Amit Kumar Rai is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Garikipati Lab, where he conducts cutting-edge research in the field of cardiovascular health. He earned his PhD from the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute in India, focusing on the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, with a particular emphasis on skeletal muscle metabolism.

His research interests have evolved to include the investigation of non-coding RNAs and their implications in ischemic heart diseases, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets for improving cardiac health.

Outside the lab, Amit enjoys reading and is an avid cricket player, often finding joy and relaxation in the game. His passion for research and sports reflects his belief in maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.

I work at Garikipati Labs, where my research focuses on brown adipose tissue and its role in cardiovascular health. Using mouse models, I investigate the molecular mechanisms that regulate its function and explore how it impacts overall metabolism and heart function. Through my work, I aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of adipose tissue dynamics and uncover potential therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.

I am Suriya, currently working as an assistant scientist in Dr. Garikipati's lab. My primary research focus lies in investigating RNA modification mechanisms and the role of circRNAs in heart failure models. Additionally, I am exploring the connection between allergic asthma and its associated risk factors in cardiovascular diseases.

Hi everyone, I am currently working in Dr Garikipati's lab where I focus on bioinformatics and wet lab techniques, particularly in RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data analysis. I use tools like Scanpy, Seurat, and Bioconductor to study gene expression and chromatin interactions, specifically investigating QSER1 ChIP-seq datasets alongside published cohesin and CTCF data. In addition to computational work, I perform lab techniques such as gel electrophoresis, DNA isolation, and tail clipping. Outside the lab I really enjoy dancing and travelling whenever I can. 

My name is Nedjheda Pierre,I am a senior undergraduate biology major at Temple University, currently conducting research at the Aging and Cardiovascular Discovery Center under the guidance of Dr. Venkata Srikanth Garikipati. Aspiring to become a pharmacist, I am particularly interested in the process of developing and validating therapeutics in a laboratory setting. This research experience not only enhances my proficiency in specific laboratory techniques and molecular biology but also expands my understanding of how these insights contribute to pharmacology, drug interactions, and the broader context of therapeutic development in cardiovascular health. 

Hello! My name is Tiffany Lee, and I am a junior Biology major with a minor in Healthcare Management on the Pre-Medical track at Temple University. I began my position as a research assistant in Dr. Garikipati’s lab in March of 2024. While I’m in the lab I assist with performing qPCR, cDNA synthesis, and RNA/DNA isolation; I am always eager to help wherever I can and learn as much as I can about the genome and its relationship to cardiovascular health. Outside of the lab and my studies I love to read, exercise, and spend time with friends and family.

Moksha is an undergraduate student at Temple University studying Genomic Medicine. She is greatly passionate about the medical field and is dedicated to conducting research that drives advancements in patient care. As a member of Dr. Srikanth Venkata’s lab, she enjoys the environment of the lab which fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation.