Laboratory Directors
Patricia Leigh Zadnik Sullivan, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Director, Center for Spine Tumor & Chordoma Research
Patricia Leigh Zadnik Sullivan, MD, is the director at the Center for Spine Tumor and Chordoma Research with the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute. Dr. Sullivan received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received the Resident Teaching Award, and completed a fellowship in reconstructive spine and spinal oncology at Rhode Island Hospital and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Dr. Sullivan maintains an active laboratory to study the development of spinal chordoma and is an assistant professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School.
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Research Scientist, Neurosurgery Department
Director, Spinal Tumor Epigenetics Laboratory
Co-director, Center for Spine Tumor and Chordoma Research
Dr. Margot Martinez-Moreno received her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and her master’s degree in Advanced Microbiology, from the School of Biology at the University of Barcelona, Spain, earning an extraordinary price award for the latter. Her PhD dissertation was conducted in the Department of Neurochemistry of the Medical School at the University of Barcelona, with a focus on Molecular Neuroimmunology. This work culminated in the identification of a potassium channel ATP-dependent that modulates the microglial response to excitotoxicity and contribution to neuroinflammation.
A postdoctoral training at Dr. Nikos Tapinos’ lab introduced her to the field of Epigenetic Regulation and Plasticity in the context of Schwann Cell biology and has collaborated with Glioblastoma Research. Her research mainly focused of the study of a long non-coding RNA antisense in the context of Schwann Cell response to injury. Following her postdoctoral training, Dr. Martinez-Moreno joined the faculty at Neurosurgery as an Assistant Professor where, along with Dr. Sullivan, is establishing the Center for Spine Tumor and Chordoma Research, also holding the position of director of the Spine Tumor and Epigenetics Research laboratory, at the Rhode Island Hospital as a Research Scientist.
Department of Neurosurgery Team
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Director, Center for Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery
Co-Director, Skull Base Surgery
Director, Translational Skull Base Laboratory
Christine K. Lee, MD, PhD, is a neurosurgeon specializing in skull base, pituitary, and brain tumor surgery. She is the Co-Director of the Skull Base Surgery division as well as the Director of the Center for Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, which provides multi-disciplinary care for patients with tumors or other diseases along the base of the skull, pituitary gland and brainstem. Dr. Lee received her MD and PhD in Neuroscience from Stanford University School of Medicine, then completed neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She subsequently completed a fellowship in skull base surgery at Stanford University with Dr. Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda, an internationally renowned expert in endoscopic and open skull base surgery.
Dr. Lee’s foremost priority and responsibility is to provide outstanding surgical care to patients, incorporating both open microsurgical and expanded endoscopic approaches for the comprehensive treatment of complex brain tumors, pituitary lesions, and skull base pathologies. In addition, as the director of the Translational Skull Base Laboratory, Dr. Lee’s research interests include identifying therapeutic targets in chordomas, studying the cancer neuroscience of skull base tumors, and developing novel imaging tools for pituitary adenomas.
Research Assistants
Bea Campilan, BS
Research Assistant
Mabuhay! I’m Bea, from the Philippines. Although I graduated with a degree in Biology (’23), I enjoyed coursework in the Dance, East Asian Studies, and Creative Writing departments as well. At Brown, I mentored international students, served in student government, and was a patient advocate with Connect for Health. My undergraduate research focused on hepatopancreatobiliary diseases and treatments, particularly fetal hepatic cell transplantation and its stem cell characteristics. In my senior spring, I joined the Chordoma Centre. Beyond the lab, I’m also hugely enthusiastic about photography and the performing arts!
Christian Godinez, BS
Research Assistant
Hello, I’m Christian, a Rhode Island native. I am a dedicated individual with a Bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience from the University of Rhode Island ‘23.5. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I actively participated in research projects focusing on Fanconi Anemia and Cerebral Palsy. Looking ahead, I aspire to further my education by pursuing medical school. I am deeply passionate about cancer research and strive to contribute meaningfully to this domain. Apart from my academic pursuits, I find enjoyment in activities like wrestling, watching movies, and participating in sports.
