About the Hofstetter Lab team

Christoph Hofstetter, M.D., Ph.D., is a physician scientist in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington. Dr. Hofstetter earned his M.D. from University of Vienna, and Ph.D. at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. 

Dr. Hofstetter is an expert in experimental and translational spinal cord injury research. His research focuses on the development on biomarkers for prognosis and treatment guidance following acute spinal cord injury. Together with his collaborator Dr. Matt Bruce, his laboratory has developed a novel type of contrast-enhanced ultrasound which allows to visualize specific segments of the vascular tree. This innovative imaging modality allows his laboratory to assess the impact of trauma on local tissue perfusion. Dr. Hofstetter also investigates the use of stem cells and specialized polymers to improve recovery following acute spinal cord injury. His research also includes the use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation with both preclinical and clinical trials in close collaboration with Drs. Moritz and Perlmutter. Dr. Hofstetter is former chairman of the Section of Spinal cord Injury of the North American Spine Society and serves as Associate Member of the AO Spinal cord injury knowledge forum.

Ali earned his Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering, which he worked in the field of tissue engineering and mostly focused on neural regeneration. He developed conductive nanofibrous scaffold to modulate neural cell behaviour and promote regeneration in combination with in vitro electrical stimulation.

He has extensive experience with the design and fabrication of bioengineering tools such as biomaterial and bio-scaffolds for tissue engineering and controlled release targeted drug delivery. Also, he previously worked with neurosurgery groups to alleviate symptoms of patients with Neurological Disorder using Deep Brain Stimulation and Spinal Cord Stimulation. In his current role, he is expanding his knowledge and experiences to the in vivo model by developing closed-loop stimulation in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) to provide functional recovery after SCI.

Paula Krause, MD, is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington. Originally from Cologne, Germany, she works clinically in orthopedic and trauma surgery at Krankenhaus Porz am Rhein, with a focus on traumatology and spine surgery. In Prof. Hofstetter’s Spine Lab, her research centers on spinal cord injuries and novel treatment approaches. Dr. Krause earned her medical degree from the University of Cologne. Passionate about combining hands-on clinical experience with translational research, she aims to improve spine care across borders. Outside the lab, she enjoys snowboarding, discovering Seattle’s food scene, and exploring the Pacific Northwest — usually while keeping an eye on her beloved (and heartbreakingly inconsistent) hometown club, 1. FC Köln.

Nguyen recently joined the Hofstetter lab as a research coordinator, transitioning from his previous role as Chief Medical Scribe at Good Samaritan Emergency Department. At Pacific Lutheran University, he earned a BS in Biology in May 2023, concurrently holding leadership positions in medical and humanities societies, specifically as president of the pre-health club and International Peer Advisor.  Nguyen finds great fulfillment in his role as a research coordinator, particularly in obtaining patient consent and performing spinal injury testing because it allows him to connect with patients on a deeper level. He hopes to become a compassionate physician specializing in procedure-based disciplines such as surgery, aiming to improve patient quality of life and satisfaction. Beyond his professional endeavors, Nguyen's interests include cycling, hiking, singing, volunteering, playing chess, bowling, and racing RC cars.

Erica joined the lab in March of 2024 and is an undergraduate in the class of 2025 at the University of Washington, majoring in biology on the pre-med track. She is fascinated by the intricate relationship between the brain and spinal cord and has experience shadowing rehabilitation medicine physicians who focus on spinal cord injuries. Erica aims to expand her knowledge and contribute to research that aids in the recovery of SCI patients, with aspirations to serve in the medical field one day. In her free time, she enjoys film camera photography, reading, and playing pool with friends.

Preston is an undergraduate research assistant in the class of 2026. He is a pre-dental student pursuing a career in general dentistry, but is also interested in human anatomy and biology.  Particularly, he became fascinated by the brain and the spinal cord after taking a biopsychology class, and wants to expand his knowledge on the intricacies of spinal cord injuries and the remarkable advancements in medical technology and rehabilitation techniques. Outside of school, Preston works as a dental assistant, and in his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and tennis at the IMA, playing the piano, and cooking food. 

Jay is a dedicated and driven undergraduate research assistant in his third year at the University of Washington, specializing in Biology. With a strong interest in sports medicine, surgery, and the utilization of diet on autoimmune conditions, Jay combines a solid foundation in theoretical knowledge with practical lab experience.

In the lab, Jay actively contributes to stimulation research on spasticity caused by spinal cord injury. His commitment to advancing scientific understanding is matched by his desire to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for medical school, where he plans to continue his journey toward becoming an expert in the field of healthcare. Outside the lab, his interests include music, volunteering, and fitness.

I’m excited to be back at UW. I spent 14 wonderful years here before taking a 7-year journey in the pharmacology industry. Now, Christoph has asked me to bring that industry-level efficiency, speed, and productivity to our work, and I’m thrilled to be doing that alongside such a strong team. These have been challenging times for all of us in science, but with teamwork and dedication, I truly believe we can keep science not only alive but thriving.

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Cathryn is a clinical research coordinator that has been working with the Hofstetter Lab since 2023. She most recently graduated with her Master of Science in Epidemiology from Columbia University. Prior to this, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in community health sciences from the University of Nevada, Reno. One of her many important tasks is to recruit participants for studies as well as ensure the studies are compliant with human subject regulations.

Richard is a UW undergraduate student in the class of 2025, double majoring in Biochemistry and Applied and Computational Math Science on the biological and life science track. He became interested in Neuroscience when he learned about the spinal cord in physiology class. Outside of school, Richard spends his time volunteering at Seattle Children's Hospital. In his free time, he loves to hike, ski, swim, play piano, and play video games competitively.

Matthew is currently studying Bioengineering at the University of Washington with a minor in Neural Computation and Material Science Engineering. Matthew first learned of his passion for neural engineering when exploring possible treatments for nerve damage and the possibility of nerve regeneration. He hopes to work in furthering the development of these treatments and protocols. Beyond school Matthew enjoys spending time with his friends, swimming at the cut, and attempting new recipes.

Nico is an undergraduate student in the class of 2026 at the University of Washington. He is majoring in biochemistry with plans of pursuing a career in medicine. He became particularly interested in surgery after shadowing. He hopes to expand his knowledge of spinal cord injuries and life altering conditions in order to continuously better patient outcomes and wellness. Outside of school, Nico enjoys film photography, running, rock climbing, and mountain biking.