Meet the People Behind Crakes Lab
Our lab brings together expertise in pathology, microbiology, and comparative research to understand host–microbe interactions and advance scientific discovery.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Katti R. Crakes, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP
Dr. Katti Crakes is a board-certified veterinary pathologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her work explores how microbes, tissues, and the environmental exposures shape gut and systemic health.
She earned her DVM and PhD through the Veterinary Scientist Training Program at the University of California, Davis, followed by pathology residency and postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. She leads a research program that brings together pathology, microbiology, imaging, and animal models to study gastrointestinal, liver, metabolic, and other complex diseases.
Outside the lab, Katti enjoys spending time with her family (plus 2 dogs and a blind cat), early mornings at the Crossfit gym, and exploring the outdoors.
Lab Members
Joshua Farris, DVM
Joshua is a veterinary anatomic pathology resident who joined the lab in September 2026 after completing his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting and spending time with his cat, Socks. His current project focuses on diet and microbiome modulation and its impact on tumor growth.
MS Student, Veterinary Clinical Medicine
OUR LAB CULTURE
Where Curiosity, Collaboration & Discovery Come Together
The Crakes lab values curiosity, thoughtful and reproducible science, collaboration, and open discussion. We strive to be a place where people with different backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and where trainees have room to develop their own ideas, skills, and scientific voice. Mentorship is tailored to each person’s experience and goals.