People
Meet our team
We are a multidisciplinary group of engineers, scientists, and clinicians (and future clinicians) with interests in musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation across the lifespan.
Megan Killian
Lab PI
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Joint Faculty: Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Affiliate Faculty: Biomedical Engineering
Expertise: tendon and enthesis development and healing, writing things on white boards.
About me: I am originally from Erie, MI (close to Toledo) and love running, weight lifting, eating food that Adam makes, and watching sci fi shows and Bake Off. Our cat named Absaroka (Abbie) has taken over my instagram (@meganlkillian).
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: Sports! Go Blue!
Email: mlkillia@med.umich.edu
Zachary Tata
Associate Research Lab Specialist
Lab Manager
B.S. Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Michigan
Master of Public Health from Michigan State University
Expertise: mouse husbandry, animal procedures, histology
About me: I am originally from Fenton, MI, but have been a long term resident of Ann Arbor. When not in the lab I can be found out hiking with my dachshund, Telly, or puttering around the garden hanging out with my plants.
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: No matter how long you are here there are still so many awesome things to do and discover.
Email: ztata@med.umich.edu
LeeAnn (Hold) Flowers
PhD student in Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan
Email: flowersl@umich.edu
Steph Steltzer
PhD student in Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan
BS Applied Mathematics in Biological Systems, University of Wisconsin - Madison
BS Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Expertise: in vitro disease modeling using iPSCs, iPSC-derived RPE, neurons, and cardiomyocytes, microscopy, and assay development for HTS
About me: I am originally from Milwaukee, WI, but have also lived in the Boston area for quite a few years. I spent three years in the Bay Area at Tenaya Therapeutics on the Drug Discovery/Precision Medicine team, and I met my dog Bodie in San Francisco. When I’m not in the lab, I can be found trying to find the mountains with Bodie, skiing, or playing soccer with friends!
Email: ssteltz@med.umich.edu
Jenna Collins
UROP student, sophomore
Current Undergraduate BS in Microbiology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Expertise: histology, RNA-related gene expression research (qPCR, tissue pulverization), statistical analysis
About me: I am originally from Palm Springs, California - a lot different of a climate than Ann Arbor :) In my free time, I love to go on walks around Ann Arbor, explore the Arb with friends, and Facetime my two adorable golden retrievers, Finley and Rusty! One interesting thing about me is that I have moved 10 times in my life, including to Japan!
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: My favorite thing about Ann Arbor are the restaurants. Whatever I am in the mood for, I know I will find in Ann Arbor (especially breakfast :)
Email: jenmcol@umich.edu
Gregoire Caubel
Volunteer Research Assistant
Undergrad in Mechanical Engineering at the Cooper Union Graduated in 2020.
Completed UM MEDPREP in April 2021
Beginning Medical School this Summer
Expertise: Rotator Cuff Injury Repair, Tendon Biomechanics
About me: I grew up in Easton, PA and spent my undergrad in NYC. I love running, sailing, and kayaking down the Huron with friends. I recently took up ice-skating as I search for activities more suited to the Michigan winter. A fun fact about me is that I am fluent in French.
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: The Huron River and all the parks during the summer!
Email: jenmcol@umich.edu
Killian lab alumni:
Ryan Locke, PhD
Currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Mauck Lab at UPENN
Aracely Marroquin
UROP student in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Grand Rapids Community College
Elijah Paparella
Co-mentored by Dr. Adam Abraham
Michael Sonnenfelt
Currently a project manager at QPS Holdings
Elisabeth (Beth) Lemmon
Currently a VMD/PhD student at UPENN in the Mauck Lab
Emily Hudson
PhD student at the University of Buffalo;
Former project manager at Arkion Life Sciences
Megan Smith
Currently a research technician at PITT
Nicholas Ruggiero
Currently a research technician at Thomas Jefferson University in the Tomlinson lab
Ellen Dudzinski
Currently an associate product manager at Globus Medical
Adrianna (Ania) Szostek
Currently a DVM student at UGeorgia
Patrick Canning
Currently an Associate scientist at Merck
Angela Livingston
Kierstyn Hendricks
Bhavana Aitha
Currently a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Julianna Wayne
William (Bill) Duncan
MS/MBA student at PITT
Geoff Ming
Joseph Korn
Brandon Okeyo
Keira Morgan
Julia Zimmer