Lab Assistant
Nikhila is volunteering as a lab assistant. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences in Bangalore, India. She is currently exploring her interests in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences and is motivated by a long-term goal of building a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Outside of academics, Nikhila enjoys traveling, cooking, and watching TV series. She is also interested in developing skills in long-term investing and enjoys dancing in her free time.
Scott O'Brien
Graduate Student
Scott is a Ph.D. student in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry program at Rowan University. Originally from Blackwood, NJ, he earned his B.S. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Business from Stockton University. Prior to graduate school, he worked in industry as a senior technician supporting antiviral products prior to IND filing, a chemist handling hazardous material identification and disposal, and in Quality Operations for the first FDA-approved TIL therapy for advanced melanoma.In the Lin Lab, Scott studies protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to understand how toxic structures form and to identify therapeutic strategies to counteract them.
Carlos Fletcher
Undergraduate Student
Carlos is an undergraduate student majored in Biochemistry at Rowan University on the pre-med track, aspiring to pursue a career in neurosurgery. He has long been fascinated by uncertainty and the unknown, which naturally drew him to study one of the most complex organs in the human body - the brain. While saving lives is a central goal for every physician, Carlos is equally motivated by the opportunity to improve patients’ quality of life. His passion for medicine stems from a deep curiosity about the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and a desire to alleviate their impact. He hopes to contribute to advancing treatments that not only enhance quality of life but also prevent these devastating diseases from limiting human potential.
Paul Saryan
Undergraduate Student
Paul is a Biochemistry major at Rowan University. He grew up in Randolph, New Jersey, and currently works at Loving Care Animal Hospital, where he assists with patient care and shadows the veterinarian. These experiences have strengthened his interest in veterinary medicine and provided hands-on exposure to clinical decision-making, diagnostics, and client communication.
Paul joined the Lin Lab to gain research experience in molecular biology and protein biochemistry. In the Lin Lab, Paul aims to expand his technical skills and deepen his understanding of protein mechanisms, with the long-term goal of integrating biomedical research into his future career as a veterinarian.
Maximilian Castro
Undergraduate Student
Maximilian is a Biochemistry major on the pre-med track at Rowan University. His interest in medicine is motivated by his own early medical experience with a congenital biliary cyst, which sparked his curiosity about disease mechanisms and patient care. He joined the Lin Lab to gain research experience in protein chemistry and neurobiology, with the goal of broadening his understanding of molecular mechanisms that influence human health.
Undergraduate Student
Samantha is an undergraduate student at Rowan University majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-med track. She is currently interning with the George Family Center for Healing Arts, where she contributes to research exploring how integrating the arts into healthcare settings can enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. In addition, Samantha shadows physicians and residents in the Emergency Department at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill, where she has developed a strong interest in Emergency Medicine/Surgery. Through her clinical experiences, Samantha has witnessed the significant impact that neurodegenerative diseases have on patients, particularly within the elderly population frequently seen in the ER. Motivated by these encounters, she is eager to contribute to research that advances understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. By combining her interests in medicine, patient care, and biomedical research, Samantha aims to help improve the quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions.
Undergraduate Student
Rudra Modi is a Biological Sciences student with minors in Chemistry and Advanced Pre-Health Studies. He is a practicing Certified Medical Assistant preparing to pursue his long-term goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. Originally from Clayton, New Jersey, Rudra attended Gloucester County institute of technology where he got an early exposure to both clinical and laboratory aspects of science. He is currently expanding his interests in biomedical science, particularly in the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. His coursework introduced him to the role of protein misfolding and aggregation in disease pathology, sparking a deeper passion for understanding these conditions. Outside of academics, Rudra enjoys going to the gym, watching football, and traveling.