Team
The people behind the science.
We are a dedicated team working across histology, behavioral neuroscience, and physiology. We believe good science is a team sport, and every member — from first-year undergraduates to graduate students — contributes to research
Principal Investigator
Dr. Justin Varholick
Dr. Varholick (Dr. V) is a developmental systems thinker trained in ethology, behavioral neuroscience, and regenerative biology. His main goal is to disentangle full behavioral recovery from behavioral adaptation after injury. And, in doing so, he hopes to reveal levers to guide healing away from fibrosis and toward regeneration.
He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science/Applied Ethology from the University of Bern in Switzerland and an M.A. in Biopsychology from UNC Greensboro. He trained in regenerative biology during his postdoc under Prof. Malcolm Maden at the University of Florida, supported by an Early Postdoctoral grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation and an NIH Training Grant in Regenerative Medicine. His work has helped integrate animal behavior and phenotypic variability into basic biomedical research and establish new model systems and frameworks for studying tissue regeneration.
Lab members
Ito Osayi
Undergraduate Researcher
Ito Osayi is a 3rd year Biology and Environmental Science double major with a goal of pursuing veterinary medicine. A few of her roles include being a vet mentor under the Pre Health Leadership Council, Furkids volunteer, and biology teaching assistant. Ito has always been drawn towards biology from a young age, especially healing-related topics such as animal regeneration. They're excited to investigate not only the genetic processes of different forms of regeneration but also to help contribute to the overall field. In the Varholick Lab, Ito works on the neuroanatomy and peripheral innervation of salamanders.
Adilene Perez
Undergraduate Researcher
As a future scientist, Adilene is intrigued by how the body can heal itself and how the nervous system reacts after injury. She is interested in learning how nerves heal and the cell activities that help with recovery. At the Varholick Lab, she is getting practical experience in studying regeneration to prepare for a future career in forensic biology.
Sienna Bennett
First-Year Scholar
Sienna Bennett is a first-year undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in President's Emerging Global Scholars at Kennesaw State University. During her education at North Cobb High School, she was part of a WellStar program assisting new mothers in the Mother-Baby unit. She is on a pre-medicine track to become a cardiologist. On this project she plans to participate in discoveries about nerve regeneration in regenerative animals and build connections to nerves in different areas.
Kellyn Gilligan
Undergraduate Researcher
Kellyn Gilligan is a second-year Biology major with a minor in Data Analysis and Statistics, working towards being a biostatistician someday. In the Varholick Lab, she studies the neuroanatomy and peripheral innervation of salamanders. She is excited to gain hands-on experience in lab work and explore the field of regenerative biology.
Stefania Salazar
First-Year Scholar
Stefania Salazar is a first-year undergraduate majoring in Biology with a human health concentration. She is on the pre-medicine track to become a dermatopathologist. In the Varholick Lab, she studies Schwann cells in regenerative tissue to discover the level of innervation these nerves seem to have.
This could be you
Curious? Come do science with us.
We are always looking for passionate, driven people. Graduate and postdoctoral positions are available.
Open positionsJoin the lab
What you'll gain
Histology & immunohistochemistry
Hands-on tissue processing, sectioning, staining, and microscopy.
Animal behavior quantification
Design ethograms, run behavioral assays, and analyze video data in live animals.
Scientific writing & presenting
Co-author manuscripts, present at conferences, and develop your scientific voice.
Bioinformatics exposure
Data analysis, statistics, and computational approaches to biological questions.
Mentorship
Regular one-on-one meetings, career guidance, and support for graduate or professional applications.
Collaborative lab culture
Work alongside peers on research in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Open positions
We are recruiting a graduate student through the Peach State Bridges to Doctorate Program, and undergraduate positions are available. Interested? Email a CV and a brief statement of interest.