Lab Alumni

Graduate Students

Alejandro Casco, PhD

Graduate Student (2019-2024) 

An image of Alejandro Casco, a man with dark hair and dark eyes, smiling in front of a house wearing a tan 3/4 zip.

Cancer Biology

Recent Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, Reuben Harris Lab

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Reza Djavadian, MD, PhD

Graduate Student (2012-2018) 

Cancer Biology
Wayne State University School of Medicine – MD

Recent Position: Resident Physician, Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham

“My experiences in the Johannsen Lab were pivotal in shaping my path as a scientist and a physician. The lab’s supportive environment significantly enhanced my critical thinking skills and deepened my understanding of scientific inquiry. These skills have proven fundamental to my ability to be more analytical in the clinic and to adopt a more evidence-based approach in treating patients.”

Andreas Heilmann, PhD

Graduate Student (2008-2012) 

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School – PhD

Recent Position: Translational Oncology & Clinical Reporting Director at Foundation Medicine

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Mark Eichelberg, PhD

Graduate Student (2014-2018); Postdoctoral Trainee (2018-2019)

Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology

Recent Position: Science Policy Analyst at the American Physiological Society
“Science policy is my passion and I plan to continue advocating for federal research funding and policies that support researchers and trainees in the biomedical sciences!”

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“The Johannsen Lab was an excellent place to learn the challenges and opportunities in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research which is becoming increasingly important in biomedical innovation and discovery.”

Anqi Wang, PhD

Graduate Student (2012-2016) 

Cellular and Molecular Biology

Recent Position: Quality Control Manager at University of Florida, Clinical & Translational Science Institute

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Research Scientists and Postdoctoral Trainees

David Scott, MD

Research Specialist (2018-2021) 

Education: MS Biomedical Sciences and Immunology, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

Recent Position: Medical Student (M3) at Medical College of Wisconsin

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Ahmed Ali, PhD

Postdoctoral Trainee (2016-2022) 

Education: PhD Biomedical Sciences, Hokkaido University

Recent Position: Interviewing for Industry Positions

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Undergraduate Students

Rebecca Zier

Undergraduate Researcher (2022-2024) 

Education: BS Biology and Global Health, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Recent Position: Medical Student at Medical College of Wisconsin

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“My time in the Johannsen lab exposed me to research for the first time and showed me what it was like to have a project and critically think through it. For my future, I have a better understanding of what research looks like and how I want to get involved in it.”

J.B. Hernandez, MD

Undergraduate Researcher (2014-2016) 

Education: BS Neuroscience and Psychology, MD Medicine, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Recent Position: Resident Director of Emergency Department Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at University of Chicago

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Ben Korte, PhD

Undergraduate Researcher (2009-2013) 

Education: BS Biology, PhD Oncology and Cancer Biology, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Recent Position: Bioengineer at FuGene

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Akansha Gupta

Undergraduate Researcher (2019-2022)
Education: BS Biochemistry and Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Recent Position: Graduate Student Researcher at University of Chicago

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“My time in the Johannsen lab provided me a wonderful initial foray into research. I was able to explore the intersection of biological and computational sciences and more closely consider the translational implications of my work.”

Kyle McChesney

Bioinformatics Programmer (2013-2016)
Education: BS Computer Science and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Recent Position: Staff Back End Engineer at Renew Home

LinkedIn

“Working in the Johannsen lab provided me an excellent foundation to pursue my career in bioinformatics. Having direct experience building software for active research projects has been a huge benefit for me in my career, as have the publications I contributed to. It did not hurt that everyone at the lab was a joy to collaborate with!”

Daniel Rivera

Undergraduate Researcher (Summer 2012)