meet our team

• Postdoctoral Research, Breast Cancer - Women’s Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA (2011-2016)

• Ph.D., Pharmacology – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2011)

• B.S., Genetics and Molecular Biology – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2006)

Matt was born and raised in the Detroit area, and spent 9 years in Ann Arbor during his undergraduate and graduate training – Michigan football may or may not have been a slight draw to stay in AA for as long as he did. The conclusion of his time in Michigan was frantic, as Matt defended, got married, finished his dissertation, and left for his postdoc in Pittsburgh within the span of ~2 months. After 5 years in Pittsburgh, Matt heeded the call of Horace Greeley to “Go West, young man” and took his family to Colorado, joining the Department of Pathology in August 2016.

When not writing grants, Matt is an amateur gardener, a (semi-retired) gamer, and wishes he were a more avid hiker.

• Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology – Colorado State University (2010)

• M.S., Biomedical Sciences – Colorado State University (2005)

• B.S., Biological Sciences – Colorado State University (2004)​

Joe was raised in what is now part of Centennial, CO.  Joe’s drive to cancer biology was initiated while working with Sky High Hope Camp – a week long summer camp for pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their siblings.  He received his undergraduate and graduate training at Colorado State University.  Joe pursued a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan prior to returning to Colorado.

Outside of the lab, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelli, and two daughters, Isla and Norah.  The family enjoys going to the zoo, the mountains, and various activities around the front range.  In what little spare time exists, Joe enjoys photography, gardening, cooking, and the occasional movie.

• B.S., Biology - Lipscomb University (2014)

• Ph.D., Biological Sciences - Clemson University (2022)

• 2022-24 CU Anschutz Cancer Biology T32 Trainee

​Maggie grew up in Wyomissing, PA, and lived in the Southeast for 10 years before moving to Colorado. Maggie’s passion for cancer biology began in high school when her dad was diagnosed with fourth stage non-smoker's lung cancer. She was and is determined to reduce the physical, mental, and emotional hardships for families affected by cancer through research, outreach, and education. During her last year of graduate school, Maggie became a mom, defended her dissertation, and moved with her family across the country to begin a new exciting journey in the Sikora Lab.    

During free time, Maggie enjoys being outside- whether she’s training for a triathlon, going for walks (with her husband, Geoff, and son, Quill), or relaxing on the back porch.  

• Ph.D., Cellular and Molecular Biology – Maynooth University, Ireland (2024)

• B.A., Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology – University of Colorado at Boulder (2016)

​Taylor grew up in Lone Tree, Colorado. Taylor's love of biology was inspired by high school biology teachers who focused on problem solving and critical thinking. After completing her B.A. at CU Boulder, Taylor began research in epithelial biology at the Anschutz campus. Continuing her work in epithelial biology, she moved to Ireland to complete a Ph.D. program at Maynooth University. Taylor is excited to be back in Colorado working in the Sikora and Bitler labs, helping to bring mechanistic insights to ovarian cancer and furthering the understanding of women's health.

Out of the lab, Taylor enjoys winding down by cooking and listening to music, spending time outside, and discovering new restaurants.

• B.A. Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology – University of Colorado at Boulder (2012)

• PhD., Molecular Biology – University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (2024)

​Devi was born and raised in Arvada, Colorado. She blames her father for her initial interest in science but fell in love with biological research while taking an undergraduate class at CU Boulder. She worked as a research technician at CU AMC and National Jewish Health for six years, ranging in topics from insulin production in yeast to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease to Down Syndrome. Two of those years were spent in the Sikora Lab where she got her first taste of cancer biology research.

Devi changed scientific topics yet again for her PhD, where she studied RNA and translation in the lab of Dr. Olivia Rissland. Throughout graduate school, Devi worked to develop her science communication skills, serving as President of Project Bridge Colorado and co-hosting The Science Bridge Podcast. Devi is thrilled to return to the Sikora Lab, where she plans to gain a deeper understanding of invasive lobular carcinoma and help support the lab’s public engagement efforts.

Outside of the lab, Devi loves to bake sweet things, attempt various crafts, and play video games with her husband and daughter.

Maddy was disturbingly good at this...

Sydney argues that it's all in the wrist.