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Anthony Koleske, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator |
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Xiaoyuan Li, M.S.
Lab Manager |
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Andrew Boulton, B.S.
Research Assistant |
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Yevheniia Ishchenko, Ph.D.
Associate Research Scientist Yevheniia is a first-generation graduate. She received a bachelor’s degree in applied math and physics in 2011 from Kyiv Polytechnic University (Ukraine) and completed her master’s degree in the same field in 2013 at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Russia). Yevheniia completed her PhD in Dr. Rashid Giniatullin’s in 2017 (University of Eastern Finland, UEF; Finland) she used patch-clamp electrophysiology and live cell imaging to explore the neuronal circuitry and molecular mechanisms of aversive pain, focusing on the flipper region’s role in P2X3 and P2X7 receptor function. During a short postdoc in Dr. Tarja Malm’s lab (UEF), she used 2-photon calcium imaging and immunohistochemistry in organotypic human brain biopsies and microglial stem cells to study how Alzheimer’s Disease pathology impacts neuronal circuits and microglial mechanosensitive function. Yevheniia joined Dr. Koleske’s lab at Yale in late 2018, where she honed techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology, and the use of NDD-associated mouse models. Currently, Yevheniia is an Associate Research Scientist in Dr. Koleske’s lab, her main goal is to establish her own neuroscience lab in the near future. Her primary interest is identifying the role of neurotransmitter release and presynaptic plasticity in development and synaptogenesis, and how their disruption yields autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) phenotypes. Her recent work identifies TRIO, a gene linked to ASD and other NDDs, as a key regulator of presynaptic neurotransmitter release, influencing NDD-related phenotypes in mice (Ishchenko Y. & Jeng A. T. et al., under review in Mol. Psychiatry). Outside the lab, she enjoys CrossFit, scuba diving, traveling with off-the-grid hiking and mountaineering, and growing rare tropical plants. |
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Robert Niescier, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate Rob received his bachelor’s degree in microbiology at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in 2009. Following that, he attended Indiana University Bloomington and joined the lab of Dr. Kyung-Tai Min, where he began his work studying mitochondrial dynamics in axons. Life took an unexpected turn when Dr. Min accepted an offer to become a professor at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea, bringing Rob with him to complete his dissertation work. There, he found and characterized a functional interaction between the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) and Miro1, a GTPase responsible for regulating mitochondrial transport. After receiving his PhD in biomedical sciences, returning to the US, and having a brief stint as a researcher at the Hussman Institute for Autism, Rob joined the lab of Dr. Anthony Koleske at Yale University, where he currently studies the role of the autism and epilepsy-risk gene IQSEC2 in regulating neurodevelopment. His hobbies include camping, powerlifting, and hanging out with his dog Sully. |
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Noële Certain, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate Dr. Noële Certain is a postdoctoral associate at Yale University and an NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (DSPAN) Scholar. She earned her doctoral degree at Stony Brook University, focusing on channel physiology and cell biology of glutamate receptors in the Laboratory of Dr. Lonnie Wollmuth. Her current research is centered on understanding how molecular alterations contribute to the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Noële is dedicated to advancing our knowledge in neurotherapeutic approaches by understanding the fundamentals of brain development, function, and disease. Her scientific contributions and leadership have been recognized by several awards, including the most recent Burroughs Wellcome Fund PDEP Charles H. Revson Scholar Award and the SFN Neuroscience Scholars Program. Beyond the bench, Noële is an active mentor in Women in Science at Yale and serves as a DSPAN Program Ambassador, where she continues to drive efforts to widen accessibility to science. In her free time, Noële enjoys the outdoors including gardening, mountain biking, and snowboarding. |
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Mason McCool, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate Mason is a postdoc in the department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. In the Koleske lab, Mason is undercovering the molecular mechanisms by which dysregulation of TRIO alters cellular signaling pathways that are required during neurodevelopment. Mason received his B.A. in Chemistry from Kenyon College and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University. He completed his Ph.D. research in Susan Baserga’s lab, where he used image-based and biochemical techniques to study the molecular functions of novel protein regulators of ribosome biogenesis in human cells. Outside of the lab, Mason closely follows sports news and current events, including the Tennessee Titans and professional golf. He also competes in golf tournaments himself around Connecticut. |
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Shengyu Zhao, Ph.D.
