{"id":2328,"date":"2023-06-09T12:51:19","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T16:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/?page_id=2328"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:12:28","slug":"current-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Members"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sarah Linnstaedt, PhD, <\/strong>Principal Investigator<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Sarah\n<\/div>\n
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Dr. Linnstaedt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UNC-CH and a member of the Institute for Trauma Recovery, the Genetics and Molecular Biology curriculum, the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology curriculum, and the Carolina Stress Institute. She received her BSc from Virginia Tech, her PhD from Georgetown University, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University. Following training, she joined the faculty at UNC and focused her career on understanding vulnerability factors for chronic pain and co-occurring adverse neuropsychiatric symptoms. Her lab is particularly interested in the role that molecular and genetic mechanisms play in posttraumatic chronic pain development.\u00a0 Dr. Linnstaedt enjoys collaborating with the fantastic team of scientists in her lab as well as with other labs at UNC and across the globe. In her spare time, Dr. Linnstaedt enjoys photography, travel, cooking, baking and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.\u00a0<\/p>\nUNC CV<\/a> Google Scholar<\/a> Pubmed<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lauren A. McKibben, PhD, <\/b>Postdoctoral Fellow<\/span><\/h4>\n
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\n\"Lauren\n<\/div>\n
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Dr. McKibben is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Department of Anesthesiology, a Trauma T32 Fellow in the Department of Surgery, and a member of the UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery. She received her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology with a minor in Math from Nicholls State University in 2015, and her PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020. Her PhD work focused on microRNA mechanisms of susceptibility and resilience to affective disorders such as anxiety and major depression, especially following early life adversity. Dr. McKibben\u2019s interest in the interplay between physical and mental health led her to join the Linnstaedt lab in 2021 where she is studying how adverse childhood experiences influence vulnerability to trauma-induced pain development in adults. Outside of the lab, Dr. McKibben enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, throwing on the pottery wheel, playing video games, and cooking new recipes.<\/p>\nUNC CV<\/a> Google Scholar<\/a> Pubmed<\/a> ORCID<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Erica Branham, B.S., <\/b>PhD Candidate<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Erica is a PhD Candidate in the Genetics and Molecular Biology curriculum at UNC-CH. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Genetics in 2020, then joined the UNC-CH Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program for graduate school. Erica\u2019s interest in translational epigenetics research led her to join the Linnstaedt lab in 2021, where she now studies epigenetic mechanisms contributing to chronic pain development following traumatic stress exposure, with a particular focus on DNA methylation of stress-regulatory genes. After a day in the lab, Erica enjoys getting a drink in Carrboro with friends or spending time with her dog, Jackie.<\/p>\nCV<\/a> Google Scholar<\/a> ORCID<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Brittanie Winfield, B.S., <\/b>PhD Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Brittanie Winfield joined the Linnstaedt Lab in spring 2024 as a Ph.D. student in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program at UNC\u2013Chapel Hill. She brings a strong background in genomics, and computational analysis to the lab. Brittanie earned her B.S. from the University of Minnesota, where she conducted microbiome research, and later worked for two years in a genomics R&D laboratory at 3M developing liquid biopsy assays. During her first year of doctoral training at UNC\u2013Chapel Hill, she completed three rotations focused on computational analyses of DNA methylation, gene expression, and protein expression data.<\/p>\n

In the Linnstaedt Lab, Brittanie integrates these experiences to investigate molecular mechanisms that contribute to chronic posttraumatic pain, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets to promote recovery after trauma.<\/p>\n

