Research Assistant Alumni | Consortium on Law and Values

The Consortium on Law and Values offers University of Minnesota students opportunities to participate in research on the legal, ethical, and societal implications of emerging technologies and on research ethics. Students may participate in grant-funded projects and interact with national experts. Collaboration may lead to student coauthorship on papers as well as invitations to present work in progress. For many of our students, their work and training in the Consortium is an important steppingstone to their future career. The Consortium’s many research assistant alumni include the talented individuals below.

Rebecca (Boxhorn) Branum, JD (2011-12)

Becca Branum collaborated on multiple grants including the NIH-funded GIFD grant. She coauthored:

Wolf SM, Branum R, Koenig BA, et al. "Returning a Research Participant’s Genomic Results to Relatives: Analysis & Recommendations." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2015;43:440-63.
Branum R, Wolf SM. "International Policies on Sharing Genomic Research Results with Relatives: Approaches to Balancing Privacy with Access." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2015;43:576-93.
Boxhorn R, Wolf SM. "International Governance Approaches to Whole Genome Sequencing: Who Governs Return of Results & Incidental Findings." Conference on Governance of Emerging Technologies: Law, Ethics & Policy, Arizona State University, 2013 (Abstract).

Becca received her JD in 2012 from the University of Minnesota. Focusing on government relations and legislative policy, she has worked in state government, federal government, and nonprofits. She is currently Senior Technology Policy Counsel for the United States Senate.

Caroline E. Bressman, JD (2016-17)

Caroline Bressman collaborated on multiple Consortium projects. She received her JD in 2018 from the University of Minnesota. She is currently an Associate at the law firm of Cohen Milstein practicing in the areas of ERISA and employee benefits, health plans, and pension benefits.

Caleb Campbell, JD candidate (2025-26)

Caleb Campbell collaborated on the NSF-funded NetEthics project. He coauthored:

Campbell C, Roehrig G, Wolf SM. "NetEthics: Developing Tools to Address Ethical Challenges in Research Networks." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2025 (Poster).

Caleb is continuing his studies at the University of Minnesota and intends to receive his JD in May 2027. He holds an internship as a law clerk with the federal public defenders office in Minnesota.

Hannah M. (Oliason) Cepuran, JD (2020-22)

Hannah Cepuran collaborated on multiple projects including the NIH-funded LawSeq project. She coauthored:

Wolf SM, Marchant GE, Oliason HM, et al. "Genetic Counselor Liability & Licensure in the Genomics Era," in The Oxford Handbook of Genetic Counseling (Deem MJ, Farrow EG, Grubs RE, eds., 2024).

Hannah received her JD in 2022 from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Health Law and Bioethics. After law school, she joined the health care practice at Nilan Johnson Lewis PA, where she advises and represents health care providers, health plans, and other organizations across the health care industry.

Lauren Clatch, JD, MA, PhD (2016-2018)

Lauren Clatch collaborated on multiple Consortium projects including the NIH-funded LawSeq project. She coauthored:

Lawrenz F, Cheung FY, Clatch L, et al. "Key Expert Stakeholder Perceptions of the Law of Genomics: Identified Problems & Potential Solutions." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2020;48:87-104.

Lauren received her JD in 2020 and her PhD in Social Psychology in 2021 from the University of Minnesota. After clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and then serving as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Duke Law School’s Wilson Center for Science and Justice, she joined the faculty of the University of Richmond School of Law where she focuses on criminal law and procedure.

Frances M. Daniels, JD (2021-22)

Frances Daniels collaborated on the NIH-funded Portable MRI project. She coauthored:

Daniels F, Torres E, Lawrenz F, et al. "Scientists’ Perspectives on Ethical Issues in Research with Emerging Portable Neuroimaging Technology: The Need for Guidance on Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI)." NMR in Biomedicine 2024;37:e5243.

Frances received her JD in 2022 from the University of Minnesota. After clerking for the Minnesota Court of Appeals, she joined the Faegre Drinker law firm where she works at the intersection of product liability, agricultural law, and business law.

Kate A. (Hanson) Dwyer, MD, JD (2018-19)

Kate Dwyer collaborated on multiple Consortium projects. She received her MD and JD in 2021 from the University of Minnesota. After completing her residency at Vanderbilt University, she accepted a trauma and reconstructive surgery fellowship in the urology department at the University of California, San Francisco. She has published on a wide range of issues in urology.

Emily Scholtes Dykstra, JD (2014-16)

Emily Scholtes Dykstra collaborated on the NIH-funded GIFD grant. She coauthored:

Wolf SM, Scholtes E, Koenig BA, et al. "Pragmatic Tools for Sharing Genomic Research Results with the Relative of Living and Deceased Research Participants." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2018;46:87-109.
Scholtes E. "Note, Incorporating Cost into the Return of Incidental Findings Calculus: Defining a Responsible Default for Genetics and Genomics Researchers." Minnesota Law Review 2015-16;100:1171.

