Doug Mashek
Doug is currently a Professor with a primary appointment in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics (BMBB) and a secondary appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism. He currently serves as the Associate Director of the Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism (MIBAB). Doug earned his B.S. from Iowa State University, M.S. from Michigan State University, and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Doug did his postdoctoral training in Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Outside the lab, Doug loves cooking, running, biking, and pretty much anything outdoors.
Rachel Meyer
Rachel received her PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Arizona, where she investigated the role of gut-derived metabolites on host energy metabolism and hepatic glucose production. She joined the Mashek lab as a post-doctoral associate in 2025 to investigate lipid biology, aging, and metabolic disease. Outside the lab, Rachel likes yoga, trying new recipes, mystery novels, and hiking with her dogs.
Lainy Walesewicz
Lainy received my PhD from UW-Madison in 2024, studying the regulation of circulating carnitine metabolites during energy-demanding stress. In the lab, she is working on mechanisms of histone acylation and the impact on lipid metabolism and inflammation. Outside of lab, she likes competing in pinball tournaments, hiking and kayaking in the Northwoods, and keeping up with the latest buzzworthy TV show.
Will Hofstatder
Will received his PhD in Molecular Biology at Princeton University where he studied how viral infection alters organelle structure-function relationships. Starting in 2025, Will is investigating how lipid droplets and peroxisomes are dysregulated in metabolic disease and aging. Away from the bench, Will enjoys spending time outside swimming and playing volleyball or hanging out inside reading a book with his pet snake and dog.
Mahima Devarajan
Mahima earned her B.S. in Biology from Case Western Reserve University and is now an Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) student at the University of Minnesota. She joined the Mashek lab in 2020 to study the role lipid droplets play in cellular senescence.
Gavin Fredrickson
Gavin received his bachelor's degree in Human Physiology from the University of Minnesota and is currently a PhD candidate in the Integrative Biology and Physiology graduate program. Gavin is studying novel mechanisms through which lipid droplets facilitate the progression of MASLD. Gavin enjoys time outdoors, woodworking, and hanging out with friends and family.
Mari Reid
Mari earned her B.A. in Biology and Chemistry from St Olaf College and is currently a student in the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota. Mari joined the Mashek lab in early 2024 to study organelle interactions. Specifically, she is interested in how lipid droplet and mitochondrial interactions are mediated during metabolic stress, as well as the compartmentalization of nutrient sensing, stress responses, and translation. Outside the lab, Mari is an avid reader (especially of murder mysteries), and clarinetist who can often be found spending quality time with her friends and family.
Ryan Ward
Ryan earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences from Ohio University, focusing on cancer biology and senescence. He is currently a PhD student in the Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics program at the University of Minnesota. Ryan joined the Mashek lab in 2025 to study cancer lipid metabolism. If Ryan is not in the lab, he is probably baking bread, reading science fiction, or off on a random hike.
Carys Turner
Carys received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Minnesota - Rochester and worked as a research technologist in Rochester for 3 years. She joined the Mashek lab in 2025. Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking, crocheting, spending time with friends and family, and cheering on the Gopher gymnastics team
Shavonnye Rath
Shavonnye earned her BS in Exercise Science from St. Catherine University and is now a post-bacc student in the MN PRIMED program at the University of Minnesota. She is studying HDAC-mediated lysine acylation and its role in coordinating metabolism. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, and being in nature.
Anna Bartelt
Anna is an undergraduate from Waukee, Iowa. She is majoring in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development. In her free time, Anna enjoys going to cat cafes, rewatching New Girl, shopping, and doing sudoku puzzles.
Emma Petta
Emma is an undergraduate student from Madison, Wisconsin. She is majoring in Biochemistry with plans of attending dental school. In her free time, she enjoys running, trying new food around the city, watching reality TV, and spending time with her family and friends.
Autumn Vnuk
Autumn is an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Biochemistry. She is from Andover, Minnesota and loves to read, hangout with friends, and go rock climbing and anything outdoors!