Principle Investigator
Deneen M Wellik
wellik@wisc.edu
Dr. Wellik is a lifelong Hox fan, loves science and really enjoys the critical thinking that comes with science. Outside of work, she has two adult daughters she love to visit and she like to garden and to cook.
Scientist
Paul R van Ginkel
prvangin@wisc.edu
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Martha Echevarria-Andino
mlechevarria@wisc.edu
Martha is interested in understanding how Hox genes regulate skeletal stem cell fate. Outside of lab, she likes to cook and enjoy good coffee.
Jingfei Xiong
jxiong224@wisc.edu
Jingfei’s research focuses on investigating the function of Hoxa11+ interstitial cells in muscle tissue through lineage tracing, scRNA sequencing, and cell ablation. Outside the lab, he enjoys traveling, hiking, listening to music, and watching horror movies.
Graduate Students
Katharine Hubert
khubert@wisc.edu
BlueSky: @cripple-vs-stem.bsky.social
Instagram: @cripple_vs _stem
Kat’s research focuses on elucidating the role of Hox11 genes in fracture repair using an in vivo fracture model, in combination with RNA-single cell sequencing, to uncover candidate downstream targets of Hox11 genes. Outside of lab, she likes to travel, make music (percussionist and composer) , take pictures, and spend time with her cats!
Anik “James” Biswas
biswas34@wisc.edu
James' projects involve figuring out the role of Hox5 in lung development and injury repair. Outside the lab, he likes to sing, play violin, vlog and think about life.
Post-Bacc Research Technicians
Undergraduates
Celina Lopez
cllopez4@wisc.edu
Celina is studying genetics, with an interest in Pharm-Tox. She is working to understand the role of Hox11 in fracture repair. Outside of the lab, Celina enjoys bodybuilding, cooking, hiking mountains, plants, and her pet cat.
Laura Hyde
lahyde@wisc.edu
Laura is studying Neurobiology and Gender and Women’s Studies. Outside the lab, she enjoys distance running, listening to live music, and spending lots of time outdoors.
Musab Mohamed
mmohamed9@wisc.edu
Musab is studying biology with the goal of attending medical school. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing soccer, working out, and car spotting.
Edward Wang
Ava Nikolay
nikolay2@wisc.edu
Ava is studying Biochemistry. Outside the lab, she likes reading fantasy books, playing volleyball, spending all of her money on chai, crime dramas, and her two mini Dachshunds, Vienna and Arlo.
Caroline Ness
Former Lab Members
Jessica Magalski
Julia Kuetemeyer
Lexi O’Connor
Corey Flynn
Aubrey McDermott
Muhang Li
Spencer Tye
Emma Daniels
Christina Guo