Program Staff
Lea Vang
Biography
Lea Vang is a seasoned financial professional overseeing the MnDRIVE Brain Conditions program at the University of Minnesota. In her role, she manages fund distribution, budgeting, and forecasting, while ensuring compliance with the program's funding objectives.
Flaminio Glaubitz
Biography
Flaminio (Sam) Glaubitz joined the Optogenetics and Neuromodulation Core in February 2025. Having received a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College, he joined the Mouse Behavior Core in the Institute for Translational Neuroscience in June, 2024. He works with Dr.
Jeanie Pebbles
Biography
As a materials engineer, Jeanie has made significant contributions to the field of neural implants and medical technologies through her work with DARPA BRAIN initiatives. She started her career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where she advanced the fields of nanotechnology and bioprinting technologies.
Marghie Winter
Biography
Marghie Winter began as a Regulatory Specialist in the Department of Neurology in 2023. At the age of 19, she graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and later earned her MPH from Concordia University Texas. She has previous experience in ophthalmologic clinical research and is passionate about the advancement of patient treatment options through research.
Emily Weatherill
Bio
Emily Weatherill began working in the Department of Neurology with Movement Disorder patients in February of 2023. She is primarily involved with deep brain stimulation studies for Parkinson’s Disease in which she helps coordinate patient enrollment and participation. Emily received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from Black Hills State University.
Mo Chen, Ph.D.
Biography
Dr. Chen's research interests focus on using different techniques, including non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging, to investigate pathopysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders e.g. Focal Dystonia and Stroke, and using non-invasive neuromodulation techniques as a treatment to improve performance of people with neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Yer Yang, CMA
Biography
As the Care Coordinator for the Deep Brain Stimulation Program at the M Health Fairview - Neurology Clinic, Yer Yang helps patients navigate through the process of Deep Brain Stimulation, before and after surgery, if they are approved. She also assists in scheduling appointments for the Udall Clinical Core research and helps to maintain and improve the DBS program with various projects.
Kelly Ryberg, M.A., CCRP
Biography
Kelly Ryberg joined the Department of Neurology in 2014. She received her B.A. from UMN and her M.A. from City University of New York's Hunter College. She manages research related to invasive neuromodulation and other movement disorders research, working with researchers across multiple departments. She previously worked in preclinical research and in PTSD research at the Bronx VA.