Primary Investigator

I graduated from Université de Paris, France, where I obtained my PhD in shear-stress-induced cardiovascular complications. I crossed the Atlantic for my postdoctoral training at NYU School of Medicine to study the immune response of neuronal guidance cues in cardiometabolic pathologies. In my independent lab, I combined these two arenas to study the role of immunity in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), a life-threatening condition that merits further mechanistic knowledge. Recently, we gained interest in peripheral artery disease, and are investigating the molecular footprints of neoangiogenesis, with the long-term aim to alleviate the burden of amputation.
Food Fact: I could eat Japanese food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the rest of my life.

Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a graduate of Vita-Salute S. Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, where I earned my medical degree in 2012 with a thesis on thoracoabdominal aortic disease in Marfan syndrome. I completed my residency in 2018, graduating with a thesis on inflammation in abdominal aortic aneurysms, performed in the Ramkhelawon Lab. Since 2018, I’ve been a postdoctoral research fellow in the lab, investigating the vascular immunology of abdominal aortic aneurysms and the mechanisms of vascular remodeling in peripheral artery disease. I am a recipient of the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship Award for the investigation of novel immunomodulatory roles of platelets in peripheral artery disease and aging.
Food fact: I make the best pasta in the world.

Postdoctoral Fellow

I earned my medical degree from Hasanuddin University, Indonesia, and worked as a clinician before pursuing my passion for research. I crossed half of the world to join the Italian Liver Foundation and Universita Degli Studi di Trieste in Italy where I obtained my PhD in 2020, focusing on the role of miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. I then crossed the Atlantic, joining the Ramkhelawon Lab as a postdoctoral fellow, where my current research focuses on the immunomodulatory mechanism of AAA development. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, and cooking, and recently discovered a new hobby in climbing/bouldering after I moved to New York City.
Food fact: Outside of Indonesian food (Bias!), I will pick Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Italian cuisine as my top three favorite foods in the world.

PhD Student

I received a degree in dental surgery from Chile in 2013. After completing my DDS, I spent four years practicing dentistry and teaching histology for dental students, and later on becoming the youngest academic director of the School of Dentistry, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile. In the same year, I was awarded with a Chilean government sponsored scholarship for promising scientists to study in the United States, where I completed my master’s in biomaterials and biomimetics at NYU College of Dentistry. I am now pursuing my PhD in cell biology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Vilcek Institute for Graduate Biomedical Sciences. In the Ramkhelawon Lab, I am researching inflammatory mechanisms of pathological vascular remodeling during aortic aneurysms. Outside of work I play in different soccer leagues and I love enjoying nature and outdoor activities.
Food fact: I am a leading man and master of barbeque. So, Chilean barbeque anyone?

Lab Manager

I completed my MD at the American University of Beirut and hold a BS in general and molecular biology. I am involved in all aspects of the ongoing research in the lab.
Food fact: A nice poke, makes my day!

Clinical Research Coordinator

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in biology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. I coordinate the aneurysmal, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and healthy blood/tissue studies by working with surgeons, patients, and volunteers to obtain human biospecimen samples. My research on such samples has a specific focus on platelet behavior and activity. I volunteer as a public health educator and advocate for organizations such as the American Red Cross and Save the Children. I also obtained my certified nursing assistant (CNA) license in high school and worked in a rehabilitation center and nursing home throughout college which deepened my passion for clinical work. Outside of work, I enjoy art museums, fashion blogs, and eating my way around the city. Although an East Coast native, I grew up in Arizona and hate the cold.
Food Fact: I believe the best way to end the week is with a cup of raspberry sorbet.

Research Assistant

I earned my bachelor's in biology from the City College of New York (CCNY) in 2020. I joined the Ramkhelawon Lab to study the interaction between Netrin-1 and Piezo1 in the remodeling of mouse hindlimb vasculature following ischemia. I have a lot of fun working here and I hope to arm myself with enough knowledge and experience to be able to successfully apply to graduate school. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, hiking, and playing board games.
Food Fact: I am actually a Google local guide for restaurants in New York City with 300,000 active views.

