Our Lab
Laura Seeholzer, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Laura Seeholzer joined Stanford University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology where her lab studies brain-body communication at the molecular, cellular and systems level.
She completed her PhD training with Dr. Vanessa Ruta at Rockefeller University where she studied how neural circuits change to underlie behavioral evolution across different species of fruit flies. Wanting to ask questions at a more molecular level, she then joined David Julius’s lab at UCSF. While David is best known for the discovery of how we sense cold, spicey and irritating stimuli, her post-doctoral research focused on understanding the function of a rare population of epithelial cells called neuroendocrine cells (see past research for more details).
She continues to study these cells and other sensory cells in the airway with the goal of a gaining a comprehensive molecular and cellular map of airway sensation. She loves electrophysiology, imaging and behavior. She dreams of studying the evolution of brain-body communication in weird non-model organism. Or identifying novel ways to treat chronic cough. But really, she just wants to have a lab full of happy, successful people.
Laura was supported by a Helen Hay Whitney and IRACDA Scholars Fellowships during her post-doc. She is a member of the Leading Edge Fellowship community as well as the 2024 winner of the Eppendorf & Science Prize in Neurobiology. As a graduate student, she was supported by an NSF GRFP and Kavli Graduate Student Fellowship.
Samira Nazertehrani, DVM
Samira Nazertehrani is the Lab/Colony Manager and Research Staff in the Seeholzer Lab at Stanford, where she helps build lab programs for day-to-day operations, oversees rodent colony management and collaborates on research projects. She earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tehran, Iran. Her background spans clinical research in small animal internal medicine, laboratory rodent veterinary management, and industrial rodent colony management, specializing in genetically engineered mouse and rat models (GEMs). Her industry experience includes vendor-level work at Taconic Biosciences and biopharma R&D at Calico Life Sciences, supporting both basic research and translational drug development programs. Additionally, she brings extensive experience in program development, maintaining genetic integrity, colony quality control, root cause analysis, and post-approval monitoring.
Outside the lab, she enjoys landscape photography, painting animals on clay pots, and taking day trips and road trips!
Summer Li - PhD Student
Summer Li is a first-year Neurosciences PhD Student in the Seeholzer Lab. Originally from Singapore, she completed her undergraduate degree in the UK before joining the lab, where her current research focuses on how the brain integrates diverse signals to defend the airways.
Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her dog, exercising, and baking.
Ellie Lauren Hilgert - PhD Student
Ellie Hilgert is a Neurosciences PhD Student in the Seeholzer Lab. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Film from UCLA, with a research background in escape behavior and 3D genomics. Her current work focuses on understanding sensation in the airway epithelium, alongside her passions for teaching, science communication through visuals, and supporting mental health in academia.
Outside the lab, she enjoys taking care of her cat and plants, attending aerial silk classes, writing screenplays, and watching reality TV.
Kevin Cordero
Kevin Cordero is a Life Science Research Professional in the Seeholzer Lab. He earned his B.S. in Bioengineering from Stanford University, with a research background spanning lung cancer therapeutics and pediatric gliomas.
Outside the lab, he enjoys traveling, dancing, and cooking.
Buddy Li
Buddy Li is Summer’s service dog and an honorary Neurosciences PhD Student in the Seeholzer Lab. Born and raised in Singapore, he moved to the U.S. with his human.
Outside the lab, he enjoys sniffing trees, playing fetch, and hanging out with his best friends. Inside the lab, he takes his job very seriously and is a true professional. 15/10.
