People

Visiting Scholars

Xiaogang Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
Visiting Scholar
xiaogaz@med.umich.edu

Xiaogang is an Associate Chief Physician and the Associate Chief Physician Deputy Director, Department of Neurology at Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University. He was trained in epilepsy and electroencephalography (EEG). His clinical expertise lies in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. He has also performed basic research on the molecular mechanism of epileptogenesis. In January 2025, he began a visiting scholar program at the Mattis Lab at University of Michigan. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and walking.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Meiling Zhao, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
zmeiling@umich.edu

Meiling joined the Mattis Lab after graduating from the University of Michigan. During her Ph.D. study, she investigated how sensory and neuronal responses change during learning in neurodevelopmental disorder mouse models using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening.

Limei Zhu, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
limeizhu@umich.edu

Limei received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). After graduation, she worked as a Research Associate at the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS. In 2019, she began a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at the University of Michigan, initially in Dr. Bing Ye’s laboratory. She joined the Mattis lab February 2023. In her free time, she enjoys reading and painting.

Graduate Students

Chandni Rana
Graduate Student

Chandni graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida and then worked as a lab technician at NYU before joining the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UM. Her previous projects focused on using machine learning to decode human EEG data at UF and developing a novel meso-scale optoacoustic imaging system at NYU. Outside of the lab, she enjoys watercolor painting, hiking, hanging out with friends, trying new places to eat, and learning about everyone’s personality type!

Krystal M. Santiago-Colón
Graduate Student
ksantia@umich.edu

Krystal graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus with a B.S. in Biology in 2022. As an undergraduate, she studied how the brain regulates feeding and energy balance behaviors, how spinal cord circuits enact motor control, and neuropeptide-mediated pain pathways. She enjoys participating in science outreach activities catered to underrepresented communities and helping students find their potential in STEM. In her free time she likes baking, playing with her cats, weightlifting, and birdwatching.

Research Laboratory Specialists

Joseph Barden
Research Laboratory Specialist
jrbarden@umich.edu LinkedIn

Joe joined the Mattis lab at its inception in 2022. Hailing from Livonia, MI, he completed his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Cellular & Molecular Biology at Albion College in 2013. Since then, he has worked as a technician and manager in multiple labs at the University of Michigan, each with a focus on neurobiology. His greatest non-scientific passion has always been music, and he enjoys occasional piano gigs around southeast Michigan.

Undergraduates

Juan Disla
Undergraduate Student
juandisl@umich.edu

Juan joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in neuroscience on the premed track. He previously worked in an ovarian cancer research lab as a research assistant with the university’s College of Pharmacy. In his free time, he enjoys binge-watching, weightlifting, and learning how to cook his family’s recipes.

Hudson Haberland
Undergraduate Student
hudshabs@umich.edu LinkedIn

Hudson joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan, studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French on the Pre-Med track. He previously worked as a medical scribe at a neurology clinic. After graduating, he hopes to go to medical school and pursue a career in Neurology. Outside of academics he is a tennis coach, loves to wake surf, and enjoys some pickleball now and again.

Alexander Hollier
Undergraduate Student
ahollier@umich.edu

Alex joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience. He is intending to enter medical school after his graduation. He volunteers at a children’s hospital in his hometown. In his free time, he enjoys working out and spending time with friends.

Megan Lee
Undergraduate Student
leemegan@umich.edu

Megan joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan, studying neuroscience on the pre-med track. After graduating, Megan hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in child neurology. In her free time, Megan loves to be active. She dances and enjoys hiking and running

Sreyashi Mondal
Undergraduate Student
srmondal@umich.edu

Sreyashi joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan, studying Computer Science. After graduating, Sreyashi hopes to pursue a career in software engineering. In her free time, Sreyashi loves to play the piano. She also enjoys reading and travelling and hopes to visit as many places as she can.

Anam Noor
Undergraduate Student
anamnoor@umich.edu

Anam joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience. As a high school student she was involved in public health and STEM education initiatives. After graduating, she hopes to go to medical school to pursue a career in Neurology. In her free time, Anam adores reading, baking, and hanging out with her friends.

Isabella Plati
Undergraduate Student
iplati@umich.edu LinkedIn

Izzy joined the lab as a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in neuroscience. She aspires to become a physician-scientist focused on the intersection between pediatric epilepsy and biomedical engineering. Outside of academics, Izzy is involved with the transfer student community and can often be found interacting with squirrels around campus.

Alexander Sajdak
Undergraduate Student
sajdaka@umich.edu

Alex joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in Computer Science. After graduation, he intends to enter the industry in a data facing role. During his free time, Alex likes to cycle, ski, read science fiction and go camping.

Ruitao Shen
Undergraduate Student
ruitaosh@umich.edu

Ruitao joined the lab as a junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience. He previously worked in the Neurology Department studying neurodegenerative diseases. After graduation, he hopes to enter graduate school to pursue a PhD degree, using interdisciplinary knowledge to solve problems in medical field. Outside of academics, he is a metal guitarist, enjoys swimming, fishing and collecting various handicrafts.

Saif Siddiqui
Undergraduate Student
saifs@umich.edu LinkedIn

Saif joined the lab at the end of his junior year at the University of Michigan, where he is studying Computer Science on the pre medical track. He has previous experience working in a nephrology lab where he gained experience with wet lab methods and data analysis, and has completed two internships in software development. He loves playing tennis, exploring new places with friends, ice skating, and hiking!

Mia Zhong
Undergraduate Student
miaz@umich.edu

Mia joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan, majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. In her free time, Mia loves drawing, playing or listening to music, and traveling. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and her dog.