Our Team

Christopher L. Cunningham, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor/Principal Investigator

I grew up in Alaska, where I was continually awed and intrigued by the elegance of the natural world. My journey in science has been shaped by the influences of many supportive mentors. I received my B.S. in Biology from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where Dr. Sidney Palmer and Dr. Clair Eckersell first piqued my interest in neuroscience. My first major research experiences were as an undergraduate in the lab of Dr. Bryan Mackenzie at the University of Cincinnati. From the first time I set foot in the lab, I was hooked, which led me to pursue a career in scientific research. I went on to obtain my Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of California, Davis in the lab of Dr. Stephen Noctor, studying the development of the cerebral cortex. Dr. Noctor is an incredible scientist and mentor, and left a unique impact on my scientific perspective. After finishing my Ph.D., I worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Ulrich Muller at The Scripps Research Institute and Johns Hopkins University, where I discovered my keen interests in the auditory system. I was extremely fortunate to work with Dr. Muller, who has incredible creativity, passion, and drive. In 2021, I started my lab at the University of Pittsburgh. I feel extremely excited and humbled to have the opportunity to run my own research lab. It is so fulfilling to channel my passion for the natural world into my life’s work! I have been inspired, motivated and guided by many great scientists during my career, and I am committed to doing my best to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Outside of the lab, I love to spend time with my family exploring Pittsburgh, hiking, running, fishing, and watching football (go Niners!).

Gabriela Itzetl Medina Ruiz, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

I grew up in Mexico City, a huge city surrounded by amazing natural landscapes. I practiced scuba diving in high school, which motivated me to get my BA in biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). I did my dissertation on Plant Biotechnology and later I studied for a master's degree in Biochemical Sciences at the Institute of Biotechnology with Dr. Patricia León, an excellent researcher. Following that, I worked as a lab technician at the Institute of Biology in UNAM, and I was involved in Neurosciences. I was fortunate enough to obtain my Ph.D. in Neurosciences with Dr. Julio Morán, who is an amazing mentor. During my research, I learned about the role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the regulation of neuronal growth. It was fascinating to discover that ROS are important for actin polymerization in cerebellar granule neurons. I also learned cutting-edge microscopy techniques that I would like to apply to the study of the auditory system. I am excited to move to Pittsburgh and work with an amazing team. In my free time, I like to swim, run, and attend talks with my book club online.

Stuti Panchal

Undergraduate Researcher

I grew up in New Jersey and am now an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. I am majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and French. I have always been very interested in neuroscience and the biology of the brain. After taking my first neuroscience core class at Pitt, I became fascinated with the sensory systems, leading me to join the Cunningham Lab to study the auditory system. In my free time, I love to spend time with my friends and host game nights, binge TV shows, listen to music, and go on hikes.

Alicia Frank, B.S., M.P.P.M.

Lab Manager

Raised in a small town in western Pennsylvania, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences from Penn State University and a Master’s of Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh. While at Penn State, I became interested in research while working in a dairy nutrition lab. After graduation, I worked as a large animal research surgical technician at Children’s Hospital of Boston followed by a brief stint as an emergency and intensive care veterinary technician at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, where I confirmed that I preferred the research side of animal care and not the clinical side. I returned to Pittsburgh and basic research as a technician for the Department of Surgery and a lab manager for the Center for Critical Care Nephrology in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Pitt. In my off hours, I volunteer with Kahlua, my therapy dog, at our local public library and at universities and colleges in the area as well as crocheting and quilting.

Tracy Cheng, M.D.

Otolaryngology Resident

I grew up in NJ and received an A.B. in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. It was in college that I became interested the puzzle of the world around us. My thesis was on oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster, specifically on protein transport in oocyte determination. After college, I received my M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine, where I became interested in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. I am currently a resident at UPMC in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. In my free time, I like to hike, play tennis, and bake.

Abigail Sanders, B.S.

Research Technician

I grew up about an hour outside of Pittsburgh, in a small town that had only one stoplight and a graduating class of 70. After moving to Pittsburgh, I received my B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Chatham University. During my undergrad, I discovered my love for Neuroscience after accidentally enrolling in the class. In my Junior and Senior year at Chatham, I was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Ethan Block on my capstone project where I studied the effects of autism spectrum-related mutations on dopaminergic signaling in the C. elegans model. Following undergrad, I was most interested in hitting the ground running and gaining some additional research experience, which is how I ended up working with the Cunningham Lab. Eventually, I hope to pursue Graduate school for Genetic counseling, where I could continue working in the research setting. Aside from Neuroscience or anything biology-related, I also love to spend time with my family, play video games, paint, and cook.

Laura Marinos, B.S.

Graduate Student, CNUP Program

I received my B.S. in Biology, as well as minors in Chemistry and Biochemistry, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During my time as an undergraduate my interest in neuroscience was fostered by Dr. Christina Ruby, where we studied the effects of caffeine and alcohol on the circadian rhythm of mice utilizing behavioral assays. Following my time as an undergraduate I chose to gain more experience in a neuroscience lab, which brought me to working as a lab technician under Dr. Thanos Tzounopoulos at the University of Pittsburgh. Given my experience with behavior, I helped to develop a model to assess tinnitus in mice and published a first author manuscript where we support the findings that the drug, developed by Tzounopoulos et al., can mitigate tinnitus following noise exposure. Currently, I am a graduate student in the CNUP where I am being co-mentored by both Dr. Cunningham and Dr. Thanos Tzounopoulos. Apart from my time spent doing experiments, I like to go to concerts, play video games, and embroider.

Julia Lewis, B.S.

Research Technician

Born and raised in Ohio, I came to Pittsburgh in 2015. I received my B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019. My first research experience was as an undergraduate working in the lab of Dr. Alan Sved where I studied behavioral neuroscience and the neuropharmacology of nicotine. I then spent a summer studying auditory neuroscience at the Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León in Salamanca, Spain under the mentorship of Dr. Douglas Oliver. After graduation, I spent time abroad working as an au pair. I came back to Pittsburgh to gain clinical research experience in the field of Geriatric Neuropsychology looking at cognition in individuals with mood disorders. I have now transitioned back to basic science research where I hope to refine my interests in the auditory system and continue on to a graduate degree. I like to spend my off hours cooking and baking. When I am not in the lab, you can find me walking around my neighborhood in the East End of Pittsburgh or taking care of my betta fish, Radish.

Jessica Mackowski

Undergraduate Researcher

I grew up in the Poconos, PA, and recently moved to Pittsburgh where I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. I am majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry, and hope to pursue graduate school in the future. I was first exposed to neuroscience while taking a psychology course in high school, where I became extremely interested in how our brain works. I am excited to participate in research that further explores the workings of our nervous system, specifically the auditory system. Outside of school, I enjoy going to museums, watching sports, and staying active while exploring the outdoors.

Abby Carney, M.S.

Graduate Student, CBMP Program

I grew up in rural Kansas and attended Wichita State University for my undergraduate and master's degrees where I discovered my love of protein biochemistry. I worked with Dr. Moriah Beck on palladin, an actin-associated protein involved in cancer metastasis, and Dr. George Bousfield on the glycoforms of follicle-stimulating hormone and how they change with age. I'm excited to apply this knowledge to the trafficking of proteins involved in mechanotransduction of the auditory system as a part of the CBMP program. Outside of the lab, I love to garden, play board games, and listen to music.