Our Team
Dr. Sade Spencer
Primary Investigator
Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX
Education: I received my undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide!) graduating Summa Cum Laude. My thesis research in the lab of Dr. Colleen McClung at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas focused on circadian rhythms and affective disorders with a focus on understanding how the transcription factor CLOCK was involved in the regulation of dopamine transmission. During my postdoc in the lab of Dr. Peter Kalivas at the Medical University of South Carolina I worked to develop innovative animal models to study neuroplasticity and behavior across various stages of addiction and relapse.
Hobbies: When I'm not running a lab, I enjoy running and cooking.
Abigail Brewer
Postdoctoral Researcher
Hometown: Los Alamos, NM
Education: I received my BA in Biology and Psychology from Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, CO. I was recruited to Washington State
University in Pullman, WA in 2012, where I joined the Psychology department and received my MS in May of 2016 , then my PhD in May of 2020.
Research Interests: Way back when I was an undergraduate my interest in research was nurtured by Dr. Cassandra Osborne at Western looking at the effects of xenoestrogen compounds on developing xenopus laevis embryos. I have always been very interested in the mechanisms underlying our behavior and learning as well as how these mechanisms might change under different conditions. At WSU I worked on understanding the mechanisms of pain and relief under the mentorship of Dr. Raymond Quock. The mechanism of pain relief remains unknown, but our lab did work on identifying potential targets and identifying further uses of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO 2). HBO 2 has shown a great deal of promise in relieving pain in various clinical conditions and preclinical animal models. In my dissertation research I investigated the impact of HBO 2 on morphine withdrawal in mouse models. I am particularly proud of my work in introducing sex as a potential variable in the effect of HBO 2 on pain and opioid withdrawal. Understanding the mechanisms of drug dependence and withdrawal has become one of my passions. I am excited about finding out more about the mechanisms underlying drug dependence, withdrawal, and relapse.
Hobbies: I do like to be outside, particularly on or near water and I spend an inordinate amount of time with my dog Sonny. I look forward to exploring my new home in the Twin Cities and potentially finding new interests and hobbies.
Anoo Maskeri
Graduate Student
Hometown: Vienna, VA
Education: I received my BS in Experimental Neuroscience as well as a minor in Computer Science at Virginia Tech. I am currently pursuing a PhD in the Graduate Program for Neuroscience (GPN).
Research interests: My research background is mainly in rodents on a range of behaviors from social recognition to motivation. I hope to combine my interests of neurocircuitry with behavior to better understanding the mechanisms underlying specific behavioral affects.
Hobbies: Outside of school and lab I love hiking, going to concerts, exploring the many bars/coffee shops in the cities, and hanging out with my cat Billie.
Claire Felter
Lab Manager
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
Education: I received my BS in Biochemistry with a minor in Health Psychology from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. I am currently working on my Master of Public Health here at UMN concentrating in Maternal and Child Health.
Research Interests: During my undergrad, I conducted behavioral experiments to study anxiety-like symptoms in rats experiencing synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal. I am currently working on a retrospective review to observe if metformin influences use patterns among patients who reported substance use and are prescribed merformin.
Hobbies: I enjoy video games (PC and Nintendo switch), cooking, and reading. I also consume an absurd amount of caffeine, so I regularly venture out to local coffee shops - my current go-to spot is Carma Coffee in Northeast Minneapolis (their cold brew is insanely delicious). I also try to get outside as much as possible while the summer season lasts in Minnesota.
Caden Cheng
Undergraduate Student
Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota
Education: I'm currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities pursuing a double major in neuroscience and psychology.
Research Interests: I have a broad interest in addiction and how disorder in the reward pathways form and are corrected. As my journey in research continues, I'm excited for how my interests may further refine and develop.
Hobbies: I enjoy staying physically active through biking, climbing (primarily bouldering), and jiu-jitsu. I am also quite the fan of board games and card games. Fun fact: For a two year period, practically every day I would carry a $0.49 pack of Harry Potter-themed cards from my friend in my pocket, ready to go at a moment's notice.
Margot Lortie
MPaT Rotation Student
Hometown: Shoreview, MN
Education: I received my B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. I am currently pursing my Ph.D. in Pharmacology in the MPaT program here at UMN.
Research interests: I have a passion for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying compulsive substance use. I am particularly interested in examining possible sex differences in behavioral models of compulsive cannabis and alcohol use.
Hobbies: Outside of lab I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling and attending concerts.
Edith Hernandez
MSTP Student
Hometowns: Ciudad Juárez, México and El Paso, Texas
Education: I received a BS in Biomedical Sciences, a BA in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). I am currently pursuing an MD/PhD in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), with a focus in Neuropharmacology and Psychiatry.
Research Interests: My primary research interest lies in translational approaches to addiction neuroscience and pharmacology for therapeutic development. I was initially introduced to the field of addiction through a clinical psychology perspective working with Dr. Ted Cooper’s StopLite program, a smoking cessation initiative for light and intermittent smokers in a predominantly Latinx population. My passion for neuroscience started when working with Dr. Eddie Castañeda, studying deficiencies in the dopaminergic circuitry known for driving addictive behaviors during early stages of pre-manifest Parkinson’s disease (PD). My last year in Dr. Castañeda’s lab focused on neural mechanisms driving sensitization of dopamine release as a potential therapeutic option in early stage PD. After graduation, I worked with Dr. Joseph F. Cheer at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, studying the role of endocannabinoid signaling in hippocampal cholinergic systems and their influence on working memory formation. These experiences showed me the essential intersection between neurobiological plasticity, psychiatric evaluation, and behavior modification when developing effective treatment options for recovering individuals.
Hobbies: My Cocker Spaniel, Paula, is with me at all times. I love traveling, climbing, sketching/painting, live music, and advocacy in underrepresented communities. I also love food and am always looking for new places to eat and new things to cook. Additionally, I have a growing desert plant collection that reminds me of home.
Fleur Uittenbogaard
Graduate Student
Hometown: Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Snoqualmie, WA
Education: I received my B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Washington - Seattle in 2023. I am currently pursing my Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the GPN here at UMN.
Research Interests: My undergraduate research was in the labs of Drs. Michael Bruchas and Nephi Stella, and focused on developing a voluntary oral THC consumption model in mice that reliably produces measurable cannabimimetic behaviors. I also supported projects centered on THC’s effect on movement and modulation of the prefrontal cortex. This work sparked my interest in cannabinoid research, and together with my interest in the circuit-level underpinnings of substances use disorders have informed my more specific interest in the circuit-level mechanisms contributing to different aspects of cannabis use disorder.
Hobbies: I love to cook and explore new restaurants in the cities. During the warmer months I also love to do lake activities and go on hikes and I’ve been getting really into hot yoga. Pretty much all other time is spent with my tortie cat, Hazel.
Aditi Alshi
Researcher 1
Hometown: Pune, India
Education: I received my BS in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
Research Interests: My interest in research stems from intrigue surrounding the human body and anatomy, particularly that of the central nervous system. I am interested in learning about the neurological and behavioral impacts that can be brought about as a result of chronic drug use. I would further like to understand how such disruptions to the neural circuits can be correlated to degeneration and disease. I believe that the experiences and knowledge I gain from being a part of Spencer lab will be very helpful towards the end of my undergraduate degree and for my future career in medicine!
Hobbies: I love to spend my free time reading. I don't think I will ever outgrow the fantasy and dystopian genres of books and movies. I also enjoy spending time outside while listening to music and being with my friends!
Alyssa Tollefson
Undergraduate Student
Hometown: La Crescent, MN
Education: I am a junior majoring in neuroscience and minoring in economics at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Research Interests: I think behavior is really interesting, and I am exploring this in both my major and minor. For neuroscience specifically, I am curious about addiction, OCD, and compulsive behaviors in the brain. I am interested in learning about why these maladaptive coping mechanisms are so addictive and how withdrawal could be ameliorated.
Hobbies: I enjoy being active, cooking, and reading. My ideal hang out is walking to a fun cafe to get a fun drink and yap. I like running in downtown Minneapolis along the river, to St. Thomas, or toward Minnehaha Falls. I recently took a zumba class for the first time and it was so much fun, and I’m looking forward to the next class!
