Samata Katta Awarded Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research and Service Award (F31)

Graduate student Samata Katta’s research is supported by a Ruth L. Kirschenstein National Research Service Award.  The focus of Katta’s work is on the biophysics of mechanosensitive channel activation in native cells.  In the course of her work, Katta has deployed a photodiode-based sensing system for measuring the delivery of mechanical stimuli in real time, developed code for analyzing whole-cell patch clamp recording, and become an expert in science communication.

Sylvia Fechner Awarded Fellowship from German Research Foundation (DFG)

Postdoctoral scholar Sylvia Fechner’s research is supported by an award from the DFG of her home country of Germany.  She is studying how mechanosensitive ion channel properties vary as a function of their subunit composition. In the course of her research so far, Fechner has contributed to our understanding of the relationship between tissue mechanics and touch sensation and mastered gene editing techniques. Prior to joining @wormsenseLab, Fechner investigated the ion channels critical for the function of zebrafish sperm.

Michael Krieg Launches New Group

• WormsenseLab alumnus Michael Krieg launches the Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology group as part of The Institute of Photonics Sciences near Barcelona, Spain. Professor Krieg is seeking creative scientists working at the interface of photonics, mechanobiology, and neurobiology. As a member of wormsenseLab, Krieg was supported by an HFSP fellowship and a K99 Pathways to Independence Award and pushed us all to know more about neural mechanics. Good luck and thank you, Michael.

Jan Kubanek Awarded Fellowship

Jan Kubanek is awarded a K99 Pathways to Independence award to investigate the mechanism by which ultrasound stimulation might be used to study neural signaling in primates, including humans.

Jana Lim Defends Thesis

Jana Lim successfully defended her thesis work in March. Jana is a Stanford Neuroscience Program student and co-advised by Miriam Goodman and Anne Brunet. Her next goal is to build on her experience as a scientist and participant in the BioDesign program.

Adam Nekimken Wins Award

• Adam Nekimken was awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA in 2017 and helped to lead the development of the ‘poking chip’ a new device for delivering mechanical force to C. elegans.