Team

Join our team!

Undergraduate Researcher

Are you currently an undergraduate student that is interested in learning more about the world of research and our lab? We'd love to talk!

For questions about the labs research mission, and the possibility of learning more about involvement in research, reach out to Dr. Beth Thielen ([email protected])

For technical questions about laboratory related research, or if you want to learn more about what our lab does, reach out Lab Manager Bart Theelen ([email protected])

 

Team Members & Alumni

Principal Investigator

Beth ThielenBeth Thielen, MD, PhD

[email protected]
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Education:
BS in Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
MD University of Washington, Seattle, WA
PhD Pathobiology/Global Health University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Residency Internal Medicine-Pediatrics University of Minnesota, MN
Fellowship Adult and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Minnesota, MN  

Research Interests:
Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of respiratory viruses, clinical immunology, travel and tropical medicine, professional development of physician-scientists, medical/scientific communication on social media (@thie0149 on Twitter).

Interests Outside the Lab:
Travel, gardening, biking, ballroom dance, meditation, medical education, spending time with my husband and extended family.

University Program Affiliations:

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BICB)

College of Veterinary Medicine

Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

Masonic Cancer Center - Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Epidemiology PhD - School of Public Health

Researchers
Bart Theelen

Bart Theelen, PhD

[email protected]

Education:
BS in Microbiology, Fontys University, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
PhD, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands 

Research Interests:
Pediatric and adult infectious diseases
Molecular epidemiology, evolution and pathogenesis
The interplay between microbiota and host, affecting the course of infectious diseases.
Fungal research with special interest in Malassezia, the most abundant fungal genus on
human skin.

Interests Outside the Lab:
Beach volleyball and other sports, hiking, traveling, photography.

Idil Abdi

Idil Abdi, BS

[email protected]

Education:
BS in Microbiology & BS degree in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Research Interests:
I am very interested in the human microbiome, infectious diseases, public health, antibiotic resistance, and microbial genetics

Interests Outside the Lab:
I enjoy listening to science & true crime podcasts, hiking at MN state parks, swimming, eating foods from different cultures, and spending time with loved ones.

Olivia Toles

Olivia Toles, BS

[email protected]

Education:
BS in Cellular and Organismal Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Research Interests:
As an undergraduate researcher, I have spent the last few years working on projects investigating discrimination and structural vulnerabilities in the MN immigration court system. From this experience, I have developed broad interests in the subject of how vulnerability manifests in health outcomes.

Interests Outside the Lab:
I enjoy cooking, doing yoga, getting outside, and reading. On the weekends, you can find me working at a farmer's market or a community-based vegan pop-up market

Joanna Ly

Joanna Ly, BA

[email protected]

Education:
BA in Human Physiology, Minor in Sociology from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Research Interests:
Joanna is the inaugural post-baccalaureate student for the D-PRIME (Diversifying Pediatric Research through Individualized Mentorship and Experiences) Program. This is a two-year clinical research coordinator position within Peds CRS that includes both hands-on clinical research experience and a structured professional development curriculum. Currently, she is working with ongoing Infectious Disease, Gastrointestinal, and Emergency Medicine research studies.

Interests Outside the Lab:
Traveling, thrifting, exploring coffee shops, and spending time with friends and family

Alice Lehman

Alice Lehman, MD

[email protected]

Education:
BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan
MD, University of Minnesota Medical School
Adult and Pediatrics Infectious Diseases Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Class of 2025

Research Interests:
Metagenomic testing for infectious disease, point of care infectious disease diagnostics, Telemedicine, Public Health

Interests Outside the Lab:
Running, Kayaking, Outdoor trips, gardening, cooking with new beans and grains

Kristen Bastug

Kristen Bastug, MD

[email protected]

Education:
BS in Biology, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN
MD, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship in progress at the University of Minnesota

Research Interests:
The intersection of infectious disease, global child health, climate change, air pollution and pediatric pneumonia, One Health, public health, travel medicine

Interests Outside the Lab:
Enjoying the outdoors, scuba diving, snorkeling, gardening/houseplant keeping, video games, reading.

Sophie Samson

Sophie Samson, BA

[email protected]

Education:
BA in Biochemistry, College of Saint Benedict
MD Candidate, University of Minnesota Medical School Class of 2025

Research Interests:
Pediatric infectious disease, vector borne diseases, public health, global health, climate change, and health equity  

Interests Outside the Lab:
Reading, running, traveling, cooking, finding new coffee shops, playing the piano and guitar, teaching ice skating lessons, and spending time with my loved ones! 

Headshot image

Chanita Phichaphop, MD

[email protected]

Education:
MD, Khonkaen University Medical School, Thailand
Pediatric Residency, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Fellowship Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Research Interests:
Pediatric and adult infectious disease, Molecular diagnostic test, Vaccine development, Antimicrobial resistance, Respiratory viruses, and Global Health

Interests Outside the Lab:
Traveling, cooking, hiking, doing Pilates, reading, finding new café, and spending time with my family

Undergraduate Researchers
Lauren Ecklund

Lauren Ecklund

[email protected]

Education:
Currently pursuing a BA in Human Physiology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Research Interests:
I am relatively new to the world of research, so I don’t have a specific area of interest yet. However, I am interested in learning and developing basic translational research skills.

Interests Outside the Lab:
I enjoy spending time outdoors, listening to music, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends. I also like to read and play the piano and guitar.