Mark Schonfeld
Graduate Student
Hometown: Oxford, MI
Education: I received my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology.
Research Interests: My research background is primarily in molecular and immunological disease mechanisms. I am currently investigating the role of transient neurological changes in the drug reward pathway and their relation to cue-induced cocaine relapse. My long-term goal is to further define the cognitive dysregulation involved in substance use disorders and develop effective treatments for relapse.
Hobbies: I am heavily involved in underground music. I'm primarily a metal fan but also enjoy shoegaze, heavy psych, and synth pop. I collect records and tapes, attend shows, and play guitar. I also enjoy hiking and camping.
Kasey Bertelsen
MINDS Student
Hometown: Ely, MN
Education: I received my BS in Psychology from Bemidji State University.
Research interests: Key areas of interest include impulsivity, addiction, and perception disorders, specifically as potential links between the mesolimbic pathways and the gut/ gut-microbiota axis. This interest includes the relationship between microbes with sugar affinity and endogenous counter-regulatory hormones as well as microbial capacity to produce exogenic neurotransmitters. Despite years of research supporting the role of exogenous neurotransmitters, diet, and stress as influencing mental health and overall wellness, I believe this is an understudied area that holds the potential to illuminate new modalities of both treatment and prevention for substance use disorders and other areas of reward-related addiction, such as binge-eating disorder and even media use disorders such as internet/gaming addictions. I hope to translate my post-bacc research experience studying cocaine addiction and relapse prevention as means to further develop and refine these areas of interest.
Hobbies: I love mushroom/ chaga foraging up north, hikes with my German shepherd, Arlo Bernadette, kayaking, and looking for neat rocks. I love to cook, and I make realistic miniature versions of food out of polymer clay.
Dylan Rogers
Undergraduate Student
Hometown: Elk River, Minnesota
Education: I am a sophomore currently majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in leadership at The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Research Interests: While I love learning about all aspects of the human body, what piques my interests is the brain! I am interested in learning about reward circuits and how all the underlying structures of the brain give way to macroscopic changes. I’ve enjoyed learning about Cannabis Use Disorder and hope to continue further research on drug abuse and its implications on our learning and behavior. I am excited to be a part of Spencer lab and hope to learn and give back as much as I can.
Hobbies: Outside of school and lab I am extremely passionate about my church and community work regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, I enjoy reading theology, playing sports, meeting new people, soaking up the sun when the weather is nice, and opportunities for mentorship and leadership. In fact what brought me to Spencer Lab was their emphasis on mentoring undergraduate students.
Molly Russell
Undergraduate Student
Hometown: Park Ridge, IL
Education: I am currently working towards a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Health at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
Research interest: My research interests stem from my interests in learning about addiction from both neurological and public health perspectives. I am very interested in learning neurological mechanisms that contribute to addiction, and I enjoy learning the neuronal circuitry and mechanisms that drive substance use disorders such as mechanisms behind reward and reinforcement.
Hobbies: Outside of my academic life I love live music, traveling, reading, and spending as much time outside as I can. I’ve recently gotten back into running and am training for a half marathon!
Past Members
Lexi Willard
Claire Pince
Qetsia Etienne
Peja James
Anton Siamionau
Mohamed Abdulahi
Gillian Brown
Ayden Reed
Anna Sternitzky
Ilham Yasin
Rachel Aruldas
Malaya Galindez
Corinne Kelling
Sarah Ufearo
Laura Buczek
Emma Wille
Allegra Sciaccotta
Vishal Chandra
Amy Chan
Dan Grinberg
Patrick Haley
Noor Ibrahim
Zia Matti
Peter Hunsader
Emmanuel Ikebude
Natalia Rulli
Past Rotation Students
Sasha Pilski
Kelsey Person
Johnathan Aguirre
Ciarra Whindleton
Angel Robert
Ashley Anderson
Sarah Mulloy
Kyle Feldman
Maddi Moore
Perou Villiamma