Team

Lab Members

	Brendan J. Kelly, MD, MS (he/him) is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology & Microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kelly has advanced training in clinical infectious diseases, molecular epidemiology, microbiology, and microbial ecology. He directs the MOTION lab, overseeing all projects conducted in the lab and leading the lab’s collaboration with the Center for the Study of Antibiotic Resistance (C-STAR) at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the mechanisms of colonization resistance and the application of microbiome-based therapeutics to address the public health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance. Outside of lab, he enjoys walking around Philadelphia, listening to live music, and bodysurfing at the Jersey Shore – especially when joined by his family. Additional information can be found here.
	Laura L. Cowden, MS (she/her) is Laboratory Manager at the University of Pennsylvania. Laura received her Masters degree in Neuroscience at Drexel University where she studied the rescue effect of the upregulation of a particular heat-shock protein on a polyglutamine expansion model (Huntington’s Disease) in C. elegans. Her work focuses on multi-drug resistant gram negative bacteria and the use of fecal microbiota transplantation to treat C. difficile and MDRO infections. Outside of the lab, she enjoys crocheting, traveling and refurbishing her West Philly victorian home.
	Leigh Cressman, MA (she/her) is Senior Data Analyst at the University of Pennsylvania. She got her start as a data analyst in the social sciences, but her interest in public health led her to pursue a career in epidemiology. She has been working with the group since 2016, focusing primarily on the extraction and analysis of EHR data. Her research interests include clinical informatics and the application of natural language processing (NLP) for antimicrobial stewardship. In her free time, she enjoys studying languages and traveling abroad, tending the native pollinator permaculture garden in her Philadelphia backyard, and growing her own food. Additional information can be found here.
	Kimberly C. Grasty, MS, MPH (she/her) is Research Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the MOTION lab, Kim conducted biomedical research focused on increasing our understanding of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Kim’s focus in the MOTION Lab is environmental sampling of high-touch areas for multidrug-resistant organisms in non-residential hospital settings. Outside of the lab, Kim enjoys connecting with local communities through nutrition education and spending time with loved ones, including her 3 cats: Boba Fett, Mama and Wibbs.
	Anne Jaskowiak, BSW, MS (she/her) is Clinical Research Project Manager at the University of Pennsylvania. After a successful career as a Program Manager in private industry, Anne came to the University of Pennsylvania Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics in 2009 to utilize her skills, education, training and interests in an academic medical environment. She obtained her Master’s of Science degree from Drexel University, with the primary focus on the organization and management of clinical research trials. Anne has logistically coordinated clinical and epidemiological projects in cardiology and infectious diseases. Within the Motion Lab, Anne supports Dr. Kelly’s research work using fecal microbiota transplantation as a therapeutic intervention for C. difficile and MDRO infections. Her passions outside of work include yoga, kayaking, hiking, reading murder mysteries, and spending time with family and friends.
	Pam C. Tolomeo, MPH, CCRP is Project Manager at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to supporting the MOTION Lab, Pam oversees and manages research coordinators who bring samples to the Motion Lab for processing and analysis. Her work focuses on management and support of all incoming lab specimens brought to the MOTION Lab, both clinical and research specimens. She ensures research staff is trained and sets up the workflow. Outside of the lab, she enjoys relaxing at the beach, bike riding, and spending time with family

Lab Partners

	Michael Z. David, MD, PhD (he/him) is Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Motion Lab, he studied the molecular and clinical epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in the community and in healthcare facilities.. He is now studying the adaptation of S. aureus to the human body and to the healthcare environment. He is interested in the prevention of S. aureus infections and strain differences that underlie infections with, transmission of, and colonization of the human body by S. aureus. He enjoys reading history, photography, and travel. Additional information can be found here.
	Lauren Dutcher, MD, MSCE (she/her) is Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dutcher’s research focuses on understanding antimicrobial utilization patterns and assessing the impact of antimicrobial stewardship interventions on patient and population outcomes. Outside of work, Dr. Dutcher enjoys hiking, travel, and trying new Philadelphia restaurants. Additional information can be found here.
	Ebbing Lautenbach, MD, MPH, MSCE (he/his/him) is Robert Austrian Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the MOTION lab, he studied the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare and community settings. His work focuses on understanding the complex interplay of the clinical and molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant colonization and infection. This work focuses primarily on multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria in hospital and community settings, both in domestic and international sites. Outside of lab, he enjoys running (most recently the Acadia Marathon in Maine), playing guitar, and traveling. Additional information can be found here.
	Matthew J. Ziegler, MD, MSCE (he/his/him) is Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. His clinical research program focuses on the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in immunocompromised patients and the molecular epidemiology of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) within the hospital built environment. Outside of work, he enjoys woodworking and going to Philly parks with his family.

Lab Alumni

Mark Afanasyev was a Summer Research Student (UCSP) in our lab.

Mark Burnett was a Administrative Coordinator in our lab.

Tiara Cummings was a Clinical Research Coordinator in our lab.

Maeve E. Hiehle was a Research Specialist in our lab.

Natasia F. Jacko-Gomez was a Research Coordinator in our lab.

Alexa Patel was a Research Specialist in our lab.

Dylan Tapper was a Research Specialist in our lab.

Emilia C. Wilkins was a Research Specialist in our lab.

Sherrie Xie was a Postdoc in Infectious Disease Epidemiology in our lab.