TEAM

Deepika Vasudevan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor Bangalore | NYC 

Curious about all things stress and ribosome, trying to figure out selective mRNA translation, love a good signaling pathway, easily distracted by data, known cat lady. 

deepika.vasudevan@pitt.edu 

www.deepikavasudevan.info

Lydia Grmai, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow Baltimore | NYC 

Following the mysteries of Inter-organ reproductive regulation,  maintenance of sexual identity and dimorphism, and how cellular stress impacts reproduction. Sucker for fly genetic tricks + new craft projects, invested in empowering the next generation of scientists.

lydia.grmai@pitt.edu 

www.lydiagrmai.com

Shyama Nandakumar, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow Chennai | Ann Arbor 

Obsessed with polyploid cells, where they come from and what they do. Endeavoring to understand funky mRNA 5' leaders. Lover of microscopes and coffee. Legendary pun maker. 

shyama.n@pitt.edu

Manuel Michaca

Graduate student San Diego

Trying to figure out the relationship between stress:steroid hormone signaling in the context of lipid metabolism. Adore foxes and long walks

manuel.michaca@pitt.edu  

Narayanan Nampoothiri

Technician Bangalore

Establishing new Drosophila disease models with an eye (pun intended) towards neurodegeneration. Perpetually curious, look for data everywhere. Up for game of cricket any time. Long drives+coffee.

narayanan.nampoothiri@pitt.edu 

Melissa Mychalczuk

Undergraduate Trainee     Scotch Plains, NJ

Fascinated by the complexity of the human body, interested in Drosophila models of human disease, dance teacher, yogi, coffee aficionado. 

msm134@pitt.edu 

Kenza Lahbabi

Undergraduate Trainee Casablanca | White Plains, NY 

Interested in the impact of stress-response mechanisms on rare diseases and cell competition. Hopeful world traveler, love any food-related activity. 

kel163@pitt.edu 

Diya Patel

Undergraduate Trainee Philadelphia

Intrigued by the human brain. Up for learning different types of signaling pathways as well as neural connections. Love running and trying different cuisines.

dtp17@pitt.edu 


PAST MEMBERS

Abby Carney

IGBP rotation student (Spring 2023)


Chris Garbark

Research technician (Jul 2021-Nov 2022)


Emily Lackner

IGBP rotation student  (Fall 2021)


Vanessa Hong

Summer research intern  (Summer 2021)