Medical Neuroscience Graduate Students

Undergraduate Institution: 

Lab: Liana G. Apostolova, MD, MS

Research Project: My research is interdisciplinary research that bridges the predictive performance of the deep learning approach to the identification of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) genetic risk factors to develop clinical studies for personalized preventive medicine. I am currently developing a novel deep learning model to map the entire epistatic interactions of AD for an individual. One of the goals of our research lies in revealing the robust associations between the genetic dynamics of AD to its progression. These include the rate of cognitive decline and changes in cerebrospinal fluid protein levels. Furthermore, we aim to go beyond traditional research boundaries by conducting a computational CRISPR simulation. This simulation involves replacing an individual's genetic variant at a specific locus with a reference genome to predict the likelihood of AD occurrence if CRISPR technology were implemented. In essence, our research not only offers insights into the genetic dynamics of AD but also has the potential to revolutionize the development of personalized preventive medicine strategies.

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? IU School of Medicine, specifically its MedNeuro program, represents the ideal setting for interdisciplinary research, particularly in collaboration with the field of computer science. With the support of the interdisciplinary culture at IU School of Medicine, I will be able to create cutting-edge deep learning model for studying Alzheimer's Disease (AD). 

Awards/Honors: 

• KASBP-MOGAM fellowship
• AAIC 2023 travel awards
• Center for Neuroimaging travel awards
• Stark Neuroscience fellowship

Hobbies: Transcribing literature (scientific articles, non-fictions, novels, poems, etc.)

Undergraduate Institution: Montana State University, Bozeman

Lab: Andrew Saykin, PsyD and Kwangsik Nho, PhD

Research Project: Modeling cardiovascular risk and cerebrovascular pathology in Alzheimer's Disease(AD) multiethnic populations using single-cell transcriptomic and neuroimaging

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? MedNeuro allowed me to explore my scientific interests and join a lab that ultimately best suited my career development and research trajectory. The program administration remains available for all my queries, questions, and concerns and has always been a source of reassurance to me as I tackle each hurdle that comes with a doctoral degree. Additionally, I have been fortunate to find MedNeuro faculty/mentors who are invested in my academic, personal, and professional goals and inspire me to attain them.

Awards/Honors: 

• 2023-2025 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Health Equity Scholar Program (ADNI HESP) predoctoral fellowship ($96,000)
• 2022-2023 Paul & Carole Stark Neurosciences Fellowship 
• 2024 Women's History Month Award: Celebrating Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• 3 Minute Thesis competition winner at IUPUI and People's Choice Award ( $700, "Heart & Brain Tango: Unmasking Alzheimer's Secrets")
• Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Initiative (ACI) Student Fellow
• IMPACT Indiana Founder and President and Research America! Civic Engagement Microgrant Program awardee
• Women in Neuroscience (WIN) career development awardee
• Elected as Sigma Xi Associate Member: selected as a 2023-2024 Associate member of Sigma Xi Research Honors Society by IUPUI faculty and received a monetary award for outstanding achievement in research

Hobbies: Hiking and outdoor adventures

Undergraduate Institution: Stockton University

Lab: Shannon Risacher, PhD and Andrew Saykin, PsyD

Research Project: MINDful Eating for Brain Health: Unraveling the Relationship Between the MIND Diet and Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? Supportive and friendly faculty and staff, state-of-the-art neuroimaging equipment and facilities, incredible funding track record, and many funding opportunities!

Hobbies: Weightlifting, hiking, playing with my dog Harley

Undergraduate Institution: Western Washington University

Lab: Shannon Risacher, PhD and Andrew Saykin, PsyD

Research Project: My research projects focus on understanding the association of head injury with Alzheimer’s disease using multimodal neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers, genetics, and clinical cognitive testing. The goal of my work is to describe how head injury may contribute to neurodegenerative changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and offer critical insight into risk factors of neurodegeneration that can be targeted to lessen dementia risk.

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? I majored in neuroscience as an undergraduate student, so I knew when coming to graduate school that I would continue in neuroscience. I was particularly drawn to IU School of Medicine because of the wealth of Alzheimer’s disease research here, as well as the excellent neuroimaging facilities and ongoing clinical research studies.  

Awards/Honors:

• IUPUI Graduate University Fellowship
• Stark Neurosciences Research Institute T32 Training Grant on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Hobbies: I love to read, and I’m always on the hunt for excellent sci-fi! My favorite books that I’ve recently read are Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. I also really enjoy going to see performances by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Lab: Mark Kelley, PhD; Tim Corson, PhD

Research Project: My research is focused on finding out the underlying mechanisms that underlie retinal neovascularization, or the overgrowth of blood vessels, which can ultimately lead to blindness. The long-term goal of my research is to develop a new therapy and improve patient outcomes by targeting a protein called Ref-1. Ref-1 plays a big role in neovascularization and inflammation, giving the lab reason to think that it is a promising therapeutic target.

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? I love IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro for the collaborate environment and the comradery that I’ve felt. Everyone is very eager to help each other and share new ideas! My professors and advisors at MedNeuro have taught me to be curious and explore other areas that don’t directly relate to your work. This advice has allowed me to keep an open mind, and helps me try to think outside of the box!

