Ken Moon
Laboratory Manager

Ken studied aquatic & fisheries biology and photography at Grand Valley State University. After graduation, he began working as a chemistry quality assurance analyst at Mead-Johnson Nutritionals in Zeeland, MI; followed by some research and development work in a cell culture lab at Alticor in Ada, MI. Ken’s academic career began at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic medicine where he was fortunate enough to study nicotine and alcohol addiction pathways with Dr. Chris Butt. He enjoyed his first three years at MSU working in the lab of Dr. Barbara Atshaves studying biochemical mechanisms of obesity before joining Dr. Robison and Dr. Mazei-Robison’s labs. Ken enjoyed a very successful career rowing competitively at the intercollegiate and international levels as well as coaching at Forest Hills Northern high school and GVSU, and still find the opportunity to study photography in his free time.

Sarah Simmons, PhD

Sarah graduated from Michigan State University in 2018 with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the Mazei-Robison Lab. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Robison Lab where she is leading both electrophysiology and in vivo calcium imaging studies.

Brianna Smith

Brianna graduated from Michigan State University in 2023, where she received a B.S. in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. During her undergraduate career, Brianna worked in the Amalfitano Laboratory under Dr. Yasser Aldhamen investigating the molecular pathways of exhausted T-cells. Brianna joined the Physiology PhD Program and the Robison Lab in March of 2024. Brianna’s current research involves determining the epigenetic mechanisms of FosB gene expression in active mast cells. Outside of the lab, she enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her family. 

Tommy Wang

Tommy (Dongsheng) Wang earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego. During his undergraduate and graduate training, he developed a strong interest in understanding neuronal function at both the cellular and circuit levels. Tommy conducted research in Dr. Brian Head’s laboratory at UC San Diego and the VA San Diego Healthcare System, where he investigated the neuroprotective effects of the gene therapy candidate SynCav1 in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Tommy is currently a student in the DO/PhD program at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he is training to become a physician-scientist. He joined the Robison Lab in 2026 and is now studying how circuit-specific manipulation of the ventral hippocampus–nucleus accumbens pathway influences neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens in cocaine addiction. Outside the lab, Tommy enjoys playing the piano, attending classical concerts, and exploring new coffee shops.

Andrew Eagle, PhD

Andrew worked in the Robison Lab as a postdoc and Research Professor
from 2013 to 2023 leading our efforts in circuit-specific transcriptional regulation. He is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at UT Dallas.

Natalia Duque-Wilckens, DVM, PhD

Natalia was a joint postdoc in the Robison and Moeser Labs from 2018 to 2022 leading the projects in mast cell physiology. In 2023, she accepted a position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at NC State and immediately had great success.
Natalia tragically passed away on November 12, 2025, and is sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know her.