Emily received her JD in 2016 from the University of Minnesota. After clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and then serving as a litigation associate at Sidley Austin LLP, she became an Assistant Attorney General with the State of Minnesota.

Jacob Hauschild, JD (2020-21)

Jacob Hauschild collaborated on multiple Consortium projects. He received his JD in 2021 from the University of Minnesota. At Faegre Drinker, Jacob advises clients across the health care industry on a balanced mix of transactional and regulatory matters.

Adam Koch, JD (2024-25)

Adam Koch collaborated on the NSF-funded NetEthics project. He coauthored:

Wolf SM, Roehrig GH, Pruett TL, et al. "Filling the Network Gap in Research Ethics: Analyzing Ethical Issues at Scale in Big Team Science" Hastings Center Report 2026;56(4):32-43.
Koch A, Roehrig G, Varma K, et al. "NetEthics: Analyzing Key Challenges & Values in Network Ethics." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2024 (Poster).

Adam received his JD in 2026 from the University of Minnesota. He is beginning his legal career in the Mergers and Acquisitions group at Fredrikson & Byron.

Peter Lyon, JD (2023-25)

Peter Lyon collaborated on multiple projects including the NSF-funded ATP-Bio ERC. He coauthored:

Pruett TL, Wolf SM, McVan CC, et al. "Governing New Technologies that Stop Biological Time: Preparing for Prolonged Biopreservation of Human Organs in Transplantation." American Journal of Transplantation 2025;25(2):269-76.
Lyon P. "Note, Let’s Be Cool About It: Anticipating Proper, Whole-Human Cryopreservation and the Necessary Oversight for Adequate Consumer Protection." Minn. J.L. Sci. & Tech. 2024-25;26:293.
Wolfe L, Lyon P, Wolf SM, et al. "Biopreservasion Across Domains: Advancing Governance & Stakeholder Engagement." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2024 (Poster).

Peter received his JD in 2025 from the University of Minnesota. He works as an Associate at Husch Blackwell, where he handles corporate transactions across a range of industries.

Molly K. Madzelan, PhD (2023-24)

Molly Madzelan collaborated on the NIH-funded Portable MRI project. She coauthored:

Madzelan MK, Lawrenz F, Wolf SM, et al. "Revolutionizing Brain Research Using Portable MRI in Field Settings: Public Perspectives on the Ethical and Legal Challenges." Neuroethics 2025;18:36.
Madzelan MK, Lawrenz F, Wolf SM, et al. "Expert Stakeholder Perspectives on Emerging Technology for Highly Portable and Accessible MRI: The Need for Guidance on Ethical, Legal, and Societal Issues." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):786-804.
Madzelan MK, Lawrenz F, Shen FX, et al. "Ethical, Legal, and Policy Challenges in Field-Based Neuroimaging Research Using Emerging Portable MRI Technologies: Public Knowledge and Attitudes." NIH BRAIN Conference, 2024 (Abstract).

Molly received her PhD in Psychology in 2024 from the University of Minnesota. She is a Policy Post-Doc at the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences (FABBS).

Claire Colby McVan, JD (2021-23)

Claire Colby McVan collaborated on the NSF-funded ATP-Bio ERC and NetEthics project. She coauthored:

Wolf SM, Roehrig GH, Pruett TL, et al. "Filling the Network Gap in Research Ethics: Analyzing Ethical Issues at Scale in Big Team Science" Hastings Center Report 2026;56(4):32-43.
Pruett TL, Wolf SM, McVan CC, et al. "Governing New Technologies that Stop Biological Time: Preparing for Prolonged Biopreservation of Human Organs in Transplantation." American Journal of Transplantation 2025;25(2):269-76.
Wolf SM, Pruett TL, McVan CC, et al. "Anticipating Biopreservation Technologies that Pause Biological Time: Building Governance & Coordination Across Applications." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(3):534-52.
Colby C, Wolf SM, Pruett TL. "Organ Transplant Advances: Ethics & Policy Considerations." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2021 (Poster).

Claire received her JD in 2023 from the University of Minnesota. She is an Associate at Fox Rothschild, where she is a litigator representing clients across a variety of industries.

Travis R. Panneck, JD (2019-20)

Travis Panneck collaborated on multiple Consortium projects including the NIH-funded project on portable MRI. He received his JD in 2020 from the University of Minnesota. At Fredrikson & Byron, Travis is a Senior Associate who represents borrowers and lenders in financing transactions.

Andrew Park, JD (2018-19)

Andrew Park collaborated on multiple Consortium projects. He received his BS in 2018 from the University of Minnesota and his JD from Columbia University in 2022. Andrew is an associate attorney at Jones Day, where he represents clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and restructurings.

