Dr. Gumusoglu
Dr. Gumusoglu is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and director of MINDFOL. Her research focuses on the placenta-brain axis, and in particular on the molecular mechanisms by which obstetric disease increases risk for psychiatric disease in pregnant people and in the next generation. She earned her MSc in Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology through the join Yale-University College London Bridge Program. Banu completed her PhD in Neuroscience with Dr. Hanna Stevens at the University of Iowa, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Reproductive Science with Dr. Mark Santillan at the Carver College of Medicine. She is passionate about mentorship of diverse trainees, promoting collaboration across fields, and growing recognition for the importance of prenatal life in shaping health across the lifespan.
Robert Taylor
Robert has undergrad and graduate degrees in biology, both focusing on neurobiology. He's interested in cell and molecular biology more generally as well as mentoring and teaching. As lab manager, He is the keeper of all lab lore; keeper of animals, fridges, and freezers; and general all around "labrarian." He also teaches and mentors new personnel and handling training thereof. Hobbies include tutoring, reading, gaming, and lounging with his fur child, Peaches.
Hannah Hazzard
Hannah Hazzard is a second-year graduate student in the Neuroscience PhD program who is broadly interested in neuropharmacology. She particularly likes cell culture and mouse work, and is excited to work with extracellular vesicles in the Gumusoglu lab. Outside of lab she plays clarinet in University Band, enjoys cooking, and playing Minecraft.
Brianna Blaine
Brianna Blaine is an undergraduate senior studying Human Physiology who is pursuing research related to behavioral deficits in a mouse model of psycho-obstetric risk and correlating the behavioral deficits with neurobiological changes (cerebrovascular, neuronal/glial density). She enjoys working on animal behavior and molecular studies in the lab and hopes to attend medical school after she completes her undergraduate degree to become an obstetrician. Outside of the lab, Bri is on the College Student Leader Board for the volunteer program at UIHC and enjoys volunteering at the hospital, listening to podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.
Keagan Kirkpatrick
Keagan Kirkpatrick is a junior studying Human Physiology with minors in Latin and Lifestyle Medicine here at the University of Iowa. She is interested in different neurological illnesses and their treatments and how they affect fetal neurodevelopment. She enjoys studying animal behavior in the lab and histology. After college she hopes to attend medical school. Keagan is also involved in Medicus, Homecoming, Camp Hertko Hollow, working in the Intensive Care Unit, and volunteering around campus! In her free time, she likes to read, watch tv (especially psych), volunteer at the animal shelter, and swim.
Mushroor Kamal
Mushroor Kamal has a recieved a Bachelors of Science in Biology. He is pursing research related to prenatal development after exposure to complications of pregnancy. In particular, he is very interested in the role of extracellular vesicles in the brain. He enjoys working on dissections and microscopy in the lab and plans to attend medical school next year. Finally, he loves to play and watch soccer in his free time.
Yesim Ates
Yesim Ates is a medical doctor from Turkey. She is a Research Assistant with our lab. She is interested in exploring the mechanisms of high-risk pregnancy conditions, especially preeclampsia. Yesim aspires to become a qualified Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist and is dedicated to translational research on the pathophysiology of high-risk pregnancy diseases. Her focus extends to understanding the influence of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy on both embryonic development and maternal health. Beyond her academic pursuits, Yesim enjoys discovering new songs from various genres and engages in CrossFit to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Vincent Ruiz
Vincent Ruiz is a Neuroscience major, who plans to continue on with research throughout college and into his planned career in Neuroscience. He enjoys learning, and is very interested in autism and other neurodivergencies.
Meredith Lang
Meredith Lang is an exercise science pre-med major with a minor in sociology who is working on research regarding prenatal development after exposure to complications of pregnancy. Meredith is interested in how the brain relays certain information during development. Meredith enjoys working on animal behavior and plans to go into internal medicine and pediatrics after obtaining an undergraduate degree.
Olivia Taeger
Olivia is a Human Physiology major at the University of Iowa. Her main research interests include how mental illnesses and pregnancy complications affect maternal behavior and offspring development. She enjoys analyzing mouse behavior and examining specimens. Following completion of her undergraduate degree she has dreams of pursuing a career in medicine as a doctor. Other activities Olivia is involved in include: Medicus pre-med club, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), she volunteers at the hospital in the OR, and is a CNA at Oaknoll Retirement Residence. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and playing with her dogs.
Krushi Patel
Krushi Patel is a third-year Neuroscience major, who is interested in fetal brain development and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. She enjoys learning about animal behavior in the lab. She hopes to attend medical school after completing her undergraduate degree. Outside of lab, she is a Pedagogical partner for Students as Partners program at UIowa and volunteers at the hospital. She enjoys reading, painting, and watching motorsports.
Sofia Mamakos
Sofia is junior at the University of Iowa majoring in human physiology and minoring in chemistry and news and media literacy, on the pre-med track. Outside of research, she is involved in the honors program, works as a learning assistant for Principals of Chemistry 1, serves as co-president of From Cover-to-Cover, and volunteers at the hospital. In her free time she likes to read, go on runs, watch movies, and hang out with her cat Norman.
