Because CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) is already a proven pain signal in migraines, we suspect it is also a main driver of vulvar pain. Our next step is simple but powerful: give the mice a CGRP antagonist once this extra nerve growth (hyperinnervation) is established and see whether their pain responses drop. If blocking CGRP reduces pain, we will have clear evidence that the peptide is not just present but functionally causing hypersensitivity. Success would make CGRP-targeted therapy a promising, mechanism-based option for women with vulvodynia—an area where effective treatments are urgently needed.

We are using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to study how exposure to copper sulfate (CuSO₄) affects the body’s ability to respond to stress and infection. Through transcriptomic analysis and PANDA network inference, we have identified key transcription factors and immune-related genes activated by copper exposure. Our findings suggest that copper triggers protective immune pathways, potentially involving the kynurenine pathway, which we are investigating further to understand its role in immune regulation.

This research aims to better understand how heavy metal exposure shapes immune aging and stress resilience. By identifying genetic pathways involved in this response, we hope to uncover new therapeutic targets that could help enhance health and immunity in aging populations, particularly in areas like Arizona where age-related diseases are on the rise.

One of our unique developed methods is a form of SPR called plasmon waveguide resonance spectroscopy, which uses light reflectance off of a prism that contains a proteolipid system to measure mass distribution changes of the system. The lab also focuses on using molecular modeling to identify evolutionary relationships between points on receptors--called coevolution--to pinpoint more effective drug designs.

Our research aims to identify potential drug candidates and understand more about how certain receptor subtypes react to drugs to better understand their role in physiological processes. As the first step in identifying potential life-saving drugs, we work to effectively qualify the efficacy of new compounds and refine methods to find new ones.

In the Bhattacharya lab, I am working on a project aimed at identifying the functions of these orphan transporters. To do this, I use CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out candidate genes in 293T cells and analyze resulting changes in metabolite levels to infer each SLC’s role.

Understanding how these transporters influence metabolism is especially important in cancer, where cells often reprogram metabolic pathways to support tumor growth. By uncovering the functions of some SLCs, this work may reveal new therapeutic targets and provide insight into the metabolic adaptations that drive cancer progression.

My specific project focuses on modifying and optimizing the surface chemistry of the device's primary material, polyimide. The goal is to retain its biocompatibility and improve its adhesive ability with connective tissue while promoting bone growth. To explore this, I’ve tested surface modification techniques such as plasma treatment as well as layered coatings of (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), polydopamine (PDA), hydroxyapatite (HA), and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2). These modified surfaces are then characterized using techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). After characterization, the modified devices will be implanted and tested in in-vivo models to determine their reliability and to evaluate new bone growth through analysis of CT scanning and X-ray images.

In the lab, I focus on creating proteins and studying their self-assembly behavior to create defect-free, mechanically robust, and stretchable protein networks. I produce these proteins by inserting target DNA sequences into E. coli, optimizing key parameters to achieve stable, high-yield production. These proteins are then utilized to create defect-free, highly stretchable protein fibers. The outcomes of this research will serve as an important milestone in advancing biomimetic microparticles that effectively emulate the unique mechanical properties of RBCs.

In particular, we’re interested in vitamin K, which plays a role in activating clotting factors and may influence how much Warfarin a patient needs. My role has focused on applying computer science skills to help clean, organize, analyze, and visualize survey data related to patient diet and Warfarin dosage.

I've met cool people, learned new skills, and have been enjoying the experience :)

We assess behavior using operant chambers and mazes, and examine neural changes through vibratome sectioning, imaging, immunohistochemistry, and retrograde tracing. By delving into both behavior and neural circuitry, our goal is to better understand the mechanisms by which ELS contributes to mental disorders such as PTSD.

In the future, our research can contribute to the development of targeted treatments and cures for individuals affected by early life adversity. 

whether parabrachial Calca neurons that drive pain also disrupt sleep in mice. Calca

neurons are cells that express the Calca gene, which encodes calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), one of the most relevant peptides involved in migraine

pathophysiology. Using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) recordings, I track changes in brain activity to define sleep-wake stages and understand how pain interferes with sleep, reflecting what occurs in human patients. Understanding

and addressing this complex interplay may allow the development of therapeutic

strategies to improve sleep quality and enhance pain management.

Being part of this research project has been a truly rewarding experience. As someone passionate about medicine, working on this project has provided me with extensive knowledge in the areas of pain and sleep, along with valuable experience in preclinical research. It has further deepened my interest in neuroscience and the clinical

applications of sleep and pain research. This experience has helped me realize that I want to pursue a medical career grounded in research. I am very grateful for the financial support that has allowed me to fully dedicate myself to this work and grow both professionally and academically.

As a collective, we are particularly interested in the bidirectional alignment and synergy between users and AI systems in biomedicine. This involves not only aligning AI systems to Users (where systems are designed to match human intentions and values), but also thoughtfully aligning Users to AI systems (where individuals and organizations adjust cognitively and behaviorally to AI advancements). 

Currently, I am working alongside my PhD student mentor on building and evaluating an automated system to extract phenotype definitions for biomedical studies using small-scale language models. Phenotype definitions—criteria used to define patient populations in research—are foundational to informatics and typically require extensive amounts of effort and time from domain experts. As a part of evaluation, we are assessing how faithfully the language model aligns with end-user needs and expectations. This emphasis on interpretability is important for building trust in AI-based systems, especially in the context of biomedical research.

To study this, we use a rat model of AD where we implant neural recording drives to monitor real-time brain waves as the rats perform memory tasks like the water maze and linear track. By combining behavior with neural recordings, we hope to understand how changes in NPTX2 affect the brain’s memory circuits and how this could lead to early signs of Alzheimer’s.

Once I collect the samples, I divide them into three parts: one for 16s rRNA sequencing to look at the microbial communities with the other two parts being used for SCFA and sphingolipid analysis on mass spectrometers. It’s been a challenge balancing my schedule for these long derivatization processes, learning how to present my data, and gathering next steps for the project, but have found myself to be successful. 

This project is helping us further understand how diet impacts microbe-host interactions and potentially give greater insight to dietary strategies for metabolic health.