Lab News
Congrats to Dr. Jess Thanos on successfully defending her PhD thesis
Congrats to Dr. Jess Thanos on successfully defending her PhD thesis on the role of DNA damage and STING in Alzheimer’s disease
Lab says goodbye to a legend
The lab celebrated Dr. Kristine Zengeler (aka Dr. Glue, Dr. Glia, KZ) as she embarks on a new adventure out West. Her pipette has been retired and hangs from the rafters as she is a first-ballot hall of famer.
Congrats to Lexi and Clint - best trainee talk and poster
BIG shout-out to Lexi Johnson and Dr. Clint Upchurch who won best trainee talk (Lexi) and poster (Clint) awards at the 2025 Southeastern Immunology Symposium (SIS).
Congrats to Ben, Jason, Marina, and Nicholas on receiving undergrad summer research fellowships
Congrats to Jason Chen, Nicholas Cormas, Marina Cura, and Ben Davis on receiving Harrison and Newman undergraduate summer research fellowships to support their independent work exploring the roles of the immune system in Alzheimer’s disease.
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.