Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Pathology

Dr. Barrett is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where her research program focuses on mechanisms regulating platelet phenotype and function in health and disease. Her laboratory integrates animal models, human patient studies, and multi-omics technologies to uncover novel molecular pathways driving thromboinflammation. By applying transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and advanced platelet function assays, the Barrett Lab aims to translate basic discoveries into improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Fun fact: After moving to New York, Dr. Barrett took a taxidermy class.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: The MACSQuant Flow Cytometer.

Senior Research Scientist

Pacific is a biomedical researcher from Melbourne, Australia, focused on disease processes involved in cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and peripheral artery diseases. Prior to joining the Barrett Lab in August 2025, his research was focused on examining the influence of sleep on disease progression in myocardial infarction. His current research aims to elucidate the role of megakaryocyte diversity and subsequent platelet activation in various forms of cardiovascular diseases. When he isn’t holding a pipette in his hand, he can be seen wandering the streets of New York City with his trusty camera, capturing the sprawling cityscape and vibrant life inhabiting this great city.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Surgical tools

Postdoctoral Fellow

Bernardo earned his PhD in Biochemistry from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where he studied how maternal interventions during pregnancy influence mitochondrial health and lifelong disease risk. He then completed his postdoctoral training in the Goedeke Lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, investigating the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial uncoupling in atherosclerosis. In February 2025, Bernardo joined the Barrett Lab to study how platelet metabolism regulates platelet activation and contributes to progression of diseases such as cancer and thrombosis.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Seahorse Analyzer

Postdoctoral Fellow

Isabelle completed her PhD in bioinformatics in the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland. Her PhD focused on identifying genetic predictors for adverse drug reactions caused by anti-seizure medications. Isabelle joined the Barrett Lab in August 2024 where she is conducting RNA sequencing data analysis and investigating where genes are differentially expressed. When not in the lab Isabelle likes reading, spending time with friends, exploring New York and finding new restaurants and coffee shops to try.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: R studio (as a bioinformatician I am never in the wet lab)

Research Technician

Elissa earned a BA from New York University in biology, minoring in science and society. She joined the lab as a research intern in November 2023 and started as a full-time research associate in June 2024. Elissa is excited to continue learning about cardiovascular diseases and the effect of CD37 on platelet adhesion. She also enjoys spending time with our wonderful lab mice. In her free time, Elissa likes to read, go on walks and bake. Her favorite thing to bake is brownies because it is her favorite dessert.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Heska CBC

Undergraduate Researcher

Grace is a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Biology at NYU with departmental honors. She joined the lab in November 2023 as a volunteer research intern. Grace is interested in both immunology and cardiology and found the Barrett lab to be the perfect junction for both her interests. In her free time, Grace loves playing relaxing video games such as Stardew Valley and watching romantic comedies.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Pipette

Research Technician

Zihang earned his BS in Biology in 2023, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. He is currently pursuing an MS in Biotechnology at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. In June 2024, he joined the Barrett Lab, where he studies the role of platelet activity during atherosclerosis. In his time outside of study and work, Zihang likes to listen to hip-hop music, learn to cook Chinese food, walk in the park, climb mountains, and watch variety shows.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Biological Safety Cabinets

Undergraduate Researcher

Charlotte is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biology at NYU. She joined the lab in Summer 2025 as a volunteer research intern. With a strong interest in cardiology, Charlotte finds the lab to be an excellent fit for her research goals. In her free time, she enjoys working on puzzles.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Microscope

Research Scientist

Carmen earned her Doctor of Science degree (equiv. to PhD) from Freie Universität and Charité Berlin, Germany, where her research focused on reducing inflammation in the progression of atherosclerosis. For her post-doc she joined the Fisher Lab at NYU Langone, continuing her work on atherosclerosis, particularly investigating methods to promote inflammation resolution and overcome impaired atherosclerosis regression in diabetic mice. She joined the Barrett Lab in May 2023 to learn more about thrombosis and how rapid platelets can be activated. Carmen likes going for walks, baking and watching Formula 1 races.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: Flow Cytometer

Postdoctoral Fellow

Bharti holds a PhD degree in Neuroscience from University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Her PhD research project focused on investigating the effect of early life stressors on the brain and behavior of rat offspring. She joined Barrett lab in April 2024 to investigate the platelet immunometabolism. In her spare time Bharti likes to cook, read novels (Khaled Hosseini is her favorite) and explore the city.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: PCR

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Cabezas obtained his PhD in nutritional sciences from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, concentrating in lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease. He joined the Barrett Lab in September 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow, where he works on thromboinflammation and atherosclerosis using murine models, with a focus on platelet activity and innate trained immunity. When not in the lab, he loves doing exercise outdoors (when the weather allows for it), specially biking, and running. He also enjoys getting lost around the city and exploring the hidden secrets of Manhattan.

Fun fact: He worked as a professional soccer referee back in Spain!

Favorite piece of lab equipment: The cryostat (he loves listening to his favorite podcasts while sectioning samples)

Research Scientist

Dr. Dai graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering with a PhD in materials chemistry. She joined the lab in September 2022 as a research scientist and is excited to learn about and conduct research that helps unveil diseases. Dr. Dai’s favorite activity is watching her kids playing with the dog in the park.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: The centrifuge

Research Associate

Iris graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2020 with a BS in biomedical engineering, concentrating in biomechanics. She joined the Barrett Lab in February 2022 as a research associate and works on several murine studies within the lab exploring the role of myeloid cell-platelet interaction in cardiovascular disease. In her spare time, Iris enjoys reading, parkour, musical improv.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: The MACSQuant Analyzer 16 Flow Cytometer

Junior Undergraduate Student

Tricia is a junior undergraduate student working towards a BA in biology with departmental honors at NYU. She joined the Barrett Lab in August 2021 and is currently working on her honors thesis investigating the effect of platelets on monocyte-derived macrophages, along with other projects. She was awarded her university’s Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund (DURF) Grant and Wasserman Center Internship Grant for her work at the lab. Tricia plans on continuing her love for research after graduation and wants to pursue a PhD in cardiovascular research. Outside of her studies, Tricia enjoys swimming, skiing, surfing, and gymnastics.

Favorite piece of lab equipment: The repeater pipette!