Medical Students
Brown Medical Student
MD ’27
Madison Michles
Brown Medical Student
MD ’27
I’m Madison, and I’m originally from Pensacola, Florida, although I am consistently moving farther north! I received a BS in Chemistry with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery from Wake Forest University and went on to receive an MS in Physiology & Biophysics at Georgetown University. I am currently an MD candidate for the class of 2027 at Brown Alpert Medical School. I joined the lab during the fall of my M1 year with an interest in exploring the intersection of neurosurgical interventions and molecular therapies for CNS tumors. Outside of academics, I grew up in the performing arts and love going to the theater as well as painting and reading.
Tyler Owens
Brown Medical Student
MD ’26
Christian Schroeder
Brown Medical Student
MD ’26
Masters Students
Alexis Andrade, ScM
Southern California University Medical Science Master’s Student
Hi, I’m Alexis, a passionate advocate from Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Neuroscience from URI. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Medical Science at SCUHS (’25), I’m on track to apply to medical school this May. As a devoted medical assistant, I focus on serving the neurodivergent community, driven by a deep understanding of their unique needs. In my free time, I enjoy dancing and nature walks with my two dogs.
Temitope Aina, ScM ’25
Brown Biomedical Engineering Master’s Student
Bonjour and Hello! I’m Temitope (Temi), a Rhode Islander born and raised. I graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering and a bachelor’s in French. At Brown, I am obtaining my Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. Throughout my research career, I have focused on regenerative medicine and oncology. In the future, I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. with this research in focus. I love visiting new places so much, I lived in France for a whole year.
Undergraduate Students
Kaylee Gallagher
Brown Undergraduate Student,
BS Biochemistry ’26
Hi, I’m Kaylee, from the SF Bay Area! I’m currently double concentrating in Biochemistry and East Asian Studies at Brown, and my research project focuses on cancer stem cells and EMT in chordoma. Outside of the lab, I enjoy swimming, gymnastics, and scouting out new coffee shops.
Jessica Ding
Brown Undergraduate Student
BS Neuroscience ’26
Hi! I’m Jessica, a Brown undergraduate from Dallas, Texas concentrating in Neuroscience and Philosophy. I am interested in immunotherapy research for cancer treatment, as well as the neural correlates of consciousness. At the Center for Spine Tumor and Chordoma Research, my work involves investigating the function of Chi3l1 in the microenvironment of human sacral chordoma. Outside of the lab, I enjoy eating Sichuan food, playing Catan, and going to concerts!
Benjamín Córdova Herrera
Brown Undergraduate Student
BS Biomedical Engineering ’26
Hey, I’m Benjamín from Seattle, Washington. I am currently a sophomore concentrating in Biomedical Engineering with an interest in bioinformatics and epigenetics as well as neural and genetic engineering. I am doing a secondary concentration on East Asian Studies focusing on japanese language. In the lab I am working on researching regulatory effects of brachyury along with determining epigenetic regulators. Outside the lab, I love cooking, swimming and learning languages.
Zill Patel
Brown Undergraduate Student
BS Biochemistry ’26
Hi! I’m Zill and I’m from South Carolina. I am currently a sophomore pursuing a degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Outside of the lab, I am an intern for the School of Public Health, tutor students, and volunteer as a medical interpreter for the Rhode Island Free Clinic. Outside of school, I enjoy dancing (I’m on two dance teams here)!
Victoria Chamberlain
Brown Undergraduate Student
BS Neuroscience ’25
Hello, I’m Victoria! I’m originally from Boston, MA and am an undergraduate student at Brown, studying neuroscience. Currently at Brown, I am a medical scribe for Brown Emergency Medicine, mentor first-year students, and tutor biochemistry. My research interests include neuro oncology in the context of epigenetics and gene expression and overall understanding molecular properties of tumors. Outside of the lab, I hope to run a half-marathon in the near future and enjoy knitting!
Tati-Anna Robinson
Brown Undergraduate Student
BA Health & Human Biology ’24
Hi, I’m Tati, from New York City! I am currently pursuing the Social Determinants Track of the Health and Human Biology concentration, and I’m set to graduate from Brown this May. I aspire to continue my academics in Dental School and I have a deep interest in epigenetic research and health care policy. Outside of school, I love to knit, watch reality TV, and hang out with my friends!