Co-Directors
The TMRL is co-directed by Matt Robinson, Ph.D. and Sean Newsom, Ph.D. Their combined expertise in molecular and integrative metabolism makes the TMRL an emerging leader in the human metabolic disease research. The TMRL is also comprised of several high-performing student scientists. Below you can learn more about all members of the TMRL.
Matt Robinson, Ph.D.
Dr. Robinson completed doctoral training at Colorado State University in Human Bioenergetics followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in the division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition at Mayo Clinic. He joined Oregon State University in the summer of 2016 as an assistant professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences. Dr. Robinson has lead multiple projects investigating the benefits of acute exercise and longer term training interventions on skeletal muscle physiology and mitochondrial metabolism. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jeanne, and their 4 children. Their favorite past-times include riding bikes and gardening.
Watch research seminar: Impact of Exercise and Insulin Resistance on the Mitochondrial Proteome
Sean Newsom, Ph.D.
Dr. Newsom completed doctoral training at the University of Michigan in the School of Kinesiology, and postdoctoral training at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He joined Oregon State University in the summer of 2015. Dr. Newsom has completed several metabolic research investigations aimed at understanding the consequences of obesity and sedentary lifestyle on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, as well as the metabolic benefit of acute exercise and/or dietary interventions. Away from the lab, Sean can be found running and biking the trails surrounding Corvallis, dreaming of earning a PGA Tour card and spending quality time with his wife, Lauren, and their two dogs, Roxy and Ouzo.
Elena Hass
Research Tech
I earned my degree in Zoology from Oregon State University and spent two summers working in a microbiology/soil science lab as an undergraduate. My career interests have always been rooted in a love of science and hands-on laboratory work. After several meaningful years as a stay-at-home mom, I returned to the lab in 2019 with a renewed appreciation for research, teamwork, and lifelong learning.
I spent nearly five years as a Senior Lab Technician with Phibro Animal Health, where I strengthened my skills in laboratory techniques, quality practices, and collaborative research support. Since June 2024, I’ve been proud to work in the TMRL lab, contributing to daily research efforts and helping create a supportive environment for students as they develop their own scientific skills. I also split my time with Dr Jamie DeWitt in her toxicology lab, which allows me to stay connected to multiple areas of research and continue growing professionally.
I genuinely enjoy being part of a team that values curiosity, quality research, and mentorship, and I take pride in helping research move forward while supporting the next generation of scientists.
Student Scientists
Current Graduate Students
Josh Clarin
PhD student
Citaly Jauregui
Masters student
Current undergraduate students thesis students
Emily Arras
Bioresource Research Program
Emily is a 3rd year undergraduate student in BioHealth Science and BioResource Research with options in Pre-Medicine and Biotechnology. Her goal is to become a physician who integrates clinical care with research to address health disparities in family medicine.
Audrey Kantor
Honors College
Audrey Kantor is a 3rd year undergraduate student who joined the Translation Metabolism Research Laboratory in the fall of 2024. She is pursuing a B.S. in Biology on the pre-medical track and plans to attend medical school following graduation. Audrey is completing her honors thesis in the lab, where she is developing her interests in metabolism and diabetes research. Outside the lab, Audrey enjoys staying active as a member of OSU’s rowing team.
Kathleen Lutz
Honors College
Undergraduate researchers
(volunteer or for credit)
Safina Afzal
Hannah Chhar
Eric Hoyos-Diaz
Pootnavi Sok
Minhkhoa Truong
Former students
Erin McGowan, PhD
- Now is faculty member at University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Graduate Program Director
- [email protected]
Phil Batterson, MS
Phil Batterson is a doctoral student in the Translational Metabolism Research Laboratory. Originally from Michigan, Phil earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He then moved to Colorado to earn his M.S in Biology at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. At Oregon state University, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus on exercise physiology and cell metabolism. Phil’s research interests include skeletal muscle physiology, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and insulin sensitivity. Outside of the lab, Phil enjoys mountain biking, trail running, and rock climbing.
Mike Murphy, MS
Mike graduated from the Kinesiology Master's Degree Program.
Sarah Ehrlicher, PhD
Sarah is completing her Dietetic Internship at University of Alabama in Birmingham to become a Registered Dietitian. She is gaining skills in clinical nutrition assessment and nutrition education to strengthen her ability to conduct translational metabolic research. She has been participating in Dr. James Hill’s lab group and assisting with a weight loss study aimed at comparing high-protein to normal-protein in a calorie restricted diet on improvement of metabolic complications from type 2 diabetes. Sarah is glad to be back in the South closer to family but misses the Oregon landscape and her OSU community.
Harrison Stierwalt, PhD
Harrison currently works for Novo Nordisk.
Bergen Sather
Bergan graduated and is currently at Medical School at OHSU.
Bergen Sather joined the Translational Metabolism Research Laboratory in the winter of 2016 during her second year at Oregon State University. She majored in Biology and Public Health with a focus in Pre-Medicine. Her research interests included the effects of lifestyle interventions, specifically nutrition and exercise, on human health. She was particularly interested in the mechanisms of these interventions on a molecular level.
Emily Burney
Emily graduated and is currently at Medical School at OHSU.
Emily pursued an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health with an option in Health Management and Policy, and minored in Business and Entrepreneurship and Chemistry. She came to Oregon State University because of its vast array of academic options and focus on research. Emily was excited to learn about the cellular processes and functions relating to insulin sensitivity and apply the knowledge gained to make a difference.
Ryan Wong
Ryan graduated and is a graduate student in Physics at the University of Chicago.
Ryan spent his freshman year in the Translational Metabolism Research Laboratory, where he received wet lab training and conducted research on mitochondrial metabolism using skeletal muscle cell culture. He transitioned from Kinesiology to Physics during his second year and worked on a number of projects in Dr. Bo Sun's Cellular Biophysics Lab, most notably on breast cancer morphological dynamics. Ryan spent his senior and post-graduate summers working on soft and active matter systems at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. At Chicago, Ryan hopes to conduct meaningful research at the bio-soft matter physics intersection and expand his horizons on other academic subjects.
Jackson Brim-Edwards, MS
Jackson graduated from the Kinesiology Master's Degree Program and is currently working in a laboratory at OHSU.
Jackson joined the Translational Metabolic Research Laboratory during his junior year at Oregon State University, while pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a Pre-therapy Allied Health Option. Jackson contributed to numerous projects, including human participant research in a clinical setting as well as laboratory analysis. He currently works in the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU, investigating the mechanistic causes of drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia and will be applying to graduate programs in medicine or physiology.
Victoria Boechler
Victoria graduated and is currently in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades.
Victoria majored in Kinesiology with a focus in pre-physical therapy. During her second year of undergrad she was awarded an undergraduate research award to work in the Translational Metabolism Research Laboratory. She completed her Honors Thesis research by investigating the role of acyl-CoA synthetases (enzyme regulators of fat metabolism) in human skeletal muscle, working closely with Harrison Stierwalt.
Rachel Meighan
Rachel graduated and is applying to nursing schools.
Rachel joined the Translational Metabolic Research Laboratory at the start of her senior year at Oregon State University. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with focuses in Pre-Nursing and Medical Humanities. She is currently seeking admission to a Certified Nurse Midwife graduate program. Rachel was inspired to dive deeper into the field of human metabolism by an invigorating term of KIN 324: Exercise Physiology. She was excited to learn about the metabolic dysfunction that contributes to insulin resistance and the effects of nutrition and exercise interventions to improve health.