Our Team

Postdoc Harvard University
Ph.D. University of Toronto
BSc. University of Toronto

As a scientist I have studied different facets of nervous system biology, starting with neural tissue alternative splicing during my Ph.D. in the Blencowe lab, followed by developmental neurobiology during my postdoc in the Schier lab.

My goal is to be a supportive and accessible mentor, cultivate a lab of equity and diversity, and promote a work-hard-but-rest-and-have-fun attitude. Science is my primary inspiration but I am also a climber, skier, hip-hop dancer and fair-weather cyclist.

BSc. University of Vermont

Abby earned her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the University of Vermont.

For her senior thesis research, she investigated the role of crk-family adaptor proteins in the development of zebrafish hair cells along the lateral line.

 Outside of science, Abby enjoys reading, cooking, and the outdoors!

BSc. University of Peradeniya
MSc. IBMBB, University of Colombo
Ph.D. University of Goettingen

Roshan completed his Ph.D. in Roland Dosch’s lab at the University of Goettingen, Germany. During his Ph.D. he characterized the role of two RNP granules, Bucky ball and Vasa in germ cell specification during early zebrafish embryogenesis.

In the Raj lab, Roshan is interrogating the spatiotemporal transcriptomic dynamics of neuronal cell specification and differentiation during embryonic brain development .

Aside from science, Roshan plays piano and enjoys hiking and cooking.

BSc. The Ethiraj College for Women, affiliated to Madras University
MSc. Vellore Institute of Technology
Ph.D. SRM Institute of Science and Technology

During her Ph.D., Hema studied chemical mediated disruption of estrogen synthesis pathway in different fish models and also performed functional characterization of zebrafish apc mutant model during early stages of development.

Outside of research, Hema likes yoga and aerobics, reading, cooking and exploring places for food and entertainment.

BSc. George Mason University

Jessie earned her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at George Mason University.

She then worked in the lab of Dr. Mervyn Monteiro studying disruptions in protein clearance and novel neuropathology associated with ALS-linked mutations in the UBQLN2 gene.

In the Raj lab, Jessie looks forward to investigating the transcriptional and genomic accessibility profiles of neural progenitors as they transition to their final cellular fates. 

Outside the lab, Jessie enjoys playing volleyball, exercising, paint by numbers, and being with friends and family!