Research Team

Dr. Sungjin Park

Scientist I

Dr. Sungjin Park started his first midbody research at Seoul National University, getting his PhD degree in 2015. His curiosity and thirst led him to Skop lab to discover the great things within the midbodies. He believes the incredible plans of the Lord who led his journey into midbody life, the passion of lab members and visible achievement make him excited every moment. The midbody studies underway will be a huge achievement in saving people. Research Publications

Dr. Sungjin Park LinkedIn

Elizabeth Torr

Research Specialist & Lab Manager

Elizabeth or Liz has a B.S. Biological Sciences from the University of Birmingham, U.K and gained extensive laboratory experience in the UK in various fields of study before moving to Madison in November 2012 to study lung fibrosis. From there she studied cancer metastasis in brain organoids before joining the Skop lab in September 2022. She particularly enjoys taking fluorescent microscopic images to study cell and protein localization and feels that the images often resemble artwork. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, baking, reading and yoga. Research Publications

Elizabeth Torr LinkedIn

Dr. Finn Kuusisto

Bioinformatician

Finn Kuusisto has a PhD in computer science from UW-Madison with a research focus on biomedical applications of machine learning. After grad school, he took on a postdoc fellowship in regenerative biology at the Morgridge Institute for Research working with Jamie Thomson and Ron Stewart. It was there that he gained a greater appreciation for bioinformatics and the increasingly quantitative fields of molecular biology and genetics. Overall, his life’s work is aimed at using data science and machine learning responsibly to improve human quality of life.

Finn Kuusisto LinkedIn

Liily Zhu

Graduate Student (Fall 2025)

Liily Zhu is a PhD student in the Cellular and Molecular Biology program at UW–Madison, co-mentored by Dr. Justin Wolter and Dr. Ahna Skop. She obtained her B.S. in Genetics and Genomics and in Art History from UW–Madison. During her undergraduate studies, she studied rice development in challenging environments and later joined the Skop Lab to investigate the biology of midbody remnants (MBRs). After graduation, she continued her MBR research in the Skop Lab as a research intern before beginning her PhD. Away from her bench, she enjoys watercolor, fishing, working on maker projects, and spending time with her cat, Dusty
Liily Zhu LinkedIn

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Undergrad Researchers & Work Study

I am currently a senior at UW-Madison majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. I grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Chicago when I was 8, where I developed a love of the natural world through dinosaurs. Though I no longer wish to be a paleontologist, my fascination with biology did not falter. After taking classes about biology in the modern world, I came to find a deeper interest in molecular biology. After I graduate, I would like to continue my studies in grad school and perform research. In my free time I enjoy going on runs, taking care of plants, and playing video games. 

Citizen's LinkedIN​

Undergrad Research Assistant

Ada is currently a sophomore at UW-Madison majoring in Chemistry. At the end of her undergraduate studies, she plans on applying to medical school. She grew up in Oak Park IL, right outside of Chicago, and she graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School. She became interested in Genetics while participating in the 2021 Johns Hopkins Global health conference. She was inspired when she got the pleasure to listen to Dr. Ahna Skop present to her first semester chemistry class, and she is now eager to study cell midbodies in Dr. Skop’s lab. Outside of academia, Ada loves to swim, do yoga, and be outdoors. 

Ada Krasinsky LinkedIn

Hans Moll

Undergraduate Researcher 

Looking through a camera’s lens and being able to view the intricate details of people’s daily lives led me to fall in love with the idea of helping those in need. I grew up on the island of Puerto Rico, where hurricanes and government corruption opened my eyes to the devastation that many called reality. This, along with meeting a surgeon who taught me the basics of suturing and introduced me to anatomical structures, fueled my passion for medicine. I am currently a sophomore at UW–Madison, interested in Chemistry and Genetics. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to apply to medical school to achieve my goal of becoming a doctor. Outside of the lab and my studies, I enjoy photography, cooking, exercising, and spending time with my people.

Hans' LinkedIN

Hannah Pisarski

Undergrad Researcher & Work Study

Hannah is currently a junior at UW Madison majoring in Genetics. From a young age, her favorite school subjects were always art and science. Within genetics, Hannah is particularly interested in oncology and genetic disorders. Outside of the lab she is involved in Alpha Chi Sigma (the chemistry academic fraternity), Art for Change (an art club), and spends the rest of her time working at Lucille or studying. After graduation, she is interested in either going to graduate school for genetic counseling or finding a job at a biomedical company. Outside of the lab Hannah loves painting, taking care of her plants, and playing with her kitten. 

