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, PhD
Lab PI
Assistant Professor in the Department 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
Adam Abraham, PhD
Lab PI
Research Investigator in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Email: adaabrah@med.umich.edu
Syeda Lamia
PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
Expertise: Optogenetic stimulation, animal procedures, transcriptomics, histology, data analysis
About me: I grew up in Bangladesh, a small country in South Asia and moved to the US to pursue a Ph.D. I love being outdoors, driving, visiting new places, and trying (eating!) different cuisines. I also love ggplot in R (can spend hours in it)!
What is your favorite thing about Ann Arbor? Long sunny days in summer
Email: snlamia@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
Paige Cordts
Post-bac research technician
Lab Manager
B.S. Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University
B.S. Human Biology from Michigan State University
Expertise: mouse husbandry, biomechanics, animal procedures
About me: I'm an Ann Arbor native with an undergrad degree from Michigan State University, so I live in a house divided. Outside of the lab I enjoy walks with my dog, Lucy, playing D&D with friends, and soaking in the sun when it makes an appearance!
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: Tea Haus!
Brandon Henry
Gap year lab technician
4th year medical student at Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
B.S. Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience from Michigan State University
Expertise: Bone morphology analysis using multimodal imaging techniques specifically nano/micro-computed tomography
About me: I am originally from the Metro-Detroit area. I played 2 years of D1-AA Football at Colgate University before hanging up my cleats and finishing my undergraduate degree at Michigan State (Go green!). When I am not in lab or studying, you can find me trying out new restaurants, watching sports, working out, or catching up on some sleep lol
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: Variety of restaurants and food options.
Email: brandhen@med.umich.edu
Tessa Phillips
Post-bac research technician
Current MS1 at the University of Toledo School of Medicine
Email: ptessa@med.umich.edu
Jenna Collins
UROP student, junior
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
Nicole (Nikki) Vergara
UROP student, sophomore
Current Undergraduate
BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Expertise: cell culture, histology
About me: I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. I love hiking/backpacking and I also enjoy taking film photos whenever I travel.
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: The Kerrytown Farmer's Market
Email: nvergara@umich.edu
Baylee Carlisle
Sophomore
Current Undergraduate
BS in Biology, Health, and Society
About me: I am from Jackson, Michigan- just 40 minutes from A2. In my free time, I like to travel (especially to warm places), but if I am home, I will most likely be with my dog, Captain :)
Favorite thing about Ann Arbor: Game days!!
Email: carbay@umich.edu
Killian lab alumni:
Gregoire Caubel
MS1 at Temple University
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