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Student Profiles

Francesco CiminoFrancesco Cimino

Francesco.cimino@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Fordham University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: My previous research experience includes developing protein-based cancer therapeutics while at Fordham, and several years studying cancer metabolism at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I have a broad range of research interests including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer biology, and metabolism.


Gabriela GiordanoGabriela Giordano

gabriela.giordano@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Brandeis University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: Background in basic molecular biology research, specifically eukaryotic transcription processes and bacterial DNA repair.


photo of Hunter RiceHunter Rice

hunter.rice@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. Cornell University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: My research background is in basic neurobiology, specifically modulatory dopamine pathways, and clinical neurology, as it relates to traumatic brain injuries and anti-seizure medications. My current research interest is in traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic epilepsy.

Rana Azab

rana.azab@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S.  City college of New York

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: I am Interested in deciphering the biochemical pathways in neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on causative gene mutations seen in degenerative diseases such as Lewy body dementia and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.


photo of Lianlen Joy Go DistorLianlen Joy Go Distor

lianlenjoy.distor@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Loyola Marymount University (BS Biochemistry-ACS certified, and MS Healthcare Systems Engineering)

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology student, MS Healthcare Systems Engineer, and BS Biochemistry (and minor in Biology) graduate with experience in hypoglycemic effects, student dietary patterns, antibacterial activity, diabetes, and COVID-19's impact on youth. Additionally, Lianlen has clinical experience at Stanford University, worked in research at Kaiser Permanente, collaborated with UNESCO, and holds a patent related to her research in Diabetes. Skills include research methodology, data analysis, scientific writing, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Interested in research related to cancer, cardiology, and learning/memory.


no photoMadhavi Jere

madhavi.jere@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences, MD/PhD

B.S. Vassar College

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: Molecular Neuroscience


photo of Anushka PhadnisAnushka Phadnis

anushka.phadnis@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S.  University of Skövde

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience:  My previous research spans from nutritional biology (understanding molecular effects of using iron supplements from different sources at molecular level) to cancer biology (developing therapeutic modalities targeting epigenetic regulators). I am extremely interested in pursuing research in either stem cell biology or cellular signaling.


photo of Catherine SolisCatherine Solis

catherine.solis@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S.  Syracuse University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: I have a strong interest in the mechanisms of learning and memory in psychiatric disorders.


photo of Johanna SteinbrecherJohanna Steinbrecher

johanna.steinbrecher@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. BS from Oregon State University; MS from Illinois Institute of Technology

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: My research career has spanned a variety of topics in both academia and industry and includes contributions to the fields of DNA repair, fungal evolution, allergic tolerance, radiobiology, and immunoassay development. I deeply enjoy applying the process of scientific discovery to improving human life.

 


photo of Kianna von MaydellKianna von Maydell

kianna.vonmaydell@downstate.edu

Program: MD/PhD

B.S. Mills College

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: Background in mammalian functional genomics and enhancer biology, interested in evolutionary developmental biology, gene therapy and functional genomics.


photo of Megan WongMegan Wong

megan.wong@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. BS at Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College, MSc at Case Western Reserve University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: Hi everyone! I’m so happy to be a part of the new downstate PhD cohort. I have majored in sociology, human biology, biological sciences, and medical physiology. I have had a research background in 1) genetic therapy treatments for pancreatic and lung cancer, 2) ferroptosis and cancer metabolism, 3) vaccine development, and 4) translation medicine in focused ultrasound genetic therapy delivery for patients with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and oncolytic neuro-degeneration at Weill Cornell Medicine, IAVI (International AIDS Vaccines Initiative), and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I’m excited to explore my passions and new endeavors in my future lab rotations!


photo of Tadeusz WroblewskiTadeusz Wroblewski

taduesz.wroblewski@downstate.edu

Program: MD/PhD

B.S. University of Denver

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: I am interested in computational genetics and research related to health disparities.

photo of Evan DavisEvan Davis

evan.davis@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, MD/PhD

B.S. Stony Brook University

Thesis Laboratory: John Danias, MD/PhD, Departments of Opthalmology and Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: My background includes structural biology research using cryo-EM while at Stony Brook and codon analytics and transcriptomics at SUNY Albany. I'm interested in diseases of the eye, specifically glaucoma and macular degeneration, and enjoy learning and employing computational methods to solve biological problems.