Awards/Honors:

• Society for Neuroscience Trainee Professional Development Award 2023
• IUPUI Travel Fellowship Award Recipient for ARVO 2023
• Saving Sight Indiana Travel Award Recipient for ARVO 2023
• First Prize for 2022 Greater Indiana Society for Neuroscience Research Image Contest
• Qais Farjo Travel Award Grant Recipient for ARVO 2022
• Society for Neuroscience’s Neuroscience Scholars Program Associate
• STEAMid Future Leader Feature – social media feature of inspiring individuals to motivate young scholars to follow in footsteps 

Hobbies: Running, golf, cross-stitching, cooking/baking and reading.

Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University Bloomington 

Lab: Jeff Dage, PhD

Research Project: Determining a Mechanistic Role for GFAP isoforms in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? I have known about Stark and the Med Neuro program since I was an undergraduate at IU. Neuroscience has been a long-standing interest of mine since before my undergraduate years, but Stark offered a unique focus on neurodegeneration specifically, while also allowing us to study multiple other disciplines of science through the IBMG program. 

Awards/Honors:

• T32 Training Grant on Alzheimer’s and Alzheimer’s Related Dementia; NIH Funded Institutional Training Grant; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, 2024
• IUPUI Honors Graduate School University Fellowship; Indiana University School of Medicine - Graduate Division, 2023

Hobbies: Hiking, Camping, Skiing

Undergraduate Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

Lab: Leslie Hulvershorn, PhD

Research Project: Sex differences in risky decision-making brain activation and behavior in youth at risk for substance use disorders

Why IU School of Medicine and Med Neuro? Where else can you learn about neuroimaging and the neuroscience of addiction from brilliant and accessible experts in the field? Everyone, particularly the leadership and administrative staff, is incredibly nice and supportive, as well.

Awards/Honors:

• 2021 IUSOC Research Team Member of the Year
• IU MSTP's Jack Bauer Honor Fund Travel Award
• 2023-2024 IU School of Medicine Graduate Division’s Student Volunteer of the Year Award
• John Renner Travel Award to the 33rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
• 2024 College on Problems of Drug Dependence NIDA Women & Sex/Gender Junior Investigator Travel Award

Hobbies: Board games, cat cuddles, and watching Bob's Burgers.

Undergraduate Institution: Nova Southeastern University 

Lab: Brittany Needham, PhD

Research Project: My research in Dr. Needham's lab focuses on the impact of gut-derived metabolites on the blood-brain barrier. I am investigating over 200 gut-derived metabolites to understand which gut-derived metabolites cross the blood-brain barrier, are restricted to circulation, or are present and modulate barrier integrity.

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? I knew that I would be supported by the MedNeuro educational department and the faculty members. Their commitment to student success and the extensive resources available were significant factors in my decision. Additionally, the curriculum allows me to study interdisciplinary neuroscience, enabling me to earn major credits in neuroscience while also taking minor credits in microbiology and immunology.

Undergraduate Institution: Tuskegee University

Lab: Padmanabhan Pattabiraman, PhD

Research Project: Identification of the novel role of targeting G-protein signaling for lowering intraocular pressure

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? As a woman of color and a first-generation college student, I feel the weight of underrepresentation in STEM fields, and this fuels my motivation to enrich my education. At IU School of Medicine, my passion for Medical Neuroscience allows me to deepen my understanding of the functions of the brain and make meaningful contributions to the field of neuroscience. My grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s profoundly influenced my journey, igniting my commitment to conducting research that changes lives. I aspire to create a brighter future in science, inspiring others along the way. Every step I take toward a career in STEM not only furthers my goals but also paves the way for young women to follow.

Awards/Honors: Heartland Vision Research Symposium Best Poster Award 2024

Hobbies: My hobbies include playing the guitar and drums, as well as photography and videography.

Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University

Lab: Christopher Lapish, PhD

Research Project: I am currently working at developing a behavioral model in rats for negative urgency as it presents itself in alcohol use disorder. Negative urgency is a form of impulsivity that is induced by strong emotions and is highly correlated with substance abuse disorders such as alcohol use disorder. There currently isn’t a great model for inducing urgency which greatly limits our ability to understand the neurological mechanisms behind it and how we could potentially counteract those to reduce the susceptibility to developing a substance abuse disorder.

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? First of all, I really enjoyed the administrative staff. They made me feel very welcome and supported both during my time of choosing a PhD major and during my transition process into the program. I am the most interested and passionate about neuroscience as well which made it an easy choice. I have found the classes to be very educational and straightforward further supporting that I made the right decision.

Hobbies: Reading, bouldering, biking and singing in the shower

Lab: Padmanabhan Pattabiraman, PhD

Undergraduate Institution: D.Y Patil University

Research Project: To identify the role of Tensin3 in regulating intraocular pressure in the eye.

Why IU School of Medicine and MedNeuro? The medical neuroscience program at IU School of Medicine is exceptionally comprehensive, offering in-depth coursework that covers all aspects related to the brain — impacting every organ in the body. What sets the program apart is its supportive, student-centered approach. The faculty and staff are approachable and dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment, making it an ideal choice for anyone passionate about neuroscience.

Undergraduate Institution: Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lab: Jungsu Kim,PhD

Research project: Studying the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.

Why IU School of Medicine and Med Neuro: I came here because of the strong neuroscience research conducted here, and the focus on neurodegenerative diseases, which is what I wanted to focus on in my PhD, to bridge bench to bedside as a neuroscientist and neurologist.

Awards/Honors:

• IUPUI University Fellowship
• Paul & Carole Stark Scholar Fellowship

Hobbies: Drawing, writing, cooking