Hannah Pisarski LinkedIn

Cats of the Skop lab

Dusty-Liily's cat
Mochi and Boba-Ahna's cats

Past Skop Lab Members

L Postdocs/Scientists
Dr. Randall Dahn (2017-2021), Co-Investigator
Dr. Sungjin Park (2018-2020), postdoc
​Dr. Eva Uhlemann (2014-15)-research scientist
Dr. Yuji Nakayama (2006-2009)-Professor, Kyoto Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduate Students
Dr. Megan Gnazzo, Ph.D., (2011-17) student in Genetics: Thesis title: 'The role of ATX-2 in cell division in C. elegans"
Current position: Associate Director, Translational Oncology and Clinical Reporting at Foundation Medicine, Skop Lab Publications: 4 
Jennifer Gilbert, Ph.D.(2016-17) student in Genetics, Midbody transcriptomics project 
Kathryn VandenHeuvel, M.S.(2015-16) student in Genetics, Midbody transcriptomics project, Skop Lab Publications: 1 
Angela Johnson, MFA (2014-16) art student in the lab , MA show title: "Translation" Installed on 2nd floor of UW-Madison Genetics Dept., Current position: scientific artist and Waltrous Gallery  Art shows: 2
Dr. Kelly Pittman, Ph.D.(2009-11) student in CMB: The role of PAR proteins in cell division ; Current position: Scientific Project Manager at Ramona, Skop Lab Publications: 1
Dr. Mary Kate Bonner, Ph.D.(2006-13) student in Genetics, Thesis title: "The metaphase spindle proteome";Current position: scientist at the USDA, Skop Lab Publications: 3
Dr. Jessica Shivas, Ph.D.(2006-12) student in Genetics, Thesis title: "The role of dynamin in cell polarity in C. elegans"; Current position: Director of Imaging & Cytometery Facilties UNC-Charlotte, Skop Lab Publications: 3
Dr. Erkang Ai, Ph.D.(2004-10) student in Genetics, Thesis title: "The role of RACK-1 in cytokinesis in C. elegans";Current position: Senior Associate Global Regulatory Attorney at Hogan Lovells in Philadelphia, PA; Medical Device Law/Biotech Regulatory Law,  Skop Lab Publications: 3
Arun Kumaran, M.S. (2005) Masters in Biotechnology, Project Assistant: "Midbody proteomic database"
Leonard George, M.S.(2004-05) Masters in Biotechnology, Project Assistant: "Midbody proteome analysis"; Current position: CueMed Inc., Co-Founder
Dr. Justin Schleede, Ph.D.(2004-06) received his Ph.D. in Genetics from the lab of Seth Blair, worked on the dynamin in cell polarity;Current position: ClinGen,  Skop Lab Publications: 1

Research Interns:
Sophie Lusty (Jan 2024-Dec 2024)
Liily Dantong Zhu (2023-25)
Smit Patel (2021-23): currently graduate student at UT-Austin.

Life Sciences Communication Student Interns:
Hareem Rauf: Lab Culture Book
Crystal Qin: Lab Culture Book
Elif Kurt: Lab Culture Website & Genetics Reflections Coloring Book
Caitlin Marks: Genetics Reflections Coloring Book

Undergrad Research Assistants
Courtney Youngchild
Ada Krasinsky
Jackson Severson
​Alina McIntyre
Ashley-Grace Dureke: currently planning on going to graduate school
​Gabrielle Whisler
Elif Kurt, Medical School at UW-Madison
Caitlin Marks
​Kai Fowlkes
​Andrew Geng
​Isabella Sorci
​Dr. Alex Villarreal- Ph.D. University of Minnesota
Kemi Olukoga-Analysts II at Smiths Medical
Anna-Lisa Doebley (M.D./Ph.D. student, University of Washington)
Dr. Yunsik Kang-Assistant Professor at UC-Denver Anschutz
Dr. Amanda Amodeo-Assistant Professor of Biology at Dartmouth College. (Ph.D. Stanford, 2014). Faculty, Princeton University
Christie Maier
Megan Missaggia-Resident Physician in Family Medicine at Deaconess Health System
Theo Sanford
Thomas Dietz: Molecular Diagnostics Scientist
Dr. Melissa Wanling Li-Scientific Program Director at NCI SBIR Development Center
Yamini Karandikar
Mikayla Simons
Jen Kulkowski
Bo Hwa Han-Dentist

Summer Undergraduate Students (NSF-REU)
Amy Thurber-Summer Undergrad from Kenyon College (2005) (at Tufts, PhD)
Kristin Waukau-Summer Undergraduate from Menominee Tribal College (2009)
Clayton Gorman-Summer REU student from NMSU (2010)
Eddie Dominquez-Summer REU from NMSU (2011)-(PhD Program at UW-Madison)
Florencia Visconti-Summer REU from NMSU (2012)
Prenicia Gant-Summer REU from Grambling Univ (2014)
Elisa Sanchez-Summer REU from NMSU (2014): Ph.D. Student in Morgan Huse's Lab (Sloan Kettering)
Amanda Dlugi-Summer REU from Alverno College (2015)
​Idanis Z Garcia Sanchez-Summer REU from the University of Puerto Rico-Ponce (2016)
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Work Study Students
Darius Lassiter
Ashley-Grace Dureke
Andrew Geng
Izaiah Clinton
Kemi Olukoga Analysts II at Smiths Medical
Amy Ochola Occupational Therapist
​Alex Villarreal Doctoral Candidate at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 
Megan Missaggia
Bo Hwa Han
Curtis Bartocz Reliability Engineer
A.J. Becker
Ryan Ruf Green Bay Papermaking Quality & Initiatives Leader at Procter & Gamble
Chris Hutson
Farinoosh Dadrass Resident Physician at University of Illinois Chicago
Josh Bartelt Manager Cheese Process Engineering at Leprino Foods
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Art Students
Kate Forer: Art graduate student: Tactile Mitosis
Jonas Angelet: Cultural & Artistic Event Producer
Chanel Matsunami Govreau-Freelance Graphic Designer, Photographer and Teaching Artist
Angela Johnson-Art Grad Student collaborator (2014-2016)
Celia Glime-undergrad genetics and art student (2017)
​Gabby Whistler-art student collaborative project with Jan Huisken, Water Resource Management Specialist

High School Students
Randi Schumann-Summer (PEOPLE program, 2009)-Lac du Flambeau Tribe
Amanda Savaigian-Summer High School Student from Milwaukee
Jasmine Staples-Summer High School Student from Philadelphia, PA
​Anna Granerioo-Summer High School Student from Madison, WI
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Teachers
Troy Dassler-K-12 science teacher on sabbatical in lab
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Lab Managers/Research Specialists
Maggie Forrestal
Dan Poole
Lan Qin 
Amanda Hulfachor 
​Eva Uhlemann
​Elif Kurt; Currently in Medical School at UW-Madison
Edwin Suarez-Zayas