Department of Animal Science Hoffmann Lab

Principal investigator

Hanne M Hoffmann, PhD

• Ph.D.         12/2010 Neuroscience, Montpellier University 2, France, European mention
• Ph.D.         12/2010 Biochemistry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, Cum Laude
• Postdoc     06/2011-04/2016 Department of Reproductive Medicine, UC San Diego

Dr. Hoffmann received her BS (2005) and MS (2007) from Montpellier University II (France), and her PhDs in Biochemistry from the Autonomous University in Barcelona (Spain) and in Neuroscience from Montpellier University II (France) in 2010. During her graduate work Dr. Hoffmann’s research was focused on understanding how cocaine addiction impacted GPCR heterodimer interaction and signaling in the brain. In 2011 Dr. Hoffmann joined the lab of Dr. Pamela Mellon at UC San Diego for her postdoctoral work in reproductive endocrinology. At UC San Diego, Dr. Hoffmann studied the role of homeodomain transcription factors in GnRH neuron development and fertility.

Dr. Hanne M. Hoffmann is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University, where she leads a multidisciplinary research program on circadian biology, neuroendocrine regulation, and reproductive physiology. Her work investigates how light and the molecular clock influence fertility, pregnancy, and labor outcomes across mammals—from mice and cattle to humans—linking environmental timing to maternal and offspring health.

In recognition of her contribution to the field of neuroendocrinology, reproductive function and pregnancy, Dr. Hoffmann has received numerous awards, including the Neena Schwartz Young Investigator Award in Basic Science from Women in Endocrinology (2016), the Early Investigators Award supported by Merck & Co., Inc. from the Endocrine Society (2016), the New Investigator Award from the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (2017) and the Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes (2019). 

Her laboratory integrates molecular, cellular, and translational approaches: from genetic mouse models and human myometrial cell systems to large-scale clinical datasets from hospitals and agricultural partners. These efforts revealed that circadian timing defines uterine contractility, placental immune responses, and oxytocin drug sensitivity, offering new strategies to improve labor induction success, reduce pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and enhance animal reproductive performance in Michigan’s dairy and companion animal industries.

Dr. Hoffmann is also Co-Director of the NIH R25 Bridge to PhD in Neuroscience Program (BPNP ENDURE, 2023-2026), where she mentors undergraduate students through a whole summer research experience at MSU. In addition, she mentors postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates across neuroscience, physiology, BMS, social science, engineering, and animal science. Her mentoring philosophy emphasizes scientific rigor, communication, and translational thinking—qualities reflected in her trainees’ NIH F31/F32 and K99/R00 awards, student prizes, and faculty placements.

An active science communicator and advocate, Dr. Hoffmann collaborates with the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum to translate circadian science through public engagement, contributes to statewide efforts promoting healthy school start times, and regularly appears in national and international media discussing light, sleep, and health. She teaches annually at the Frontiers in Reproduction course at the Marine Biological Laboratory, connecting basic chronobiology with reproductive medicine for the next generation of scientists.

Beyond academia, Dr. Hoffmann is an endurance athlete, having completed the 8.2-mile Swim Around Mackinac Island, multiple Ironman 70.3 races, and a full Ironman—a reflection of the persistence and balance that guide her approach to both science and mentorship

Lab manager

Duong Nguyen, MS in Biological Sciences

August 2018-current

Duong received her BS and MS in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). She has expertise in microbiology, computational biology, molecular evolution and comparative genomics. Her research was focused on sequence comparison using next-generation sequencing data to address the process and the dynamic of mutations such as SNPs and Indels in coding and noncoding regions. In the Hoffmann lab, Duong is interested in applying sequencing data analysis to understand how light and seasonal changes affect gene expression level which in turn impacts the signaling in the brain and the reproductive function. Using mice as a model, it is also important to understand the similarities and differences between mice and other animals especially human.

Postdoc

Alexandra Yaw, PhD Neuroscience

Postdoc June 2019-current

Dr. Alexandra Yaw graduated from Albion College in 2014 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Cell and Molecular Biology and Chemistry. In 2019, she completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Kent State University in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. 

Since joining the Hoffmann Lab in June 2019, Alex’s projects have focused on light and the rhythmic control of neuroendocrine function using a variety of animal models. Alex’s work developing a mouse model to understand how shiftwork impairs reproductive function was supported by the MSU Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program (RDSTP) T32 fellowship. She was also awarded an NIH F32 fellowship for her project entitled, “The role of seasonal changes in light on the reproductive axis in female mice.” Alex is also part of the collaborative project with Dr. Jacquelyn Jacobs’ companion animal behavior and welfare laboratory that explores the potential for light quality to improve wellbeing in shelter cats. Alex is a committed mentor and received the MSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs mentoring PETMA award in 2022. She also was recently awarded the Albion College Young Alumni Award. Most recently she was awarded a K99/R00 award from NICHD in 2024 to understand how light quality impacts oocyte quality. 