Sonal Dharani

sonal.dharani@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology


photo of Fajobi Sunday JosephSunday Joseph Fajobi

sunday.fajobi@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.Pharm. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: My previous research was in neuropharmacology. I am currently interested in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics.


photo of Tarek KhashanTarek Khashan

tarek.khashan@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. West University of Timisoara

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: Background in Neuroimmunology, Stem Cell Modeling, Neurodevelopmental and  Neurodegenerative diseases, and cell isolation from fresh post-mortem brain tissue.

Interested in investigating the impact of cognitive state-altering methods on brain oscillations in vivo, and the molecular and cellular outcomes of these changes, such as: changes in gene expression, DNA methylation, synaptic plasticity, chromatin remodeling, and mitochondrial function of neurons, through different modeling approaches.


photo of Syamantak MukherjeeSyamantak Mukherjee

syamantak.mukherjee@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S: Pune, India

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: I started my research journey by studying Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and how Epstein-Barr Virus is involved. However, having always been interested in neuroscience, during the final year of my graduation, I got the opportunity to work on therapeutics of Parkinson's Disease by targeting epigenetic modulators. My future goals lie in understanding the cellular and molecular underpinnings of neurodegeneration and memory dysfunction.


Lina Pedraza Ortiz

lina.pedrazaortiz@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology


Dativo Sanchez-Gonzalez

dativo.sanchez-gonzalez@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology


photo of Radhika SinghRadhika Singh-Agarwal

radhika.singh@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. University of Delhi
M.S. Johns Hopkins University

Thesis laboratory: David Christini, PhD, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Research Interests & Experience: My research experience is with pluripotent stem cells and differentiating them to different cell types as a method to study human development and disease-modeling.


photo of Fathema Z. UddinFathema Z. Uddin

fathema.uddin@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, MD/PhD

B.S. The City College of New York (CUNY)
M.S. The City College of New York (CUNY)

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: I have a strong interest in the field of Oncology. My previous research includes conducting CRISPR screens to discover drug targets in rare lung cancers with poor response to current therapies, including subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma and small-cell lung cancer. I also completed my Master’s thesis at The City College of New York where I investigated chemotherapy-induced cognitive-impairment in a rodent model. I aspire to continue building my investigative skills with my emergent medical knowledge at SUNY Downstate and bring innovative therapies for cancer patients.

Amelia Biswas

Amelia.Biswas@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. Caldwell University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided


photo of Sailee Vijay Chavan

Sailee Vijay Chavan

sailee.chavan@downstate.edu

BSc & MSc, University of Mumbai
M.S. St John's University

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Thesis Laboratory: Chongmin Huan MD, PhD; Department of Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: My PhD research focuses on evaluating the synergistic effects of Hydroxychloroquine and 2-Hydroxyoleic acid in treating lupus through a preclinical animal model. More precisely, my dissertation delves into understanding the defective B cell tolerance in lupus pathogenesis. I'm particularly interested in how combining 2-Hydroxyoleic acid (2-OHOA), an anti-cancer lipid drug, with Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a widely recognized lupus treatment, could enhance the therapeutic outcome and simultaneously reduce costs.


photo of Shreya DesikanShreya Desikan

shreya.desikan@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, MD/PhD

B.S. Carnegie Mellon University

Thesis Laboratory: Chongmin Huan MD, PhD; Department of Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: My PhD Thesis is focused on studying defective Germinal Center B Cell tolerance in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE/Lupus). Specifically, I am investigating how increases in immunoregulatory genes due to inadequate X Chromosome Inactivation (XCI) contribute to a novel B Cell tolerance pathway studied by our research team. With this work, we hope to elucidate a novel mechanism to improve our understanding of the gender and racial bias of SLE. I have previous experience studying pediatric autoinflammatory disease and hematopoietic stem cell generation in vitro in both academic and pharmaceutical settings. My clinical interests are largely focused in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN).


