My Research
undergraduate
My research journey began at Kent State University, where as an Honors Thesis Student under Dr. Gemma Casadesus, I delved into neuroendocrinology. I honed my expertise in cellular localization techniques and bioinformatics, producing a comprehensive atlas to understand the brain’s production and distribution of Luteinizing Hormone, which laid the groundwork for ongoing research in the lab.
As a trainee with BP-ENDURE at Washington University in St. Louis, I worked with Dr. Todd Braver to unpack the heredity of neural activation patterns underlying cognitive control through human fMRI studies, resulting in a publication in Cerebral Cortex.
My curiosity regarding neurological disorders led me to the Summer Research Program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Under Dr. Beth Stevens, I explored the role of the schizophrenia risk gene Csmd1 in synaptic pruning in the mouse cortex.
PhD
My PhD work in the Lehtinen Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School My PhD research focused on discovering a novel apocrine secretion mechanism in the choroid plexus (ChP) and its essential role in shaping cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition to guide brain development. Through advanced imaging and molecular profiling, I demonstrated that the ChP secretes specific signals that directly influence cortical development. I also explored how maternal exposures, including psychedelics, can disrupt CSF composition and alter neurodevelopment, offering new insights into how serotonergic compounds affect embryonic brain activity and cortical formation through the ChP. My findings suggest previously unrecognized pathways by which psychedelics influence brain development, particularly during vulnerable periods.
This interdisciplinary work has broad implications for understanding ChP-regulated brain plasticity and homeostasis, with potential therapeutic applications for neurodevelopmental disorders. A preprint of my study, A Choroid Plexus Apocrine Secretion Mechanism Modulates Cerebrospinal Fluid Contents and Instructs Cortical Development, is available here, offering an in-depth look at these mechanisms and their broader implications.
future
I plan to lead my own research group in academia, where I will explore the mechanisms driving post-acute neurological sequelae after viral and bacterial infections. To build the immunology expertise necessary for this research, I am beginning a postdoctoral position at Stanford with Dr. William H. Robinson in January 2025.
The long-term neurological effects of infections are still poorly understood, with recent global health crises highlighting the urgency of this work. I am particularly drawn to studying the following areas:
Mononucleosis and Neurological Impacts: Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), mononucleosis has been linked to a variety of neurological complications. I aim to investigate the long-term sequelae that may emerge or persist after the acute phase of the infection, which remain largely underexplored.
Lyme Disease and Chronic Manifestations: The bacterium behind Lyme disease can lead to neuroborreliosis, affecting the nervous system. I’m interested in understanding the chronic neurological symptoms that some patients experience, even after completing treatment.
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a range of post-acute neurological symptoms, collectively known as "long COVID." I hope to contribute to the understanding of these persistent effects and their impact on quality of life, working toward improved management and therapies.
Endemic Viruses and the Brain: Endemic viruses, like Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), have been part of human life for centuries, yet their long-term impact on the brain remains unclear. I’m fascinated by how these viruses might contribute to neurodegenerative diseases over time and am eager to investigate this connection.