West Laboratory

Andrew West, PhD

Principal Investigator

Andrew West, PhD, is a tenured professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University with secondary appointments in Neurology and Neurobiology. Dr. West received his graduate and post-doctoral training at the Mayo Clinic, University of California, Los Angeles and Johns Hopkins Udall Centers of Parkinson's Disease Research Excellence. Dr. West studies novel pathways and targets in neurodegenerative diseases with the goal of translating discoveries to successful neuroprotective treatment strategies in the clinic.

Ravindra Boddu, BDS, PhD

Research Scientist & Lab Manager

Ravi is a research scientist with expertise in Cellular & Molecular Biology, Genetics, in vivo procedures, multi-color flow cytometry (including acoustic focusing cytometry-Attune Nxt). He completed his studies and training from (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL): UAB School of Dentistry (Prosthodontics and Biomaterials), UAB Graduate School (Cell Biology & Genetics), UAB School of Medicine (Nephrology). His research efforts are focused on understanding the role of LRRK2 in inflammation, immunity and Parkinson's disease. He also serves as the lab manager for West lab. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family and friends.

Tuyana Malankhanova, PhD

Post-doctoral Fellow

Tuyana is a classically trained cell biologist who is working on developing a better understanding of LRRK2 signaling in macrophages. If you have questions about iPSCs, GTPases, or Rock Climbing, she is the one to go and see!

Arpine Sokratian

Pharmacology Graduate student

Arpine started her journey at the West lab in 2018 as a research technician at UAB. She joined the graduate program at Duke in Pharmacology in 2020. Arpine's research interests are centered around the biology of key proteins implicated in Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies. Apart from research, Arpine is engaged in different types of visual art.

Samuel Strader

Pharmacology Graduate student

Samuel joined the West Lab in 2021 and is studying neurotoxicity of Tau protein fibrillization and the role of peripheral macrophages in neurodegenerative diseases. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he worked as a Research Technician at Duke University in the Eroglu Lab. He enjoys camping in the Appalachians Mountains with his dog, Eris.

      Elizabeth Viverette

Pharmacology Graduate student

Elizabeth joins our team with substantia expertise in protein structure and CryoEM methods. She will be working on a better understanding of nanoplastic exposures on neurodegeneration diseases, mechanisms and risks.

Eunjae (Annie) Lee

Master's student

Annie is a biotechnology student with expertise in Crspr/CAS9, genome editing, and cell biology approaches. She is currently working on Rab GTPases as they interact with LRRK2 in disease.

Deney Li

Post-Bac Researcher

Deney Li is interested in biomarkers and diagnoses of neurogenerative disease, and how these identifiers can aid in treatments. Apart from her academic duties, Deney likes to journal, read, go picnicking, and partake in retail therapy.

Kashyap Sreeram 

Post-Bac Researcher

Kashyap Sreeram is interested in studying biomarkers in biofluids for neurodegenerative disease and analyzing the effects of LRRK2 variants on Parkinson's Disease pathology. In his free time, Kash loves to sing, dance, and explore Durham's cuisine.

Lauren Shiell

Undergraduate reseracher

Lauren is a biomedical engineering student with a minor in neurosciences, and continues to pursue work in the lab realted to pathohistological analysis, nanoparticle detection and distribution in tissues.

Nirali Patel

Neuroscience Honors Researcher

Nirali is an undergraduate (class of 2025) pursuing a major in Biology with a concentration in Pharmacology. She joined the West Lab in Fall 2022 and is interested in key proteins regarding Parkinson’s disease and neuropharmacology. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, shopping, and spending time with her friends.