{"id":915,"date":"2025-01-25T15:25:22","date_gmt":"2025-01-25T15:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/services\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T15:56:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:56:09","slug":"team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/team\/","title":{"rendered":"Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Team<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Vidyadhara D J, Team Lead\u200b<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Vidya<\/strong> is a neurobiologist with a long career dedicated to understanding Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD) and age-related neurodegeneration. His academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Microbiology, followed by a Master\u2019s in Medical Physiology, where he conducted research on ischemic stroke and developed a strong interest in motor system disorders. This led him to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience, focusing on Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD).<\/p>\n

During his doctoral research, he explored the heterogeneity of PD onset, provided first-of-its-kind insights into glial cell morphologies in the aging human substantia nigra, and contributed to the development of autophagy-based therapeutic approaches. His postdoctoral work advanced the field\u2019s understanding of endolysosomal dysfunction in PD, particularly involving auxilin and GBA mutations. These studies emphasized the pivotal role of presynaptic endocytosis in both motor and cognitive symptoms of PD. He also contributed to work on olfactory dysfunction, neuroinflammation in Gaucher disease, and PD drug development.<\/p>\n

His lab, launched towards the end of 2024, investigates whether PD pathogenesis begins at the presynaptic and axonal level\u2014independent of the soma\u2014and how such early dysfunction drives progressive motor and cognitive decline. The lab focuses on mechanisms of presynaptic endocytosis and other endolysosomal systems, aiming to uncover how their disruption leads to synaptic and axonal degeneration. These studies bridge fundamental neuroscience with translational goals, working to advance understanding and treatment of PD and other related neurodegenerative diseases.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Sowmithra, Postdoctoral Research Associate \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sowmithra<\/strong> is a stem cell biologist who has made important contributions to understanding neurodegenerative disease mechanisms using human iPSC-derived neuronal models. She earned her PhD from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), India, and subsequently completed her first postdoctoral training in the Lim Lab (Depts. of Genetics and Neuroscience) at Yale University.<\/p>\n

Her prior work has focused on building and applying patient-relevant iPSC platforms, including the generation and characterization of CRISPR\/Cas9-edited and patient-derived iPSC lines and their differentiation into cortical and dopaminergic neurons, and astrocytes. She has also leveraged stem-cell-derived neural progenitors to study mechanisms of injury and recovery. Using these complementary models, she has investigated disease-relevant pathways with particular emphasis on lysosomal\/autophagy dysfunction and lipid dysregulation, integrating live-cell imaging and transcriptomic approaches.<\/p>\n

At the VDJ Laboratory, Sowmithra leads the human and patient iPSC-based studies aimed at defining mechanisms of synaptic degeneration across endocytic mutants and environmentally relevant neurotoxic insults relevant to Parkinson’s disease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Natalie Loveridge, MDDR student \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Natalie<\/strong> holds a BA in Molecular and Cellular Biology with Honors, and a BA in Medicine, Health, and Society from Vanderbilt University. She is currently a second-year medical student pursuing a Doctor of Medicine with Distinction in Research (MDDR) in the VDJ Laboratory.<\/p>

She aspires to become a physician-scientist in emergency or critical care medicine and is deeply passionate about biomedical research. In the VDJ Laboratory, she is investigating the mechanisms of LRRK2-mediated Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Sasvat Chigurupati, Student Researcher\n \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sasvat<\/strong> is a high school student at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He aspires to become a physician-scientist and is deeply passionate about neuroscience. In the VDJ Laboratory, he contributes to studies on LRRK2-linked Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Alumni \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Athira M. Menon, Research Technician \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Athira<\/strong>\u00a0is a skilled researcher with a strong academic foundation in biotechnology and microbiology. She holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Biotechnology and a Master\u2019s in Microbiology, graduating with first rank and receiving a gold medal for academic excellence. Her research experience spans 3D cell culture systems, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, equipping her with a versatile skill set for studying disease mechanisms.<\/p>

Athira\u2019s interest in neuroscience was sparked during her tenure at the Centre for Neuroscience, Cochin University of Science and Technology, where she investigated the role of neurons in shaping primary and metastatic tumor niches\u2014an experience that deepened her commitment to understanding chronic disease biology and neuroscience.\u00a0<\/p>

At the VDJ Laboratory, she contributed deciphering the mechanisms of auxilin-LRRK2-mediated presynaptic endocytosis deficits in Parkinson\u2019s disease, employing primary dopaminergic neuronal cultures from mouse models to uncover early pathogenic events in synaptic and axonal degeneration.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ayleen Castillo-Torres, Graduate Student (rotating) \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ayleen<\/strong> holds a BA in Neuroscience from Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. She then worked as a Research Technician in the Sadri-Vakili Neuroepigenetic Laboratory at Harvard University, where she contributed to studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Huntington\u2019s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism.<\/p>

She is deeply passionate about neurodegeneration research, and in the VDJ Laboratory she investigated the mechanisms of LRRK2-mediated synaptic degeneration and Parkinson\u2019s disease pathogenesis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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No\u00e9mie Arriv\u00e9, Visiting Student \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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No\u00e9mie is <\/b>a first-year Master’s student in Neurosciences at Paris Cit\u00e9 University, currently enrolled in a two-year program in France. She is visiting the VDJ lab for her summer research. Her academic background includes a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Life Sciences and hands-on research experience from internships in various laboratories, including in the Astroglia Cell Biology Laboratory at Cardiff University, UK.<\/span><\/p>

She is deeply passionate about advancing research in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson\u2019s disease. In the VDJ Laboratory, she investigated synaptic vesicle integrity in auxilin loss-of-function models using proteomic approaches, followed by validation of key targets in mouse models and primary dopaminergic neuron cultures. Following the completion of her Master\u2019s, she aims to pursue a PhD in Neurosciences.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Mafe Parra (Maria Fernanda Parra Lancheros) Summer Student \n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Maria is a rising junior at Lake Forest College<\/strong>, pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology, though she is currently considering switching her Psychology major to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to better complement her interests in neuroscience. Originally from Colombia, Maria completed her high school education while living in India for two years before moving to the United States for college.<\/p>

Maria is a curious, ambitious, and dedicated student with a strong passion for learning. She is particularly fascinated by neurodegenerative disorders\u2014a field that continues to capture her interest as she deepens her academic knowledge. She is especially drawn to understanding how environmental factors such as diet, sleep, and physical activity influence the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>

At VDJ Lab, she will explored the interplay between environmental factors\u2014particularly aging\u2014and Parkinson\u2019s disease. She is grateful for the opportunity to where she gained hands-on experience with lab techniques she has studied in theory, including the chance to observe human iPSC-derived neurons grow. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in medical research where she can contribute to advancing science and improving human health.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Salar Hatef, Summer MD Student Researcher<\/span><\/h3><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Salar<\/strong> is a summer research student who grew up in Huntley, Illinois. He earned his B.S. from Northern Illinois University, where he conducted undergraduate research in entomology. Following this, Salar joined Rosalind Franklin University (RFU) to pursue an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences. Currently, he is a first-year medical student at Chicago Medical School, RFU.<\/p>

In his free time, Salar enjoys baking cakes with his younger sister. At the VDJ Lab, he is contributed to research on the mechanisms of LRRK2-mediated presynaptic degeneration in Parkinson\u2019s disease, utilizing mouse models to uncover early pathogenic events.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Team Vidyadhara D J, Team Lead\u200b Vidya is a neurobiologist with a long career dedicated to understanding Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD) and age-related neurodegeneration. His academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Microbiology, followed by a Master\u2019s in Medical Physiology, where he conducted research on ischemic stroke and developed a strong interest in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"plain-container","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"enabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-915","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=915"}],"version-history":[{"count":115,"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2325,"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/915\/revisions\/2325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vdjlab.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}