Michaela’s research interests include studying neural circuit physiology and the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Michaela completed her PhD in Cellular Physiology and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Miami, where she studied the biophysical properties of a voltage-gated potassium ion channel and how genetically inherited mutations lead to channel dysfunction, and ultimately, neurological diseases such as epilepsy. She joined the Sawant-Pokam Lab in January 2023 and her current work focuses on the functional role of ion channels and transporters in neuronal and glial cells, and how their dysfunction contributes to TBI pathophysiology and the development of PTE. Michaela uses in-vivo and ex-vivo electrophysiological techniques, as well as two-photon imaging, to uncover the chronic changes in neural network signaling after TBI in mice. When Michaela is not in the lab, she enjoys being outside with her dog, practicing yoga, and playing soccer.