The Webb Lab

Dr. Bryn Webb is associate professor in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism and the UW Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine and Director of the Undiagnosed Disease Program. In addition, Webb serves as attending physician with clinical genetics privileges in the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, and she has the continuing role of adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Genetics and Genomics Science with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York). She is a board-certified pediatrician, clinical geneticist, and clinical molecular geneticist. She has a particular interest in undiagnosed rare disease, Moebius syndrome and related facial weakness conditions, and mitochondrial disorders.

bdwebb@wisc.edu

Jadin is a graduate of UW-Madison who completed her degree in Genetics & Genomics and Neurobiology.  She joined the UW Undiagnosed Disease Program in June 2022, where she works on identifying the genetic causes of rare disease through whole genome sequencing analysis. Jadin also serves as a primary point of contact for families, guiding them through the diagnostic process and providing support. Her research interests include rare disease genetics and improving diagnostic outcomes for undiagnosed patients. She will be attending a Doctor of Medicine program in Fall 2025.

jmheilmann@wisc.edu

Norman Liu is a medical student researcher in the Webb Lab at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where he studies the genetic and cellular mechanisms underlying rare neurodevelopmental and mitochondrial disorders. His work focuses on modeling ultra-rare diseases using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and mouse models, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Norman is especially interested in bridging gene discovery with functional validation, using transcriptomic and cellular approaches to understand how pathogenic variants disrupt neurodevelopment and mitochondrial biology. He is motivated by translational research that shortens the diagnostic odyssey for patients and informs future therapeutic strategies, and he plans to pursue a career as a physician-scientist in academic medicine.

norman.liu@wisc.edu

Sophia is a graduate of UW-Madison who completed her degree in Genetics & Genomics with a certificate in Global Health. She is pursuing a Masters in Genetic Counseling at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine with anticipated graduation March of 2026. She is a research specialist and clinical research coordinator, with a strong interest in rare disease research, patient advocacy, and translational science. Her work focuses on building patient registries, partnering with affected families, and advancing understanding of novel neurogenetic conditions, including POU4F1-associated childhood-onset ataxia. Check out more about Sophia and her experiences by visiting her LinkedIn below. 

ssalemi@wisc.edu

Noah is a junior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin - Madison majoring in Biology and Environmental Sciences.

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Liv is a second-year undergraduate at UW-Madison, majoring in genetics & genomics. She has research experience studying antibiotic resistance in bacteria and, later, immunotherapy as cancer treatment. She plans to graduate in 2027 and pursue an MD. 

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Lia is a senior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Genetics & Genomics. She is expected to graduate in May 2026 and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling. In May 2025, Lia joined the Webb Lab at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health as an undergraduate research assistant. Her research focuses on the genetic and cellular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and mitochondrial disorders. Her current projects include investigating mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase disorders, contributing to the development of a global POU4F1 patient registry, and collaborating with the UW Undiagnosed Disease Program. 

Lia’s previous research experience includes utilizing whole genome sequencing to identify potential disease-causing genetic variants of neurological movement disorders as well as  investigating the evolutionary genetics of genetically modified yeast.

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Lauren is a junior undergraduate at UW Madison studying Genetics and Genomics and Global Health. She joined the Webb Lab in March 2025 at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health as an undergraduate research assistant. Lauren assists with mouse behavioral phenotyping to study hereditary congenital facial palsy (HCFP). Her work includes handling mice, recording, and preparing high-quality whisker-movement videos for quantitative analysis, and supporting downstream data grading. She also contributes to the Undiagnosed Disease Program by organizing clinical and research data. She plans to graduate in 2027 and pursue an MD. 

Lauren has research experience at the Mayo Clinic as a Student Intern in the Garovic Lab, where she contributed to preeclampsia research. Her work included biospecimen organization and retrieval, assisting with ELISA and qPCR assays, and supporting an IL-10 knockout mouse model of preeclampsia.

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