Shengyu Zhao is a postdoctoral associate in the department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. His work at the Koleske lab focuses on elucidating the mechanism behind neurodevelopmental disorders using state-of-the-art optical imaging methods. His projects aim to get a full picture of brain structural and functional alterations in disease models from subcellular to whole-brain level. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Nanjing University, China, and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia. During his doctoral studies, he succeeded in developing several genetically encoded luminescent tools to visualize and manipulate biological processes. Notably, his work led to the development of the first bioluminescent potassium indicator which could visualize potassium dynamics in deep brain area in real time. Outside of the lab, he enjoys traveling with his lovely wife and daughter, exploring cuisines from around the world and watching NBA games. |
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Nicolas Stuardo, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate Nico is a Postdoctoral Associate in the department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. In the Koleske lab, Nico studies how Abl2 regulates microtubule and actin cytoskeleton dynamics in different cell types. Prior to coming to Yale, he received his professional degree in Biochemistry from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he studied the regulation of axonal BDNF transport under the guidance of Dr. Francisca Bronfman. Later, Nico got his PhD from the same institution, where he studied a molecular mechanism of axonal cytoskeleton destabilization in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab, Nico enjoys making music, cooking and reading. |
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Melissa Carrizales, M.S.
Graduate Student Motivated by a curiosity for medicine, Mel left her hometown to be the first of her family to attend university. She started exploring molecular mechanisms of human disease at Texas State University where she earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in biochemistry. Her research journey continues at Yale University as a PhD candidate where she studies genetic variants related to neurodevelopmental disorders. During her off time, Mel enjoys camping with her high school sweetheart and their doggo, Jack. |
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Ashleigh Smirnov, M.S.
Graduate Student Ashleigh is a graduate student in the MBB program. She received her M.S in Physics and B.A. in Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Physics at the University of Pennsylvania. There, she worked in Dr. James Shorter’s lab investigating protein aggregation and phase separation of TDP-43. Currently, she is interested in studying microtubule dynamics with Abl2. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, playing video games, exercising, and swing dancing. |
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Charlotte H. Godfrey, B.S.
Graduate Student Charlotte is a Ph.D. student in the department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. In the Koleske lab, Charlotte studies the influence of signaling proteins on cell homeostasis. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Appalachian State University, where she completed her honors research thesis studying behavioral neuroscience with Dr. Mark Zrull. After graduation, she received a research training award with Dr. Kenton Swartz at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, using patch-clamp electrophysiology to study TRP ion channels. Outside of the lab, Charlotte has a fervent interest in science communication and writing. Charlotte also enjoys reading fantasy novels, basking with her bearded dragon, hiking, and snuggling with her tomcats. |
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Evelyn Jiang
Evelyn is a junior at Yale College majoring in neuroscience. She is currently working with Dr. Robert Niescier to investigate the role of IQSEC2 in the actin cytoskeleton remodeling of dendritic spines. In her free time, Evelyn enjoys photography, reading, and snowboarding. |
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Jiya Mody
Jiya is a sophomore in Yale College, majoring in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. She is originally from Bridgewater, New Jersey. Jiya joined the Koleske Lab in Fall 2024 and is researching how Abl2 phase separates with microtubules and influences their dynamics, particularly in relation to neuronal dysregulation in neurodevelopmental diseases. In her free time, Jiya dances with Yale Jashan Bhangra and works as an EMT in New Haven. |
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Jasmine Simmons
Jasmine is a senior at Yale majoring in Neuroscience. She is from New Haven, CT and joined the lab in May of 2022. She is currently conducting her senior thesis research in the lab, investigating the role of small molecule inhibitors on the catalytic activity of Trio’s GEF1 domain in comparison to other human GEFs. Outside of the lab she helps run the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project, plays club basketball, and enjoys relaxing with friends! |
