Muhammad's journey with the lab began with a deep-seated interest in mental health conditions. As he immersed himself in the research environment, he realized the importance of understanding neurodiversity more deeply. This newfound awareness fueled his dedication to unraveling the intricate links between genetics, cognition, and mental health.

Armed with a degree in Computational Biology and Genomics from the University of Science and Technology, Zewail City, Egypt, Muhammad embarked on a quest to unravel the complexities of the human mind.

Lucas joined the lab as a graduate student from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics in 2021, after previously working in the lab as a clinical research assistant. He is broadly interested in the genetic variation that makes us all so unique. As a result, his research projects focus on: language ability, risk for psychiatric conditions, and their shared biological underpinnings.

He graduated from Cornell College with a BA in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience. Much of his free time is spent watching sci-fi movies and exploring the Midwest.

Annie joined the lab in May 2023 as a graduate student from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics. She is broadly interested in different computational methods available to study genetic data. Her research focuses on leveraging machine learning techniques to increase our understanding of psychiatric health.

Annie graduated with a BS in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2022. In her free time, Annie enjoys baking, reading, and saving Hyrule.

Ethan's work in the Michaelson lab focuses on developing DNA sequence-based deep learning models. Ethan is applying these models to understand how neurons and brain circuits are shaped through development and experience. Through collaborations between Dr. Michaelson and Dr. Abel of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Ethan aims to bridge research on the molecular mechanisms of memory to human psychiatric health. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. Ethan grew up on a farm in Dubuque, Iowa, and earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Iowa.