When she isn\u2019t coding in R, Brittanie loves to go on nature walks, play with her 11-year-old pup Shadow, ecstatically dance, and spend time with friends and family!<\/p>\nGoogle Scholar<\/a> ORCID<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Jacqueline Mickelson, B.S., <\/b>Animal Research Specialist<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n\"Jacqueline\n<\/div>\n
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Jacqueline is an Animal Research Specialist with over 20 years of experience in animal behavior and surgeries. She received her BS in Biology from UNC-CH and worked testing novel compounds for hemophilia in rodent models of wound healing before joining the Linnstaedt Lab in 2021. Jacqueline applies her expertise in animal surgery, injections, and behavior to test the effect of potential pharmacological interventions for pain in our animal models of traumatic stress exposure. Jacqueline spends her free time enjoying her pool with her family and tending to her chickens.<\/p>\nGoogle Scholar<\/a> Research Gate<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Kennedy Bell, B.S., <\/b>Research Technician & Lab Manager<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Kennedy is a Research Technician and Lab Manager with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from North Carolina Central University. He has interests in Neuroscience, Genetics, Pain, and Trauma which led him to the Linnstaedt lab where he is performing molecular experiments aimed at understanding mechanisms of chronic pain development following traumatic stress exposure using samples collected from both human cohort and animal model studies. He’s also an avid fisherman and Carolina fan. Go Heels!<\/p>\nResearch Gate<\/a>ORCID<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Seka <\/strong>Shahriar<\/strong>, <\/b>B.S., <\/b>Research Assistant<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Seka is a Research Assistant with a B.S. in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her research explores epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to the development of chronic pain following traumatic stress exposure. Seka is currently taking a gap year and plans to apply to biology PhD programs for a future career in research and education. In her free time, Seka enjoys playing Pok\u00e9mon GO and trying new activities and foods with her friends.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Meghna Iyer, <\/b>B.S., <\/b>Research Assistant<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n\"Meghna\n<\/div>\n
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Meghna is a Research Volunteer with a B.S. in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her projects have focused on identifying stress and sex hormone signaling mechanisms that increase risk for chronic posttraumatic pain, using RNA Seq methods and protein expression assays. Meghna is currently in her gap year and plans to attend medical school in the near future.<\/p>\nORCID<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Amanda <\/strong>Abbate<\/strong>, <\/b>B.A., <\/b>Research Assistant<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Amanda is a Research Volunteer and a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Conflict Management and History. She is currently assisting with the launch of a randomized clinical trial examining the efficacy of estrogen as an intervention for PTSD and pain recovery in survivors of sexual assault. Amanda is passionate about trauma research and improving health outcomes for survivors of gender-based violence. She is currently taking a gap year and plans on applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her cat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ying Zhao, M.S., MPH, <\/strong>Biostatistician<\/h3>\n
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Ying is a Bioinformaticist and Biostatistician in the Department of Anesthesiology at UNC-CH and a member of the Institute for Trauma Recovery. She received her Master\u2019s degree in Zoology from NanKai University in 2010, and her master degree of Public Health (Biostatistics track) from Oregon State University in 2015. She collects, manages, and analyzes genetic and molecular data from human cohort studies by using bioinformatics tools and statistical software to help explore the role of biological mediators in posttraumatic chronic pain development. In her spare time, Ying enjoys spending time with her family and friends.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Undergraduate Researchers<\/h2>\n

Taanvii Verma<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Taanvii is a Senior Neuroscience major at UNC. She is interested in neuroimmunology and has focused on projects involving circulating hormones and cytokines in an animal model of chronic hypersensitivity following early life adversity. Taanvii plans to attend medical school after graduation.<\/p>\nORCID<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Amanda Xu<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Amanda is a Junior Biology and Philosophy major at UNC. She is interested in trauma recovery and translational medicine. She focuses on projects regarding the role of epigenetics in chronic pain development after traumatic stress exposure. After graduation, Amanda plans to pursue a career in healthcare.<\/p>\nGoogle Scholar<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Rahul Shah<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n\n<\/div>\n
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Rahul is a Junior neuroscience major at UNC with an interest in understanding the role of biological markers in the development of chronic posttraumatic pain. He is particularly intrigued by how these molecular signals influence pain pathways and how they can be used to inform clinical interventions. Rahul focuses on projects that combine basic molecular research with translational approaches, aiming to improve therapeutic strategies for individuals suffering from chronic pain. After graduation, Rahul plans to attend medical school.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sathvika Kommera<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Sathvika is a Junior Biostatistics and Mathematics student at UNC. She is interested in using statistical genetics to create meaningful solutions for patients. Her projects focus on transcription factors that aid in recovery after traumatic stress exposure. She plans on pursuing a Ph.D. following graduation. In her free time she likes to crochet, run and read books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sarah Linnstaedt, PhD, Principal Investigator Lauren A. McKibben, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Erica Branham, B.S., PhD Candidate Brittanie Winfield, B.S., PhD Student Jacqueline Mickelson, B.S., Animal Research Specialist Kennedy Bell, B.S., Research Technician & Lab Manager Seka Shahriar, B.S., Research Assistant Meghna Iyer, B.S., Research Assistant Amanda Abbate, B.A., Research Assistant Ying Zhao, M.S., MPH, Biostatistician … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111000,"featured_media":0,"parent":2251,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2328","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCurrent Members - Linnstaedt Lab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Current Members - Linnstaedt Lab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sarah Linnstaedt, PhD, Principal Investigator Lauren A. McKibben, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow Erica Branham, B.S., PhD Candidate Brittanie Winfield, B.S., PhD Student Jacqueline Mickelson, B.S., Animal Research Specialist Kennedy Bell, B.S., Research Technician & Lab Manager Seka Shahriar, B.S., Research Assistant Meghna Iyer, B.S., Research Assistant Amanda Abbate, B.A., Research Assistant Ying Zhao, M.S., MPH, Biostatistician … Read more\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Linnstaedt Lab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T14:12:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1374\/2024\/04\/20240213-lauren_SBP-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/\",\"name\":\"Current Members - Linnstaedt Lab\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1374\/2024\/04\/20240213-lauren_SBP-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-09T16:51:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-06T14:12:28+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/lab-people\/current-members\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1374\/2024\/04\/20240213-lauren_SBP-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/anesthesiology\/linnstaedtlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1374\/2024\/04\/20240213-lauren_SBP-1.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":1000,\"caption\":\"Lauren A. 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