Morgan Collins, PhD 

Postdoc November 2025-current

Graduate students

Currently recruiting 

Undergraduate Student

Sophie Monolidis (2025–present) — Undergraduate researcher studying circadian regulation of reproductive function.
Ainsley Gibbs (2025–present, Lyman Briggs College) — Undergraduate in biology and neuroscience.
Chloe Heit (2024–present, Lyman Briggs College) — Poster presentation at the 16th UURAF (MSU, 2025).
Jasmine Hawkins (2024–present, Animal Science) — Poster presenter at the 16th UURAF (MSU, 2025).
Morgan Rouse (2023–present, Neuroscience Major, College of Natural Science) — RDSP Summer Scholar (2023–2024); presented research at UURAF (2024); investigating how light exposure impacts neural and reproductive circuits that regulate fertility.
Kierra Jursch (2022–present, Lyman Briggs College) — MSU 2025 Marshall Scholarship nominee; 1st place UURAF poster (2023); 1st place Lyman Briggs Research Symposium poster (2024); Best Biological Sciences Presentation (2024); LBC Research Scholar Fellowship (2024); Reproductive & Developmental Sciences SURE Fellow (2024); Honors College Professional Assistantship (2022–2024).
Krystal Jang (2021–present, Lyman Briggs College) — 1st place UURAF Oral Presentation (2025); Poster presenter at UURAF 2024; Spartan Volunteer Service Award (2021–2022).

Summer students

Sierra Moore – Undergraduate student, Radford University (Virginia). Recipient of the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (RDSP) 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Fellowship (May–August 2025).

Jacquelyn Dal Bon – Undergraduate student, Drew University (New Jersey). Recipient of the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (RDSP) 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Fellowship (May–August 2025).

Joselynn Reyes – Undergraduate student, University of Texas El Paso. Supported by the Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience Program (BPNP) at Michigan State University, funded by ENDURE-NIEHS/NIH (May–August 2024).

Aysha Smith – Undergraduate student, University of Arizona. Supported by the Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience Program (BPNP) at Michigan State University, funded by ENDURE-NIEHS/NIH (May–August 2023).

Jessica Sora Lee – Medical student, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. Recipient of the Endocrine Society Research Experiences for Graduate and Medical Students (REGMS) Fellowship (May–July 2022).

Fabiola Ramos – Undergraduate student, Antillean Adventist University, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Supported by the Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience Program (BPNP) at Michigan State University, funded by ENDURE-NIEHS/NIH (May–August 2021; August 2021–May 2022 virtual; May–August 2022 in person). Presented a poster at the Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences (Mid-SURE).

Past lab members

Grad students

Thu Van Quynh Duong, PhD/DO, BMS program, graduated in Biochemistry. August 2018-May 2022. Currently in Ob/Gyn residency at McLaren, MI.

Brooke Van Loh (past Devries), PhD in Neurosciences, August 2021-June 2025. Current tenure-track faculty at Albion College, MI. 

Past undergraduate students

Alyssha Szewczul (2023–2024, Social Science) — Undergraduate research assistant.
Rachel Eck (2022–2024, Animal Science) — Reproductive & Developmental Sciences SURE Fellow (2022).
Michael Ryan Hirschenberger (2021–2023, Lyman Briggs College) — Physician Assistant Program, Michigan State University. Currently in PA school.
Mary Gardella (2021–2023, Animal Science) — PhD Student, University of Miami (Marine Biology); 1st Place UURAF Poster (2022). Currently in graduateschool.
Grace Jaksen (2021–2022, Animal Science) — 1st Place ASURF Poster (2022).
Jennie Soule (2021–2022, Animal Science) — Undergraduate research assistant.
Nicolette Ly (2021–2022, Biomedical Laboratory Science) — Undergraduate researcher.
Fabiola Ramos (2021–2022, Antillean Adventist University, Puerto Rico) — BPNP ENDURE Student; Mid-SURE Poster Presenter.
Aneesh Sai Cherukuri (2019–2023, Lyman Briggs College) — Wayne State University Medical School; Alumni Distinguished Scholar (MSU, 2018). Currently in Medical School.
Autumn McLane-Svoboda (2019–2021, Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering) — Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student, Michigan State University; 1st Place UURAF Oral Presentation (2021). Currently in graduate school.
Muhammed Asad (2019–2021, Lyman Briggs College) — Undergraduate researcher. Currently in Medical School.
Tulasi Talluri (2018–2020, Lyman Briggs College) — MD Student, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Endocrine Society Summer Research Fellow (2019–2020). Currently in Medical School.
Brooke M. Devries (Van Loh) (2018–2019, Lyman Briggs College) — PhD (Neuroscience, MSU 2025); now Assistant Professor, Albion College (MI); Rasmussen Doctoral Recruitment Award (2020). Currently an assistant professor (tenure stream) at Albion College, MI. 
Gloria Parisa Yarandi (2018, Lyman Briggs College) — Undergraduate researcher.