The Webb Lab
The Webb Lab is located within the West Wedge of the Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research in the Center of Human Genomics and Precision Medicine.
The Webb Lab is interested in diagnosing and characterizing undiagnosed and rare diseases that primarily affects pediatrics patients. Working in tandem with the Undiagnosed Disease Program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, we incorporate next generation 'omics in identifying pathogenic variants in undiagnosed/rare diseases. We model these diseases in cellular and animal models to better understand the pathophysiology of such diseases.​
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The Team
Meet the team behind the Webb Lab.
Bryn Webb, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Bryn Webb is associate professor in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism and the UW Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine. 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.
Norman Liu
Research Specialist
Norman is a graduate of UW-Madison who completed his degree in Genetics and Genomics. Norman has research experience studying variant histone chromatin and its effects on tumorigenesis and clinical experience as a certified nursing assistant at Meriter Hospital and UW Health. He plans on pursuing MD/PhD in the near future. Check out more about Norman and his experiences by visiting his LinkedIn below.
Sophia Salemi
Research Specialist
Sophia is a graduate of UW-Madison who completed her degree in Genetics & Genomics with a certificate in Global Health. She will be pursuing a Masters in Genetic Counseling in the Fall of 2024 at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Her previous research experience included the study of multi-drug resistant infections as well as separately researching mechanisms responsible for the island syndrome in mice. Check out more about Sophia and her experiences by visiting her LinkedIn below.
Amanda Pendergast
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Amanda is a Senior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin - Madison double majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology. She plans to graduate in May 2025 and continue her education to become a Physician Assistant.
Jacob Blanchar
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jacob is a Senior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin - Madison double majoring in Biology and Conservation Biology. He plans to graduate in May 2025 and continue his education to pursue a PhD. His previous research experience is in reproductive physiology and neuroendocrinology studying polycystic ovary syndrome.
Noah Schroadt
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Dannah Altiti
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Dannah is a Senior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin - Madison majoring in microbiology with certificates in Global Health and Middle Eastern Studies. She plans to graduate in May 2025 and pursue an MD/MPH in the near future. Her previous research experience is in plant pathology studying fungal turfgrass pathogens. Check out more about Dannah and her experiences by visiting her LinkedIn below.
Liv Abegglen
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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.