Meet The Team

John Campbell, Ph.D.   |   Principal InvestigatorJohn received a Neuroscience Ph.D. from VCU in Ben Churn’s lab and then did a postdoctoral fellowship in Brad Lowell’s lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he developed a program using s…

John Campbell, Ph.D. | Principal Investigator

John received a Neuroscience Ph.D. from VCU in Ben Churn’s lab and then did a postdoctoral fellowship in Brad Lowell’s lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he used single-cell genomics and genetic technology to understand the neural basis for appetite. His current research interest is unraveling the circuitry of the vagus nerve to understand how it controls the digestive, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Outside lab he enjoys family camping trips, cooking with his two kids, and early morning runs with his Siberian Husky.

Maisie Crook    |     Research TechnicianMaisie received her B.S. in Crime Scene Science from the University of Teesside, UK in 2010. After working in various scientific support roles she joined the Campbell Lab as a technician in 2019. Outside of l…

Maisie Crook | Lab Manager

Maisie received her B.S. in Crime Scene Science from the University of Teesside, UK in 2010. After working in various scientific support roles she joined the Campbell Lab as a technician in 2019. Outside of lab she enjoys skating, photography, travel, playing bass, concerts and true crime.

Nicholas Conley     |     Ph.D. StudentNicholas is a student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. He earned his B.S in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University in 2018. In the lab, his research centers around the neurocircuitry responsi…

Nicholas Conley | Ph.D. Candidate

Nicholas is a student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. He earned his B.S in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University in 2018. In the lab, his research centers around the neurocircuitry responsible for cephalic phase insulin secretion. Outside the lab he enjoys hiking, playing piano and getting on a plane/bus/train to someplace new whenever possible.

Maira Jalil | Ph.D. Candidate

Maira is a graduate student from Gujranwala, Pakistan. She earned her B.S. in Applied Bioscience from National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad in 2018. Her research is focused on the single-nuclei genomic techniques and identifying neural circuits through which the brainstem control heart rate and lower esophageal function. When not in the lab, Maira enjoys cooking for friends, exploring places, doing DIYs, and going to gym.

Addison Webster | Ph.D. Candidate

Roberta Onoharigho | Ph.D. Candidate

Roberta is a graduate student in the Biology doctoral program. She earned her B.S. in Pharmacology from Delta State University, Nigeria. Her research focuses on understanding the neural circuits in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that underlie energy expenditure. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading newsletters, listening to podcasts, and spending time with family and friends.

Yuanming Liu | Ph.D. Candidate, with Prof. JC Cang


Ming is a graduate student in the Biology Department. He earned his B.S. in Biotechnology from Sun Yat-sen University in China in 2017. He is co-advised by Dr. JC Cang and Dr. John Campbell and works on collaborative projects to identify the cell types of superior colliculus. When not in the lab, he enjoys cooking, having fun with friends and chatting with his family through video.

Not Shown

  • Lizzie Godschall, co-mentored Ph.D. candidate (Biology), with Prof. Ali Güler

  • Katya Stepanova, co-mentored Ph.D. candidate (Quantitative Neurobiology of Behavior, Interdisciplinary Fellowship), with Prof. Chris Deppmann

  • Emma Marco, undergraduate researcher

  • Ashlyn Dever, undergraduate researcher

  • Cate Bundon, undergraduate researcher

  • Lane VanderVoort, undergraduate researcher

Graduate Alumni

  • Tatiana Coverdell, Ph.D, 2018 - 2022, subsequent position: clinical chemistry fellow, NIH Department of Laboratory Medicine

Undergraduate Alumni

  • Chelsea Li, 2018 - 2020, subsequent position: M.D./Ph.D. student, Stanford University

  • Natalie Schiavone, 2019 - 2021, subsequent position: Teach for America

  • Owen Trinkle, 2019 - 2022, subsequent position: Decision Analytics Associate, Decision Analytics Associate, ZS

  • Anirudh Gadicherla, 2019 - 2022

  • Lily Kauffman, 2019 - 2023, subsequent position: Eastern Virginia Medical School

  • Veronica Gutierrez, 2019 - 2023, subsequent position: medical school

  • Kandace Moore, 2021 - 2023, subsequent position: UNC Chapel Hill Post Baccalaureate Program

  • Dana Schwalbe, 2020 - 2024, subsequent position: Harvard University Ph.D. program on Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics