Meet the Team

A diverse group of scientists and students are driving forward discoveries to transform care for individuals with neurological injury and disease. Learn about the backgrounds and goals of research team members in the Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation Lab.

Fellows and students

  • Sam C. Buchl
  • Graduate Student

Sam, a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Regenerative Sciences track, weaves neuroscience, psychology and computer science into his study of neural regeneration. His past experiences include:

  • A Swarthmore College thesis on mindfulness and growth mindset — an institutional review board (IRB)-approved randomized controlled trial (RCT).
  • Post-baccalaureate research with Jessica L. Maiers, Ph.D., and Vijay Shah, M.D., on liver regeneration.
  • Predoctoral studies on the G protein-coupled receptor protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) in spinal cord injury.

Sam's current research integrates information technology and tech skills with cutting-edge neurobiology. Currently, he's uncovering PAR1-associated epigenetic mechanisms to advance stem cell therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) injury. Beyond the bench, Sam is a teaching assistant, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic LGBTI Student Resource Group, and a creative spirit who swims, codes and writes musicals.

  • Joe S. Carey
  • Graduate Student

Joe is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology track. Originally from Idaho, he studied at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. While earning his Bachelor of Science degree in cell biology and neuroscience, he worked to develop an in vitro drug screen to identify therapeutic compounds for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Joe continues to research the biology of neural disease in Dr. Scarisbrick's lab since joining in March of 2024. In addition to his interests in science, Joe has played the guitar for almost 20 years, loves to cook and bake, and has an old dog who takes him on walks.

  • Kaleb Miles
  • Graduate Student

Kaleb received his bachelor's degree in biology from Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon. He pursued his master's degree in biomedical science and biotechnology from University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver. There he studied neural progenitor cell fate, myelin plasticity and spinal cord development using the zebrafish model. While working on his master's, he spent a year as a research assistant.

After completing his master's degree, Kaleb enrolled in the Regenerative Sciences track of the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic and joined the Scarisbrick neural repair team November 2023. In the lab, Kaleb is interested in elucidating PAR's role in neuroregeneration and remyelination following spinal cord injury. Outside of work, Kaleb enjoys being active outdoors and with family.

  • Malavika (Malu) A. Nair
  • M.D.-Ph.D. Student

Malu is a first -year Ph.D. student in her fourth year of the M.D.-Ph.D. Program. She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2015 with her family. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with degrees in neurobiological sciences and astronomy. Malu hopes to use her graduate degrees from Mayo to pursue a career in academic neurology, combining patient care with basic science research. Outside the lab, Malu enjoys woodworking, pottery, and spending time with family and friends.

  • Whitney L. Simon, M.S.
  • Graduate Student

Whitney holds a bachelor's degree in health sciences from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in neuroscience from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. After working several years as a research technologist, she enrolled in the Neuroscience track of the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic. Her research interests include understanding cell-specific roles of PAR1 in cholesterol homeostasis and immunomodulation in the context of neurodegeneration. She aspires to establish an independent research career. Eventually her goal is to incorporate clinical trial collaborations as part of her commitment to prioritize patients' best interests in her research. Outside of work, Whitney enjoys gardening and cherishes time and adventures with her husband and children.

  • Eli Wallace, Ph.D.
  • Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Wallace was born and raised in southern Minnesota. As an undergraduate, he studied German and biology at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Later, he received a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison working with Mathew V. Jones, Ph.D., and Rama K. Maganti, M.D., to study GABAergic neurotransmission in the contexts sleep perturbations and epilepsy. In the Scarisbrick lab, Eli is interested in researching the effect of PAR signaling on active and reactive myelination in the CNS and their effects on neuronal signal conduction.

  • Lincoln I. Wurtz
  • M.D.-Ph.D. Student

Lincoln is an M.D-Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience track. Originally from Wisconsin, he studied mathematics and chemistry-biology at his undergraduate institution of Ripon College. While there, Lincoln developed an appetite for research, working on projects in manifold geometry, organic chemistry and computational biochemistry. Lincoln joined the Medical Scientist Training Program at Mayo Clinic in 2017 to link scientific discovery with patient care. In the Scarisbrick lab, Lincoln studies kallikrein 6 and whether it can be attenuated to improve myelin regeneration and motor function. He has a deep interest in behavioral neuroscience and wants to continue research into his medical residency and the rest of his career.

Faculty and staff

  • Chanil Choi, Ph.D.
  • Research Scientist
  • Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr. Choi has a strong background in neurobiology and stem cell biology, and molecular cellular signaling. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological science and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in biotechnology, as well as his master's and Ph.D. degrees in neuroscience from Ajou University in South Korea. There he had extensively studied regenerative stem cell therapy for various neurological diseases. Subsequently, he joined the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) as a postdoctoral fellow and gained experience in biochemistry and cell signaling pathways from Lutz Birnbaumer, Ph.D., who was a postdoctoral fellow of Martin Rodbell, Ph.D., who won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of G proteins. Dr. Choi is currently working in Dr. Isobel Scarisbrick's laboratory at Mayo Clinic to develop approaches to promote regeneration and restore function after spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and in the context of demyelinating disease, including multiple sclerosis.

  • Lyric E. Lopez-Kohler
  • Research Technologist

Lyric grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, and has spent many years preparing to follow her family in working at Mayo Clinic. She received her bachelor's degree in biochemistry at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where her career as a researcher began studying apolipoproteins. In the Scarisbrick lab, she assists with managing the animal colony, immunohistochemistry and a bit of everything else as needed. When she is not working, Lyric enjoys painting and reading with her pets by her side.

  • Hyesook Yoon, Ph.D.
  • Research Scientist
  • Assistant Professor of Physiology

Dr. Yoon joined Dr. Scarisbrick's laboratory as a postdoctoral research fellow back in 2010 and has since remained engaged as a research scientist. She accomplished her doctoral studies within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida State University, focusing on protein chemistry and enzymology, particularly exploring human kallikrein-related peptidases. Subsequently, she extended this research to demonstrate the potential intersections between proteases within the thrombostasis axis and the kallikrein family of proteases. In Dr. Scarisbrick's neural repair laboratory, Hyesook's research has been focused on the development and regeneration of myelin in the brain and spinal cord, particularly in developmental stages and experimental models of multiple sclerosis. She enjoys working with students and helping them to achieve success. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking, baking, hiking and traveling with her family.