People
Principal investigator
Hanne M Hoffmann, PhD
- Ph.D. 12/2010 Neuroscience, Montpellier University 2, France, European mention
- Ph.D. 12/2010 Biochemistry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, Cum Laude
- Postdoc 06/2011-04/2016 Department of Reproductive Medicine, UC San Diego
Dr. Hoffmann received her BS (2005) and MS (2007) from Montpellier University II (France), and her PhDs in Biochemistry from the Autonomous University in Barcelona (Spain) and in Neuroscience from Montpellier University II (France) in 2010. During her graduate work Dr. Hoffmann’s research was focused on understanding how cocaine addiction impacted GPCR heterodimer interaction and signaling in the brain. In 2011 Dr. Hoffmann joined the lab of Dr. Pamela Mellon at UC San Diego for her postdoctoral work in reproductive endocrinology. At UC San Diego, Dr. Hoffmann studied the role of homeodomain transcription factors in GnRH neuron development and fertility.
In 2018 Dr. Hoffmann joined the faculty in Animal Science at Michigan State University. Dr. Hoffmann’s current research interests are at the intersection of behavioral neuroendocrinology and reproduction. By using transgenic mouse models, Dr. Hoffmann’s research focuses on understanding how light and seasonal changes in day length impacts hypothalamic network function, and its control of reproduction and labor progression.
In recognition of her contribution to the field of neuroendocrinology, reproductive function and pregnancy, Dr. Hoffmann has received numerous awards, including the Neena Schwartz Young Investigator Award in Basic Science from Women in Endocrinology (2016), the Early Investigators Award supported by Merck & Co., Inc. from the Endocrine Society (2016), the New Investigator Award from the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (2017) and the Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes (2019).
Lab manager
Duong Nguyen, MS in Biological Sciences
August 2018-current
Duong received her BS and MS in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). She has expertise in microbiology, computational biology, molecular evolution and comparative genomics. Her research was focused on sequence comparison using next-generation sequencing data to address the process and the dynamic of mutations such as SNPs and Indels in coding and noncoding regions. In the Hoffmann lab, Duong is interested in applying sequencing data analysis to understand how light and seasonal changes affect gene expression level which in turn impacts the signaling in the brain and the reproductive function. Using mice as a model, it is also important to understand the similarities and differences between mice and other animals especially human.
Postdoc
Alexandra Yaw, PhD Neuroscience
Postdoc June 2019-current
Dr. Alexandra Yaw graduated from Albion College in 2014 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Cell and Molecular Biology and Chemistry. In 2019, she completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Kent State University in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Since joining the Hoffmann Lab in June 2019, Alex’s projects have focused on light and the rhythmic control of neuroendocrine function using a variety of animal models. Alex’s work developing a mouse model to understand how shiftwork impairs reproductive function was supported by the MSU Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program (RDSTP) T32 fellowship. She was also awarded an NIH F32 fellowship for her project entitled, “The role of seasonal changes in light on the reproductive axis in female mice.” Alex is also part of the collaborative project with Dr. Jacquelyn Jacobs’ companion animal behavior and welfare laboratory that explores the potential for light quality to improve wellbeing in shelter cats. Alex is a committed mentor and received the MSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs mentoring PETMA award in 2022. She also was recently awarded the Albion College Young Alumni Award.
Graduate students
Brooke M Devries
PhD student, Neuroscience Program. May 2021-current
Brooke Devries is a Ph.D. candidate in the neuroscience program. She graduated with a BS in neuroscience from Michigan State University in the fall of 2019. Brooke first joined the Hoffmann lab back in 2018 as an undergraduate student and stayed on to pursue her Ph.D. She has since received awards from the Endocrine Society, the Society for Neuroscience, and is now funded by a T32 training grant through the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program. Her work focuses on connections between light, reproductive health, and affective disorders, especially in women.
To learn about Brookes research and why light-particularly light at night-impacts your wellbeing listen to her podcast on the topic.
