Past Lab Members

Graduate Students

Devyn Oliver (2015-2021)
Devyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience and Behavior and a minor in Psychology from Assumption College in 2014. Devyn joined the lab in 2015 and graduated in March 2021. Devyn is now working as a research scientist in industry.

Alison Philbrook (2012-2018)
Alison graduated from Cornell University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a minor in Biology.  Alison joined the Francis Lab as a graduate student in 2012 and graduated in March 2018.  She is now a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Piali Sengupta at Brandeis University.

Navonil Banerjee (2010-2016)
Navonil received his Bachelor of Science (2006) in Biochemistry and Master of Science (2008) in Biotechnology from the University of Calcutta, India.  Navonil joined the Francis Lab as a graduate student in 2010 and graduated in December 2016.  He is now a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Elissa Hallem at UCLA.

Belinda Barbagallo (2008-2014)
Belinda Barbagallo attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute where she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biotechnology in 2007. Belinda joined the Francis Lab as a graduate student in 2008 and graduated in July 2014. Following a successful postdoc in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Garrity at Brandeis University, Belinda is now an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Salve Regina University.

Hilary Prescott (2008-2012)
Hilary graduated from Cedar Crest College with a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience and a double minor in Chemistry and Bioinformatics. She joined the Francis lab in 2008 and graduated in August 2012.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Raja Bhattacharya, PhD (2010-2016)
Raja obtained his PhD in 2006 from the Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, India. He joined the Francis Lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2010 studying neuropeptide modulation of neural circuit activity and context-dependent behavior.

Denis Turutin, PhD (2010-2015)
Denis received his Ph.D. in 2009 from the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago. Denis contributed significantly to several projects in the lab, in particular studies of neuromodulation, before departing in 2015.

Marian Haburcak, PhD (2009-2011)
Marian Haburcak received his Ph.D. in Physiology from the Comenius University in Slovakia. He is currently a Fellow in the Department of Anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Laboratory Technicians

William Joyce (2009-2021)
Will provided expert technical assistance in support of all C. elegans projects in the lab, in particular the generation of transgenic C. elegans strains by gonadal DNA injection.

Lauren Merritt (2018-2019)
Lauren joined the Francis lab in 2018 as a Research Technician. Lauren received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biophysics with a minor in Brain and Brain Behavior from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2017. She provided research support to students and postdocs in the lab in order to move their projects forward as efficiently as possible.

Patrick Boyle (2007-2010)
Patrick Boyle worked as a laboratory technician in the Francis lab from the start of the lab to June 2010.  He now is a technician at the Broad Institute.

Undergraduate Intern

Jason Climer (June 2007-August 2010)
Jason Climer graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2010 with a B.S. in Biology and Biotechnology and a Minor in Computer Science.  He conducted research for his Major Qualifying Project (senior thesis) in the lab, which was granted the Provosts Award for Most Outstanding Biology MQP.