Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator

Eleanna is a physician-scientist neuropathologist. Her research focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, and in particular synucleinopathies. She still spends many happy hours in the lab doing experiments to untangle the mysteries of neurodegeneration. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, coos over cats and travels.

Medical Student, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Elena graduated in 2022 with a bachelor's in chemistry from Emory University and joined the lab in 2023 as a research technician and continued as a medical student since summer 2024. As an undergraduate she split her free time between nephrology research in the Sands Lab at the Emory School of Medicine and captaining the Women's Club Water Polo team. Her undergraduate research investigated the effect of the diabetes medication empagliflozin on key renal transporter activity in rats. You'll frequently find her listening to classic rock or heavy metal music while she runs experiments. Some of her favorite pastimes include watching Frasier, playing elaborate board games, and reading sci-fi/fantasy novels.

Rotation student, PhD Neuroscience program

Jose is originally from Lima, Peru, but over time, he moved to New York, where he studied civil engineering at Manhattan College. He later became interested in the sciences at Drew University in New Jersey through neurodegenerative research. Jose is very interested in neuroscience as a whole and looks forward to continuing to do amazing science. A fun fact about Jose is that in his earlier years he used to have 22 cats and a pet Monkey. 

Undergraduate student, Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University

Undergraduate student, Cell biology & Neuroscience, Honors College, Rutgers University

Elyse Guadagno is a Rutgers Honors College student from Dallas, Texas, majoring in Cell Biology & Neuroscience with minors in Music and Developmental Psychology. Elyse joined the lab in the fall of 2024. She is very interested in neuroscience and looks forward to learning more within the field. When she's not in the lab, you can find her reading, embroidering, or singing in the Rutgers choirs!

Undergraduate student,
Rutgers University

Aresty Summer Science 2025

Undergraduate student, Rutgers University

Undergraduate Student, School of Engineering, Rutgers University

Undergraduate Student, Rutgers University

If you are interested in joining the lab, please see tab “Join” for instructions on how to apply.

Undergraduate Student, Computer Science, Rutgers University

Undergraduate student, Computer Science, Rutgers University

Deputy Lab Manager and chief mouser

Leia is Eleanna’s niece (aka her brother’s cat). She has over 10 years of experience in managing hoomans. In her plentiful free time, she creates mischief, eats goormet cat food, sleeps and cuddles with her hoomans. She offers moral support during the final crunch of grant submission.

Leia died peacefully in February 2025 at the age of ~17. We miss her a lot and will always remember her snuggles and gentle personality <3.

Assistant lab manager

Siddharta is Jose’s 9-year-old Calico-shorthair with a doctorate in Salmon and Tuna studies from the prestigious University of Curious Cats, though we suspect her dissertation was mostly naps and taste tests.

Born a triplet in 2016 in Queens, New York, she was rescued from a shelter alongside her two identical brothers. Jose knew right away she was the brains of the bunch. 

Siddharta is a classic introvert—she’ll disappear for hours, only to reappear when you least expect it, usually demanding treats or a warm lap. Despite her quiet nature, she can turn anything—pens, paper balls, your shoelaces—into a toy. Her favorite hobbies include rearranging important papers with her paws, and perfecting the art of the relaxed sun bathe in the sunniest spot she can find.

She may not pipette, but she is as curious as everyone else in the lab! If you catch a flash of calico fur, you know she’s conducting a full paws-itive investigation.