Rachel Eck
PhD student, Animal Science Program. January 2023-current
Medical Fellows
Rannan Kased, Sparrow Fellow
August2022-current
Undergraduate Student
Kierra Jursch
August 2022-current
Kierra is a member of Lyman Briggs College as well as the Michigan State Honors College and is a double major in Human Biology and Psychology. She plans to attend medical school after graduation and is especially interested in becoming a neurologist. Kierra is interested in the Hoffmann Laboratory’s research on the relationship between light, circadian rhythms, and neurological functions. In her free time Kierra enjoys reading, hiking, model building, embroidery, and drawing.
Krystal Jang
April 2021-current
Krystal is a member of Lyman Briggs College and Honors College of Michigan State University. She has always had a strong passion for helping others and been wanting to become a surgeon since a young age. Upon graduation, Krystal is planning on going to medical school and pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. Her interest in the Hoffman Laboratory lies behind their research on circadian rhythm and its relationship to reproductive dysfunction.
To see what Krystal is working on-check out her UURAF presentation
2023 recipient of the Spartan Volunteer Service Award
Outside of the academic setting, Krystal absolutely loves baking, reading, playing piano and guitar, as well as cuddle with her dog.
Michael Hirschenberger
March 2021-current
Michael is a student in Lyman Briggs majoring in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics with a minor in Bioethics. After graduation, he hopes to attend medical school to become a physician. Michael is interested in the Hoffmann lab because he wants to learn more about how light and circadian rhythm can impact biological function. In his free time, Michael enjoys watching sports and being outside.
Aneesh Sai Cherukuri
October 2019-current
Aneesh is an undergraduate in the Lyman Briggs College majoring in Neuroscience. Once he graduates, he plans on working towards becoming a Neurosurgeon. Aneesh is part of the Hoffmann lab because it provides him with a wide range of technical utility that is hard to find elsewhere on this campus. Currently, Aneesh is working in the subdivision of chronopharmacology and plans to develop a more specific study in the future. In his free time, he loves to dance and read!
Mary Gardella
August 2021-current
Mary is an undergraduate majoring in Zoology and Animal Science, with a concentration in Animal Behavior and Neurobiology. After graduation she hopes to get a master's degree in Marine Biology. She is interested in the Hoffmann Laboratory because she would like to learn more about how disruption of circadian rhythms affects stress (and consequently behavior) in animals. In her free time, Mary enjoys reading, painting, baking, volunteering at her local wildlife rehab center, spending time at the beach and with her friends and pets.
To check out Mary's work check out her first prize winning presentation at UURAF in 2022
Rotation Students
Brooke Devries (Virtual June-July 2020 and In-person January 2021-May 2021)
Neuroscience Graduate program.
Kaitlyn Gordon (Aug 2020-Dec 2020)
Neuroscience Graduate program.
Rabail Kahn (Aug 2019-Dec 2019)
Neuroscience Graduate program. Fulbright Scholar
Thu Van Quynh Duong (Aug 2018- October 2018)
Biochemistry Graduate Program.
Summer students
Fabiola Ramos (In person-May-August 2021 and 2022, Virtual student August 2021-current). BPNP program. Visiting from Puerto Rico.
Jessica Sora Lee. Medical visiting student from Laoyla. Awards: Recipient of the Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Award from the Endocrine Society (2022). Summer 2022
Past lab members
Grad students
Thu Van Quynh Duong, PhD/DO student. August 2018-May 2022
Undergraduate students
Rachel Eck. Animal Science (January 2022-January 2023)
Nicollette (Nicky) Ly (May 2021-May 2022)
Jennie Soule (November 2021-August 2022)
Autumn McLane-Svoboda (October 2019-August 2021)
Asad Muhammed (April 19-January 2021)
Brooke M Devries (June 2018-June 2020).
Tulasi Talluri (June 2018-June 2020). Awards: Recipient of the Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Award from the Endocrine Society (2019)
Gloria Parisa Yarandi (Undergraduate, August-September 2018)
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