fun at Best Buddies and Special Olympics, or eating North Dining Hall pasta with her friends.
Rachel Hennessy
Undergraduate researcher
Rachel is a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio majoring in Biochemistry and Film, Television, and Theater. After graduating from undergrad, she hopes to go on to earn an MD/PhD and work as a physician-scientist, possibly with a focus on stem cells in the nervous system. In addition to working in the Adams lab, at Notre Dame, she enjoys volunteering in the South Bend community, working as a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and serving in the student government's Department of LGBTQ+ Advocacy. In her free time, you can find Rachel eating at Olive Garden, frolicking through the shelves at Barnes and Noble, or baking with her beloved priest-in-residence of Ryan Hall, FJ.
Undergraduate researcher
Rachel is a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio majoring in Biochemistry and Film, Television, and Theater. After graduating from undergrad, she hopes to go on to earn an MD/PhD and work as a physician-scientist, possibly with a focus on stem cells in the nervous system. In addition to working in the Adams lab, at Notre Dame, she enjoys volunteering in the South Bend community, working as a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and serving in the student government's Department of LGBTQ+ Advocacy. In her free time, you can find Rachel eating at Olive Garden, frolicking through the shelves at Barnes and Noble, or baking with her beloved priest-in-residence of Ryan Hall, FJ.
Benjamin Frostino
Undergraduate researcher Benny is a sophomore undergraduate at Notre Dame majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior and minoring in Chemistry. He is a part of the Glynn Family Honors Program and Scholars' Program on campus and works as a teaching assistant for both General and Organic Chemistry labs. Benny began his research career at Case Western Reserve University, investigating genes that modify tobacco smoking risk for Multiple Sclerosis. A Cleveland native, he went on to join forces with the Cleveland Clinic to begin work on understanding the intersection of transcriptomics, astrocyte biology, and Multiple Sclerosis pathology. He hopes to chase an MD/ PhD with the occupational goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. When not in the lab, Benny works as a barista, where he enjoys making folks their morning coffee and working alongside the sunrise. |
Graduate students
Our lab accepts PhD rotation students through the Biological Sciences graduate program and the Integrated Biomedical Sciences graduate program at the University of Notre Dame. We are accepting PhD students for rotation starting in January 2023. Please contact Katrina if you're interested in rotating in the lab.
Our lab accepts PhD rotation students through the Biological Sciences graduate program and the Integrated Biomedical Sciences graduate program at the University of Notre Dame. We are accepting PhD students for rotation starting in January 2023. Please contact Katrina if you're interested in rotating in the lab.
Undergraduate students
We are not currently accepting undergraduate students but may recruit new students in Fall 2024. If you are interested, please email Katrina and include: 1) your CV and 2) a short description of your scientific interests and how they relate to our research (1 page max). Preference will be given to students in Katrina's courses.
We are not currently accepting undergraduate students but may recruit new students in Fall 2024. If you are interested, please email Katrina and include: 1) your CV and 2) a short description of your scientific interests and how they relate to our research (1 page max). Preference will be given to students in Katrina's courses.