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Meet Our Team
Our research team includes a diverse group of scientists, graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate students. The Brown Lab finds success through collaborative efforts. Our team would not be complete without these individuals.
Dr. Brown completed his training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pathology and a PhD minor in Clinical Investigation. He went on to complete a postdoc with Jamie Thomson at the Morgridge Institute for Research.The Brown Lab started in 2019, just prior to the pandemic, when Dr. Brown was recruited as a faculty member in the Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation.
Matthew E. Brown, PhD
Principal Investigator
Liv Abegglen
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Liv is an undergraduate at UW-Madison and studies genetics & genomics and English (creative writing emphasis). She is pursuing a career in academic medicine. At the lab, she contributes to studies on humanized rat models and regenerative PSC-derived grafts. Outside of science, Liv is a fiction writer and avid outdoorswoman.
Chris DeCorte
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Chris is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, pursuing degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Biology. In the lab, he focuses on the cell culture side of projects using hypoimmune gene-editing approaches in pluripotent stem cells to reduce immune rejection in cardiovascular cellular therapies. He plans to pursue a career in medicine with the goal of integrating clinical practice and research. Outside of the lab, Chris enjoys training for and competing in marathons and triathlons.
John Haynes, PhD
Honorary Research Fellow
John Haynes earned his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology. His research interests focus on understanding the evolution of the highly adaptable nature of cellular physiology and the molecular basis of single-cell to multicellular interactions across boundary conditions over varying scales of time and space. This evolved into research projects focused on investigating the response of immune cells to transplanted cells, tissues, and organs. He is now concentrating on understanding how tolerance might be induced and is exploring various genetic alterations of iPS cells to ameliorate immune cell activation.
Alexis Holm
Research Specialist
Alexis graduated from UW-Madison in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Neurobiology. In the lab,
Alexis is involved in thymus-related research, most recently involving isolating thymic epithelial
cells for downstream applications. In her free time, she enjoys exploring cafes around Madison,
reading mystery novels, and going for walks with her cat, Nutmeg.
Liupei Huang, MD
Research Specialist
Liupei Huang earned her MD degree from Anhui Medical University in 2001. At the lab, she specializes in mouse work, including the creation of humanized mouse models, performing injections, and collecting and processing tissue and blood samples. Additionally, she is skilled in Luminex and flow cytometry techniques. Outside of the lab, Liupei enjoys reading, sewing, cooking, and gardening. Her dream is to travel to all seven continents.
Pradeep Maripala
Data Scientist
Pradeep Maripala received his Master's Degree in Data Science at the University of Iowa. In the Brown Lab, he applies single-cell RNA sequencing and computational genomics approaches to study iPSC-derived cell biology and immune interactions. Outside the lab, Pradeep enjoys watching anime and playing volleyball. He hopes to pursue a career in the biotechnology industry.
Jacob Mielke
Research Intern
Jacob graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Mathematics and a certificate in History. Since graduation, he is applying to medical school where he is excited to explore various specialties. In the lab, Jacob contributes to RNA sequencing analysis and the lab's growing computational biology work. In his free time, Jacob can be found with a good book in hand, spectating sports, or humming along to his favorite tunes.
Alex Niamov
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alex is an undergraduate student at UW-Madison, majoring in Global Health. He hopes to go on to pursue Physician Assistant (PA) school after graduation, with an ultimate goal of working in Family Medicine. In the Lab, he assists with collecting blood samples and performs sample processing and analysis using flow cytometry. Outside of the lab, Alex enjoys staying active and cheering on the Badgers at various sporting events. On, Wisconsin!
Shola Olaniregun
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shola is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biology. She is passionate about science and enjoys learning about the many ways research can contribute to improving human health. In the lab, she assists with sample collection and processing and supports ongoing research projects through laboratory and data analysis work. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new hobbies, and making the most of her time in Madison.
Selby Olsen
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Selby is an undergraduate student at UW-Madison, pursuing a degree in business management and biology. In the future she strives to go to medical school with an emphasis in dermatology. Within in the lab she aides in administrative tasks to maximize efficent outcomes as well as working on humanized mouse models. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, lake days, and watching badger sports.
