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MEET THE LAB
Kate Sadler, PhD
Principal Investigator
Kate joined the Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Advanced Pain Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas in January 2023. Kate grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg for her undergraduate studies. She completed her doctoral training with Dr. Ben Kolber at Duquesne University and her postdoctoral training with Dr. Cheryl Stucky at the Medical College of Wisconsin. For over a decade, Kate has been using rodent models to study the neurobiological basis of pain. When she's not in lab, Kate enjoys doing house projects (the list is never ending...), bending to her golden retriever's every whim, and going to Third Eye Blind concerts.
Ashley Plumb, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ashley, originally from Illinois, earned her BS in Psychology at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA before diving into the Neuroscience PhD graduate program at the University of Iowa in 2019. For her dissertation, she researched testosterone's protective effects on muscle pain under the mentorship of Dr. Kathleen Sluka. Ashely joined the Sadler Lab in July 2024. Outside of lab, she enjoys going to the gym, discovering cozy spots for drinks, walking the Katy Trail, and relaxing
Zulmary Manjarres, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Zulmary is originally from Venezuela and holds a Bachelor's degree in Bioanalysis from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She completed her Master's and PhD at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, under the mentorship of Margarita Calvo and Rodrigo Pacheco. For her dissertation, she investigated how microbiome and T cells interactions contribute to neuropathic pain and motor symptoms in a Parkinson’s disease transgenic model. During her PhD, Zulmary received several awards, including being named as a "Rising Star" by the University of Freiburg in 2022. In 2025, Zulmary joined UTD where she is co-mentored by Kate Sadler and Ted Price. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, watching anime and movies, and exploring great spots for ramen and coffee.
Nya Gayluak
PhD student
Nya is a third year PhD student. Nya was born in Nebraska and raised in Minnesota. She attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN for her undergraduate studies in biochemistry then the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-PhD Bridge Program in Nashville, TN. Her master's research project examined how neural circuits, such as the nociceptive pathway, intersect and interact with the dopaminergic pathway. During her academic journey, Nya grew a strong interest in chronic pain. Outside the lab, Nya enjoys being beside a body of water, discovering new places to eat in Dallas, traveling, fashion, and naps.
McKenna Pratt
McDermott Graduate Fellow
PhD student
McKenna is a first year PhD student. After earning her degree in biochemistry from the University of South Carolina in 2023, she moved to Dallas, TX and joined the Sadler Lab as a Research Technician. After two years as a technician, and the realization that she loves to study the neuroscience of pain, she decided to stay at UTD for her graduate studies. McKenna studies the role of uterine-innervating neurons and the vaginal microbiome in endometriosis pain. She is also interested in understanding the mechanisms behind primary dysmenorrhea. Outside of the lab, McKenna enjoys spending time with her cat, going for drives with the music on full blast (to drown out the sound of her voice), and very slowly learning how to use a sewing machine.
Mackenzie Simms
Research technician
Mackenzie is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas, where she completed her BS in biology. During her undergraduate career, she worked in a microbiology lab under the mentorship of Dr. Kelli Palmer, which sparked her interest in the gut microbiome and the metabolites that influence the peripheral nervous system. She hopes to gain experience working with rodent models and studying the neurological basis of pain, and eventually, she plans to obtain her PhD in microbiology. Outside of the lab, Mackenzie enjoys going to the gym, practicing Tae Kwon Do, visiting coffee shops (she is always looking for suggestions), and being a cat mom.
Undergraduate Students
Divya Arivalagan
Senior, Neuroscience
Lucia Cardona
Senior, Biochemistry
Raina Karakkattil
Junior, Neuroscience
Sourav Roy
Senior, Neuroscience
Included as author on peer-reviewed manuscript from our lab
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Juanna John
Junior, Neuroscience
Teehah Zulkifly
Freshman, Neuroscience
Lab VIPs
Rooney
Lab mascot
Rooney is originally from Iowa which explains why she has stolen more than one stick of butter off of the counter in her life. Not a fan of lab work, she prefers to spend her time playing with friends at daycare, walking in her neighborhood, and snuggling on the couch.
Lab Alumni
Salma AshShareef, PhD student 2024
Cheri Chan, undergraduate 2023 - 2024
Aditi Manjrekar, undergraduate 2023 - 2024
Kate Pearce, PhD, postdoctoral fellow 2023 - 2024
Nawal Khan, undergraduate 2023
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