Connie S. Chamberlain, PhD
Connie S. Chamberlain, PhD, is a Scientist III in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Chamberlain earned her doctorate in Materials Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where her research focused on the role of innate immune cells during musculoskeletal healing. Building on this foundation, she has developed a strong background in regenerative medicine, tissue repair, and the interplay between biomaterials and the immune system.
As a Principal Scientist in the Odorico Lab, Dr. Chamberlain leads efforts to advance stem cell-derived islet research for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Her work integrates expertise in immunology, stem cell biology, rodent models, and translational approaches to improve islet survival, function, and immune evasion after transplantation. She plays a key role in driving the lab’s scientific direction, mentoring trainees, and fostering collaborations that bridge basic science and clinical application with the goal of developing durable cell-based therapies for diabetes.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Award, 2023
- NIH/NIAMS R41 STTR Award, 2020
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Freedom of Movement Award (Co-investigator), 2020
- Spotlight feature, ORS Tendon Section The Tendon Times newsletter, 2020
- Poster Award, ORS Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 2020
- Podium Award, ORS Annual Meeting Austin, TX, 2019
- UW news report feature: Novel Cell Therapy to Improve Soft Tissue Healing Developed by UW Madison Interdisciplinary Research Team, 2019
- AO Foundation Award, 2013
- Featured cover image, Microscopy and Microanalysis, Vol 17, Issue 5, 2011
- Patent: US 11,738,046, Macrophage Cell Therapy to Treat Orthopedic Injury, 2023
- Patent: US 10,183,079 B2, Hydrogel Microspheres Containing Peptide Ligands for Growth Factor Regulation in Blood Products, issued 2019
Peter Chlebeck
Peter Chlebeck is the manager and lead technician of the UW Human Islet Core. With over 15 years of experience in the field of human pancreatic islet isolation, directly facilitating the procurement of donor islets and tissue for distribution to researchers and collaborators around the globe as well as for clinical autoislet cell transplantation, Peter also has experience in ex vivo machine perfusion of isolated organs, various kinds of animal surgery including large animal models of transplantation, expertise in flow cytometric analyses, histopathology and immunology. Outside the lab, Peter manages a small homestead and provides handyman assistance to his local community.
Esau J. Estrada
Esau J. Estrada received a B.S. in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Neuroscience, from the University of California San Diego and completed a Post bac at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. With experience in neurovascular and RNA biology, Esau brings his expertise to the field of diabetes to vascularize engraftment for islet transplantation in hopes for a treatment for Type 1 diabetes. Following this chapter, Esau hopes to obtain a PhD to study non-neuronal subtypes during brain development and disease. Outside of lab you can find him exploring the outdoors and rock climbing.
Deep Kapadia
Deep is a Research Specialist in the Odorico Lab, where he applies his skills in mouse handling, immunostaining, and bioinformatics to study immune-mediated rejection of human pancreatic islets and gene-edited stem cell-derived islet-like clusters (SCILCs). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in May 2023 and has a strong interest in the intersection of bioinformatics, immunology, and stem cell biology. Deep is passionate about leveraging his problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills to pursue a career in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. He is particularly interested in integrating artificial intelligence with biotechnology to drive innovation in medical diagnostics, therapeutic development, and biological data analysis.
Graduate Students
Caterra Leavens
Caterra is a Cellular and Molecular Biology graduate student in the Odorico Lab, where she is developing a stem cell line capable of evading immune detection after transplantation, differentiating into pancreatic beta cells, and providing a functional cure for Type 1 diabetes without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. Following her PhD, she plans to pursue a postdoctoral position and ultimately lead her own lab to further investigate the complex interactions at the immune cell–beta cell interface. In addition to her research, Caterra is passionate about science communication. She shares relatable PhD experiences and accessible scientific content through her personal platform and as part of The Sugar Science team. Living with Type 1 diabetes herself, she also serves as an advocate with the DiabetesLink, working to connect and empower others in the diabetes community.
Undergraduates
Nathan Jurrens
Nate is an undergraduate student in the Odorico Lab, where he contributes to Type 1 diabetes research through cell culture, stem cell differentiation, and general lab support. His work supports the lab’s efforts to understand pancreatic beta cell development and improve therapies for diabetes. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with certificates in Health Humanities, Athletic Healthcare, and Disability Rights and Services. Outside the lab, Nate works as an ECG technician at UW Health, gaining clinical experience through direct patient care. After graduation, he plans to apply to medical school with the goal of providing healthcare to the Dane County community and beyond.
Kayla Talerico
Kayla is a senior undergraduate student at UW-Madison studying neurobiology and psychology. She has been a member of the Odorico Lab since her sophomore year, where she has contributed to a variety of experiments by assessing islet function and survival through various imaging techniques and by supporting ongoing stem cell culture. Inspired by her younger brother’s experience as a type 1 diabetic, she is motivated to pursue research that has the potential to improve treatment options for individuals living with chronic illness. Following her graduation this May, Kayla hopes to attend medical school, with the goal of combining her passion for science with patient care and bridging laboratory discoveries with real-world clinical applications. Outside of the lab, Kayla is involved in a number of on-campus student organizations that are focused on service and mentorship, and she is passionate about traveling the world to gain new perspectives on health, culture, and community service.
Palak Dhiman
Recent Past Members
Austin Feeney, BS, MS
As a recent graduate in Biomedical Engineering (BME) from UW-Madison, Austin will continue to work with the Odorico Lab during the completion of his one-year Master’s degree in BME. During his undergraduate studies and previous work in the lab, Austin has developed interests in using biomaterials to influence stem cell fate and serve as scaffolds for transplantation studies. Austin works closely with other researchers in the lab to decellularize human pancreata and form hydrogels for cell differentiation and transplantation experiments. Additionally, he has been interested in quantifying aspects of pancreas donations through experimentation and looking at associations with clinical parameters of the donated organ. He recently matriculated in the MD/PhD program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Gopika Nair, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California San Francisco
Trevor Schell, BS
Medical Student, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Rachel Maguire
Andrew Curran
Marina Ignatowski
Jenna Menadue
Jessica Suderski
Nick Quirini
Colin Steck
Vansh Jain
Dan Tremmel
Sara Sackett
Collaborators
UW Collaborators
Matthew Brown, PhD, University of Wisconsin
William Burlingham, PhD, University of Wisconsin
Luis Fernandez, MD, University of Wisconsin
Jenny Gumperz, PhD, University of Wisconsin
Michelle Kimple, PhD, University of Wisconsin
Lingjun Li, PhD, University of Wisconsin
Matthew Merrins, PhD, University of Wisconsin
James A Thomson, PhD, VMD, University of Wisconsin
Extramural Collaborators
Danwei Huangfu PhD, Associate Professor, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center