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.

Twitter: @mjsikora 

• 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., Chemistry; B.S., Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences – University of Hawai'i at Hilo (2019)

​Maddy grew up in Arlington, WA. From a young age she’s held an interest in life sciences, which led her to pursue her BS in Cellular, Molecular, and Biological Sciences, and a second BS in Chemistry, from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. During this time, Maddy was introduced to (and fell in love with) cancer biology via her undergraduate research in the Ko‘omoa Lab.

When not elbow deep in immunoblots , Maddy enjoys spending her time reading, listening to music and attending concerts, hanging out with her cat Po, and watching terrible movies with her spouse Troy. She’s looking forward to exploring the Colorado outdoors, the Denver social scene, local breweries and bands, and applying to graduate school to obtain an advanced degree.

​​Twitter: @madshackless

• 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.  

• Certified Nursing Assistant – Morgan Community College (2016) 

• B.S., Biological Sciences – University of Colorado Denver (2017)

• PIKE-PREP Scholar

Jordan grew up on Colorado’s Eastern Plains in Bennett, Colorado.  Jordan has always had a passion for science, but her interest in cancer biology was initiated while taking care of rehab and hospice patients as a CNA during her college years. She received her BS in Biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is currently part of the PIKE-PREP postbaccalaureate program with a focus of obtaining entry into a PhD program.

Outside of the lab, Jordan enjoys spending time playing board games, reading, gardening, home renovations, baking, and enjoying the great outdoors and food scene Colorado has to offer with her partner Peter. 

• B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Arabic Studies – University of Richmond (2022)

Sydney grew up in Lake Tahoe, California. She fell in love with science in the outdoor classes where her science teachers taught all about the nature around them. From collecting water samples from the creeks to analyzing novel therapeutic cancer treatments, she credits much of her success to her amazing teachers from elementary school to her AP chemistry teacher and the supportive chemistry/biology faculty she found at University of Richmond. Her career in cancer research began in the Pollock Lab and she is excited to continue that path with the Sikora Lab. When she’s not working, she’ll be enjoying the outdoors, reading, painting, playing guitar, skiing, and spending time with her friends. She intends on working towards an advanced degree but is currently focusing on her research. 

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering – Iowa State University (2017)

• M.S., Biomedical Engineering – University of Minnesota (2019)

• 2022 Endocrine Society REGMS Fellow

​Michael was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa for the first 18 years of his life. Through his desire to help others and solve problems through the application of math and science, Michael initially began his career in mechanical engineering. However, throughout his time in undergraduate, the pull to medicine was constant and always in the back of his mind, eventually causing him to move to Minnesota for a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. During his time in Minnesota completing his master’s degree, not only did he find and marry his wife, but he also once again felt the desire to help patients directly. Because of this, Michael applied to medical school soon thereafter and started here at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2021.