Madalynn Erb, Ph.D.

Dr. Madalynn Erb is a neuroscientist with an interest in the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause neurodegenerative diseases. She earned a B.S in neurobiology with distinction from University of Washington followed by a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Oregon Health & Science University. She has received numerous accolades for her scholarship, including a prestigious Predoctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for her research examining spinal cord motor neuron development. In addition to her contributions to science, she also spent six years volunteering as a mentor with Minds Matter. Through this program, Dr. Erb helped four economically disadvantaged high school students develop critical thinking skills, pursue pre-college academic summer programs and navigate the college application process. She also volunteered with the child life team in the Pediatric Acute Care Unit at OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital for eight months prior to moving to Grand Rapids. She joined the Moore Laboratory at Van Andel Research Institute as a postdoctoral fellow in September of 2017.