The University of ArizonaDr. Mantyh's Lab

Lab Members

Principle Investigator

Dr. Patrick Mantyh received his Ph. D. in neuroscience from the University of California, San Francisco in 1981 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology at the University of Cambridge in 1983. Dr. Mantyh's lab first developed a model of bone cancer pain in 1999 and then a model of bone fracture pain in 2007. These models are now used by labs around the world. More recently, his focus has been to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate musculoskeletal pain and bone remodeling, and to use these findings in the development of novel therapies that reduce skeletal pain and promote skeletal health and successful aging. 

Behavioral Specialist

Lisa Majuta born in Washington, D.C., graduated from Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) in 1986 with a BS in zoology and has 20+ years in small animal surgery and behavioral assessment of different  preclinical pain models. Her current position consists of performing surgical techniques on small rodents, in vivo radiographic and behavioral analyses, and dissection of tissue for histological and immunohistochemical analysis.  In her spare time, she and her two kids stay active enjoying the outdoors of Arizona. 

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Michelle Thompson is a graduate from Mississippi State University (2005) with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the University of Alabama where she received both her M.S. (2008) and Ph.D. (2012) in Molecular Biology from the University of Alabama.  Her dissertation focused on neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, ALS) using the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans.  With her current position in the Mantyh lab, Michelle is an imaging specialist, utilizing the confocal microscope and radiography to study the pathological changes that occur in the preclinical mouse models of bone cancer and fracture pain.  She also studies the mesenchymal stem cells that are responsible for mediating bone formation in the aging mouse.  In her spare time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, hiking the trails of southern Arizona. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, and crafts.  

Lab Manager

Stefanie comes to the Mantyh lab with extensive management, supervisory, and research experience in both the pharmaceutical and contract research settings. She spent 12 years working as a scientist and laboratory manager for a small pharmaceutical laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While there, she successfully maintained AAALAC accreditation for their small animal facility and authored numerous publications. Her broad management and scientific experience is a valuable asset in her new role as the lab manager for the Mantyh lab. Outside of lab, Stefanie has an adventurous side, loves a good road-trip, and can be found taking care of her family or at the beach.