Mireya Pimental
Graduate Research Assistant
Mireya Pimentel graduated from the University of Arizona in 2023 where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry as a Ronald E. McNair and Galileo scholar. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Cellular and Molecular Pathology program and a SciMed Graduate Research Scholars Fellowship recipient. Her current research focuses significantly on humanized mouse modeling, transplant immunology, pluripotent stem cell biology, and Down syndrome immunobiology. Outside of the lab, Mireya enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time with her two dogs, Mochi and Charlie.
Maddie Ramos
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maddie is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Biology and Science Communication, with a certificate in Spanish. In the lab, she assists with collecting blood samples and processing and analyzing samples using flow cytometry, with a particular interest in T cell research. She plans to attend PA school and pursue a career in healthcare. Outside of the lab, Maddie enjoys running, staying active, spending time with friends, and going to concerts.
Sayandeep Saha
Graduate Research Assistant
Sayandeep graduated from KIIT University, India with a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Biotechnology. After graduation, he worked at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, India, on mesenchymal stem cell mechanobiology under variable stress conditions induced by fabricated biomaterial scaffolds. Currently, his research is focused on employing hypoimmune gene editing techniques on pluripotent stem cells to prevent innate and adaptive immune allorejection of cardiovascular cellular therapies, specifically targeting the molecules critical to effector function and immune-endothelial cell interactions. Outside of lab, Sayandeep is an avid cinephile, enjoys pursuing his passion for photography, and plays his Stratocaster.
Grace Schauz
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Grace is an undergraduate student studying Biology with a certificate in Global Health. Following graduation, she plans to attend medical school, where she looks forward to exploring different medical specialties. She is learning how to perform humanized mouse bleeds and run four-color flow cytometry analysis. In her free time, Grace enjoys staying active, trying new foods, and exploring national parks.
Parnia Serjooei
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Parnia Serjooei is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In the lab, Parnia plays a crucial role as a research assistant by collecting blood samples and utilizing flow cytometry techniques. With a passion for the medical field, she aims to obtain her MD and become an anesthesiologist. Outside of the lab, Parnia enjoys figure skating, walking her dog, and volunteering, which provide a perfect balance to the rigorous demands of academic life.
Sophia Ullmann
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sophia is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Biomedical Engineering. Her goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in a surgical specialty. Some of her lab responsibilities include gathering blood samples and processing and analyzing samples using flow cytometry. Outside of lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, volunteering, and exploring the city for new things!
We want to extend our gratitude to all Brown Lab alumni whose contributions have been instrumental to our success.
Jacob Mielke (MCW), Arista Whitson (ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine), Olivia Mabbot (Gamm Lab), Wesley Blashka (MCW), Zach Bromet (Yale University), Tony Chen, Cross Daffada, Natalia Del Rio (UW-SMPH), Abigale Henrichs (UW-SMPH), Jack Hermsen (University of Cincinnati; University of Pittsburgh), Christopher Little, MD (University of Washington Medicine - Department of Surgery), McKeon Lucas (MCW), Finn McCarthy (Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine), Lydia Murphy (UW-SMPH), Abhiram Nettem, Jiwon Seo, Merrick Scholz (The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), Saira Shah, Jack Simpson (Rush University Medical Center), Jayalaxmi Suresh Babu (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health), & Beth Young (Marquette University School of Dentistry)
Lab Life & Beyond
To foster a collaborative and innovative environment in the lab, our team looks for exciting ways to learn and have fun outside of our research - whether attending conferences or taking advantage of Madison's countless experiences.
Open Positions
The Brown Lab research program encompasses pluripotent stem cell biology, transplant immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.
We are accepting graduate students. Dr. Brown is a trainer in the CBMS, MCP, CMP, BME, and CMB graduate programs.
If you are interested in being a part of our diverse and talented team, please apply by sending your CV, research interests, accomplishments, professional references, and/or any questions to Matt at brownm@surgery.wisc.edu.