Meet the team

Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator

Eleanna is a physician-scientist neuropathologist. Her research focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, and in particular synucleinopathies. She still spends many happy hours in the lab doing experiments to untangle the mysteries of neurodegeneration. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, coos over cats and travels.

Graduate student, Molecular Biosciences PhD program

Katelyn is a first-year PhD student in the molecular biosciences program. She completed her undergraduate degree at Franklin and Marshall College, where she double majored in biochemistry and molecular biology, and neuroscience. Her undergraduate research focused on rare genetic diseases prevalent in the Amish community. When not in the lab, Katelyn enjoys watching Formula 1 races and reading romance and fantasy books.

Postbac research technician/Incoming Medical Student

Elena graduated last year with a bachelor's in chemistry from Emory University. As an undergraduate she split her free time between nephrology research in the Sands Lab at the Emory School of Medicine and captaining the Women's Club Water Polo team. Her undergraduate research investigated the effect of the diabetes medication empagliflozin on key renal transporter activity in rats. You'll frequently find her listening to classic rock or heavy metal music while she runs experiments. Some of her favorite pastimes include watching Frasier, playing elaborate board games, and reading sci-fi/fantasy novels.

Research technician/Bioinformatician

Robert is a research enthusiast who is excited to apply his technical background in Mathematics to interesting questions in Neuroscience. He has been involved in research since 2016 and hopes to continue on this trajectory in his current position with Rutgers and by applying to PhD programs and pursuing a long-term career in research. He is currently a Master's student in Applied and Computational Mathematics with Johns Hopkins University and he holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics with a minor in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. When not doing Mathematics or research, he enjoys lifting weights and playing ping-pong with his friends!

Undergraduate student, Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University

Coop undergraduate student, Northeastern University

Undergraduate student,
Cell Biology & Neuroscience,
SAS Honors Program, Rutgers University

Undergraduate student, Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Honors College, Rutgers University

Deputy Lab Manager and chief mouser

Leia is Eleanna’s niece (aka her brother’s cat). She has over 10 years of experience in managing hoomans. In her plentiful free time, she creates mischief, eats goormet cat food, sleeps and cuddles with her hoomans. She offers moral support during the final crunch of grant submission.

If you are interested in joining the lab, please see tab “Join” for instructions on how to apply.