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.
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
Felix Sanchez
Graduate student
Background: I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences (Public Health Microbiology) in 2022. Shortly after graduation, I joined Dr. Ken Brockman’s Lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) as a research technologist I. My work at MCW focused on helping the lab investigate Achromobacter xylosoxidans (Ax) through infecting mice intratracheally, fixing their lungs for histology, and then using immunohistochemistry to identify macrophages and Ax in the airways of the infected lungs. My goal is to get accepted into a PhD program, so I joined Dr. Streeter's Lab to further gain research experience and improve techniques/skills that will help me get into graduate school. I am excited to learn more about respiratory physiology and neurophysiology.
Outside of the lab: In my free time, I enjoy watching WWE, sports, and anime. I also enjoy playing competitive play in Overwatch 2.
Peyton Mitrick
DPT student
Physical Therapy Program
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 use of 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, and still managed to be discharged April 5th, 2007. I returned to UW-Whitewater in Fall of 2007 and used 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 Masters in Social Work in Spring of 2012. The next 10 years have 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.
For Fun: In my athletic/spare time I enjoy participating in various 5k to Half marathon events/fundraisers and playing wheelchair rugby since 2009 and currently through WASA – Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association. I also enjoy working with students to give them hands-on experience working with a SCI and have served on the WASA BOD since its inception in 2015. A perfect day would be playing bag toss in my driveway, sun, suntan lotion, water/mixed drink, and the voice of Bob Uecker on the Brewers Radio network.
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
Corrine Pfeifer
DPT student
Physical Therapy Program
Background: I am a graduate student studying physical therapy and have worked in the lab since 2024. I've always loved exercise and helping people, so physical therapy seemed like a natural choice. Being in the lab has given me a deeper understanding of some of the physiology that makes physical therapy possible and piqued my interest in research and the respiratory system. I was able to do Marquette's Undergrad Summer Research Program with Dr. Streeter and am excited to continue working in the lab throughout PT school.
Shivani Verma
Doctoral Student
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program
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!
Beth Rozycki
Research Technician
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
