• Hometown:Pleasanton, CA
• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite disney character: Buzz Lightyear and Mike Wazowski
• Scientific hero(es): Rosalind Franklin, Albert Einstein
• Favorite non-neuro/non-development arena: organic chemistry, marine biology
• Spirit animal: Red Panda
• Lab call sign/nickname: Vince
• Personal motto:
  “Creativity will take you further than calculation.” -Ronaldinho

Research associate, technician extraordinaire, and resident comedian of the Panagiotakos Lab! I’m keenly interested in understanding the developing brain and how dysfunctional calcium signaling pathways contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability. My research makes use of mouse models to study members of the Calcineurin/NFATc pathway in developing astrocytes, mature neurons, and progenitors of the developing cortex. Outside of lab, I enjoy playing soccer (big Barcelona fan!), video games, and exploring NYC!

• Hometown: Albania, Italy
• Favorite color: Aquamarine
• Favorite disney character: Mulan, (non-Disney character: Minions)
• Scientific hero(es):Barbara McClintock
• Favorite non-neuro/non-development arena: Nutrition, women’s health
• Spirit animal: Turtle
• Lab call sign/nickname: Adele
• Personal motto:
  “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” -Napoleon Hill

I was born in Albania but grew up in Italy. I moved from New Jersey to New York to complete a dual degree, a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Biological Science at Hunter College. In the lab of Dr. Melendez at Hunter, I worked on oligodendrocyte precursor cells’ differentiation in a mouse model and my thesis project led me to other fascinating glial cells (astrocytes and microglia). I am keen on understanding their developmental mechanisms and how these relate to neurological disease! Outside the lab, I enjoy training for a marathon, exploring NYC, baking, or simply vegetating on the couch.

• Hometown: Virginia and Bangalore, India
• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite disney character: Toothless from How to Train your Dragon
• Scientific hero(es): Ramanujan, Marie Curie, Galileo Galilei
• Favorite non-neuro/non-development arena: Infectious Disease, Astronomy
• Spirit animal: Cheetah
• Lab call sign/nickname: Shreya
• Personal motto:
  “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” –Albert Einstein

I was born in Virginia, USA but moved to Bangalore, India in middle school. So basically half my life in each country! I graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Neuroscience. During my undergrad, I conducted research with Dr. Chris Deppmann to explore the role of P75 neurotrophin receptors on neurodegeneration. My first real exposure to neuroscience was at the Indian Institute of Science, where I learned about the role of oxidative stress on neurodegeneration. This kindled my interest to dive deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms of neuroreceptors and hopefully improve treatment options for neurological diseases. I came across Dr. Panagiotakos’ lab website while searching for jobs and her portrayal of the lab and her work on Timothy’s Syndrome stuck out to me. When I am not in the lab, I love to try new outdoor activities, play the piano, and eat at different restaurants in NYC!

• Hometown: Indiana, Canada, China
• Favorite color: Hot pink
• Favorite disney character: Baby Yoda
• Scientific hero(es): Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Roger Y. Tsien
• Favorite non-neuro/non-development arena: Hip-hop
• Spirit animal: tarsier
• Lab call sign/nickname: The Tone-ster
• Personal motto:
  “Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.” -Kobe

I was made in China but exported to America to study in middle school. Then I moved from Indiana to California, where I attended UC Berkeley for undergraduate studies with the focus of molecular and cell biology – neurobiology. At Berkeley, I pursued my interest in Neuroscience with Dr. Ehud Isacoff by investigating the significance of experience in brain circuitry and behavior in zebrafish larval prey capture. I also studied neuroanatomy and neurodevelopment of pediatric epilepsy using zebrafish models with Dr. Scott Baraban. Prior to joining the OCS PhD program, I worked in the Schneider Lab at UCSF, studying the molecular and cellular processes that give rise to mandibular size and shape. I have a keen interest in the mechanisms that govern craniofacial development and its intricate connections with brain development with the goal of finding potential clinical treatments for congenital defects. Outside of school and work, I enjoy a good pot of tea with friends, speed-dialing Kanye, and brushing my teeth.

• Hometown: California
• Favorite color: Hot pink
• Scientific hero: Whoever offers the most belly rubs
• Spirit animal: Skeptical Hummingbird
• Lab call sign/nickname: Ellie-girl
• Personal motto: “Did you say snackie?”