Lab Members

Tim Machado, PhD

Assistant Professor
Timothy.Machado@PennMedicine.upenn.edu

I’m interested in understanding how descending pathways command the brainstem and spinal cord to initiate and modify movements—especially across different brain states (like hunger, thirst, and arousal). Previously, I was a postdoc working in the Deisseroth Lab at Stanford. Before that, I started a company called CTRL-labs that used ideas related to my doctoral work to build non-invasive technologies for decoding motor intention. I went to graduate school at Columbia where I studied spinal motor circuits. Outside of lab, I enjoy running, biking, and trying to be outside.

Jeff Gauthier, PhD

Senior Research Investigator
Jeff.Gauthier@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I’m interested in using large-scale imaging and electrophysiological recordings to understand how brainstem circuits generate precise movements. Previously I studied hippocampal representations of reward, both as a post-doc with David Tank at Princeton University and an Assistant Professor at Swarthmore College. If I’m not in lab I’m probably singing, dancing, or playing music in Philadelphia’s thriving folk music scene.

Vincent Curtis, PhD

Post Doctoral Researcher
Vincent.Curtis@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am focused on developing devices and computational techniques to uncover latent factors in behavioral and neural data. During my PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I designed a novel device to simultaneously monitor multiple biometric indicators using IR light. Now as a postdoctoral researcher, I’m excited to continue my work at the intersection of engineering and neuroscience. Outside the lab, you’ll likely find me reading, lifting weights, or spending time with my pet rats.

Abby Lieberman

Neuroscience Graduate Student (co-advised by Minghong Ma)
abby.lieberman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am interested in using experimental and computational approaches to study how movement execution changes across internal states. I started my PhD in neuroscience in 2022. Previously, I studied action selection at University of Maryland Baltimore and cognitive flexibility at NIAAA. When I’m not in lab you can find me doing hot yoga, cooking too much food, crafting, and squealing over cute animals.

Kerry Nix

Neuroscience Graduate Student
kerry.nix@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I’m interested in using imaging and computational methods to understand neural bases of cognition, communication between brain areas, and variation of these across brain states. Before beginning my PhD in Neuroscience in 2022, I studied how reward influences behavior at UC Berkeley, and visual and language processing in epilepsy patients using TMS-EEG at Stanford University School of Medicine. Outside the lab, I like biking around Philly, hiking trails, and singing.

Lyndsay Hastings

Neuroscience Graduate Student
lyndsay.hastings@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I’m interested in how the brain generates behavior and in how to use imaging and computational methods to understand brainstem motor circuitry. I started my PhD in Neuroscience in 2023. Before that, I studied opioid use disorder at NIDA and Parkinson’s disease at Duke University. Outside of lab, I like cooking for friends and spending lots of time outside.

Nita Rome

Neuroscience Graduate Student (co-advised by Nicholas Betley)
nita.rome@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am a joint member of the Machado and Betley labs, and I’m interested in internal verses external drivers of motivation and how they differentially modulate overlapping behaviors. I started my PhD in 2023. Before coming to UPenn, I studied behaviors of addiction and motivation during my undergraduate at Wesleyan University, and then I worked as a lab tech at the Broad Institute/MIT in Boston. In my free time I enjoy swimming, running, or knitting on the couch while listening to an audiobook.

Tammi Coleman

Research Specialist (joint with Kate Wofford)
tammi@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I have 32 years of experience as a certified animal health technician. Specializing in anesthesia, clinical care, in vivo research experiments, and behavioral training. During my 25 years at Penn, I have collaborated with and helped five successful laboratories focused on research in Gene Therapy, Neuroscience, Otolaryngology, and Neurosurgery. As a laboratory manager for the Machado Lab, I assist staff and students with the study of how circuits across the brain send commands to control movement during different behavioral states by using multi-region neural recording techniques. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, walking with my two dogs, and making art.

Marie Fina

Research Specialist (joint with Diego Contreras)

Stella Lee

Undergraduate Student

I’m a sophomore in the college of arts and sciences studying physics and neuroscience. I’m interested in designing 3D-printed devices in order to help record brain activity during different behaviors. Outside of lab, I ride on Penn’s equestrian team, do traditional Chinese lion dancing, and love to run!