Greta Moseng

Greta Moseng

[email protected]

Education:
Currently pursuing a BA in Human Physiology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Research Interests:
I am relatively new to the world of research, so I don’t have a specific area of interest yet. However, I am interested in learning and developing basic translational research skills.

Interests Outside the Lab:
I enjoy spending time outdoors, listening to music, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends. I also like to read and play the piano and guitar.

Mohammad Javid

Mohammad Javid

[email protected]

Education:
BS in Computer Science and a Minor in Business Management from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Research Interests:
Computational biology, statistical data analysis, research and development (R&D) of biological products, high-throughput DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics.

Interests Outside the Lab:
I enjoy cars (driving, maintaining, and modifying them), playing the violin, practicing martial arts and sparring (mainly karate), running, going to the gym, watching movies ("Samurai Cop" is my favorite), hiking, urban exploring, and spending time with my friends.

Alumni
Weema Madani

Weema Madani

Education: 
BA in Biology and Neuroscience, St Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota

Research Interests: 
In the past, I participated in a Molecular Microbiology Directed Undergraduate Research (DUR) investigating the role of a cell surface receptor (TonB) in transporting metal nutrient in gram-negative Bacteria, Caulobacter crescentus. This research has deepened my understanding of various techniques such as PCR, RT-qPCR, and gel electrophoresis. I have interests in understanding the complexity of infectious diseases in relation to host-pathogen interaction.

Interests Outside the Lab: 
I enjoy cooking, taking long walks, singing and watching human nature films.

Current Work:
Weema is carrying out her PhD training at Cornell University, where she is focusing on Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Maddie Addington

Maddie Addington

Education: 
BA in Biology, Society, and Environment, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Research Interests: 
Anything involving immunology and infectious disease transmission. Currently, anything related to COVID-19 and how it affects the human or host-microbiome and immune system.

Interests Outside the Lab: 
Walking the lakes (especially Lake Harriet!), trying new restaurants, true crime Netflix documentaries, and going to breweries with friends.

Current Work:
Maddie is currently enrolled in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program

Anwen Eslinger

Anwen Eslinger

Education: 
BA in Anthropology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
MS in Health Informatics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Research Interests: 
As a lab scientist, my interests are diverse, though I gravitate to developing in vitro models and screens. I also have an interest in data engineering and data analysis, with a particular enjoyment in creating data visualization. 

Interests Outside the Lab: 
I enjoy gardening, hiking, and tabletop gaming. I also bake birthday cakes for kids in the foster care system.

Zoey Temesgen

Zoey Temesgen

Education: 
Currently pursuing a BS in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Research Interests: 
I have previously interned in the Mayo Clinic Cancer Pharmacogenomics laboratory where I learned some basic laboratory skills. I am interested in becoming more proficient in my research skills. I will be working on characterizing how the immune system responds differently to different influenza viruses.

Interests Outside the Lab: 
I enjoy watching movies with my friends, walking around campus, and grabbing food on the weekends. I also love to play tennis, spend time with my dog, and go shopping. Also, I enjoy reading and appreciate any book recommendations anyone can give me.

Lily Grothe

Lily Grothe, BS, MD

Education: 
BS in Biology, University of Northwestern St. Paul
MD, American University of Antigua

Research Interests: 
Pediatric eczema and allergies. Additionally, after living and working in a developing country, I’m also interested in global health and health equity.

Interests Outside the Lab: 
I love gardening, baking, and reading, and I’ve recently been enjoying creating children’s books. I also enjoy spending time with loved ones, especially doing escape/puzzle rooms with them!

Current Work:
Lily is currently serving as a Pediatrics Resident in Des Moines, Iowa

Kevin Ogbonna

Kevin Ogbonna

Education: 
University of California, Santa Barbara. Expected graduation, 2024 with a B.A Molecular Biology

Research Interests: 
Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, cancer biology, and pediatric infectious diseases.

Interests Outside the Lab: 
Watching sports, playing video games, and watching movies.

Lea Goren

Lea Goren, BS

Education:
BS in Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MD in progress, University of Minnesota Medical School Class of 2024

Research Interests:
Pediatric and adult infectious disease outcomes, respiratory viruses, tropical medicine, vector borne diseases, clinical immunology, medical genetics.

Interests Outside the Lab:
Spending time outdoors, paddleboarding on the St. Croix River, cooking and sharing meals with family and friends, farmers' markets, group fitness, and reading as much as I can!

Current Work:
Lea is now in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins

Zander Roemer

Zander Roemer

Education:
BA in Human Physiology and Biology, Society, and Environment with a Minor in Public Health at the University of Minnesota, Class of 2025

Research Interests:
The application of wet lab research to improve both clinical outcomes and public health objectives. Effects of race and socioeconomic status, as well as identity factors within minority groups, on health outcomes.

Interests Outside the Lab:
Travelling and seeing as much as I can, trying new things, group fitness classes, binge-watching Netflix, and runs with my Corgi puppy, Spike.

Alexander Johnson

Alexander Johnson, BS

Education:
BS in Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Interests:
Pediatric and adult infectious disease, tropical vector born viral disease agents, clinical applications of infectious disease research. I am also very interested in the intersection between policy studies and biological research.

Interests Outside the Lab:
Participating in competitive soccer leagues, reading, communicating with and coordinating clubs related to understanding and sharing scientific literature and writings, sewing, rug and textile making

Current Work:
Alexander is currently a Masters student in the MS-STEP Program