PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

ACHUTH PADMANABHAN

Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, UMBC ; Member, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS

SWETHAKUMAR BASAVARAJAIAH

Postdoc, Unity Health, Toronto (2023); Ph.D. (Biochemistry), Univ. of Mysore, India (2020); MSc (Biochemistry) Univ. of Mysore, India (2006)

 

 

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

AYO OGUNSANYA

B.S. Biological Sciences (Chemistry minor), Northern Michigan Univ. (2016); M.S. Biological Sciences, Univ. of Alabama (2018)

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. Through my work, I  hope to advance our understanding of carcinogenesis and be a part of  discoveries that lead to novel ways to treat gynecologic cancers. My career goal is to become an independent investigator and an educator as I desire to inspire and mentor aspiring student researchers in the future. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, and I love to read novels.

MEGHA PANDYA

M.B.B.S, Maharaja Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavnagar Univ., India (2010); M.D., Maharaja Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavnagar Univ., India (2013); M.S Applied Molecular Biology, UMBC (2021)

Prior to joining the Padmanabhan lab for my PhD, I obtained a medical degree from India and a masters in applied molecular biology from UMBC. My work focuses on discovering novel factors that drive ovarian cancer progression and developing more effective therapeutics. Aside from school, I like to travel, read novels, and go on hikes.

FATIMAH ALFARAN

B.S. Medical and Molecular Biology (Health Psychology minor), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (2016); M.S Cancer Biology, Drexel Univ. (2020)

I am currently pursuing my PhD in the Padmanabhan lab. My passion for science came from a lifelong interest in biology and desire for intellectual challenge. My goal is to pursue a career in cancer research where I will also have the opportunity to teach both undergraduate and graduate students. Coming from Saudi Arabia there were limited opportunities to learn biomedical research skills. I hope to use the knowledge that I will gain from my graduate studies to empower and encourage young scientists in my country. Outside the lab, l am a loving mother to my little boy Hadi and like to read novels!!

RESEARCH STAFF

Roopa Santoshi Gatta

Bioinformatics Specialist

M.S. Health Information Technology, UMBC (2024)

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

JESSICA HOFFMAN

B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC (2026)

I am a sophomore at UMBC who is interested in exploring the field of biology. I love surrounding myself with people who share similar interests and in pushing the boundaries of ovarian cancer research. I started working in the Padmanabhan lab as a high school senior and have continued to do so since. Outside of the lab and school, I enjoy going to the beach, hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, and working out. After graduation, I plan to continue in biomedical research and obtain a PhD.

PAVAN UMASHANKAR

B.S. Chemical Engineering, UMBC (2024); Meyerhoff Affiliate (M32), Honors College

I aim to uncover mechanisms underlying cancer pathology and identify novel therapeutic interventions. I plan to attend a MD-PhD program to pursue a career in medicine and basic/translational biomedical research. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exercising, watching movies/documentaries, and spending time with friends and family.

SETHU GOKULAKRISHNAN

B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC (2026)

I am an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S in Biological Sciences. During my time in the Padmanabhan Lab, I aim to further my understanding of mechanisms that drive ovarian progression and learn the different lab protocols/techniques used in cancer research. After undergrad, I intend on attending medical school to become a physician. Outside of the lab and school, I enjoy listening to music, playing games, practicing percussion, and spending time with family and friends.

KATHERINE MCHARGH

B.A. Biological Sciences and Psychology UMBC (2025)
I am currently pursuing my bachelors in both Biological Sciences and Psychology with plans to go into the medical field. I am eager to learn more about the development of cancer and to further my interest in research. Outside of the lab and school, I enjoy spending time outside, going to the gym, and hanging out with my friends. Outside of my personal interests, I am involved on campus as member of Phi Mu Fraternity, Phi Gamma chapter.

EMMANUEL OMOLE

B.S. Biological Sciences and Psychology UMBC (2026); Meyerhoff Scholar
I am a second-year undergraduate student currently studying at UMBC. My interest include cellular biology, cancer biology, stem cell, and physiology. With Dr.Padmanabhan’s lab, I have been able to explore these interests more in-depth. I want to earn my MD/PhD to pursue a career in research and clinical experience. Outside of lab I like to play basketball with my friends, eat out, and cut hair.

