Our Research Team

Grace Read

Hi everyone! I’m Grace Read and I’m a senior honors neuroscience major with a minor in forensic science. I am currently pre-med and I am hoping to apply to a program that offers a joint MD/PhD degree! I am very passionate about research into hyperglycemia and increasing the scientific literature surrounding sex differences.

Sarah Burley

I am a Senior Biology Pre-med major, and I will be continuing to med school in the summer. I am very interested in Pediatrics, Ob/Gyn, and Family Medicine and  research on how mental health disorders like depression affect more vulnerable populations such and children and pregnant women/ postpartum. This lab has given me a great introduction to the mechanisms underlying depression as well as mechanisms that lower its effects.

Mia Tarantino

Hi! My name is Mia Tarantino, and I am a senior neuroscience major with a minor in biochemistry. My research investigates the relationship between chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, brain senescence, and mitochondria. I am also interested in the APOE4 genotype's effect on microglial lipid accumulation and how this may affect the development of chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment.

Marlee Anderson

Hi, my name is Marlee Anderson and I am a senior Psychology major on the Pre-medicine track! I am interested in cancer research and recently finished a project evaluating the behavioral and neuroinflammatory effects of stress on female mice. 

Madilyn Johnson

My name is Madilyn Johnson, and I am a senior medical humanities major with a minor in economics on the pre-med track. My research interests include studying anxiety and depressive like behavior in response to stress and hyperglycemia. My favorite aspects of working in the Vichaya lab are the collaborative nature of our lab and the variety of research skills we use in preclinical research. 

Avery Gillett

Hi! My name is Avery Gillett and I am currently a senior studying Cell and Molecular Biology with a Spanish minor. I am interested in all things cancer research and will happily spend hours pipetting!!

Daniela Hilmen

Hi! I am a senior Neuroscience student on the Pre-PA track with interests in neurology and emergency/wilderness medicine. I am very passionate about mitochondrial dysfunction and the inflammation antioxidant pathways of depression. I also love neuroimaging, so you can find me where the brainbows are! 

Mathew Chatham

Hi! My name is Mathew Chatham and I am a Biochemistry major and Economics minor in the class of 2026. I am interested in the indirect impact of cancer cells throughout the body and love all things chemistry. If you can't find me, I am probably running a western blot!

Jonathan Duhon

Hello! My name is Jonathan Duhon and I am a junior Biology major on the Pre-Medicine track. During my first year, I was exposed to basic research and became interested in pursuing formal research at Baylor, finding the PNI lab. I am interested in learning more about the interaction between hyperglycemia and various other conditions with the lab!

Matthew Folh

My name is Matthew Folh, and I am a junior Science Research Fellow on the premedical track. I spent time in my first year at Baylor conducting introductory research in biology and laparoscopy, which ultimately sparked my interest to join the PNI lab. In pursuing a career in medicine, I hope to continue researching various health conditions and how they impact the human body.

Keren Nwaiwu

Hello! My name is Keren Nwaiwu and I am a junior neuroscience major with a minor in biochemistry. My research interests include the genetic and environmental influences of diabetes and cancer on the individual, especially its effect on African communities.

Ana Ditlev

Hi! My name is Ana Ditlev and I am a junior neuroscience major with a minor in biochemistry! One of my research interests includes dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and how they relate to psychological factors like depression or anxiety. I would also love to investigate the relationship between cancer and memory impairment!

Neva Khan

I am a Sophomore Science Research Fellow/Neuroscience double major with a Medical Humanities minor, class of 2027. I am extremely excited to get first hand experience working toward how the presence of stress effect immunology, behavior, and so much more!

Ana Ching

Hi, my name is Ana Ching, and I am a sophomore Science Research Fellow on the pre-medicine track. I am passionate about understanding the impacts that nutrition, diet, and exercise have on mental health and neuroinflammatory disorders. I am also interested in learning more about the role that mitochondrial dysfunction plays in affecting/causing different neurological disorders.

Evan Horton

My name is Evan Horton, I am a neuroscience major graduating in 2027. I am a curious and passionate pre-med student thrilled to explore pre-clinical neuroscience research! I will focus on further understanding the development of psychological dysfunction under different mouse models, especially hyperglycemic models. In addition to my interest in research and medicine, I love to sing, do calisthenics, spend time with friends and family, read (especially Harry Potter), and travel!

Sridhaya Sridhar

I am a Heath Science Studies major on the Pre medical track with a Forensics minor. I am interested in the connection between physiological and mental health, so any cancer and preclinical research I will do!

Hailey Cline

Hi! My name is Hailey Cline and I am a sophomore Biology major on the pre-medicine track. Throughout my first year at Baylor, I conducted preliminary research in both biology and laparoscopy, leading to my interest in joining the PNI lab. Having close connections to type I diabetes, I hope to gain a better understanding regarding the relationship between the disease and factors like stressors, depression, and strength of the immune system.

Marcel Danesh

​Hello everyone! My name is Marcel Danesh, and I am a freshman at Baylor University, set to graduate in 2028. I am interested in exploring the relationship between diabetes and cancer, and I hope to contribute to the lab's research in these areas during my time here.