Our team

Tom obtained an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the KU Leuven (Belgium). He received graduate training in the lab of Philip Joris at the KU Leuven. After graduating as a clinical neurologist at the University Hospitals Leuven, he pursued postdoctoral training in the lab of John Reynolds at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Selected awards: K99/R00 Pathway To Independence Award (2020–2025), NARSAD Young Investigator (2018-2020), George E. Hewitt Fellow (2017-2020), Emile Boulpaep Fellow of the Belgian American Educational Foundation (2016-2017)

Donna graduated in 1997 from Jefferson College with a degree in Veterinary Technology and is board certified in Missouri.  She went back to school in 2014 when her kids were older and obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SIUE.  Working with animals and training with positive reinforcement is a passion of hers. She’s also certified as a lab animal technician from AALAS. Donna is an “empty nester” and is living with her husband and two dachshunds and enjoys home improvement TV and has taken on many projects at home.

Robbe received his BSc in 2023 at KU Leuven and is currently a medical student at KU Leuven (Belgium). He was awarded a BAEF-Sofina & Boël fellowship (2023-2024) to perform research in our lab. Robbe grew up in Antwerp, Belgium, and while not at work, he loves practicing sports like mixed martial arts and playing chess.

Elaine Wang is currently a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in biomedical engineering and computer science. She’s especially interested in tissue engineering, neuroscience, and genetics. Elaine grew up in Shanghai, China. While not at work, she enjoys drawing, music, hanging out with friends and creating 3D prints.

Selected awards: Dean’s list (fall 2019 – spring 2022), Dr. Jonathan Smith Scholarship (2022)