SLOAN LAB
People
Steven Sloan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Steven Sloan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics, at the Emory University School of Medicine. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona and spent the latter half of his childhood in South Florida. For his undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Biochemistry he attended the University of Miami, FL.
Steven received his MD and PhD degrees at Stanford University in the laboratory of Ben Barres, where he became fascinated with glia--the understudied and mysterious cell types that adjoin neurons within the nervous system. Given his interests in human medicine, Steven spent his PhD investigating the functions of human astrocytes. Along with his colleagues, he developed techniques to purify and profile each of the major CNS cell types from the rodent and human brain and created resources to distribute this information so that it could be utilized by the entire neuroscience community.
Recognizing that studying human glia from primary tissue had inherent limitations, Steven completed a post-doctoral fellowship with Dr. Sergiu Pasca at Stanford to develop a human induced pluripotent stem cell 3D model of cortical development called human cortical spheroids (hCS). This is an ideal system for interrogating human cortical development and specifically glial development in both healthy and diseased states. Steven joined the Emory faculty in the fall of 2018, where his lab studies glial development and the role these cells play in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disease.
In his free time, Steven can be found training for triathlons and spending time outdoors and with his family (including the lab's first two members, canines Kevin and Ben).
Research Staff
I graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry with an emphasis in Biology at the University of California, Riverside. In my spare time I love reading, journaling, watching The Office, and practicing yoga.
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Research: My current project involves utilizing molecular and cell biological techniques to identify progenitor populations responsible for the production of human astrocytes.
Alexia King
Lead Research Specialist
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I graduated with a degree in biochemistry from McMaster University and completed my PhD in Helen McNeill's lab at the University of Toronto investigating the role of cadherins in mitochondria. In my postdoc work in Julie Lefebvre's lab I studied how protocadherins direct the development of cortical interneuons in the mammalian brain. In my spare time I enjoy exploring local restaurants and can be found gaming (both
board and video).
Anson Sing, PhD
Research Specialist
Postdoctoral Fellows
I graduated from UCLA with a PhD
in Molecular Toxicology, where I studied serotonergic neuromodulation of fly visual processing. Prior to graduate school, I earned a BS in Biochemistry and worked at the CDC measuring toxicants in human blood as part of the NHANES biomonitoring program. Now, I am studying effects of developmental lead toxicity within the context of neuron-astrocyte interactions.
Maureen Sampson, PhD​
I graduated from the Institute of Chemical Technology (Mumbai, India) and then received my PhD in Pharmacology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA where I studied sex-specific effects of chaperone and microglial defenses in Lewy body disorders. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, reading, writing, and traveling to new places.
Research: I am using region-specific human brain organoids to determine vulnerabilities to glioblastomas across space and time.
Tarun Bhatia, PhD
I earned my PhD in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health from Virginia Tech, under Dr. Michelle Olsen, where I studied how gene mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases affect astrocyte function. Prior to graduate study, I earned a BS in Psychological Science from ASU. Outside of research, I can be found enjoying family time or playing video games.
Research: I am using iPSC and organoid models to study the effects of serotonin signaling on glial cell populations.
Raymundo Hernandez, PhD
I graduated from the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) with a MSc degree in Neuroscience and Cognition and then received my PhD in Cell Biology in which I studied the tumor microenvironment of glioblastomas at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Outside the lab, I love to go hiking, running and hosting friends.
Research: I am currently focusing on epigenetic post-translational histone modifications in neurodevelopment and glioblastoma.
Lisa Nieland, PhD
Graduate Students
I graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology and spent 2 additional years as a postbaccalaureate researcher. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy gardening, watching sports, trying new foods, and relaxing with my cat!
Research: my project is focused on identifying chromatin modifiers that are responsible for changes in the chromatin landscape that result in astrocyte reactivity.
Emily Hill
I graduated with a B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan. I am interested in 3D in vitro models to study neurodevelopment and diseases. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking/baking, watching and playing sports, kickboxing, and traveling.
Research: My current project focuses on integrating 3D bioprinting and iPSCs to study neurodevelopment.
Melissa Cadena
I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Spelman College, where I studied the neural mechanisms underlying sleep as an undergrad researcher at Morehouse School of Medicine. Post-graduation, I conducted post-bac research at NYU School of Medicine, where I explored the role of reactive astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases. In my doctoral research, I am exploring the molecular dynamics of astrocyte development, and how these processes go awry in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Research: My project focuses on investigating
the molecular mechanisms that regulate astrogenesis.
Uriel Rufen-Blanchette
I am a 5th year PhD Candidate co-mentored by Srikanth Rangaraju at Yale University. I received a BSc and MSc of Biology from Eastern Washington University. My PhD studies are focused on developing new methods to quantify RNA and protein levels from neural cell types and investigating astrocytic proteomic and transcriptomic contributions to Alzeihmer's disease. I aspire to be a professor where I can conduct research in glial biology, teach in the biomedical sciences, and mentor students.
Christina Ramelow
I graduated with a B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience from Tulane University, then received an MPhil in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, before starting at Emory/Georgia Tech in the MD/PhD program. I am interested in tissue engineering and neural organoids to develop more advanced models of neurodevelopment and disease. In my spare time, I enjoy rock climbing, playing soccer, cooking, and having coffee or tea.
Research: My current project focuses on using 3D bioprinting to develop neurovasculature in the
organoid model.
Mostafa Meselhe
I graduated with a B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Yale University and spent the following two years as a postgraduate researcher. At Emory, I developed an interest in brain development and in utilizing in-vitro systems to model early developmental processes.
Research: My current project focuses on characterizing glial progenitor populations and mechanisms underlying cell fate decisions.
Nardos Kebede
Undergraduate Students
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I am an undergraduate studying Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Sociology. I am interested in studying astrocyte maturation and GBM in the organoid model. In my free time, I enjoy exploring coffee shops, painting, re-watching Friends, and trying new food!
Nidhi Ganta
I am an undergraduate studying Anthropology and Human Biology. I am interested in studying the effect of endothelial cells in promoting cerebral organoid viability. In my spare time, I love to exercise outdoors, read, try new places to eat, and spend time with friends and family
Kylie Taylor