Spotlight on research

August 2025

Dr. Ken Ishii, standing outside with an open box of donuts, offering one to the viewer.

Kentaro Ishii, MS, PhD, is an Acting Instructor and member of Dr. Garret Stuber’s lab at the NAPE Center.  Dr. Ishii studies brain-wide circuit mechanisms that underlie behavioral, motivational, emotional, and physiological state transitions triggered by external stimuli.  His goal is to understand how brain-wide neural ensembles encode dynamic internal states—such as motivation, desire, or discomfort—and how these representations are disrupted in disorders like addiction or depression. Technically, he aims to integrate whole-brain circuit and neural ensemble analysis to generate comprehensive maps of functional brain states. Career-wise, he aspires to lead an independent research program that continues this work and fosters interdisciplinary training for the next generation of neuroscientists.

Dr. Ishii came to UW for postdoctoral training after completing his graduate studies at the University of Tokyo. Dr. Ishii’s PhD research focused on pheromone-evoked social and sexual behaviors in mice.  The Stuber Lab and NAPE researchers offered an opportunity to study systems-level brain circuit mapping, while also embracing technological innovation in imaging and analysis. The collaborative culture and access to world-class mentorship were key factors in his decision to come to UW and continue to be a favorite feature of working at UW.

On a personal level, Dr. Ishii loves everything about the Pacific Northwest except rent.  He fishes, gardens, cooks ramen, and plays fighting games competitively in his free time.

 

July 2025

Karen “Kya” Sverdrup, PhD, a researcher at the Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, is a visiting scholar in Dr. Kushang Patel’s Pain, Aging, and Physical Activity Lab.  Dr. Sverdrup’s research focuses on device-measured physical activity in older adults and individuals with pre-dementia syndromes and dementia. She joined the Patel Lab in January 2025 to further her expertise in the epidemiology of pain, implementation and intervention research, and non-pharmacologic treatments aimed at improving pain management in older adults.

Dr. Sverdrup earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Oslo Metropolitan University in 2011, followed by a Master’s in Applied Social Sciences, International Social Welfare and Health Policy in 2016. In 2022, she completed her PhD at the University of Oslo.

Dr. Sverdrup’s long-term research goal is to promote health equity for older adults and enhance our understanding of healthy aging through population-based research. She aims to influence policy development and guide interventions that improve health outcomes. Her career aspirations include building a robust and diverse research portfolio, securing grants, leading innovative projects, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. She values working in dynamic, collaborative environments that challenge her and offer meaningful responsibilities.

What Dr. Sverdrup enjoys most about working at APM is its inclusive and collaborative community. She has appreciated learning about the various projects underway in the Patel Lab and finds inspiration in the team’s dedication to advancing research in the field. And yes—she’s also a fan of the stunning views from the 14th-floor office!

Outside of work, Dr. Sverdrup loves traveling and spending time outdoors—hiking, biking, skiing, and snorkeling/diving with friends. When the weather turns, she enjoys knitting, practicing yoga, and embracing the invigorating contrast of a hot sauna followed by a cold plunge in natural waters. So far, Seattle and its surroundings have exceeded her expectations, and she’s excited for the adventures and opportunities the summer season will bring.

 

March 2025

Jacob Gross, MD MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine and Director of UW TelePain. Dr. Gross attended The University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, his hometown. During his medical school training he also obtained a Master of Public Health with a focus on Healthcare Policy. He completed anesthesia residency and Pain fellowship here at the University of Washington. His training experience at UW inspired him to return as faculty to collaborate with talented colleagues, teach, and engage in unique opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. 

 His current research interests focus on expanding access to high-quality pain management through novel clinic models, provider education, and technology. As Director of UW TelePain and the Pain and Opioid Consult Hotline he leads weekly didactic sessions open to all community providers to improve their knowledge and confidence in treating complex chronic pain. Dr. Gross and the TelePain team are recent recipients of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Technology-Enabled Collaborative Learning Program grant to facilitate the expansion of the UW TelePain program. The focus of this five-year award involves expanding UW TelePain further into the WWAMI region connecting pain specialists with primary care providers in rural, frontier, tribal and underserved areas improving access to specialty pain care. 

 Dr. Gross’ long-term goal is to reimagine the fundamentals of pain medicine practice and education by developing alternative clinical models that integrate interdisciplinary approaches to pain care with cutting edge treatments and technologies. He hopes to expand the TelePain program and Pain and Opioid Consult Hotline nationally, providing an extensive asynchronous curriculum to support clinicians across the country. 

 Outside of work, Dr. Gross enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his family. He loves aimlessly riding the ferry, visiting local parks and has recently taken up ice hockey. 

 

January 2025

Acting Assistant Professor Wentao Zhu, PhD, is a member of the Northwest Metabolomics Research Center (NWMRC), directed by Dr. Daniel Raftery, at the Mitochondria and Metabolism Center (MMC) at the South Lake Union campus. Dr. Zhu is developing advanced metabolomics methodologies and building comprehensive databases to improve metabolite annotation. His research focuses on investigating metabolic changes that result from heart disease, cancer and other diseases and enhancing clinical diagnostic capabilities.

Dr. Zhu received his PhD from China Agriculture University and completed his postdoctoral fellowship and training at the University of Regensburg in Germany, where he received systematic training in metabolomics. Dr. Zhu spent 10 years as a faculty member at China Agriculture University in Beijing researching environmental toxicology and health.

Dr. Zhu recently completed an innovative project leveraging metabolomics techniques to define the metabolic response to synergistic drug interactions in cancer therapy. This research involved a detailed analysis of metabolic and lipidomic changes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells under stress conditions. By exposing the cells to low-glucose environments and inhibiting Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 (SCD1) using a new drug candidate A939572, Dr. Zhu uncovered significant disruptions in cancer metabolic plasticity and growth. The study provided key insights into alterations in metabolic pathways and lipid profiles, offering valuable information for potential therapeutic strategies.

Currently, Dr. Zhu is conducting a comprehensive metabolomics investigation into the molecular mechanisms of a specific protein in a mouse model of heart failure. This project seeks to unravel the regulatory roles of the protein and its involvement in the pathological processes of cardiovascular diseases. Using state-of-the-art metabolomics approaches, Dr. Zhu aims to uncover critical mechanistic insights into the pathways affected by this protein and their implications for heart failure. The findings from this research have the potential to drive the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating cardiovascular disorders.

Outside the laboratory, Dr. Zhu enjoys hiking, playing and watching soccer, and embracing the outdoors with his family whenever possible.