Team
thmartin@unmc.edu
Dr. Tommy Martin, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Tommy received his BS in Biology from Madonna University (’17). He then moved to Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine to train as a PhD student with Dr. Jonathan Kirk in Cellular and Molecular Physiology. While there, Tommy studied the molecular regulation of protein turnover in cardiac muscle cells and investigated the causes and consequences of this essential cellular process becoming disrupted in heart failure.
Fascinated by what we can learn from non-traditional animal models, Tommy joined Dr. Leslie Leinwand’s lab for a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021 to study the molecular mechanisms of cardiac remodeling in digesting Burmese pythons. Pythons are ambush predators and naturally engage in months-long fasting periods that are punctuated by consumption prey that can equal their own body mass. This feeding strategy coincides with dramatic swings in metabolism that coincide with organ remodeling. Tommy led multiple studies investigating the molecular regulation of cardiac and metabolic plasticity in pythons, identifying mechanisms of reversible cardiac hypertrophy, increased cardiac myofibril function, and post-prandial satiety.
In parallel to studying pythons as a model of cardiac plasticity, he investigated molecular mechanisms of the rarely observed reverse remodeling and recovery in human heart failure, identifying alternative splicing and subcellular localization of the kinase CaMKIIδ as key determinants. Tommy moved to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in March 2026 to start his independent lab in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology. The Martin Lab studies the molecular regulation of cardiac plasticity using cells, genetic mouse models, human heart tissue, and non-traditional animal models with unique or extreme cardiac physiological phenotypes, including bats.
Catherine Boatwright, MS
TECHNICIAN AND LAB MANAGER
Catherine received her B.A. in Biology (’23) and M.S. in Forensic Science (’26) from Oklahoma State University. Her current research explores the evolutionary and molecular mechanisms of extreme cardiac performance in bats, investigating how these animals sustain some of the most demanding heart function in the animal kingdom.
hobbies
Playing competetive soccer and spending time with family.
fun fact
Catherine has ACHOO syndrome, a genetic trait that causes her to sneeze when she is suddenly exposed to bright light. It is a constant source of teasing from her family and made for some awkward moments in public during COVID.
caboatwright@unmc.edu
Jill Rose
PhD student
Jill received her B.S. in Neuroscience (’24) from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She is studying the role of CAMK2D alternative splicing in heart failure, with a focus on whether these splicing changes drive disease or reflect it.
hobbies
Taking care of her many house plants and watching reality TV.
fun fact
Jill has the world’s largest squishy collection, which she keeps in the lab.
jilrose@unmc.edu
Dr. Tapan Patel, PhD
INSTRUCTOR
Tapan received his B.S. (’04), M.S. (’06), and Ph.D. (’11) in Zoology from Gujarat University. He is studying the role of RNA alternative splicing in cardiac phenotype diversification in humans and bats and the role of scaffolding proteins in heart failure.
hobbies
Practicing yoga and listening to relaxing music.
fun fact
Tapan is a quiet powerhouse and a consistent learner.
tpatel@unmc.edu
Lab Pets
Emma
hobbies
Sleeping, rolling in grass, playing fetch, eating.
fun fact
Can carry up to two tennis balls or three shoes at a time in her mouth.
Hero
hobbies
Going to grandma’s house where the best snacks live.
fun fact
Hero has an adventurous palate and will eat just about anything, including lemons, drywall, vegetables, and (of course) all the meat.
Macy
hobbies
Sitting on laps and getting love.
fun fact
Jill got Macy when she was 10 years old; they have pretty much grown up together.
