Jaeda Coutinho-Budd, PhDPrincipal Investigator
Dr. Coutinho-Budd graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience. She received her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of North Carolina working on lipid binding and lipid signaling in cortical development and nociceptive signaling with Drs. Franck Polleux and Mark Zylka. In her postdoctoral training in Dr. Marc Freeman’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, she continued to delve into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of nervous system function, but switched from mice to Drosophila, and neurons to glia. Her work explores glial development, the importance of glial interactions at neuronal cell bodies, and how a breakdown in this relationship can lead to nervous system dysfunction.
Thaddeus Weigel
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Thaddeus Weigel is a postdoctoral researcher. He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Molecular Biology, after which he worked at the National Institutes of Health in the lab of Dr. Miles Herkenham, where he studied the responses of microglia to social stress in mice. He received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Virginia, where he worked in the lab of Dr. Heather Ferris studying alterations to circadian behavior in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. In the Coutinho-Budd lab, he is researching the role of glia in Alzheimer’s disease using Drosophila models. In addition to research, he works as a lecturer in the Psychology Department. In his free time he enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, reading, and knitting.
Allison Beachum Graduate Student (Cell & Developmental Biology Program)
Allison graduated from East Carolina University with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology and a M.S. in Biology. At East Carolina University she fell in love with working with fruit flies as a model organism, working in Dr. Elizabeth Ables’ lab studying oogenesis. Allison joined the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program at University of Virginia in summer 2021 and is currently working in the Coutinho-Budd lab investigating glial interactions at neuronal cell bodies.
Hannah GroteGraduate Student (Neuroscience Graduate Program)
Hannah graduated from Colgate University with degrees in Neuroscience and English in 2022, where she performed research on motivational behaviors in invertebrate models. After graduating, she spent two years at the NIH studying the function and regulation of GABA transporters (GATs). She joined UVA’s Neuroscience Graduate Program in 2024 and is excited to continue her exploration of invertebrate models in the Coutinho-Budd lab while learning more about neuron-glia and glia-glia interactions. Outside the lab, Hannah loves baking desserts, going to dance classes, and searching for hidden gems at thrift stores.
Sage TzamouranisGraduate Student (Neuroscience Graduate Program)
Sage graduated from Hamilton College in 2022 with degrees in Neuroscience and Literature. After graduating, she worked as a Research Assistant in the Hollis Lab at the Burke Neurological Institute, studying the cortical sensorimotor circuits underlying skilled movements in mice. In 2024, Sage joined the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Virginia, where she is currently a member of the Coutinho-Budd Lab. Her research focuses on how the neurodegenerating brain co-opts neurodevelopmental signaling pathways in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab, Sage enjoys hiking, rock climbing, drawing, reading, and music.
Hannah Klose
Research Technician
Hannah is a technician in the lab working on the functional aspects of glia-glia interaction. In undergrad she studied biochemistry but began to develop a great interest in molecular and cell biology. Up until this point, she has explored very little of neuroscience and she’s excited to grow in her knowledge of it. In the future she hopes to attend graduate school in a biology-related field. In her free time she enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, trailing, bird-watching and basically anything that lets her explore the outdoors!
Kathleen ReuwerResearch Technician
Kathleen graduated from Virginia Tech in 2023 with a B.S. in Experimental Neuroscience and a B.S. in Public Health. During her undergrad, she worked in Dr. Michelle Olsen’s lab studying astrocytes. She is now taking her love for glia to work in the Coutinho-Budd Lab as a research technician investigating mitochondrial function in neuron-glial interactions. Although she is new to working with Drosophila, she is eager to learn this alternative animal model system. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in a neurobiology-related field and can’t wait to see first-hand how fruit flies can be used as a powerful tool in neuroscience.
Jeremiah Clyburn
Undergraduate Researcher
Jeremiah is a 3rd year student at the University of Virginia who double majors in Neuroscience and Drama. He is interested in the cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and their associated disorders, and how the related biological structures can be studied in order to unlock unknown pathologies. Outside of the lab, he enjoys being a member of the University Singers, playing volleyball, having movie nights with friends, and dancing.
Ailish HumphreysUndergraduate Researcher
Ailish is a 2nd year undergrad majoring in Neuroscience. She is interested in understanding neuronal-glial interactions in neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Nicole ChristyUndergraduate Researcher
Nicole is a 2nd year student at the University of Virginia pursuing a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. She is interested in learning about neuron-glial interactions and their role in neurodegeneration, as well as understanding Drosophila as a model organism. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, running, and music.
Join the lab!
We’re looking for curious, creative, motivated, and fun people at all levels to join the lab! If you’re interested in glia, neuroscience, cell biology, genetics, development, disease, Drosophila, or just learning more about what we do, please get in touch!
If you’re interested in applying to graduate school here at UVA then check out our Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program and Neuroscience Graduate Program!
Previous Lab Members
Graduate Students
Hannah Boyd
Paulina Rybkowska
Technicians
Amelia Nachbar
Gabby Salazar Lopez
Dina Alter
Briana Castellano
Undergraduate Students
Kate Meyer
Kevin Krause
Stefi Olkin
Hayes Miller
Harrison Pollack
Catherine Xu
Aryana Bellomkonda
Ainsley Sadler
Lydia Ambaye
Sarah Johnson
Zoë Paige
Grace Ross
Ariana Maserejian
Ellie Furr
Olivia Budington
Toby Lanser