Principal Investigator
Laura K. Fonken
Associate Professor
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology
College of Pharmacy
University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Laura Fonken completed her PhD in Neuroscience in Dr. Randy Nelson’s laboratory at The Ohio State University. Laura’s dissertation research focused on the effects of nighttime light exposure on physiology and behavior. Next, Laura completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Dr. Steven Maier’s laboratory in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. In the Maier laboratory, Laura’s research focused on understanding how heightened neuroinflammatory responses contribute to mood disorders and cognitive impairments with aging. Current research in her laboratory focuses on endogenous (e.g. circadian rhythms) and exogenous (e.g. infection and injury) factors that influence neuroimmune function across the lifespan.
Senior Post-Doctoral Fellow
Louise Ince
Research Scientist Google Scholar
Dr. Louise Ince completed her BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychology, MRes in Integrative Biology and PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Manchester, UK. She performed her dissertation research under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Loudon, Prof. David Ray and Dr. Julie Gibbs, working on rhythmic glucocorticoid signaling & neutrophil migration to the lung after inflammatory challenge. She then joined the lab of Prof. Christoph Scheiermann as a post-doc, where she studied the influence of biological rhythms upon adaptive immune function, including temporal variation in dendritic cell trafficking and modulation of vaccination efficacy. Now a Research Scientist in the Fonken Lab, Louise is using her expertise in rhythmic immunology to investigate how changes in neuroimmune rhythms contribute to cognitive decline in aging and dementia.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Alexis Campanile
Dr. Lexi Campanile completed her B.S. in Psychology and Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Florida State University in Tallahassee Florida. She completed her doctoral training under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Eckel, where Lexi used a translational approach to examine altered immune function in disordered eating behaviors using both a rat model of binge-like eating, and biological and clinical data from women with bulimic syndromes. Lexi is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Fonken lab and is interested in how immune function can become dysregulated with age and how this can lead to changes ranging from the behavioral to cellular level.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Steven Guerin
Dr. Steven Guerin received his B.S. in Biology from The University of New Mexico before moving to Austin for graduate school. He received his Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences in the lab of Dr. Kimberly Nixon, where he studied the effects of alcohol on astrocytes, critical mediators of homeostasis in the brain. Steven is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Fonken’s lab and is working on the analysis of several genomics projects in the lab. In his free time Steven enjoys biking around East Austin, planning his next big trip, and DIY projects in his tiny apartment.
Graduate Students
Kate Davis
Neuroscience Program
Kate Davis is a fifth-year graduate student at the Institute for Neuroscience (INS). She received her Bachelor of Science from Southwestern University in Psychology. Kate Davis was awarded the National Institute for Science’s Graduate Research Fellowship, a three-year fellowship that helps support promising graduate students in STEM. She is currently exploring how immune activation during development alters neuroimmune functioning and results in behavioral alternations akin to those seen in neurodevelopment diseases such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and schizophrenia. Kate’s hobbies include paddle boarding, baking, and spending time with her dog.
Brandy Routh
Neuroscience Program
Brandy Routh is a fourth-year graduate student at the Institute for Neuroscience (INS). After receiving her BS in Neurobiology from UT Austin, she worked as a cellular neurophysiologist in Daniel Johnston’s lab for several years, studying ion channel dysfunction in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. She is now working towards her PhD, with an interest in circadian rhythms during brain development, specifically focused on the role of circadian disruptions in neurodevelopmental disorders. Brandy’s work in the lab is supported by a National Institute for Science Graduate Research Fellowship. Outside of the lab, she enjoys photography, travel, and spending time with her husband and four young children.
Kiersten Bell
Pharmacology and Toxicology Program LinkedIn Google Scholar
Kiersten is a fourth-year graduate student in the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences at Duke University and postbaccalaureate research with Dr. Mary Gilbert at the Environmental Protection Agency. She has an interest in the emergence of circadian rhythms during brain development and how their dysfunction may play a role in neurodevelopmental and mood disorders. Outside of lab, Kiersten enjoys spending time outdoors and learning how to roller-skate.
Drew Hynes
Pharmacology and Toxicology Program LinkedIn
Drew is a second-year graduate student in the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology and in Biochemistry at Virginia Tech. He is currently exploring temporal differences in immune trafficking in the brain and how that immune trafficking is affected in a model of Alzheimer’s. Outside of lab, Drew enjoys woodworking, cooking, and spending time with his cats.
Lab Technicians
Julia Goewey-Ruiz
Lab Manager
Julia is the lab manager, with 6 years of experience in bio-manufacturing. Julia started working in the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology as lab staff in 2021 and joined the Fonken lab in 2023. Julia is a native Austinite and enjoys crocheting, gardening, cooking, playing games with her kids, & watching movies & shows with her family. She is a PTA leader at her kids’ elementary school and also volunteers with the Austin Center for Grief & Loss.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Leanna Doan
Leanna is a senior majoring in biology and Plan II Honors. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running, reading, and exploring Austin’s live music scene.
Cecily Gibson
Cecily Gibson is a senior majoring in Chemistry and Plan II Honors. Outside of research and academics, she enjoys writing, going down Wikipedia rabbit holes, making obscure Spotify playlists, babysitting cousins, and perfecting her lemon bar recipe.
Celina Yang
Celina is a junior majoring in biology. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Arshia Verma
Arshia is a junior majoring in neuroscience in the Polymathic Scholars honors program. Outside of research, she enjoys doing puzzles with her sister, reading, playing the piano, and traveling.
Sahana Datta
Sahana Datta is a junior majoring in neuroscience in the Dean's Scholars honors program. Outside of research, she enjoys exploring Austin, hiking, and building Lego sets.
Akanksha Acharya
Akanksha Acharya is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience in the Dean's Scholars honors program. Outside of research and academics, she enjoys dancing, kayaking, and trying unique foods.
Ohen Cano
Ohen is a senior majoring in neuroscience with a minor in philosophy. Outside of academics and research, he enjoys climbing, being outdoors, reading, and relaxing with friends and family.
Shams Imad
Shams Imad is a senior majoring in neuroscience. Outside of research, she likes traveling, reading, learning new languages, and exploring Austin.
Aran Belani
Aran is a sophomore majoring in Public Health. Outside of research, he enjoys trying new coffee shops, travelling, cooking, and playing guitar.
Sophia Martinez
Sophia is a sophomore majoring in chemistry. Outside of classes and research she likes hanging with friends, shopping, playing with her cat cookie and swimming.
Eric Hernandez Madrid
Eric is an aspiring biochemistry major. Outside of lab and classes, he enjoys traveling, hiking, running, swimming, and listening to music religiously.
John Chaney
John is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience. Outside of research, he likes rowing, eating, and doing new things.
To see previous lab members, please visit our Alumni page!
Research Opportunities
Dr. Fonken is interested in meeting and working with individuals who would like to contribute to innovative neuroscience, immunology, and pharmacology research. Motivated applicants for undergraduate or graduate research positions are encouraged to contact her.
Fonken Lab Happy Hour at The Hole in the Wall (February 2024)
Fonken lab pumpkin carving (October 2022).
Fonken-Gaudet winter solstice party (Dec 2021).
Happy hour after lab meeting (Nov 2021).
Lab picnic at Zilker Park (May 2021).
Celebrating the “Pharmacy Research Excellence Day” winners!
Pandemic lab meeting over Zoom.
Lab happy hour at Spider House.
Team time on the microscope.
Past team members at the University of Colorado Boulder.