Venton Lab Current Members

Current Group Members

Graduate Researchers: Ashley Ross, Ning Xiao, Alex Zestos, Madelaine Denno, Michael Nguyen, Eve Privman, Poojan Pyakurel, Scott Lee, Poojan Pyakurel, Hillary Rees, Cheng Yang

Undergraduate Researchers: Katherine Roche, Elefterios Trikantzopoulos, Max Wheeler

Research Technicians: Merrick Kozak, Matt Ryals

Postdoc: Chris Jacobs, Swapna Chitneni

Chris Jacobs
Postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry

Chris received his B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry in 2004 from Binghamton University, Binghamton NY. From 2004 to 2006 Chris studied magnetic characteristics of vanadium oxide nanotubes at Binghamton University before beginning research with Dr. Venton. His current project is the development of electrode materials and coatings incorporating carbon nanotubes. In his spare time Chris can often be found hiking, exercising his dog, or brewing beer.

Ashley Ross
Fourth-Year Graduate Student in Chemistry

Ashley Ross received her B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Christopher Newport University in 2009. As an undergrad, she did research at NASA Langley Research Center for Dr.'s Margaret Pippin and Gao Chen in the Atmospheric Science Department. Ashley is working on the adenosine project in the Venton lab. Outside of the lab, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband as well as singing in the church choir and participating in musicals.

Ning Xiao

Fourth-Year Graduate Student in Chemistry

Ning Xiao received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China in 2009. As an undergraduate student, Ning did research in biochemistry focusing on the binding properties and inhibition effects of copper ions on the RecA intein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Her current projects in Venton lab involve developing carbon nanotube modified microelectrodes and measuring neurotransmitters in Drosophila (the fruit fly). In her spare time, she likes running, working out and traveling with her husband.

Alex Zestos

FourthYear Graduate Student in Chemistry

Alex Zestos received a B.S. with Honors and M.S. in Chemistry from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. His undergraduate advisor was Prof. William H. Starnes, Jr., and his research involved synthesizing transition metal complex additives that were used to promote the smoke suppression and fire retardance of poly(vinyl chloride). His current project involves the construction and testing of polymer and epoxy coated carbon-fiber microelectrodes. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and playing basketball.

Madelaine Denno
Third-Year Graduate Student in Chemistry

Madelaine graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in Biochemistry and a minor in German in 2010. While at Mount Holyoke, she studied flow characterization of commercially available microfluidic devices and assisted in the translation of an address to the German Chemical Society by Heinrich Caro. Madelaine is currently working on optimizing separation conditions for neurotransmitters using capillary electrophoresis with fast scan cyclic voltammetric detection. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her dog, Bailey, working out, and relaxing with some fellow chemists.

Michael Nguyen

Third-Year Graduate Student in Chemistry

Michael Nguyen graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a B.A. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. From 2008 to 2010 he worked for Aerotek Scientific in the Analytical Development Lab for Novartis in Lincoln. Currently he is studying adenosine and dopamine in the rat brain in vivo. In his free time he enjoys playing sports, doing anything outside, and reading.

Eve Privman

Second-Year Graduate Student in Neuroscience, Medical Scientist Training Program
Eve Pic

Eve received her BS in Chemistry and BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rochester in 2009. She has previously researched depression and astrocyte survival during ischemia. Currently, she is working on methods to characterize neurotransmitter release in the Drosophila brain. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog, singing, and doing improv comedy.

Merrick Kozak
Research Technician

Merrick
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Merrick graduated from the University of Virginia in 2012 with a B.A in Biology. He performed undergraduate research under the direction of Dr. Anthony Spano and taught Organic Chemistry for several years. He is currently in charge of fly upkeep and general laboratory duties. In his spare time he likes playing sports, reading, and doing practically anything outdoors.

Matthew Ryals
Research Technician

Matt Pic Matt received his B.S. in Biochemistry and Neuroscience from University of Virginia in 2011. From July 2011 to July 2012 he worked at at the National Institute for Deafness and Communications Disorders (NIDCD). He has previously research experience in olfactory system neuroanatomy, auditory physiology, and cisplatin pharmacology. His current project involves detection of neurotransmitters using novel microelectrodes in vivo. In his free time he enjoys reading, running, and going to the beach.

Swapna Chitneni
Postdoctoral Researcher

Matt Pic Swapna received her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a minor in Pharmaceutical Analysis in 2008 from Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. As a graduate student, her research focused on analytical method development for impurity profiling and active metabolite analysis of anti-HIV drug didanosine using capillary electrophoresis. She also worked on developing HPLC methods for impurity profiling of antibiotics; and development of drug monographs for European and International Pharmacopeia. Her current project focuses on real time measurements of neurotransmitters in rat’s brain using capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection. In her spare time she likes to play with her daughter Saanvi, workout, watch movies and visit new places..

Elefterios Trikantzopoulous
Undergraduate Researcher

Elefterios Trikantzopoulos is a third year undergraduate student at University of Virginia and a declared Biochemistry major. He joined the lab in May 2012. He currently works with Alex Zestos on the development and purification of carbon nanotube spun fibers. In his spare time, he enjoys working out and traveling.

Katherine Roche
Undergraduate Researcher
Kate
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Kate Roche is a third year undergraduate student in neuroscience at University of Virginia. She studies stimulated dopamine release in brain slices and how adenosine modulates release.