Meet the Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Lab
Colin Franz, MD/PhD
Dr. Colin Franz is a physician-scientist with board certifications in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine, as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation. He directs the electrodiagnostic lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and oversees an interdisciplinary complex nerve injury clinic as well as a diaphragm paralysis clinic. His research focuses on regenerative neurorehabilitation. Specifically he studies resorbable therapeutic implants to promote nerve healing, and patient specific models using stem cells to study genetic modifiers of treatments and neurotrauma outcomes. His work is supported by the NIH, NSF, American Neuromuscular Foundation, and Belle Carnell Regenerative Neurorehabilitation fund. He enjoys spending time with his family and coaching basketball.
Maria Jose (Joe) Quezada, DPT, BSE, PhD Candidate
Joe is a dual degree student in the DPT/PhD program in Biomedical Engineering. She received her BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University and DPT from Northwestern University.
Joe uses in vitro models to study motor neuron death after spinal cord injury. Her long-term goal is to enhance personalized therapy techniques for patients with neurological conditions and improve equity in healthcare.
Joe enjoys traveling, doing yoga, training for triathlons and discovering new ice cream spots.
Dominic D'Andrea, Laboratory Technician
Dom received their BA in Neuroscience at Oberlin College, and is class of 2026 at the College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Improving outcomes after peripheral nerve injury, and on characterizing the role of several relatively common single-nucleotide polymorphisms on neuronal regeneration post-injury. The work combines in vivo and in vitro research to help forge a better understanding of these health issues, with special interest in modeling these diseases with animal models and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study axon regeneration and motor neuron disease.
Outside the lab they enjoy painting and drawing, spending time with their horse, fencing, board games, and reading.
Jordan Walters, BS, Project Coordinator
Jordan is a Research Project Coordinator in the Biologics Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
She received a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Jordan studies peripheral nerve injuries and treatments using rodent models.
Outside of lab, she enjoys pilates, bowling, and walking her dog.
Andres Villalobos Pirela, BS, Graduate Student
Andres is a graduate student in the Life Sciences PhD Program at Feinberg School of Medicine. His research focuses on learning how specific genetic backgrounds can leave patients vulnerable to neurodegeneration after spinal cord injury using patient-derived organoid models.
BSE in Biological Engineering from The University of Georgia.
Andres uses patient-derived iPSC models to explore the mechanisms that contribute to patient outcomes after neurotrauma. His long-term goals are to understand overlapping pathways leading to neurodegeneration after injury and in disease conditions.
Outside the lab, Andres spends his time working out, playing video games, and trying new restaurants.
Gavin McRae, BS, Graduate Student
BS in Engineering with Biomedical Concentration, Wake Forest University.
Gavin investigates optogenetic stimulation as a method to influence neurite growth rate, with an emphasis on forming neuromuscular junctions in neuron and muscle co-cultures. His long term goal is to optimize axon growth rate with applications in therapy for neurodegeneration.
Outside the lab, Gavin enjoys working out, playing basketball and guitar, traveling, and photography
Mack Long, BS, Graduate Student
B.S. Bioengineering, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Research experience in Tissue Engineering/Biomaterials Lab at North Carolina A&T State University.
Mack is in the Biomedical Engineering program. Her research focuses on improving diaphragm muscle function after injury by studying nerve transfer techniques in animal models. The goal is to develop strategies for restoring breathing capacity through enhanced muscle reinnervation.
Mack’s hobbies include traveling, card/board games, pilates, meditation.