Volunteer

I am a second year medical student (OMS-II) at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem. I completed my BS in biological sciences and BA in Spanish at the University of California, Davis in 2018 before moving to Manhattan and starting medical school in 2020. Previously, I was involved in a food sciences-probiotics lab at UC Davis and in a cytogenetics lab in Barcelona, Spain. I joined the Ramkhelawon Lab in June 2020 as an intern for the NYU NIDDK grant program. My projects involve immunofluorescent staining of proteins in angiogenesis and confocal microscopy imaging, along with qPCR studies. In my free time, I help organize and volunteer at a food pantry in Harlem where I can practice my Spanish with local community members. I also like to stay fit by boxing, biking, and running.
Food Fact: My top three favorite food types are Vietnamese, Japanese, and American breakfast foods.

Volunteer

I earned my medical degree in 2020 at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, India, and am planning to continue my medical studies in an internal medicine residency program. While practicing as a junior resident in India, I worked on a clinical observational study on COVID-19 in the geriatric population. In the interim molecular and cellular science captured my interest and led me to join the lab in December 2021 with the aim to boost my research proficiency and nurture my interest in the field. My current work in the Ramkhelawon Lab focuses on understanding the interplay of the PIEZO1 1 gene and AAA formation. Apart from my medical career, I also served as an active volunteer in various projects of the Rotary club in India. In my spare time, I like to read, cook, watch movies, and play badminton.
Food fact: I am a vegetarian and I like to experiment my culinary skills with plant-based fusion Indian cuisines.

Lab Manager

I obtained my Bachelors in Chemistry from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 2023. My undergrad thesis focused on the causes and effects of opioid addiction. I have also worked in two different chemistry research labs, one focusing on transition metal complexes as an alternative means for energy and the other one focusing on synthesizing porphyrins as an alternative to current cancer therapies. I have joined the Ramkhelawon lab to expand my scientific knowledge in research.

Food fact: Even though I eat chicken most of the time, my favorite dish is yellow rice with oxtail (with salad and avocado on the side)

PhD Student

I was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to California, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. During my undergraduate years, I explored the molecular mechanisms of alpha-synuclein in relation to Parkinson’s disease. This experience led to my being awarded the T34 NIH MARC U-STAR Award, which fueled and funded my budding passion for research. I later joined a summer research lab at the University of Southern California, where I studied the role of 17-beta estradiol in regulating sex-dimorphic aging of the innate immune system. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Immunology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. In the Ramkhelawon lab, I study the inflammatory mechanisms driving abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression, with a focus on the pivotal role of activated macrophages as central immune checkpoints. Outside the lab, you can often find me planning the next group trip or finding the best matcha in the city. I believe that life is stronger when connections are deeper, and I love sharing these moments with my family and friends!

Food fact: You know I had a tough week when I postmate butter chicken and winter melon boba tea from Gong cha.

Volunteer

I am a fourth-year medical student at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn. I completed my BA in Human Biology at CUNY Hunter College in 2021. During my time there, I was involved in a nanotechnology lab where my work focused on nanotube synthesis for the purpose of anti-cancer drug-delivery. I initially joined the Ramkhelawon lab in June 2023 as a summer volunteer, but I enjoyed my experience so much that I decided to stay. My projects involve flow cytometry analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and mouse work. In my free time, I volunteer at the Brooklyn Free Clinic and help run the Vascular Surgery Interest Group at my college. To stay fit, I enjoy long-distance running, cycling, and hiking.

Food fact: I love baking desserts in my free time, with Burnt Basque Cheesecake being my ultimate go-to recipe.

Volunteer

I’m a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Biomolecular Science at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. I’m currently involved in research exploring the role of macrophages in the aging aorta in Ramkhelawon Lab. I very much enjoy working here and aim to gain more knowledge and experience about AAA. Besides work, I enjoy photography, cooking, reading and watching anime.

Food fact: I can cook lots of Chinese cuisine, and I also like Thai food:)