for the study of islet biology.
LABORATORY OF MATTHEW J. MERRINS, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Dr. Matthew J. Merrins
Principal Investigator
After completing a double major in Biochemistry and Biology at Oberlin College, Matt received his Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Michigan, where he studied exocytosis in adipocytes and pancreatic beta cells with Dr. Ed Stuenkel. From there he joined Dr. Les Satin's islet biology lab at the Brehm Diabetes Center at the University of Michigan. Matt joined the faculty at UW-Madison in 2014. When not teaching or in or the lab, Matt enjoys road trips to upstate NY with his wife and two kids, and playing tennis or ultimate frisbee.
Contact: merrins@wisc.edu
Dr. Hannah Foster
Scientist
Hannah joined the lab as a postdoctoral fellow with a passion for protein biochemistry and is now appointed as a scientist. A lifelong musician, she received her Bachelor's of Music in harp performance from the University of Michigan in 2005. She explored her love for the natural world in the Frontiers Master's Program in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Michigan in 2008. Her thesis examined the effect of the pharmaceutical Prozac on tadpole development. After a year developing her cell biology skills in the lab of Dr. Sean Morrison, Hannah went on to receive her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Harvard University in 2016. There, she worked under Dr. Briana Burton to characterize a protein that contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance. When she is not in the lab, Hannah enjoys studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and spending time with her wife, son Elias, and three dogs.
Shih Ming (Annie) Huang
Graduate Student (Cell and Molecular Biology)
Annie Huang is a graduate student in the Cell and Molecular Biology graduate program. She earned her BS/MS in Biology from Brandeis University. Annie is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of insulin secretion. In her free time, Annie enjoys watching crime dramas and exploring new restaurants.
Sophie L. Lewandowski
Graduate Student (IPiB)
Sophie Lewandowski is a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). In 2016, she graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Biochemistry. Conducting research in the laboratories of Dr. Jason Belitsky at Oberlin, and Dr. John Lazo and Dr. Elizabeth Sharlow at University of Virginia, inspired Sophie to pursue biochemistry. Her research interests led her to join the Merrins lab, where she studies alpha-to-beta cell communication in the islet using 3D lightsheet microscopy and optogenetics. Outside of the lab, Sophie likes to volunteer at science outreach events, cook, run, and play soccer.
Thuong Ho
Graduate Student (IPiB)
Thuong is a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). He earned his Bachelors in Biochemistry at University of Washington-Seattle. During his undergraduate career, Thuong participated in research on the role of endocytosis in colorectal cancer metastasis in Dr. Jihong Bai’s lab. Coming to Madison with the hope to further pursue enzymology, Thuong is thrilled to be working in Dr. Merrins’ group to study the mechanisms of insulin secretion controlled by pyruvate kinase and creatine kinase. Outside the lab, he enjoys the occasional concerts, movies, cooking and staying active.
Emily Knuth
Graduate Student (IPiB)
Emily is a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). She earned her Bachelors in Agricultural Biochemistry with minors in Agronomy and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. While at ISU, Emily worked in Dr. Adam Barb's lab synthesizing biorenewable chemicals using bacteria. Emily's current research in the Merrins lab focuses on investigating alpha cell cAMP regulation as well as the mechanisms by which pyruvate kinase controls mitochondrial respiration and insulin secretion. In her free time, Emily enjoys jigsaw puzzles, video games, and spending time with friends and family.
Erli Jin, M.S.
Graduate Student (IPiB)
Erli is a graduate student in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). He earned his Bachelors in Bioengineering at East China University of Science and Technology, and Master of Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. During his masters, he participated in research in Dr. Rong Li’s lab on misfolded proteins and aging. The study revealed a novel machinery of mitochondria dealing with misfolded proteins. Erli is very interested in imaging technologies and now studies pancreatic alpha cells using 2D and 3D imaging. Outside the lab, he enjoys detective stories, music, and hanging out with friends.
Dr. Evgeniy Potapenko
Scientist
Evgeniy joined the Merrins lab in 2019 as a scientist, following postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Connecticut and Augusta University, and graduate work at the Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology at the National Academy of Sciences in Ukraine. Evgeniy's work in the Merrins lab primarily focuses on electrophysiology of islets cells, including single-channel KATP measurements and capacitance measurements of exocytosis in human alpha and beta cells. Outside the lab, Evgeniy enjoys time outdoors, traveling, and spending time with his family.