COURTNEY DE LEON

B.A. Biological Sciences, UMBC (2025); U-RISE Scholar
I joined the Padmanabhan lab in 2023 as an undergraduate researcher and a U-RISE scholar. I plan on pursuing an MD/PhD with a special interest in female healthcare and fertility. Career goal is to become a Reproductive Endocrinologist and/or do research on different kinds of infertility problems in female health. Outside of lab, most favorite hobby is reading fantasy books.

 

 

ALUMNI

 

PhD STUDENTS

1.  Kathryn Wardrup (2019-2024)

Next Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Biggins Lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle

 

MASTERS STUDENTS

1.  Stephen Goralski (M.S. AMB (2019-2020), co-mentored with Ms. Julie Wolf)

Next Position: Research Associate, Gliknik Inc.

2. Megha Pandya (M.S. AMB (2021-2022), co-mentored with Dr. Cynthia Wagner)

Next Position: Research Technician, UMBC (Padmanabhan lab)

3. Matthew Doucette (M.S. AMB (2022-2023), co-mentored with Dr. Cynthia Wagner)

Next Position: Senior Research Associate, Meso Scale Diagnostics LLC

4. Noel Amadu (M.S. Biological Sciences (2020-2023))

Next Position: Virology Scientist, Millipore Sigma

5. Christopher Welsh (M.S. AMB (2023-2024), co-mentored with Dr. Cynthia Wagner)

Next Position: Research Technician, UMBC (Starz-Gaiano lab)

 

RESEARCH STAFF

1. Aleem Mohammed (Research Assistant, 2019 – 2020)

Next Position: Medical School, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

2. Rica Yssabel Perona (Research Assistant, 2020 – 2021)

Next Position: Masters of Health Science, Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University

3. Megha Pandya (Research Assistant, 2021 – 2022)

Next Position: PhD student (Padmanabhan lab), UMBC

4. Bittania Berhane (Research Assistant, 2022 – 2023)

Next Position:

5. Joseph Lobianco (Research Assistant, 2022 – 2023)

Next Position: Consultant, Medix Technology

6. Kavita Gawade (Research Assistant, April 2024 – December 2024)

Next Position:

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1.  Eyerusalem Workneh (2019-2020)

Next Position: Medical School, University of Maryland School of Medicine

2. Hanna Greffie (2019-2020)

Next Position: Postbaccalaureate CRTA Fellow, National Cancer Institute, NIH

3. John Snee (2019-2020)

Next Position: R&D Microbiologist, Becton-Dickinson

4. Yousef Majid (2019-2020)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

5. Noah Gold (2019-2020)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

6. Tessa Clement (2019-2021)

Next Position: Medical School, Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University

7. Rahul Kamdar (2020-2021)

Next Position: Postbaccalaureate CRTA Fellow, National Cancer Institute, NIH

8. Ashley Copenhaver (2020 Winter)

Next Position: PhD student (LeGates lab), UMBC

9. Kaily Johnson (2020-2022)

Next Position: Genetic Counseling Assistant, GeneDx

10. Shubhi Saxena (2022)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

11. Nadia Egubine (2022)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

12. Yasmine ward (2022-2023)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

13. Kamden Iverson (2022-2023)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

14. Kevin Gibbons (2020-2023)

Next Position: PhD student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

15. Nithya Navarathna (2020-2023)

Next Position: Research Associate, University of Maryland Baltimore

16. Tadiwa Chiduza (2023-2024)

Next Position: B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC

 

VISITING STUDENTS

1. ALICE PETREN (Masters project, 2023 – 2024) – Linköping University, Sweden

 

HIGH SCHOOL INTERNS

1. Manasvi Mamilla (2020 – 2021, Marriotts Ridge High School)

Next position: College of New Jersey & Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (combined 7-year medical program)

2. Jessica Hoffman (2021, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School)

Next position: UMBC (B.S Biological Sciences student and student researcher, Padmanabhan lab)