PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

PERI KURSHAN

Peri performed her postdoctoral work at Stanford University in the lab of Kang Shen. She obtained her PhD in Neuroscience from Harvard University, under the mentorship of Thomas Schwarz, studying synaptogenesis in Drosophila. She completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Brown University. Outside of lab Peri enjoys skiing and hiking with her husband and two kids.

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PHD STUDENT

ARAVEN TIROUMALECHETTY

 

Araven obtained his bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Physics at Colgate University. Outside of the lab, Araven likes experimenting with new cooking styles, exploring new york city, reading and learning new languages.

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PHD STUDENT

JADA SUMMERVILLE

Jada was born in Italy and raised in Virginia before moving to Georgia where she attended undergrad. Jada earned her Bachelors in cellular biology from the University of Georgia. She used planarians as a model for understanding regeneration and how it occurs in the nervous system. For her Ph.D. she is currently working to understand the roles of cell adhesion molecules in synapse formation. Outside of lab, she enjoys writing poetry, spending time with family and friends, and watching movies.

MD/PHD STUDENT

JACKSON ROGOW

I love imaging and tackling questions related to neurodevelopment and mRNA in neurons. In my free time I also love to play instruments at home, see live music, and go hiking!

MD/PHD STUDENT

MALISSA RAMSUKH

Malissa was born in Guyana and moved to NYC when she was 10 years old. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University, majoring in Science and Technology Studies on a pre-med track. In her free time, Malissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, and reading.

PHD STUDENT

CATHERINA MOBINI

Catherina, a native New Yorker, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. During her time at Pitt, she developed a passion for exploring the molecular mechanisms that drive neuronal plasticity. Now in the Kurshan Lab, her research focuses on the role of voltage-gated calcium channels in shaping both the structural and functional diversity of synapses across various cell types. Outside of the lab, Catherina enjoys cooking, staying active, learning Farsi, and spending time with her loved ones.

RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

SOLOMON BEKELE ESA

Solomon Bekele Esa is a Research Technician originally from Ethiopia, often referred to as the “Cradle of Humankind” and the land of “13 Months of Sunshine.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science with a minor in Chemistry and a master’s degree in project management. In his free time, he enjoys watching soccer, listening to gospel music and spending time with family.

MD/PHD STUDENT

MAGGIE KRASSNER

Maggie was born and raised in San Francisco before moving to New York to attend undergrad at Columbia University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. During that time, she became fascinated by the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. At the Kurshan Lab, her research focuses on RNA processing and synaptic function in ALS. In her free time, Maggie enjoys trying new restaurants, reading, and going to yoga classes

FORMER LAB MEMBERS

  • Maximiliano Zuluaga Forero (Research Trainee)
    Current Position: PhD Student, Cornell University
  • Marcos Schaan Profes (Postdoctoral Fellow)
    Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Mount Sinai
  • Neel Patel (Research Trainee)
    Current Position: PhD Student, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Albert Edo Perez (Research Trainee)
    Current Position: PhD Student, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
  • Elisa Frankel (Postdoctoral Fellow)
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Puget Sound
  • Parise Henery (Technician)
    Current Position: Teaching Assistant
  • Michael Krawchuk (MD-PhD Student)
    Current Position: MD Student
  • Alexa Augustine (Research Trainee)
    Current Position: PhD Student, Yale University
  • Jasmine Huerte Canete (Master’s Student)

                                                                    HIGH SCHOOL AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

  • Eva Taub – Leffell School, spring/summer 2026
  • Sarah Thomas – Brown University, summer 2026
  • Nechama Stein – Yeshiva University, summer 2026
  • Anamta Sheraz – Wheatley School, summer 2026
  • Kaylie Foster – Urban Assembly Charter School, summer 2026
  • Sophie Chavez – Master’s student, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, winter 2026
  • Aleena Chowdhury — Bronx High School of Science, Summer 2026
  • Mahea Mazumder — Bronx High School of Science,Summer 2026
  • Tiffany Wang — Bronx Science High School, Summer 2025
  • Zijun Liu — Bronx Science High School, Summer 2025
  • Paola Guzman-Torres — University of Puerto Rico, Summer 2025
  • Calista Toque — Bronx Science High School, 2024–2025
  • Khadidja Berete — Bronx Science High School, 2024–2025
  • Runjia Zhong — Bronx Science High School, 2024–2025
  • Yonathan Eilon — Hunter College, 2024–2025
  • Iman Siddiqui — Brooklyn College, 2023–2025
  • Amy Sooraj — Bronx High School of Science, 2023–2024
  • Maserah Daniel — Pelham Lab High School, Summer 2024
  • Jeremiah Prashad — Pelham Lab High School, Summer 2023
  • Erika Attar — Rye High School, Summer 2023
  • May Sen — Bronx High School of Science, 2022–2023
  • Oliver Ryan — Bronx High School of Science, 2021–2022
    Current Position: Undergraduate Student, Vassar College
  • Anna Manger — Brown University, Summer 2022
  • Bhaskar Chakrabarti — Bronx High School of Science, 2020–2021
    Current Position: Undergraduate Student, University of Pittsburgh
  • Carolyn Lai — Brown University, Summer 2021
  • Rhea Sakaria — Jericho High School, Summer 2021
  • Kathryn Callahan — Brown University, Summer 2020 (Remote)
  • Maya Azrieli — Brown University, Summer 2020 (Remote)