Julie is interested in understanding how KDM5 proteins regulate transcription. She completed her PhD at the University of Adelaide, Australia and carried out postdoctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. She is also the Chair of the KARES foundation scientific advisory board.

Melissa is a PhD student who joined the lab in July 2021. Her project focuses on understanding the demethylase-independent roles of KDM5 mediated by its C-terminus. When she’s not in the lab, Melissa likes to cook, ferment things, and hang out with her cat, Maisie.

Bethany is a postdoctoral research fellow and IRACDA scholar in the Bronx-Einstein Training in Teaching and Research (BETTR) program. Before joining the Secombe lab in 2022, Bethany earned a BA in Biology from Vassar College and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Temple University. Her current project focuses on using Drosophila to study KDM5 function in the nervous system. Outside of the lab, Bethany enjoys growing different types of succulents, crafting, and visiting other people's cats.

Amira is an MSTP student from Brooklyn, NY who joined the lab in 2023. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from Carnegie Mellon and was a technician at Columbia for 3 years working on stress and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice. Amira is interested in the role of KDM5 in neurodevelopment. With that she hopes to pursue a career in child neurology and continued basic science research. Amira has no cats now but grew up with a lot of them! Amira likes to go on walks in the neighborhood with her son, Mason.

Daniel is a PhD student from Tallahassee, FL who joined the lab in 2023. He received a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Florida State University and was a research technician at Albany Medical College for 2 years studying how sex and aging influences vascular and metabolic contributions to dementia. Daniel is interested in understanding how the loss of KDM5 affects synapses in the mushroom body. He one day hopes to take his skills and talents over to Biotech or Pharma. Daniel is not a stepdad but a dad who stepped up to help raise his roommate's dog (Moby) and two cats (Erwin and Francisco). He is technically free from pet responsibilities so he enjoys traveling, snowboarding, and collecting books.

Aubrey Siebels is a PhD student who joined the Secombe lab in 2023 and is excited to study the role of transcription regulation in circadian rhythm and sleep behavior. Aubrey earned her bachelor’s degree at James Madison University where she studied invertebrate escape strategies with Dr. Corey Cleland. After graduating, Aubrey worked in the Kepecs Lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she studied the role of different neuromodulatory systems in learning and decision-making. When not in lab, Aubrey is likely doing karaoke or playing Stardew Valley.

​Hilledna (goes by Hill, like a hill) is a graduate student who joined the Secombe Lab in 2024. Born in Brooklyn, NY raised all over NYC, Hill received her Bachelor’s from CCNY where she double majored in Psychology and Biology and minored in Jewish Studies. She was a PREP Scholar at Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she developed a love for Neuropathology. Hill’s goal is to use iPSC-induced neurons to study the role KDM5 in human cells. Outside of lab, Hill is co-President of Einstein’s Pathology Interest Group (PathIG), a plant mom, rap & Broadway Musical enthusiast, and a proud auntie (shout out to Justyne and Minnow!)