ABOUT OUR TEAM
Kristi Streeter, PhD
Principal Investigator
Department of Physical Therapy
Background: I've always had a love and interest in science. It was during my undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where I fell in love with scientific research. After receiving my B.S. in Biology, I joined Dr. Tracy Baker's lab for my doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I studied a novel form of respiratory plasticity: inactivity-induced motor facilitation. I then spent six years working as a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. David Fuller at the University of Florida focused on respiratory neural control following spinal cord injury. As a Wisconsinite, I was thrilled to begin a faculty position in the Department of Physical Therapy at Marquette University in 2019. I teach the Neuroanatomy content for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and run the Respiratory Neural Control Lab in the College of Health Sciences. Our lab is particularly interested in the role of phrenic afferents in the control of breathing.
Outside of lab: In my spare time I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband, two kiddos, and our dog. I enjoy traveling, have a love for sushi, creating my own recipes, and playing volleyball.
Felix Sanchez
Graduate student
Background: I am a second-year Neuroscience PhD student. I’m interested in studying how activation of phrenic afferents can improve upper airway patency. Prior to starting my PhD, I obtained my degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and worked as a full-time lab technician for three years. I was initially interested in microbiology and immunology research, but I became interested in neural control of breathing after my obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis.
Outside the lab: I enjoy watching the Milwaukee Brewers, playing Pokémon on my Nintendo Switch 2, and spending time with my three dogs (Hickory, Cedar, and Bamboo).
Peyton Mitrick
DPT student
Physical Therapy Program
Background: I am a junior studying exercise physiology in the pre-professional phase of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. My interest in physical therapy stems from my personal experience working with physical therapists since age 6. I started working in Dr. Streeter’s lab during my junior year internship. Working in the lab has exposed me to another side of physical therapy, given me insight to what research entails, and has allowed me to expand my knowledge of respiratory physiology and neurophysiology. My current project focuses on sex differences in the expression of estrogen receptors in the spinal cord.
Outside the lab: In my free time, I enjoy co-hosting a podcast with my best friend, volunteering on campus, playing golf, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
Haylee Hulihee
Research Technician
Background: I’m originally from Honolulu, Hawai‘i. I graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience, where I developed a fascination with how the brain supports higher-order functions and complex neural processes. My coursework and research experiences deepened my appreciation for brain anatomy and experimental methods used to study neural systems.
I joined the Streeter Lab at Marquette University as a lab technician during my post-grad journey, where I now get to apply my background in neuroscience to support ongoing research. In the lab, I assist with experiments, tissue processing, and data analysis.
Outside of the lab: I love traveling to new places, playing soccer, and getting creative with my nails!
Paloma Bittencourt-Silva
Post-doctoral associate
Background: I am originally from Brazil and I have a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil). My research focuses on understanding how the neural control of breathing is altered in neurological diseases. I am particularly interested in exploring physiological processes as an integrated system, investigating the role of sensory inputs and reflex mechanisms in maintaining respiratory function.
Outside the lab: At home, I enjoy cooking and watching Netflix with my fiancée. I also love hiking and traveling to different countries. I have a passion for learning languages—besides Portuguese (my native language) and English, I also dabble in some French and Japanese.
Tony Sabel
Community Advocate
Background: I was prepared for a spinal cord injury before I ever knew it by choosing to go to college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, playing intramural wheelchair basketball, and volunteering at the Center for Students with Disabilities. I acquired my spinal cord injury downhill snow inner tubing with two friends on January 22, 2007. Surgery the next morning consisted of removing my 5th cervical vertebrae and fusing my spine from C3 to C7. My medical team thought that I would never be able to have mobility by using a manual wheelchair. My inpatient recovery/rehab consisted of battling pneumonia twice, my lung collapsing, being on a ventilator, having a trach, having a feeding tube, and learning how to instruct others to do my ADL’s. I returned to UW-Whitewater in Fall of 2007 using a powerchair for mobility. I participated in my first wheelchair rugby practice at Lakeshore Foundation during Spring break 2008. I returned to school in Fall 2008 using only a manual wheelchair for mobility. I graduated in Spring 2010 with a B.S. in Social Work and started Graduate School at George Williams College of Aurora University. I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work in Spring of 2012. 2012-2022 had been spent in multiple roles within the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Fond du Lac including, internship, Drop-in Center Coordinator, Program Coordinator, and Executive Director. I served on the WASA – Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association Board from 2015-2025 and now am the WASA Special Projects Coordinator.
For Fun: In my athletic/spare time I enjoy participating in various 5k to 10k events/fundraisers, handcycling, and playing wheelchair rugby since 2009 and currently through WASA – Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association. I also enjoy working with OT/PT/RT students, giving them hands-on experience working with an SCI.
Beth Rozycki
Research Technician
Background: If I had a nickel for every career path I wanted to take, I'd be able to afford eggs. I started out at the University of Tampa, shooting for a BS in Marine Biology. I had trouble finding myself in Florida and moved back home, where I eventually gained my BS in Biochemistry (and a Biology minor just for fun) at Elmhurst University in 2023. After graduation, I hopped around various laboratory settings as a lab technician: food, clinical, and microbiology. With lack of fulfillment and a few trips around the revolving-door, I was offered to work as a Research Technician at the Streeter lab. Neuroscience was pretty novel to me, but my teammates' expertise on spinal cord injuries and neural pathways guided me into the position. Now, with a new drive for discovery, I hope to continue contributing to the research world and allow everyone to be able to breath easier.
Outside of the lab, you can find me anywhere: hiking in the woods, going to the theater, working on a million art projects at once, etc. I love to try new activities, foods, locations, and every so often a stout or wine 😉
Dominick Parrillo
Undergraduate Student
Background: I have just finished up my junior year studying exercise physiology, and will begin year one of my Doctorate of Physical Therapy starting next fall. I joined the lab for my junior year internship last fall and continued to stay and work with the team here. I’ve learned so much with my time spent in the lab, from the scientific ends regarding respiratory physiology, to other valuable skills like time management and project planning. My most recent project involved the collection of brainstem tissue, and getting that tissue ready for staining to identify in what regions proteins are being activated in.
Outside the lab: Outside of school and work I have a lot of fun with cooking, and alongside that I love trying all sorts of new food too. I also love exercise and all things physical activity. I really enjoy lifting and climbing, and I also row for Marquette, and get to compete against other collegiate teams across the Mid-West.
PAST LAB MEMBERS
Carley Hintz
Masters Student
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program
Nicole Popp, BS
Research Technician
Carrie Schmitz
DPT Student
Physical Therapy Program
Haozhi Huang
Masters Student
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program
Ava Schilsky
Undergraduate Student
Biomedical Sciences Major
Rachel Moore
DPT Student
Physical Therapy Program
Amanda Morales
Undergraduate Student
Biochemistry Major
Kaylyn Schwichtenberg
DPT Student
Physical Therapy Program
Taylor Holmes, DPT
Doctoral Student
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program
Corinne Pfeifer
DPT student
Physical Therapy Program
