Our Trainees

Spotlight: Ryan Shahidehpour

My name is Ryan Shahidehpour, and as a postdoctoral researcher in lab of Pete Nelson, MD, PhD, in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, I investigate pathological changes that drive neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging in the human brain. My research focuses on understanding how these diseases progress at the cellular level, with a particular interest in how different pathologies drive neurodegeneration.
My interest in neuroscience started unexpectedly— before stepping into a lab, I spent years competing as a professional boxer while also playing lacrosse internationally.

Spotlight: Elika Moallem

My name is Elika Moallem, and I am a third-year graduate student in the department of neuroscience, working under the mentorship of Adam Bachstetter, PhD. My research focuses on the interrelationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), particularly how metabolic dysfunction after TBI contributes to neurodegeneration. I am passionate about exploring potential therapeutic interventions that target cerebral metabolism to improve long-term outcomes for individuals at risk of cognitive decline after a brain injury.

Spotlight: Atcharaporn Ontawong

My name is Atcharaporn Ontawong, and I am a second-year postdoctoral scholar at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging under the mentorship of Anika Hartz, PhD. My journey with the Hartz lab began in 2018 when, as a PhD student from Thailand, I joined the group through a scholarship from Thailand's Research and Researcher for Industry program. This opportunity was facilitated by my PhD advisor, Dr. Chutima Vaddhanaphuti, who had established a strong professional relationship and friendship with Dr. Anika Hartz during their postdoctoral training at the NIH.