School of Medicine


Showing 1-10 of 34 Results

  • Alfredo M. Valencia

    Alfredo M. Valencia

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychiatry

    BioFreddy Valencia is a Stanford Science Fellow and Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University. Informed by human genetics and by combining biochemical, structural biology, and functional genomics investigative techniques, his work aims to uncover the molecular basis of human disorders and disease. His current research at Stanford University aims to investigate and characterize chromatin regulatory processes in human brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.

  • Praveesh Valissery

    Praveesh Valissery

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Infectious Diseases

    BioPraveesh was raised in Chennai, India and studied Biotechnology at the Loyola College while minoring in English Literature. He received his Ph.D. from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi, India). He has experience in organic chemical synthesis and molecular biology. With Prof. Suman Kumar Dhar, he studied the cell cycle of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) and worked on the optimization of water-soluble Artemisinin nanopreparations in the mouse model of malaria (Plasmodium berghei). His PhD thesis concerned “The design, discovery and improvement of novel and existing antimalarial compounds”. He helped in the synthesis and characterization of a novel class of hybrid antimalarial drug, CQ-CFX.

    In the Egan lab, Praveesh is interested in exploring essential protein-protein interactions taking place at the interface between the malaria parasite and the red blood cell at key moments during invasion. His research involves the use of genome editing tools, including lentiviral and adenoviral vectors to modify hematopoietic stem cells and generate genetically modified red blood cells by ex vivo erythropoiesis.

    In the long term, he hopes to

    1. acquire enough skill to study and develop antimalarial vaccine antigens and improve existing vaccine formulations.

    2. employ a reverse genetics approach to understand mechanisms that facilitate parasite invasion using genetically modified red blood cells.

  • Laura van Dam

    Laura van Dam

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Immunology and Rheumatology

    BioI am both trained as a biomedical researcher and medical doctor in internal medicine and strive to close the gap between the clinic and fundamental sciences with translational research. My focus is to study the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases and to translate research insights into therapeutics targeting autoimmunity. I have received my PhD in 2022 in Leiden for studying neutrophil extracellular traps and autoreactive B cells in renal autoimmune diseases. My postdoctoral research project in the Robinson lab focuses on investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis. I particularly aim to identify potential microbial triggers and molecular mimicry in ANCA-associated vasculitis, by characterizing the nasal microbiome and sequencing T cells and B cells of ANCA-associated vasculitis patients.

  • Laurens van de Wiel

    Laurens van de Wiel

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Cardiovascular Medicine

    BioLaurens van de Wiel is Dutch scientist from Berghem, The Netherlands. Laurens spent his undergrad in Software Development (BSc, Avans Hogeschool ‘s-Hertogenbosch) and Computing Science (MSc, Radboud University Nijmegen). Laurens continued his career at a start-up, where he created large-scale, real-time analytical software. Laurens continued on his academic trajectory at the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, where he started his PhD in bioinformatics.

    During his PhD, Laurens integrated genetic data with protein 3D structures and protein domains. He utilized the skills he obtained before setting out on his academic trajectory; building large-scale, robust, reliable software. Exemplified by the MetaDome Web server (https://stuart.radboudumc.nl/metadome/). During his PhD, he developed novel methodologies for the interpretation of genetic variants of unknown clinical significance and, by integrating structural and evolutionary biology with genomics, Laurens identified 36 novel disease-gene associations for developmental disorders. These discoveries enabled diagnosis for over 500 families worldwide.

    Laurens’ areas of expertise are (bioinformatic) software development, data integration of genetic variation with other omics, and his research aims are:
    1.) Lessons long-learned in computer science aid computational biology
    2.) Multi-omic data integration allows the impact measurement of genetic variation
    3.) Diagnosing undiagnosed disorders will uncover novel insights into biology.
    4.) International and multidisciplinary collaborations are key in diagnosing rare disorders.

    At Stanford University, under guidance of Dr. Matthew Wheeler, he is conducting his postdoctoral studies in line with his research aims.