Principle Investigator
Dr. Matthew Zahner
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Email: zahner@mail.etsu.edu
About Dr. Zahner
Dr. Zahner is the PI of the Neurophysiology laboratory at the Department of Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University. The lab is dedicated to the investigation of autonomic regulation of metabolism and cardiovascular activity using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates cutting-edge electrophysiological approaches, histological assessments, and microinjection of viruses that can manipulate the genetics and activity of specific types of neurons. Dr. Zahner received his B.S. in Agriculture and Natural Resources (Nutritional Sciences) from the University of Connecticut, CT and his Ph.D. in Integrative Biosciences (Neuroscience) from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, PA. He did a postdoctoral fellowship in Neurophysiology at Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. He was the Principal Scientist at the Pfizer Drug Safety Research & Development before he joined as a faculty at ETSU in 2017.
Prior to pursuing my scientific career I served honorably in the US Air Force where I travelled extensively throughout the United States and South Korea. While I was earning my undergraduate and graduate degrees I was also a professional cyclist and raced mountain bikes, road bikes, and cycloscross for 7 years. After finishing college and beginning my post-doc I stopped racing and am now a mediocre, albeit tremendously competitive golfer. After spending 5 years at Pfizer, where I built a neurophysiology lab, I decided to return to academia. I now live in Johnson City Tennessee with my wife Suzanne and sons Maxwell and Oliver.
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Rashmi Dubey
Research Associate
Email: dubeyr@etsu.edu
I received my Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Madurai Kamaraj University, India, in 2012 and for my doctoral thesis I investigated a novel innate resistance mechanism in the anti-tumor drug producing bacteria, Streptomyces peucetius. I was a postdoc at the Department of Biology, Lund University in Sweden where I continued working with Streptomyces, towards understanding the cell biology and polar growth of the organism. In August 2016, I joined Prof. James MacLeod’s group at the Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky for my second postdoctorate in musculoskeletal biology. My research project focused on defining the spectrum of genes that drive chondrogenesis from their progenitor cells, using next generation molecular techniques like RNA-seq and single cell RNA-seq. I am currently involved in the ongoing research projects in Dr. Zahner’s lab and my contributions primarily involve using various molecular biology and IHC techniques to investigate the mechanisms of autonomic cardiovascular regulation in the context of obesity and hypertension. Outside the lab, I love to spend time with my family and pursue my hobbies that include reading and Indian music.
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Kailee Hixon
Undergraduate Research Student
I am a junior, and I am majoring in microbiology with a biology minor. I give campus tours with Expedition Leaders and am currently the vice president of the organization. I am also involved in Health Occupations Students of America. I am pre- med and plan on applying to medical schools in the upcoming cycle. In my spare time, I enjoy taking and instructing indoor cycling classes on campus. Within the lab, I help with the leptin study. I have been involved in the Zahner Lab since Fall 2019 and look forward to continue working with the lab through my senior year.
John Harbin
Undergraduate Research Student
I am a senior majoring in Microbiology at East Tennessee State University. At ETSU, I am President of the Honors Student Council, as well as being a chairman in numerous other student organizations. In my free time, I volunteer at Remote Area Medical Clinics, where I aid doctors and other health care professionals in providing free medical, dental, and vision care to residents in the local area who are in need. I was also a part of a medical brigade in Guangaje, Ecuador last summer, where we helped native Ecuadorians obtain vital medications and supplements that they would have otherwise not had access to. In my free time, I love to lift weights and be outside in the great outdoors, whether it be hiking, biking, etc.
Nick Fuller
Undergraduate Research Student
I am currently finishing up my second year as an undergraduate at East Tennessee State University. I am majoring in Health Sciences with a concentration in Human Health. I am interested in neurophysiological research and my current research goals include completing my honors thesis prior to graduation in the Fall of 2021. Long term goals of mine include enlisting in the military following the completion of my bachelor’s degree, and potentially either attending medical school or physician’s assistant school after the military depending on the length of time served.
Ashley Clymens
Undergraduate Research Student
I am pre-physical therapy at ETSU. I am majoring in Rehabilitative Health Science with a minor in Apllied Spanish. One day, I hope to do medical missions as a physical therapist. I joined Dr. Zahner's lab because I want to grow and be challenged academically through research, and the information from this research is something that I want to learn more about.
Chloe Lowe
Undergraduate Research Student
I will be starting my senior year of undergraduate studies this fall. I am majoring in Health Sciences with a concentration in Human Health, along with a Public Health minor. My goals for the future include dental school and the chance to pursue new opportunities in research. I look forward to this year’s work.
Nathan Yobst
Undergraduate Research Student
I am a pre-med junior at East Tennessee University studying Health Sciences with a concentration in Human Health as well as a Business minor. I plan to attend medical school and continue research to become an effective and knowledgeable doctor in the future. I have been involved in many extracurricular activities including: RAM clinics, CNA certification program, working out at my local gym, and research. I am humbled by the work being done and enjoy seeing the collaborative effort of undergraduates to make a difference.
Lab alumni
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Kynlee Hillard
Undergraduate Research Student
I am a Senior and will be graduating in May of this year. I have been a member of Zahner Lab since Spring of 2018. I presented my research at Appalachian Science Research Forum(spring 2019) and at Wofford College(fall 2019). I will be defending my senior thesis this semester as well. This July I will begin medical school at Lincoln Memorial University College of Osteopathic Medicine and plan to continue research.
Stacia Lindsey
Undergraduate Research Student
I graduate in May 2020, majoring in exercise science and minoring in Spanish. I’ve been a member of Dr. Zahner’s lab since spring 2019 and completed my internship there as well. My future plans include physician’s assistant school, after I take a year out of school to explore my interests in health science, exercise science, research, and language.
Jeanie Anne Cavender
Undergraduate Research Student
After receiving a degree in music education, I taught in the Austin Independent School District for four years. While teaching, I received 75 hours of graduate credit from The Creative Learning Initiative, a music pedagogy collaboration between Texas State and the Austin Independent School District. As part of this collaboration, I participated in a three-year research study in music perception and cognition. I developed a great interest in research and science and left teaching to pursue a degree in the health sciences. This pursuit brought me to the East Tennessee State University and Dr. Zahner’s Neurophysiology Lab.