Anthony Fringuello

anthony.fringuello@downstate.edu

Program: Biomedical Engineering.


photo of Michelle LamMichelle Lam

michelle.lam-grad@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. New York University
M.S. Fordham University

Thesis Laboratory: Thomas Postler, PhD (IAVI)

Research Interests & Experience: Immunology, public health, and vaccine development.


photo of Siobhan LawlessSiobhan Lawless

siobhan.lawless@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. Fordham University
M.S. Columbia University

Thesis Laboratory: Peter Bergold, PhD; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

Research Interests & Experience: My thesis work focuses on assessing 1. the chronic effects of a single head injury in mice and 2. the effect of MINO and N-acetylcysteine as a potential treatment. This work utilizes mouse motor kinematics, radiological (structural), histological (pathological), and electrophysiological (functional) measures to uncover the evolving pathophysiology of head injury in mice.


photo of Molly LeitnerMolly Leitner

molly.leitner@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. Hamilton College

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: My previous research interests and experience were in neurodegenerative diseases and metabolism. Currently I am interested in psychiatric disorders.


Xiang Li

xiang.li@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology.


photo of Tyler LuTyler Lu

tyler.lu@downstate.edu

Google Scholar

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Rutgers University
M.S. Rutgers University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: I'm interested in neurovascular biology. In particular, I want to develop and work with stem cell-derived in vitro models of the blood brain barrier in the context of various diseases.


photo of Pargol Mashati

Pargol Mashati

pargol.mashati@downstate.edu

LinkedIn

Google Scholar

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
M.Sc. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Thesis Laboratory: Prem Premsrirut, MD, PhD; Department of Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: My main research interest is on cancer biology. My previous research was on lymphoblastic leukemia and currently I'm working on colorectal cancer.


photo of Scott McElroyScott McElroy

scott.mcelroy@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Thesis Laboratory: Salvador Dura-Bernal

Research Interests & Experience: Formerly involved in the study of addiction and reward guided decision making using in vivo mouse models, my focus has since shifted to computational neuroscience. Currently, I am interested in studying the underlying mechanisms of disease states using data driven multi-scale models of the brain.


photo of Ana Mejia-BautistaAna Mejia-Bautista

ana.mejia-bautista@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. Stony Brook University

Thesis Laboratory: Douglas Ling, PhD; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Research Interests & Experience: Our laboratory is investigating the changes in cortical neural circuit function caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI) that lead to neuropathologies such as posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). We are particularly interested in TBI-induced alterations to the excitatory/inhibitory balance. We are attempting to assess these changes using wireless EEG and electrophysiology techniques.


Daniel Mishan

daniel.mishan@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences.


photo of Joao MoreiraJoao Moreira

joao.moreira@downstate.edu

LinkedIn

Research Site

Program: Neural and Behavioral Science

B.S. Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo - Brazil
M.Sc. Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo - Brazil

Thesis Laboratory: Salvador Dura-Bernal, PhD; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Research Interests & Experience: Biophysically inspired computational models of the brain. Currently working in the development of single-cell and network models of the Thalamus, to study the Thalamocortical and Corticothalamic pathways and its functional role in neuronal signal processing of information and behavior.

My previous work includes: Development of a Biofeedback device for the rehabilitation of transfemoral amputees; study of Carbon-based materials for supercapacitors; and Biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration.


photo of Riley MorroneRiley Morrone

riley.morrone@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. Virginia Tech

Thesis Laboratory: Peter Bergold, PhD; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

Research Interests & Experience: My thesis work investigates the role of Tau protein isoform expression in histological and behavioral outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury using in vivo models.


photo of Leibish NashLeibish Nash

leroy.nash@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

M.A. University of Rochester

Thesis Laboratory: Jeremy Coplan, MD; Department of Psychiatry

Research Interests & Experience: Investigating molecular underpinnings, including PKMZeta, of learning and memory mechanisms in non-human primates.


photo of Andrew PateraAndrew Patera

andrew.patera@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, MD/PhD

B.S. Johns Hopkins University

Thesis Laboratory: Prem Premsrirut, MD, PhD; Department of Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: My previous research in materials chemistry led to my interest in working on fabrication of biomedical devices and exploring probe-target interactions for sensing. Additionally, my clinical interests are in radiology, immunology, and infectious disease.


photo of Anika SanjanaAnika Sanjana

anika.sanjana@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Science

B.S. Caldwell University

Thesis Laboratory: Undecided

Research Interests & Experience: My background is in traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, and chronic stress in rodents. My interest is traumatic brain injury.


