Santoro Lab
Santoro Lab
Santoro Lab
Santoro Lab
People
Stephen Santoro, PhD
Stephen joined the University of Colorado and the Section of Developmental Biology in 2020 after starting his faculty career at the University of Wyoming in 2015. He got his training in chemical biology and biochemistry as a Ph.D. student and postdoctoral fellow at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA, and in developmental neurobiology as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University.
Karlin Rufenacht, PhD Student
Karlin is originally from Peyton, CO. She attended the University of Wyoming where she was a member of the women's track and field team and received her B.S. in Physiology with a minor in Neuroscience in 2019. She joined the Integrated Physiology Graduate Program at CU Anschutz in 2020 and the Santoro Lab in 2021. Karlin is interested in the role of neurogenesis in experience dependent changes to the composition of the olfactory epithelium. Outside of the lab, Karlin enjoys spending time running, hiking, camping, and skiing.
Alyssa Granley, BA
Alyssa started as a professional research assistant in the Santoro Lab in January 2025 after completing their B.A. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder. They are interested in the fate and proliferation of neural progenitor cells in the olfactory epithelium. Outside of the lab, Alyssa enjoys reading, hiking, and open water swimming.
Jessica Sweeney, BS
Jessica earned her B.S. degrees in Biochemistry and Nutrition & Food Science from Colorado State University. She joined the Santoro Lab as a professional research assistant in the fall of 2025 and is interested in understanding the the molecular mechanisms governing stimulation-dependent neurogenesis in the olfactory epithelium. Outside of the lab, Jessica enjoys reading, exploring the beautiful Colorado outdoors, and spending time playing games or watching movies with family.
Alumni
Alexa Asson, PRA
Kawsar Hossain, PhD
Madeline Smith, MS student
Salvador Guerra, Neuroscience Rotation Student Winter 2023
Emily Gregersen, CSD Rotation Student Spring 2025
Nicole Costantino, CSD Rotation Student Spring 2025
Julian Mendoza, Undergraduate Intern Spring 2025
Brandon Desy, Undergraduate Intern Summer 2025