Lab Members

Lauren J. Kreeger, PhD

I am an auditory electrophysiologist and anatomist interested in how neurons in the auditory brainstem are specialized to encode specific parts of our auditory world. During my first research experience at The University of Maryland, I quickly became fascinated by how neurons combine unique dendritic arborizations with distinct biophysical properties to make a computation about the environment. The auditory system captivated my scientific curiosity, and I stayed in the field during my graduate work at The University of Texas at Austin and during my postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. My work has traversed the auditory system from the cochlea to the thalamus in many model organisms.

Our group here at the University of Pennsylvania will study the development of octopus cells of the mammalian cochlear nucleus by combining in vitro electrophysiological recordings with anatomical reconstructions and genetic manipulations in mouse models. Together, we aim to understand how temporally extreme neurons like octopus cells transform fundamental synaptic properties to fit their computational needs.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time hiking, painting, and trying new food with friends and family.

Abigail Gemechu

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Abby is currently a sophomore studying neuroscience and public health at Penn. She is fascinated by octopus cells’ unique physical properties and temporal precision, and she hopes to understand more about these neurons develop along with the sense of hearing while in the Kreeger Lab. Outside of the lab, she enjoys writing, baking, and biking.

Ella Waldman

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in neuroscience. Originally from Olney, Maryland, I joined the Kreeger Lab in the summer of 2025 as a PURM student. I have been interested in the auditory system for years, and am currently working on a project using HCR in situ hybridization to detect and localize RNA sequences in the cochlear nucleus. Outside of the lab I enjoy reading, cooking, being outside, and spending time with friends and family. 

Julian Caesar

I grew up in West Philadelphia, and I am currently an undergraduate at Penn majoring in Neuroscience. Outside of the lab, I love to sing, and I am in two performing arts groups on campus, the Pennsylvania Glee Club and Dischord Acappella.

Renee Taing

I came to Pennsylvania in 2017, and went on to complete my undergraduate degree in Psychology at West Chester University of PA. My interest in neuroscience and research in general stemmed from my time as an undergraduate student working in the Breit Lab, where I studied the effects of prenatal drug exposure on motor and neurodevelopment.

Upon graduating, I sought to expand my research skills and joined the Kelly lab at the Cardiovascular Institute as a research staff where I worked with Dr. Justin Berger to investigate the mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors as therapeutic treatment in heart failure, and the roles of nutrient-sensing transcription factor MondoA in regulating substrate utilization in obesity. I also worked with Dr. Sarah Sulon on a few projects on cardiomyocytes remodeling and proliferation.

Here in the Kreeger lab, I am interested in applying my skills in molecular biology, in combination with in vitro electrophysiology to explore gene expression patterns and electrical properties of octopus cells throughout development. I am especially drawn to questions that connect molecular mechanisms with larger patterns of brain function.

Coming in second to my love for science is music. Outside of lab, I enjoy attending live concerts, playing instruments, and hanging out with my friends (at more concerts).

Denisia George

My name is Denisia, and I’m originally from Sierra Leone but have lived in West Philadelphia for the past 12 years. I’m a freshman undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, planning to major in Neuroscience. I’m deeply fascinated by how the brain’s neural circuits shape behavior, emotion, and cognition, and I hope to pursue an MD–PhD to bridge clinical medicine with neuroscientific research. Beyond academics, I'm interested in a lot of the First gen low income communities on campus.