Lab News
Lab represents at the 2025 Neuroimmune GRC meeting in Italy
The lab enjoyed presenting their research, catching up with old friends, and exploring Tuscany.
Josh Samuels is awarded a Wagner Fellowship
We are thankful to Robert and Mary Wagner for their generous support of graduate student research at UVA. Dr. Robert B. Wagner served as Professor and Chair of Microbiology from 1967-1994. This fellowship is a lasting tribute to his dedication to student training, his encouragement of young scientists, and his love of UVA.
The lab welcomes Eric Steacy back
Lukens lab alumni Eric Steacy returns for a second round of fun - this time to pursue his PhD research in the lab. Eric will be co-mentored by longtime friend of the lab, the great Dr. Manoj Patel. For Eric’s PhD studies he is interested in exploring how innate immune and cell death pathways contribute to epilepsy.
GETTING RIPPED.
Members of the lab crushed a [solidcore] workout together. Our journey to become the most intimidating lab starts now.
It’s not just a phase: Spirit Week returns
After a hiatus, the freezing weather and new year harkened the return of Spirit Week joy to the Lukens lab. In this, the third rendition of the high school-inspired classic daily themed week, outfits reached increasingly wacky heights.
Strengthening the Network at UVA’s Immunology Research Day
Members of the lab attended and participated in this annual symposium highlighting immunology research at UVA.
An APPLEsolutely wonderful time at the aPEELing Carter Mountain
The undergraduate students in the lab planned an afternoon apple picking at the local mountaintop orchard!
The lab participates in Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Members of the Lukens lab walked and hosted a booth to support Alzheimer’s disease public awareness and understanding of the disease.
Community mini med school students visit the lab
The Lukens lab once again hosted some members in the Charlottesville community as a part of UVA’s Mini-Medical School program!
Rethinking Neuroimmunology with old and new friends
Members of the lab attended the #ReThinkNeuroimmunology Symposium hosted by Washington University in St Louis, a three day event highlighting cutting edge new research at the intersection of immunology and neuroscience.
Farmers markets are for neuroscience too!
Lab members hosted a booth to teach visitors about neuroscience at the weekly city farmers market at IX Park!
Next into the tank, tau.
Congratulations to Lexi Johnson, who won a Shark Tank-style competition for research funds hosted by the neurodegenerative disease research coalition (NDRC) at UVA.
Congratulations to Nicholas and Lexi on their EMT certification!
The injury-prone Lukens lab now has medical aid from within thanks to our newly certified emergency medical technician (EMT) undergraduate students, Nicholas Cormas and Lexi Vesselinov. We are very proud of their service to the community and hope to never encounter them in their new roles.
Lexi and Josh win gold at the NGP picnic 🥇
Neuroscience graduate program (NGP) students Lexi Johnson and Josh Samuels were a part of the winning (Top Dog) team at this year’s picnic field day.
John selected as the inaugural Director of Harrison Family Translational Research Center
The new center will hone UVA’s vast base of experts to launch a cutting-edge research program with a goal of developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Congratulations to Lexi, Wagner Fellowship recipient!
The Wagner Fellowship is awarded to outstanding Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BIMS) students each year and provides one year of funding.
Santa Fe brings the spice, scientifically and gastronomically
The Lukens Lab and Friends had a strong showing at the southwest’s premier event! The joint Keystone Symposia on Neuroimmune Interactions and Neurodegenerative Diseases in Santa Fe, NM was a week of amazing science, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
Lukens undergrads sweep at the Fozdar symposium
Huge congratulations to undergraduate researchers Ava Hollis and Abhi Verma for being awarded first and second place, respectively, as the most outstanding talks at the 2024 Fozdar Symposium.
Ana gives a RocksTaur talk at the Spring Brain Conference!
Graduate student Ana Royo Marco was selected to present her project, “Treating head injury induced tauopathy by boosting the function of the meningeal lymphatic vasculature”, at the 2024 Spring Brain Conference in Sedona, AZ.
Congratulations to 1st place poster winner, Josh!
Congrats to graduate student Josh Samuels for being awarded first prize at the 2024 GBS Symposium poster session!