Adele Stewart, PhD (PI)
Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience & Pharmacology
Member, Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Affiliated Faculty, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience
B.S. Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D. Pharmacology, University of Iowa
Graduate Students
Julia Neuharth, Neuroscience
Julia graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2023 with majors in Biology and Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. Upon graduation, Julia moved south to Iowa to become a member of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Iowa. She joined the Stewart Lab in the Summer of 2024 and is currently studying the relationship between sex-steroid hormones and/or genetic factors influencing sex-biased regulation of the dopamine transporter (DAT). When not working at the bench top, Julia enjoys exploring Iowa City, sharpening her dart throwing skills, traveling to new places, being a plant mom, and rolling (not that many) strikes in her bowling league.
Brenna Powers, Pharmacology
Brenna graduated from the University of Iowa in 2024 with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, her research focused on identifying drug repurposing candidates for rare forms of muscular dystrophy. After graduation, she remained at Iowa to join the Biomedical Science Graduate Program, where she began exploring her growing interests in neuroscience and pharmacology. In Spring 2025, Brenna officially joined the Stewart Lab and the Pharmacology Graduate Program. Her current research investigates the regulation of the dopamine transporter (DAT) by D2-type dopamine (D2R) and kappa opioid (KOR) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Outside the lab, Brenna enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring Iowa City with friends, and cooking—as long as someone else is willing to do the dishes.
Danlin Liu, Neuroscience
Danlin completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, where she majored in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience and Human Developmental Sciences. She went on to earn a postgraduate degree in Clinical Neuroscience from University College London. Currently, she's pursuing a Ph.D. in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Iowa. Danlin's research project focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which Regulator of G-protein Signaling 6 (RGS6) influences dopamine transporter (DAT) function and how this interaction affects dopamine neurotransmission, with implications for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Outside the lab, Danlin enjoys visual art and design, including photography, doodling, spending time seeing natural landscapes, and exploring different creative media in the museum as a way to unwind and stay inspired.
Laboratory Staff
Jacob Bernholtz, Research Assistant
Jacob graduated from Grinnell College in 2017 with a degree in Biology and a concentration in Neuroscience. Following graduation, he spent three years at Exile Brewing Company, where he worked a variety of jobs from Assistant Brewer to Head Fermentation Cellarman and ultimately served as a QA Microbiologist. He then took on the role of Lab Manager and Research Associate at Precigen Exemplar, where he assisted in the development of genetically engineered porcine models of human diseases. Jacob joined the Stewart Lab at Iowa as a Research Assistant in 2024. His current project involves studying the regulation of the dopamine transporter (DAT) by RGS6 in dopaminergic neurons. Outside of work, Jacob enjoys staying active as a member of a sand volleyball team in the summer and a bowling league in the winter, as well as cooking and tending to his crops.
Jayden Schuette, Post-Bac
Jayden holds a B.A. degree in Health Science from the University of Iowa. Jayden is working part time in the Stewart Lab during her gap year. Jayden's project in the lab centers on how brain circuit- and genetic/gonadal sex shape regulation of the dopamine transporter in vivo. Outside of the lab, Jayden enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, running, cooking, and exploring new coffee shops.
Undergraduate Students
Nathan Fassett
Nathan is a third-year neuroscience student originally from Columbus, Ohio. He joined the lab in August 2024 after declaring neuroscience as a major and immediately found Dr. Stewarts research captivating. In the lab, Nathan is currently investigating how different diets may affect the dopamine system and what implications the experimental results may have for obesity. Outside of the lab Nathan enjoys running, hanging out with friends, and watching Hawkeye football.