Research Interests
Our lab is committed to understand the mechanisms of impairment and failure of biological systems under pathological conditions with emphasis on preventing or reversing these deleterious processes. We focus on tissue stem cells, vasculature, and the peripheral nervous system present in different tissues microenvironments. We are interested in studying mechanisms that lead to cell behavior changes during development, throughout life and disease. Understanding how these mechanisms are affected in cancer will help develop targets for novel therapies. For this, we take advantage of state-of-the-art technologies, including two-photon and confocal microscopy, in vivo lineage-tracing methods, FACS-sorting, single-cell RNA sequencing, organ, tissue and cell transplantation, neural circuitry analysis, and sophisticated Cre/loxP techniques in combination with cancer mouse models. Thus, our ultimate goal is to identify novel potential cellular and molecular targets for cancer therapy.
Team
 Alexander Birbrair, PhDPrincipal Investigator abirbrair@dermatology.wisc.edu Alexander Birbrair received his Bachelor’s Biomedical degree from Santa Cruz State University in Brazil. He moved to North Carolina, where he finished his PhD in Neuroscience under the mentorship of Osvaldo Delbono. Then, he joined as a posdoc in Stem Cell Biology at Paul Frenette’s laboratory at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. His laboratory is interested in understanding how the cellular components of different tissues function and control disease progression. His group explores the roles of specific cell populations in the tissue microenvironment by using state-of-the-art techniques. |
 Debpali SurResearcher dsur@dermatology.wisc.edu |
 Taeho LeeResearch Assistant tlee@dermatology.wisc.edu |
 Brajesh SavitaResearch Assistant bsavita@dermatology.wisc.edu |
Undergraduates
 Sriram ArvindUndergraduate Student Originally from Boise, Idaho but grew up in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is studying neurobiology and hopes to pursue medicine and apply to medical school after his undergraduate studies. |
 Liron GamlielUndergraduate Student From Gaithersburg, Maryland, and is majoring in biology with a certificate in global health. She is on the pre-health track and plans to work in healthcare in the future. |
 Allison (Ally) HaldaneUndergraduate Student From Lake Bluff, Illinois. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology and plans to get her master’s degree in forensics or immunology, but she also has an interest in pursuing research in oncology. |
 Hannah KrahUndergraduate Student Is a senior from Sun Prairie, WI studying molecular and cell biology. Will be entering the biotechnology field after graduating and hope to pursue graduate school after a few years. |
 Taylor LeFeverUndergraduate Student From Green Bay, Wisconsin and is a pre-PA student majoring in Biology and getting a certificate in Global Health. She plans to go to PA school after her undergraduate education and hopes to specialize in either surgery or dermatology. |
 Rin MaUndergraduate Student A third-year undergraduate student from Illinois with a major in biology and an interest in dermatology. She plans to go to medical school after graduation. |
 Mason PennUndergraduate Student From Long Beach, New York, and is majoring in Pharmacology and Toxicology. After he graduates, he plans on taking a few years off before going into a professional program. |
 Sally StuartUndergraduate Student From Orange County, California, and is a pre-medical student with a Global Health major and Environmental Studies certificate. She plans on attending medical school after graduation in hopes of becoming a dermatologist. |
 Ruyi LiUndergraduate Student From Beijing, China, and majoring in Neurobiology with a certificate in Biocore. She plans to apply for medical school after graduation. |
 Priya JoshiUndergraduate Student Sophomore studying in a healthcare-related field. Plans to pursue a career in the medical field. |
 Elise DahlbyUndergraduate Student Sophomore majoring in a health-related discipline. Plans to pursue a future career in healthcare and research. |
 Stephen KimUndergraduate Student From South Korea, majoring in biochemistry. He is on the pre-med track and plans on attending medical school after graduation hoping to become a surgeon. |
 Lisa MsuyaUndergraduate Student From Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring here at UW in Biology with a certificate in Global Cultures, Education, and Languages through the School of Education. Plans to continue a career in health care with interests in Dermatology as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology |
 Apala BhuniaUndergraduate Student From Ventura County, California majoring in Neurobiology and planning on earning a PhD after graduation. |
 Advaith NairUndergraduate Student From Franklin, Wisconsin majoring in Neurobiology with certificates in Global Health and Health Policy through the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Plans to pursue a career in medicine with interests in ophthalmology, dermatology, and oncology. |
Contact
(For research-related inquiries only. Patients and others with medical questions should call 608-287-2620)
abirbrair@dermatology.wisc.edu
Administration – 608-262-1117
Laboratory Bench – 608-262-1611
Location
Dermatology Research Laboratories
1300 University Avenue
MSC Room 4385
Madison WI, 53706
Our Labs
To Heal
Our Mission
To Educate
To Discover