Van Sciver Lab
Primary Cilia Biology & Polycystic Kidney Disease
Cilia Boss
Assistant Professor
Robby Van Sciver
Steering the ship on all things cilia and PKD, Robby loves nothing more than seeing his team succeed at the bench. Robby is the principal investigator keeping the science on track and the lab vibes perfectly balanced. Outside the lab, he trades mammalian cells for plants and aquatic ecosystems, cultivating an indoor office jungle and meticulously maintaining his planted aquariums. He is a dedicated mentor who takes immense pride in his research team’s breakthroughs. Whether he is mapping out the future of our ciliary signaling projects, obsessing over the exact water parameters of his fish tanks, or diving into a massive Brandon Sanderson fantasy epic, Robby keeps the lab motivated, funded, and fun.
Director of Good Vibes & Ciliary Sorceress
Researcher Associate
Leslie Lewis
When she isn’t unraveling the intricate mysteries of ciliary E3 ligases, Leslie serves as the lab’s resident vibe queen and grant-funding medium. Armed with a seemingly endless supply of compelling stories and an impeccably positive attitude, she keeps the day-to-day ecosystem running smoothly. She’s also known to casually conjure up training grants for our PhD students via highly strategic lab-bench séances. She keeps our cilia research on track, our spirits high, and the funding gods happy.
Master of Mutagenesis & Campus Hazard Magnet
PhD Student, BSB Theme
Caroline Ring
Caroline is an absolute force of nature at the bench. As a PhD student in the BSB theme, she is unraveling the mysteries of ARL13B interactions at lightning speed. From molecular cloning and co-IPs to her upcoming yeast two-hybrid screens, she churns out results like nobody’s business. Remarkably, her flawless precision in the lab sharply contrasts with her luck outside of it. She has famously twisted her ankle in the exact same spot on campus twice and recently walked away from a totaled car with a busted wrist. She may need bubble wrap for her commute, but at the bench, she’s unstoppable.
Resident Herpetologist & PKD Mouse Whisperer
PhD Student, BSB Theme
Ethan Thompson
When he isn’t knee-deep in a swamp hunting for rare and magical reptiles and amphibians, Ethan is hard at work using mouse models to uncover the mechanisms of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). He is also an avid gamer, though his Street Fighter skills clearly need some work after getting bested by Robby for 20 rounds. Fortunately, what truly sets Ethan apart is his relentless drive to grow. He is constantly asking questions and seeking ways to refine his skills—whether at the bench, in the swamp, or at the arcade. His deep curiosity, whether he's tracking down an elusive frog or tackling complex kidney genetics, makes him an aspiring scientist we truly admire.