Our Team
Mariajose Metcalfe, Ph.D
Dr. Metcalfe leads the lab with a vision centered on discovery, mentorship, and impact. She combines big-picture scientific thinking with hands-on experimentation, setting a collaborative and trainee-focused culture while advancing innovative strategies for neural recovery.
Assistant Professor
Mimi Chiu
As Lab Manager, Mimi combines operational leadership with a collaborative approach to support the lab’s research and training mission. She plays a key role in fostering an organized, efficient, and supportive environment for trainees and projects.
Lab Manager
Lab Technician
Riley Freudenberger
Riley’s expertise spans histology, advanced imaging, and machine learning–based behavioral analysis. She serves as a key source of technical and analytical knowledge in the lab and is preparing for future doctoral training with the long-term goal of pursuing an independent research career.
Postdoctoral FellowNazratan Naeem
Naz is a Postdoctoral Fellow with extensive expertise in viral tracing and brain anatomy. Her research focuses on defining the contribution of the corticospinal tract to forelimb recovery following growth-promoting manipulations, with a project framework designed to evolve as she develops her independent research program.
Aidan Berry
Ph.D. Student - Rotating
Aidan studies AAV-based strategies to modify the inhibitory environment after neurotrauma.
Matthew Calhoun
Ph.D. Student - Rotating
Matthew investigates how AAV-based interventions alter molecular expression.
Trainees
Sydney Calvin
M.S. Student
Sydney’s research explores sex differences in regenerative responses.
Aneth Garrido Recalde
Ph.D. Student
Aneth examines how regulation of PTEN influences neural repair following SCI.
Join Our Team
Former Trainees
Erika Rosado
Ph.D. Student