Elizabeth Newell, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics-Critical Care, Principal Investigator
Dr. Newell is a pediatric intensivist who cares for critically ill children including children with traumatic brain injury. The goal of her research program is to identify molecular mechanisms of traumatic brain injury that may be targeted through the development of novel, precision therapies. Specially, her lab focuses on the neuroimmune response to identify how neuroinflammation may contribute to secondary injury after a TBI.
Affiliations
Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Iowa Inflammation Program, Neuroscience Graduate Program
Zili Luo, MD, PhD
Zili holds an MD from School of Medicine, Southeast University, China, and a PhD in Medical Science from Tokyo Medical and Dental University. She has garnered extensive experience through diverse neuroscience projects. Since joining the Newell Lab in 2019, she has dedicated her efforts to understanding the role of the proteinase inhibitor Serpina3n in traumatic brain injury, while also managing the laboratory. Outside of the lab, Zili finds enjoyment in nature, photography, and cultivating plants.
Brittany Todd
Brittany earned her BS in Biology and BA in Music Performance from the University of Iowa before becoming a medical student in the University of Iowa's Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) in 2019. Her current research project studies the contribution of type I interferon signaling in innate and adaptive immune cell reactivity following TBI.
Molly Larson
Molly earned her BA in Neuroscience and Biology from Concordia College, Moorhead and went on to work in several brain and spinal cord injury labs, as well as earn her MA in Bioethics at Ohio State University. She is now in University of Iowa's MSTP and joined the Newell lab in 2024. Molly is currently working on a project examining thalamic neuropathology secondary to immune activation after TBI. Outside of the lab she enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her husband, friends, family and rescue cats.