Joshua Preston, JD (2016)

Joshua Preston collaborated on projects addressing neuroscience and law. He coauthored:

Preston J, McTeigue J, Opperman C, et al. "The Legal Implications of Detecting Alzheimer’s Disease Earlier." AMA Journal of Ethics 2016;18(12):1207-1217.
Shen FX, Twedell E, Opperman C, et al. "The Limited Effect of Electroencephalography Memory Recognition Evidence on Assessments of Defendant Credibility." Journal of Law and the Biosciences 2017;4(2):330-364.

Joshua received his JD in 2019 from the University of Minnesota while serving in the Minnesota National Guard. He represented 70+ Indigenous Water Protectors during the Stop Line 3 campaign in 2021 and was on the frontlines of the legal response to Operation Metro Surge in 2026. He is the attorney for Resilient Indigenous Sisters Engaging (RISE) Coalition and a volunteer with the National Lawyers Guild of Minnesota.

Noah Sattler, JD (2019-20)

Noah Sattler collaborated on multiple Consortium projects including the NIH-funded LawSeq project. He received his JD in 2021 from the University of Minnesota. Noah is an Associate at the law firm of Nyemaster Goode, where he focuses on real estate and real estate financing.

Caroline Sell, JD, MPH (2019-20)

Caroline Sell collaborated on multiple Consortium projects including NIH-funded research on portable MRI. She received her JD and MPH in 2020 from the University of Minnesota. Caroline is a Program Manager in the Clinical Risk Management Department at HealthPartners in Bloomington, MN.

Efraín Torres, PhD (2019-2022)

Efraín Torres collaborated on the NIH-funded Portable MRI project. He coauthored:

Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F, et al. "Ethical, Legal, and Policy Challenges in Field-Based Neuroimaging Research Using Emerging Portable MRI Technologies: Guidance for Investigators and for Oversight." Journal of Law and the Biosciences 2024;11(1):lsae008.
Shen FX, Wolf SM, Bhavnani S, et al. "Emerging Ethical Issues Raised by Highly Portable MRI Research in Remote and Resource-Limited International Settings." Neuroimage 2021;238:118210.
Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F, et al. "Conducting Research with Highly Portable MRI in Community Settings: A Practical Guide to Navigating Ethical Issues and ELSI Checklist." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):769-785.

Efraín received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2023 from the University of Minnesota. He is the CEO & Co-Founder of Adialante, a mobile MRI clinic.

Ashley Walters, PhD (2023)

Ashley Walters collaborated on NIH-funded Consortium research on portable MRI. She received her PhD in Psychology in 2023 from the University of Minnesota. She is a Research Associate in the Research Division of the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, DC.

Jon Watkins, JD (2017-19)

Jon Watkins collaborated on the NIH-funded LawSeq project. He received his JD in 2019 from the University of Minnesota. Jon is a Law Clerk with the 4th Judicial District Court in Minneapolis, working primarily on civil litigation.

Ethan C. Wold, JD (2023-2024)

Ethan Wold collaborated on the NSF-funded NetEthics project. He coauthored:

Wold E, Roehrig G, Varma K, et al. "NetEthics: Building Ethics & RCR in Complex Engineering Research Networks." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2023 (Poster).

Ethan received his JD in 2025 from the University of Minnesota. He is an Associate at Fredrikson & Byron, focusing on health law.

Lowell Wolfe, JD (2024-2026)

Lowell Wolfe collaborated on the NSF-funded ATP-Bio ERC. He coauthored:

Gangwar L, Wolfe L, Zuchowicz N, et al. "A Call for Harmonized Terminology in Cryopreservation to Support Reproducibility, Governance & Commercialization." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2025 (Poster).
Wolfe L, Wolf SM, Pruett TL. "Building Governance for Biopreserved Organs in Transplantation." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2025 (Poster).
Gangwar L, Wolfe L, Zuchowicz N, et al. "A Call for Harmonized Terminology in Cryopreservation to Support Reproducibility, Governance & Commercialization." CRYO2025, 2025 (Abstract).
Wolfe L, Lyon P, Wolf SM, et al. "Biopreservasion Across Domains: Advancing Governance & Stakeholder Engagement." National Science Foundation Site Visit to ATP-Bio, 2024 (Poster).

Lowell received his JD in 2026 from the University of Minnesota. He is clerking for the Minnesota Court of Appeals and then will join the law firm of Robins Kaplan as an Associate.

Micaela J. Yarosh, JD (2021-22)

Micaela Yarosh collaborated on neuroethics research. She received her BA in 2019 from the University of Minnesota and her JD in 2025 from Northwestern University. Micaela is an Associate at Faegre Drinker, where she represents businesses facing mass tort and product liability risks.