Principal Investigator
Dr. Martin conducts research in the area of bone and mineral metabolism disorders and actively mentors undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees. Her research involves multiple national and international collaborations. She is Principal Investigator and co-Investigator on several NIH-funded projects and US patents. She is a current member of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Society of Nephrology and American Heart Association.
Current Team
Dr. Kentrup completed his PhD in Biology at the University of Münster, Germany in 2012. Dominik is a trained microsurgeon and is proficient in a multitude of animal models. His scientific career has been focused on translational research in nephrology, including the implementation and refinement of advanced non-invasive imaging techniques, the identification of novel biomarkers and the role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated cardiac remodeling. His current projects aim to investigate targets and regulation of Pi/FGF23 in CKD and autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets (ARHR1).
Xueyan received her Masters of Science from Illinois Institute of Technology in 2013. She serves as the lead histology technologist for the Martin Lab and the David Lab. She is proficient in paraffin and methyl methacrylate embedding, sectioning, and staining of mouse soft tissue and bone samples for all projects. Xueyan also assists in the daily management of the Lab including administrative and regulatory responsibilities and in the training of new lab members.
Will earned his BS in Biology at Loyola University Chicago in 2024. He is co-responsible for the maintenance of mouse colonies and genotyping by DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis.
Emily earned her BS in Biology at Loyola University Chicago in 2024. She is co-responsible for the maintenance of mouse colonies and genotyping by DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis.
Positions are open! Learn more on the Join Us page.
Collaborators from the David Lab
Dr. Thomas, is a Research Assistant Professor in Dr. David’s lab. She is a Lady Davis Fellow and Signgene Fellow and she earned her PhD from Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (IIT) and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, in 2018. She subsequently pursued her early postdoctoral studies in immunogenomics, computational oncology, and molecular genetics. Her primary interest is in applying her cutting-edge technology skills to bone and mineral metabolism research and investigating the crosstalk between iron deficiency, inflammation and disturbed bone and mineral metabolism in CKD.
Dr. Duque is a nephrologist who completed his PhD degree at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. His scientific research has been focused on clinical and translational studies in CKD–mineral and bone disorder. Currently, he is a Postdoctoral Fellow exploring the regulation and the systemic effects of bone-derived FGF23 peptides and the molecular mechanisms of HNF4α in the progression of chronic kidney disease.
Laboratory Alumni
Supported by the ASN Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Award, Dr. Gerber completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship training in the Lab in 2020. She currently occupies a Medical Science Liaison position at Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals.
Corey spent 2 years as Research Technologist II in the Lab during which he obtained 2 oral presentations at American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week and American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), received a Young Investigator Award from ASBMR in 2018, and authored several publications. Corey is currently a PhD candidate at Northwestern University's Driskill Graduate Program (click here to learn about the program).
Sam held a Senior Research Technologist position with the Lab until 2019. She is currently working as a Senior Science Lab manager at the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) and is a mom of two!
Sana Lynch completed two years as Research Technologist I in 2021. Currently, they are enrolled in the Master of Professional Science program at the University of Miami's Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society (with a focus on Coastal Zone Management) at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS).
Bridget completed 3 years as a Research Technologist in 2023. She is now pursuing a career in medicine at the University of Queensland – Ochsner Clinical School.
John completed 3 years as a Research Technologist in 2024. He is now pursuing a career in medicine.
Anthony completed 2 years as a Research Technologist in 2024. He is now pursuing a career in medicine at Dartmouth College – Geisel School of Medicine.
Jadeah completed 6 years as a Research Technologist in 2025. She is now pursuing a career with Constellation Energy.