Benjamin Tessler

benjamin.tessler@downstate.edu

Program: Biomedical Engineering

B.S. University of Florida

Thesis Laboratory: Steven Fox, PhD, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Research Interests & Experience: I have a wide range of interests from technology to neuroscience. My thesis focuses on the development of minimally invasive techniques for deep brain electrical stimulation. We have been utilizing in vivo animal models and computational models, blending together fields of neuroscience, electrical engineering, and physics.


photo of Andrew WangAndrew Wang

andrew.wang@downstate.edu

Program: Biomedical Engineering, MD/PhD

B.S. University of California, Berkeley

Thesis Laboratory: Jin Montclare, PhD; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NYU

Research Interests & Experience: Biomaterials for drug delivery, sensing, molecular imaging; Cardiovascular health.


photo of Mia Yabut WieseMia Yabut Wiese

mariamiacarmencita.wiese@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Yale University
M.S. New York University

Thesis Laboratory: Joseph Scandura MD PhD, Heme-Onc at Weill-Cornell Medicine

Research Interests & Experience: Hematopoiesis, vascular, and stem cell biology.

More Student Profiles

photo of Rachel FurhangRachel Furhang

rachel.furhang@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Science

B.S. CUNY- College of Staten Island, Macaulay Honors College

Thesis Laboratory: Peter Bergold, PhD; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

Research Interests & Experience: Chronic effects of brain injury, neurodegeneration, and the influence of sex on recovery from injury.


photo of Erica GriffithErica Griffith

erica.griffith@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Thesis Laboratory: Dr. William Lytton

Research Interests & Experience:

I am interested in using computational neuroscience to investigate the multiscale dynamics of brain activity - for example: how microcircuit dynamics give rise to larger-scale electrophysiologic phenomena like neural oscillations, and how these influence or underlie observable phenomena in the realms of behavior, cognition, or perception. Ultimately, I hope to use these techniques to further our understanding of the neurophysiology underlying psychiatric pathology.


photo of Dzov (Zoe) SingmanDzov (Zoe) Singman

dzov.singman@downstate.edu

LinkedIn

Program: Neural and Behavioral Science, MD/PhD

B.S. Stevenson University

Thesis Laboratory: Jacquelyn Meyers, PhD; Department of Psychiatry

Research Interests & Experience: Eating disorder and substance use disorder comorbidity.


photo of Isaac VinganIsaac Vingan

isaac.vingan@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Science, MD/PhD

B.S. Binghamton University

Thesis Laboratory: Juan Marcos Alarcon, PhD; Department of Pathology

Research Interests & Experience: My project is focused on investigating the neuro-molecular changes that coincide with behavioral experiences in mice. Specifically, we are looking at the transcriptomic make up of the dorsal hippocampal network following the recall of a cognitively demanding behavioral paradigm known as active place avoidance. We plan to implement a variety of molecular techniques to interrogate the coincident transcriptional changes, such as, but not limited to: Bulk RNAseq, snRNAseq and Spatial Transcriptomics.

photo of Appy BhattacharyaAppy Bhattacharya, PhD

aparajita.bhattacharya@downstate.edu

LinkedIn

Research Site

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
MRes
University of Birmingham, UK

Thesis Laboratory: Jin Montclare, PhD; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NYU

Research Interests & Experience: Current work focused on engineering and characterizing rationally-designed protein biomaterials. Our goal is to improve cancer drug delivery and enable its multimodal diagnosis via NIRF, MRI and PET imaging. Our platform is, therefore, a multimodal theranostic agent (therapeutic + diagnostic).


photo of Natasha Bobrowski-KhouryNatasha Bobrowski-Khoury, PhD

Student Profile SUNY Downstate’s Research Pulse Student Profile 

LinkedIn

Research Profile

Neurology Research Fellow at Mass General Brigham

Downstate Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.Sc. SUNY Binghamton University
M.Sc. University College of London

Thesis Laboratory: Edward Quadros, PhD; Department of Medicine

Research Interest & Experience: Keywords: Autism, Neurodevelopment, Folate Deficiency, Neuroimmunology

