About the lab
Our approach
The microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract are collectively termed the gut microbiota. Constant communication occurs at the gut-microbe interface, and various factors can influence the nature of this ecosystem, such as diet, exercise, medication, and genetics. In turn, shifts in the gut microbial community have lasting impact on our host systems. For instance, gut bacteria are crucial for nutrition, protection from infection, and proper development of the immune and nervous systems. Altered gut microbial composition can even alter neurological function, evidenced in contexts of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, autism, anxiety and depression.
It is quite clear that gut microbes have an impact. However, untangling this web between a dense microbial community and complex host systems is hard. Historically, most gut microbiota studies have been correlational between disease and microbial communities, making it impossible to establish either effect or mechanism.
Our solution to this important problem is to study the gut microbiota from a functional viewpoint: directly studying metabolic signal output. Lots of host and dietary compounds are chemically transformed by the gut bacteria into a pool of molecules that can serve as signals in microbe-host communication. Measuring and studying these byproducts can lead to solid answers about roles of the gut microbiota.
Our prior work has shown that these gut-derived pathways can be successful targets for modulating host responses. We are expanding this work by studying additional bacterial signals and their effects on us.
Lab members
Brittany Needham, PhD
Brittany Needham, PhD
Brittany Needham, PhD
Principle Investigator
I did my graduate work at UT Austin studying bacterial cell surfaces in Stephen Trent's lab, followed by postdoc work at Caltech studying the gut-brain axis in Sarkis Mazmanian's lab. I find being a scientist to be fascinating and rewarding, and am lucky to have great lab members answering new questions about gut bac
Principle Investigator
I did my graduate work at UT Austin studying bacterial cell surfaces in Stephen Trent's lab, followed by postdoc work at Caltech studying the gut-brain axis in Sarkis Mazmanian's lab. I find being a scientist to be fascinating and rewarding, and am lucky to have great lab members answering new questions about gut bacterial signaling. When I'm not in the lab I'm outside with my 3 kids, husband, and puppy who likely needs a haircut.
Alyssa Conrad
Brittany Needham, PhD
Brittany Needham, PhD
Lab manager, Researcher
Before working in the Needham lab, I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a BS in Biology and worked in food microbiology for about two years.
My project studies the relationship of nanowire forming bacteria (mainly Desulfovibrio sp) and the gut brain axis. My other main project is managing the lab and he
Lab manager, Researcher
Before working in the Needham lab, I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a BS in Biology and worked in food microbiology for about two years.
My project studies the relationship of nanowire forming bacteria (mainly Desulfovibrio sp) and the gut brain axis. My other main project is managing the lab and helping other researchers with their projects. 🙂 I have been in the Needham lab for about two years and have really enjoyed learning a wide range of techniques and watching the lab grow!
When I'm not in the lab, I love spending time with my awesome husband and toddler. I enjoy riding horses when I can and hiking and being outside.
Amilia Nusbaum
Jaymie Connerly
Jaymie Connerly
Graduate Student
Hi! I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a B.S in Behavioral Neuroscience. I found my love for neuroscience in my undergraduate studies and after multiple unique research experiences, I have become passionate about interdisciplinary neuroscience. I knew my desire to conduct interdisciplinary neuroscience was
Graduate Student
Hi! I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a B.S in Behavioral Neuroscience. I found my love for neuroscience in my undergraduate studies and after multiple unique research experiences, I have become passionate about interdisciplinary neuroscience. I knew my desire to conduct interdisciplinary neuroscience was not a phage when I did a rotation in Dr. Needham’s lab. As I knew that I had found a one in a myelin lab, everything just synapsed together, and I joined the lab. I’m axon-hilarated to conduct research that focuses on intricate ways microbes influence our brain. In my free time, you may think that I just come up with science puns, but in fact, I like to spend time outdoors either hiking, biking, or swimming.
