Dr. Michelle Howard professional headshot

Michelle E. Howard, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator
Dr. Kathryn Spitler professional headshot

Katie M. Spitler, Ph.D.

Research Associate
Bogdan Buzdugan professional headshot

Bogdan E. Buzdugan, B.S.

Senior Post-Baccalaureate Fellow
Jack Reynolds, AS

Jack H. Reynolds, A.S.

Undergraduate Fellow
Skye Witte Headshot 2026

Skye Witte

Undergraduate Fellow

Lab Alumni

Alumni Gallery
Where Our Alumni are now

Sarah A. King

Undergraduate Fellow (2022-24) & Post-Baccalaureate Fellow (2024-26)

Bri O'Leary Ph.D.

2024 - 2025 Senior Research Scientist

Rana Rheem

Undergraduate Research Fellow (2023-2024) & Post-Baccalaureate Fellow (2025)

Claire Graham

2021-2025 Undergraduate Research Fellow

Current role: Graduate Student (BME) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN 

Eryka Appiah-Amaning

2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Intern, Prairie View A&M, TX

Alyson Honeyman

2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Intern, University of Kansas, KS

Aaron Smith

2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Intern, University of Iowa, IA

Shane Solst Ph.D.

2021 - 2024 Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Brock Althiser

Summer 2022 Biomedical Scholars Summer Undergraduate Research Program participant, Bemidji State University, MN 

Rotation Students

Joanie Whitaker

2025 Rotating Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Dangran Li

2025 Rotating Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Koffi Amegble

2023 Post-Baccalaureate Rotating Fellow, ICARE Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Lianna Fiore

2023 Rotating Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Kyle Current

2021-2022 Rotating Graduate student, University of Iowa, IA

Every person, every background, every story is welcome here.

Our research lab is committed to creating a respectful environment where all members can contribute fully to our scientific mission. We believe these experiences strengthen our research and collaboration. We strive to work constructively with individuals and groups, remove barriers to participation, and ensure that every voice is welcomed, supported, and heard.