My thesis work explores the role of folate receptor alpha autoimmunity in the inheritance of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorders.


photo of Jordi ChanovasJordi Chanovas-Colome

jordi.chanovas@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Science

B.S. Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain

Thesis Laboratory: Juan Marcos Alarcon, PhD; Department of Pathology

Research Interests & Experience: My thesis project at the laboratory of Dr. Juan Marcos Alarcon investigates the impact of gut microbiota on learning and memory. More specifically, whether gut dysbiosis alters the formation of neuronal ensembles recruited by memory disrupting the capacity to associate memory experiences.


photo of David HavlicekDavid Havlicek, MD, PhD

Neurosurgery Resident at Ohio State

Downstate Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

Thesis Laboratory: Peter Bergold, PhD; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

Research Interests & Experience: PhD Thesis: Moderate-to-severe closed head injury induces a chronic oligodendrocytic tauopathy.

 


Mulin He, PhD

mulin.he@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

B.S. Dalian Medical University, China
M.S. Emporia State University

Thesis Laboratory: Xian-Cheng Jiang, PhD; Department of Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: Lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis.


photo of Charles KarraschCharles Karrasch, PhD

charles.karrasch@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, MD/PhD

B.S. University of Nevada, Reno

Thesis Laboratory: John Danias, MD, PhD; Departments of Cell Biology and Ophthalmology

Research Interests & Experience: Extracellular matrix, retinal development, visual function, regenerative medicine.


photo of Craig KelleyCraig Kelley, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Columbia University

Downstate Program: Biomedical Engineering

B.S. Boston University

Thesis Laboratory: Bill Lytton, MD; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology

Research Interests & Experience: I performed my doctoral research at SUNY Downstate under the direction of Prof. William Lytton and defended my PhD thesis "Multiscale computer modeling of brain excitability: applications to spreading depression and neuronal impedance" in June 2023.  I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University, where I am studying the neural mechanisms of attention and developing methods to enhance it.


photo of Sofía MorelSofía Morel

sofia.tortoramorel@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Doctor of Dental Surgery, Universidad de los Andes

Thesis Laboratory: Laura Martello-Rooney, PhD; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Research Interests & Experience: I am interested in emphasizing the important role of oral health in the context of systemic diseases. We are currently studying the role of the oral microbiome and periodontal disease in colon cancer. We aim to increase the representation of African American patients in cancer databases by investigating microbiome composition and inflammatory profile in clinical samples. In addition to evaluating the use of biomarkers present in oral fluids and serum to potentially link to location and prognosis in colon cancer.


photo of Timothy MorelloTimothy Morello, PhD

timothy.morello@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.S. University of Rochester

Thesis Laboratory: Rena Orman PhD; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Richard Kollmar, PhD; Department of Cell Biology and Mark Stewart, MD, PhD; Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Neurology

Research Interests & Experience: The architecture of claustrum and related limbic cortical regions in Carollia perspicillata revealed by latexin and calcium-binding proteins.


photo of Aditi NaikAditi Naik

aditi.naik@downstate.edu

Program: Neural and Behavioral Sciences

B.Pharm University of Mumbai

Thesis Laboratory: Dr. Sabina Hrabetova, Department of Cell Biology

Research Interests & Experience: Our lab, Hrabetova Lab, focuses on understanding how the structure and contents of the brain's extracellular space affect the movement and transport of molecules through the brain tissue. This transport can be relevant for drug delivery, movement of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, as well as clearance of toxic metabolic waste. My study focuses specifically on an extracellular matrix molecule, hyaluronan and its functions in the brain tissue. I have a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy from University of Mumbai, India. After finishing PhD, I would like to work in the industry as a scientist in the field of brain drug delivery.


photo of Stanley SorokaStanley Soroka, PhD

stanley.soroka@downstate.edu

Program: Molecular and Cellular Biology, MD/PhD

B.S. Union College

Thesis Laboratory: Laura Martello-Rooney, PhD; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Research Interests & Experience: My research interests coming into graduate school were the molecular basis of disease and pharmacology.  In the Martello-Rooney laboratory I am studying the feasibility of encapsulating chemotherapeutics in microparticles for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.