The Lab
Cilia Team
The Loukil Lab team fosters a highly collaborative and collegial environment, encouraging open communication and teamwork. With a shared passion for cutting-edge research on cilia and centrosomes, the lab thrives on mutual support and mentorship.
Principal Investigator
Abdelhalim Loukil, Ph.D.
Dr. Abdelhalim Loukil is a principal investigator at the Sanford Research Institute's Pediatrics and Rare Disease group and an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of South Dakota. Originally from Sfax, Tunisia, he moved to France to pursue his master's and Ph.D. in biology and health at the University of Montpellier 2, under the mentorship of Dr. Jean-Marie Blanchard and Dr. Marion Peter. He then moved to the United States for his postdoctoral training — first at the University of California, Irvine, in the laboratory of Dr. Christine Sutterlin, and then at Duke University with Dr. Sarah Goetz. Dr. Loukil studies primary cilia biology and its connections to neurological disorders. He has broad training in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, mouse genetics, and cutting-edge microscopy.
Email Dr. LoukilCurrent Members
The Team
Staff Scientist
Karama Hamdi, Ph.D.
Dr. Karama Hamdi is a Staff Scientist in the Loukil Lab at Sanford Research. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, following a Master's Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences from the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, Tunisia, and a university degree in Biotechnology from the Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax. Her research focuses on cell biology and rare human genetic diseases — specifically how genetic mutations disrupt primary cilia dynamics and cellular trafficking in neurodevelopmental syndromes. By combining advanced microscopy, genetic models, and functional assays, her work aims to illuminate core disease mechanisms and evaluate targeted translational remedies. Beyond the lab, Dr. Hamdi maintains a multidisciplinary fitness regimen including strength training, Pilates, Zumba, and swimming, and has a passion for outdoor discovery, culinary arts, and interior design.
Senior Research Specialist
Elizabeth (Ellie) Menzel
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and ACS Biochemistry. She is deeply interested in how data science can improve the analysis workflow of everyday researchers, as well as investigating the molecular pathways surrounding primary cilia biology. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading, games of any variety, puzzles, and cross-stitching.
Research Specialist
Joseph (Joe) Binder
Joseph Binder is a Research Specialist in the Department of Neuroscience at Sanford Research. He earned his B.S. in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science from the University of Arizona and his M.S. in Integrative Neuroscience from Georgetown University. His research focuses on cilia protein composition and function in the brain. Outside the laboratory, Joe enjoys hiking, camping, archery, boxing, and going to the gym. He is passionate about rescue treatments for those affected by ciliopathies.
Past Members
Alumni
SPUR Student (Summer 2026)
Racquel Driedger
Racquel Driedger is an undergraduate student at the University of South Florida majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. She interned at the Loukil Lab during the 2026 Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research to study primary cilia signaling during embryogenesis and neural tube patterning. In her free time, Racquel enjoys running, music, volunteering at senior homes, and continuing research at her university.
Blen Lemma
Intern
Catrina (Trina) Tounjian
SPUR Student (Summer 2023)
Quinn Tegenkamp
SPUR Student (Summer 2024)
Smilla-Maria Koy
Intern
Grace Hoffman
Research Specialist
Alondra Ocasio
SPUR Student (Summer 2025)