Meet The Team

Principal Investigator

Galit Pelled, Ph.D.

I received my Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. In 2004, I joined Dr. Alan Koretsky’s lab at NINDS/NIH as a postdoc fellow. In 2008, I joined Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute as a tenure-track Assistant professor, and in 2014 I was promoted to Associate professor. In 2017 I was recruited as a tenured Full-Professor to Michigan State University to establish a new Neuroengineering  program. My research focuses on developing and leveraging transformative technologies for enhancing neuro-performance. Through holistic and multidisciplinary approaches my lab works toward developing marine-inspired technologies for artificial sensing and adaptive-prosthetics; restoring sensory-motor performance after traumatic brain injury (TBI), peripheral nerve injury and epilepsy; and improving athletic performance and cognitive capabilities by using genetic-based neuromodulation and non-invasive brain stimulation

Staff Scientist

Petra Telgkamp, Ph.D.

​I received my Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (Biological Sciences Division and Pritzker Medical School), studying central respiratory rhythm generation and modulation in a mouse model. Other research projects in my past include investigations of cellular excitability and synaptic plasticity in different model systems. During my Master’s thesis at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, I was introduced to electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings, and I characterized AMPA/Kainate receptors in rat cerebellar astrocytes. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Raman Lab at Northwestern University I applied electrophysiological techniques to study cerebellar neuronal plasticity, and in the Smith lab at Indiana University I extended my research focus considering evolutionary adaptations and adjusted the focus of my research to include neuroethological considerations (using the weakly electric fish as a model system).  In the Pelled lab, I plan to conduct research aimed at guiding the development of novel genetic and molecular-based neuromodulation techniques.

Ph.D. Student

Ron Israeli, B.S.

I got my B.S. in Mathematics from Penn State. I then worked at Microsert Ltd. in Israel developing intraocular implants for sustained drug release. In March 2020, I joined Pelled Lab, where I research the use of electromagnetic perceptive gene (EPG) in the visual cortex for the creation of synthetic vision.

Ph.D. Student

Abby Metto, B.S.

I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Michigan State University in 2018. As part of my undergraduate research experience, I worked at the Krishnan Lab in the Department of Computational Math, Science & Engineering. While there, I analyzed gene expression data to investigate age- and sex-specific gene expression in brain biology and disease. Additionally, I worked at the Computational Basis for Cognitive Control Lab in the Department of Psychology. I focused on understanding age-related and individual differences in memory retrieval, utilizing Electroencephalogram recordings and computational approaches. Currently, I am a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Program. I was particularly drawn to the Pelled Lab because of the interdisciplinary nature of our work as well as my interest in applying engineering principles and computational methods to solve unmet medical needs/ problems. My research project is aimed at developing a genetic-based therapy for seizures and epilepsy. My goal is to continue establishing research that will improve on current anti-seizure therapies.

Ph.D Student

Carolina Cywiak, M.S.

I completed my Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in Venezuela at Universidad Simon Bolivar where I investigated a novel isoform for PKA. My Bachelor’s degree is in Medicinal Biology from Bar Ilan University in Israel. I recently joined the Pelled lab to explore novel mechanisms to reduce pain for individuals with nerve injuries via non-invasive neuronal techniques.

Ph.D Student

Alesa Hughson, B.S.

I received a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Alma College in 2014. After graduating, I worked at a neurorehabilitation facility in northern Michigan, caring for patients suffering from traumatic brain injury. After one year, I returned to academia as a laboratory research technician in the University of Michigan’s biopsychology department where I studied incentive salience attribution and how it relates to drug addiction. I joined the Pelled lab in Fall 2018 as a Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant. My research involves developing therapies to improve functional outcomes after traumatic brain injury in large animal pediatric models of TBI.

Ph.D. Student

Lauren Wade, B.S.

I graduated with my Bachelor’s degrees in Cognitive Science and Psychology as well as a certificate in Clinical Psychological Science from Indiana University in 2019. While at Indiana University, I researched semantic, phonemic, and organizational pattern differences expressed between individuals, specifically in those on various points of the psychotic spectrum. After graduating, I worked as a laboratory technician in the IU Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab at Indiana University, where I researched (1) action understanding in infants and (2) the continuity and consistency of social-cognitive development in infants and toddlers. I joined the Pelled lab in the summer of 2021 as a Neuroscience Ph.D. student. My main project investigates the functional outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mini-Yucatan pigs as a translational model of pediatric concussion, with the hopes of developing therapies to help improve these detrimental outcomes following TBI.

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Ph.D. Student

Autumn McLane-Svoboda, B.S.

I received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering from Michigan State University in 2021. I am currently a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering program and joined the Pelled Lab in November 2021. My research project surrounds electrophysiology, specifically within the Octopus species, using tactile, sensory, and motor stimulation. My goal is to identify and characterize neural patterns within the octopus related to movement. Quantifying these patterns, along with the unique movement seen in the octopus, will aid in the development of improved neuroprosthetics. 

Research Administrator

Rita Martin

Rita Martin is a Research Administrator in the Pelled Lab. She identifies potential sources of funding, assists with preparing grant applications and annual research performance progress reports for funded projects, provides editorial assistance for research manuscripts and abstracts, and coordinates technology transfer agreements for collaborative research activities. Rita also assists with managing administrative functions for the Pelled Lab.

Rita earned a master’s degree in Zoology with specialization in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, and graduated with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University.

Technical Aide

Fermin Jimenez, B.S.

I went to MSU for undergrad in Chemistry and Food Science. While as an undergrad I worked in the Cellular Reprogramming Lab run by Dr. Cibelli helping out in the lab and with zebrafish husbandry. There I gained an interest in working with aquatic animals in the lab setting. After graduating, I continued working for Dr. Cibelli by helping keep the fish colony healthy and within EHS, AAALAC, and IACUC regulations. This has led me to work for Dr. Galit Pelled and with the octopus. I have worked here for a little over a two years where I help make sure the octopus are healthy and within the same regulations. Working with the octopus has been a great experience and I look forward to learning more about them in the future. 

Undergraduate Student

Sumer Pakray

I am a senior at MSU studying Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience with an additional major in Psychology. I joined Dr. Pelled’s lab due to my interest in neuroplasticity and the development of neurorehabilitation interventions. I assist in researching the use of electromagnetic perceptive gene (EPG) in the visual cortex to stimulate vision. Additionally, I work on a project studying the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a pediatric porcine model to help develop therapeutic practices for the improvement of functional outcomes. 

Undergraduate Student

Brittany Bush

I am a senior at Michigan State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Concentration. After my undergraduate degree, I plan on attending medical school. The link between engineering and medicine is what drew me to the Pelled Lab. I assist in the research and analysis of octopus motion and neural responses to eventually design better prosthetic devices.

Undergraduate Student

Lexi Zydeck

I am a freshman at Michigan State University majoring in Physiology and Psychology. My interest in cognitive behavioral analysis and translational work within various mental disorders drew me to join the Pelled Lab. I assist in work that focuses on outcomes post-TBI, specifically work with mini-Yucatan pigs.