Jordan McCall, Phd, MPH
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) and the Center for Clinical Pharmacology at WashU School of Medicine.
I started my path here by completing undergraduate degrees (in Biology and Psychology) and a Masters of Public Health Policy and Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
From there I did my PhD in Neurosciences at WashU with Michael Bruchas. The two main focuses of my research in the Bruchas lab was on the neural circuitry responsible for the anxiolytic effects of beta-blockers and in pioneering new wireless technology to manipulate neural circuitry, the latter in close collaboration with John Rogers group of amazing materials scientists and engineers. I stayed at WashU as postdoctoral research associate with Rob Gereau studying pain neurophysiology and developing new approaches to behavioral analysis.
I lead a multidisciplinary research program aimed at understanding the neural mechanisms underlying the emotional distress associated with stress, chronic pain, and addiction. The long-term goal of the laboratory is to take basic, circuit-level neuroscience research and actively apply these findings to advance therapeutic options for patients. In large part, this goal will be achieved through the development of new neural interfacing technologies through collaborative efforts with materials scientists, chemical and electrical engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and clinicians.
I do my best to carve out free time with my friends and family. We only live once.
THE TEAM (in Alphabetical order)
My global research interest is to gain an integrated understanding of emotionaI maladaptation. I first completed my Ph.D at the University of Strasbourg (France) under the supervision of Dr. Ipek Yalcin, where I studied the role of the amygdalo-cingulate pathway in depression and its comorbidity with chronic pain. I then joined Jordan McCall's/Dr. McCall's/McCAl-Hasani lab (choose your fighter) as a postdoctoral researcher. I am focusing my work on understanding how acute and chronic stress differentially alter the functioning of the locus coeruleus. Particularly, I am interested in deciphering the transcriptomic mechanisms underlying the negative affective consequences of stressful events.
When not in the lab you will most probably find me at a brewery with friends tasting new beers, or outdoors, hiking (preferably with a dog), horseriding and looking for the best spots to take landscape or nightsky photographies.
LÉA BECKER, PhD - POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
I am an asat Washington University. I am interested in the pathophysiology mechanisms of psychiatric illness from the cellular level to whole organism behaviors.
I am also interested in traveling, hiking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
JOHN BILBILY, MD - ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
(PSYCHIATRY)
SAM DUNN -
DBBS NEUROSCIENCES PHD STUDENT
I’m a senior at WashU studying biology on the neuroscience track. My research focuses on discovering a mechanism of action for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), an effective psychiatric treatment for depression and bipolar disorder.
Outside of lab, I love to help others share their stories by being head of speakers for TEDxWUSTL. I also enjoy playing the piano and reading books in French and English.
NOAH KABBAJ - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Oliver is a Ph.D. student in the neuroscience program at WashU. In 2021, Oliver graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Cognitive Science. Oliver’s research interests are in the relationships between behavior, neural circuits, cells, and molecular events. His passions lie in taking a cellular and molecular approach to identify mechanisms of psychedelic drug action in the nervous system. Oliver is also interested in mapping the circuitry of neuromodulatory systems, particularly the dorsal raphe nucleus and the locus coeruleus. When not in the lab, Oliver enjoys working out, long-distance running, and listening to audiobooks.
OLIVER KRENTZMAN - DBBS NEUROSCIENCES PHD STUDENT
Dr. Chao-Cheng Kuo received his M.S. and Ph.D. from National Taiwan University and has been a Postdoc in McCal-Hasani lab since 2021. His research focuses on the physiology of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE) system. With a multidisciplinary background in electron microscopy, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, pharmacology, and animal behavior, Chao-Cheng investigates a wide range of topics—from ultrastructural analysis and intracellular signaling pathways to local microcircuitry, whole-nucleus pharmacological profiling, and the neural mechanisms underlying pain regulation and aversive behavior. One of his recent projects introduces a novel pharmacological approach that enables genetic tool-free, easily accessible, neural circuit-selective manipulation of neural activity, raising an advanced analgesic approach through reallocation of brain-wide norepinephrinergic resources. Outside the lab, Dr. Kuo enjoys hiking, jogging, handcrafting, and playing video games.
CHAO-CHENG KUO, PHD - POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
TYLER O’BRIEN -
SENIOR RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
I’m an Instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University in St. Louis within the Center for Clinical Pharmacology. I obtained my Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Missouri-Columbia under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Will in the Department of Psychology. Prior to joining Dr. Jordan McCall’s research group, I was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Michael Bruchas’ lab in the Department of Anesthesiology. Before coming to Washington University, I received T32-funded postdoctoral training with the Minnesota Obesity Center at the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of Drs. Catherine Kotz and Charles Billington. My research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying affective behaviors involved in stress, pain, reward, and addiction. My current research is examining the functional connectivity of mid- and hindbrain structures that modulate pain and reward behaviors. My other interests have focused on understanding the role of nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptors in midbrain dopamine neurons and the nociceptin-expressing neural circuitry that coordinates reward-seeking behavior. I’m also interested in the development and assessment of novel therapeutics that relieve pain conditions in patients without the negative side effects, such as tolerance and addiction, that are typical of opioid analgesics.
I spend most of my spare time with my wife and dogs, while also enjoying cycling, videogaming, and exploring the many wonderful breweries of St. Louis.
KYLE PARKER, PhD - INSTRUCTOR
Representing our close collaboration with Al-Hasani lab are the following key collaborators:
Ayah graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and currently works as a Research Technician II in Dr. Ream Al-Hasani’s Lab at the WashU School of Medicine. Her research explores the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of opioid withdrawal, with a particular focus on fentanyl. Since 2020, she has been engaged in this work through programs such as U-STAR, MARC-CDI, BioSURF, and MO-LSAMP, and has presented her findings at WashU symposiums and national conferences, including ABRCMS. Her senior honors thesis in Psychological & Brain Sciences investigated the neurobiological dynamics of fentanyl withdrawal in rodent models.
Ayah is currently pursuing graduate coursework in the WashU Pre-Medical Program while continuing her research in translational addiction science. Outside of the lab, she teaches reformer Pilates, supports student-led global health partnerships through the GlobeMed network, and performs with a traditional dance troupe. In her free time, you can find her at a local coffee shop or Forest Park. Her long-term goal is to become a physician committed to advancing equity and innovation in medicine.
AYAH HAMDAN -
POSTBAC RESEARCHER
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from JNTU, India and Master’s degree in Neuropharmacology from National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). I completed my PhD in Prof. David P. Finn’s lab at NUIG (2016) where my research was focused on the role of TRPV1 in hyperalgesia associated with negative affective state using a Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat model. Currently, I’m interested in dissecting opioid circuits in pain and negative affect using novel molecular, optogenetic, neurophysiological, and neurochemical tools.
Apart from research, I’d love to play badminton, table tennis and working out at the gym.
MANISH MADASU, PhD - SENIOR SCIENTIST
Rui-Ni received her M.S. degree in Neuroscience from National Taiwan University and joined the McCal-Hasani Lab as a Research Specialist in 2022. Since then, she has played a key role in administrative support and animal colony management. In addition to her organizational contributions, Rui-Ni brings extensive hands-on experience in a range of research techniques, including electrophysiology, histology, voltammetry, micro-dialysis, and behavioral assays, and she’s always happy to help! Outside the lab, Rui-Ni enjoys hiking and indulging in her favorite treat—bubble milk tea.
RUI-NI WU - SENIOR RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
Interested undergraduates are always welcome to contact us about opportunities.