Jaymie Connerly
Jaymie Connerly
Jaymie Connerly
Graduate Student
Hey! I study the mechanisms by which gut-derived metabolites can change neurodevelopment! My interest in research began while I studied leptin resistant Iberian pigs at my alma mater, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Following graduation I joined the Mazmanian Lab at Caltech investigating the role of the microbiome in Alzheimer's
Graduate Student
Hey! I study the mechanisms by which gut-derived metabolites can change neurodevelopment! My interest in research began while I studied leptin resistant Iberian pigs at my alma mater, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Following graduation I joined the Mazmanian Lab at Caltech investigating the role of the microbiome in Alzheimer's mouse models for the Alzheimer's Gut Microbiome Consortium. I love Indianapolis and enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and my corgi, Moxie.
Anne Tanner, PhD
Anne Tanner, PhD
Anne Tanner, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
I got my PhD in virology and have been working in biotech for the last few years, developing strategies for the detection, identification, and prevention of infectious disease. I'm excited to incorporate this background into my current and future work.
Danae Koslovsky
Anne Tanner, PhD
Anne Tanner, PhD
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
I graduated with my B.S. in Biology from Duke University in 2023. I have a strong interest in neuroscience and animal behavior. I'm lucky to be able to continue my passion for biological research with the Needham lab and one other lab in the neuroscience department. When I'm not working, I like s
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
I graduated with my B.S. in Biology from Duke University in 2023. I have a strong interest in neuroscience and animal behavior. I'm lucky to be able to continue my passion for biological research with the Needham lab and one other lab in the neuroscience department. When I'm not working, I like spending time outdoors looking for snakes and salamanders, reading, and watching TV with my cat.
Mohamad Obeid
Mohamad Obeid
Mohamad Obeid
Undergraduate Researcher,
UROP
Hello! I am an undergraduate student at Indiana University majoring in neuroscience. My interest in neuroscience stems from just how much we have left to learn about the brain and all its connections, and being a part of Dr. Needham’s lab is part of that discovery! I love going to the gym, reading, and spending time with friends and family!
Josh West
Mohamad Obeid
Mohamad Obeid
Undergraduate Researcher, LHSI
I am currently an undergraduate student at IU Indianapolis working towards a B.A. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Forensic and Investigative Science. I love to learn new things and I am excited to be able to conduct research for the first time in the Needham lab. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and the outdoors.
Lab Alumni
Precious Parker
Precious Parker
Precious Parker
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Precious Parker, I graduated from Indiana Northwest university in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. I am now attending Unity College pursing my master’s degree in animal science and behavior. I love science and the aspect of it. My favorite quote about science is by Albert Szen
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Precious Parker, I graduated from Indiana Northwest university in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. I am now attending Unity College pursing my master’s degree in animal science and behavior. I love science and the aspect of it. My favorite quote about science is by Albert Szent-Gyorgyi. He said, “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.”
Andrew Ortega
Precious Parker
Precious Parker
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Andrew Ortega, I luckily am a part-time technician in the Needham lab as well as another lab in the same department. I graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 and am glad to continue to pursue my passion for research here. I'm not totally sure where I picture myself to be in the
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Andrew Ortega, I luckily am a part-time technician in the Needham lab as well as another lab in the same department. I graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 and am glad to continue to pursue my passion for research here. I'm not totally sure where I picture myself to be in the next few years, but I do love both of my labs and lab work I currently do, so I just plan to keep that ball rolling!
Khushi Patel
Khushi Patel
Khushi Patel
Undergraduate Researcher
My name is Khushi Patel and currently finishing up my Bachelors in Neuroscience and Biology. I am deeply passionate about neuroscience research and am thankful for the opportunity to continue to research in Dr. Needham’s lab. Outside lab, I love traveling, listening to Rnb and playing volleyball.
Jesse Guraya
Khushi Patel
Khushi Patel
Undergraduate Researcher
Hi, I’m Jesse Guraya! I love anything microbiology-related and my dog Bruno!