Daniela Zarnescu, Ph.D.
Principle Investigator
Professor
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Training
Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Pronouns: She/her
Daniela received her Doctor of Philosophy from the Pennsylvania State University in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2000. She did her post-doc at Emory University School of Medicine focusing on developmental and human genetics. Prior to coming to the College of Medicine in 2022, she worked at Arizona University where she was the director of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences graduate program, vice chair of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, executive committee member for the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, and was a professor of neuroscience and molecular and cellular biology. She also has worked closely with the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity Program and enjoys hosting and encouraging summer undergraduate research programs.
Outside of the lab, Daniela enjoys spending time with her cat, being outdoors, and traveling.
Deborah Cebular
Research Technician
B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Pronouns: She/her
Debbie received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Pennsylvania State University in the spring of 2022. Her prior research focused on obesity and the effects of aging in the Drosophila model system to investigate the role of the adipose gene in regulating metabolism to determine the effects on lifespan. Debbie came to the College of Medicine and joined our lab in September 2022 as a Research Technologist. Her current focus is to use phenotypic screening of potential ALS/FTD therapeutics to identify small molecules that target TDP-43 directly or unbiasedly mitigate TDP-43 dependent phenotypes.
Outside of the lab, Debbie is an artist focused in oil painting and colored pencil art and has a degree in interior design. She is also a cyclist and enjoys travelling the world.
Brijesh Chauhan, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D. in Biotechnology
Pronouns: He/his
Brijesh Chauhan received his bachelor’s degree in science from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in India and then completed his master’s degree in Animal Biotechnology from Sam Higginbottom University. Then, he moved to Madurai Kamaraj University to complete the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Biotechnology. Next, he received his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biotechnology from Banaras Hindu University in 2021, where his research focused on the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease using the Drosophila model system. After coming to the U.S.A, Brijesh joined the University of Texas as a postdoctoral fellow in the Spring of 2022. Afterward, he joined our lab as a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Medicine in October 2022. His current research interests center on understanding the underlying mechanisms of TDP-43 dependent muscle-specific new protein synthesis and uncovering the mechanisms of C9orf72 hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansions in the Mushroom body circuits in the fly brain.
When he is not in the lab, Brijesh enjoys watching and playing cricket and reading papers.
Megan Brennan
Ph.D. Student in Biomedical Sciences
B.S. in Science
Pronouns: She/her
Megan received her bachelor’s degree in science with a biological sciences concentration from The Pennsylvania State University in the spring of 2022. Her prior research was focused in microecology, bariatric, and psychology, using phenotypic assays to characterize the behavior and environmental tolerances of strains of P. parvum. Megan came to the College of Medicine in Fall 2022 to pursue her doctorate in biomedical sciences and officially joined our lab in Spring 2023. She is currently investigating the underlying mechanisms of C9orf72 hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansions in the Mushroom body circuits in the fly brain.
Outside of the lab, Megan enjoys spending time with her two dogs Sasha and Autumn, camping, reading a variety of genres, and listening to music!
Sara Langberg
Ph.D. Student in Neuroscience
B.S. in Biology and B.A in Psychology
Pronouns: She/her
Sara received her bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology with a minor in biochemistry from Shippensburg University in the Spring of 2022. Her prior research was in the political science and psychology fields looking at public perception of U.S politicians’ grit and psychopathy levels. Sara also has experience in herpetology and biochemical research. She came to the College of Medicine in Fall 2022 to pursue her doctorate in neuroscience and officially joined the lab in June 2023. She is currently interested in exploring the underlying mechanisms in metabolic dysregulation using TDP-43 proteinopathy as a model for ALS.
Outside of the lab, Sara enjoys going new places with her husband, cooking, doing macrame, and playing with her cat Sunny.
Peter Forstmeier
M.D./Ph.D. Student in Biomedical Sciences
B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Pronouns: He/him
Peter received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in microbiology from the Pennsylvania State University in the Spring of 2022. His prior research was predicting RNA structures applied to the SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic. He came to the College of Medicine in Fall 2022 to pursue his medical degree and doctorate in biomedical sciences and officially joined the lab in March 2024 upon completion of his first two years of medical education. He is currently interested in using bioinformatic approaches to study ALS/FTD.
When he is not in the lab, Peter loves mountain biking, backpacking, reading, and home fermentation!
Natale Hall
Ph.D. Student in Biomedical Sciences
B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Sciences
Pronouns: She/her
Natale received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology and cell sciences with a minor in chemistry from the University of Florida in the Spring of 2022. Her prior research was focused in neuroscience investigating the use of electrical stimulation to induce respiratory plasticity following a cervical spinal cord injury. Natale came to the College of Medicine in the Fall of 2023 to pursue her doctorate in biomedical sciences and officially joined our lab in June 2024. She is currently interested in using cell-based assays to determine the molecular mechanisms of potential therapeutic small molecules identified to rescue disease phenotypes in Drosophila.
Outside of the lab, Natale loves running marathons, thrift shopping, trying out new sourdough recipes, and playing with her two cats Milo and Gus!
Previous Members
Anne Pruznak
Laboratory Manager and Research Technician
M.S in Environmental Pollution Control and B.S in Biology
Pronouns: She/her
Anne received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Lebanon Valley College and her master’s degree in environmental pollution control from the Pennsylvania State University. She came to the College of Medicine in June 1987 as a research technician and joined our lab as the laboratory manager in July 2022. Her prior research before coming to the Zarnescu lab focused on muscle wasting caused by sepsis and alcoholism. Anne is currently working on numerous projects, including drug screens and studying stress granule dynamics given TDP-43 proteinopathy in vitro.
When she is not in the lab, Anne enjoys taking care of her cat Ravena and cross stitching.
Yash Kulkarni
M.S. Student in Neuroscience
B.tech in Biotechnology
Pronouns: He/his
Yash received his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from the D.Y.Patil School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics in India in the Spring of 2022. His prior research was in the microbiology field focusing on MALDI-TOF and finding the antimicrobial effect in Datura stramonium leaves. Yash came to the College of Medicine in Fall of 2022 to pursue his master’s degree in neuroscience and officially joined our lab in May 2023. Yash is currently interested in determining the underlying mechanisms for potential therapeutic small molecules identified as mitigating ALS/FTD phenotypes.
When he is not in the lab, Yash loves going to concerts, listening to EDM music, taking care of his African grey parrot Misty and Indian soft shell turtle Flippy, and collecting sneakers.