School of Medicine


Showing 1-36 of 36 Results

  • Jeya Maria Jose Valanarasu

    Jeya Maria Jose Valanarasu

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Radiology

    BioDr. Jeya Maria Jose Valanarasu is a postdoctoral scholar working with the Stanford Machine Learning Group and the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI Center). He leads the AI for Healthcare bootcamp with Dr. Andrew Ng, Dr. Curt Langlotz, and Dr. Nigam Shah which provides Stanford students an opportunity to engage in advanced research at the intersection of AI and healthcare.

    He obtained his Ph.D. and M.S from Johns Hopkins University where he worked on various problems in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Healthcare. His research aims to overcome the challenges that arise when translating machine learning models to practical applications for healthcare and engineering sectors. His works have spanned over topics like designing effective deep architectures, model adaptability to changing environments, role of data and annotations, multi-modal learning and taming large models for computer vision and healthcare tasks. He has published over 25 peer-reviewed journal/conference articles at top venues and filed 3 U.S. patents. He has been awarded Amazon Research Fellowship 2022, Best Student Paper Awards at ICRA 2022, CVIP 2019, MICCAI Young Scientist Impact Award Finalist 2022, and the NIH MICCAI Award 2022. He has also served as a reviewer for multiple journals and conferences.

  • Alfredo M. Valencia

    Alfredo M. Valencia

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychiatry

    BioFreddy Valencia is currently 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.

  • Henk van Voorst

    Henk van Voorst

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Radiology

    BioDr. van Voorst is a postdoctoral scholar in Radiology studying the interfaces of artificial intelligence and neuroradiological imaging in stroke. Originally educated as an MD, Dr. van Voorst gained additional degrees in Finance and Data Science. As a PhD student, Dr. van Voorst focused on cost-effectiveness modeling and developed machine learning and deep learning algorithms with applications in acute ischemic stroke imaging. In his current research, Dr. van Voorst develops artificial intelligence algorithms to automatically extract information from arteries and veins in radiological stroke imaging.

  • Gil Vantomme

    Gil Vantomme

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurology and Neurological Sciences

    BioI am a postdoctoral fellow interested in studying synaptic physiology and dysfunctions. My researcher focuses on thalamocortical circuits involving cortical structures relevant for cognition and executive function. Taking advantage of mouse models of autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, I aim to uncover defects in synaptic function that underlie these disorders.

  • Alun Vaughan Jackson

    Alun Vaughan Jackson

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Genetics

    BioCollaborative postdoctoral fellow between the groups of Prof. Michael Bassik (Stanford) and Dr Andreas Puschnik (CZ Biohub) interested in host-virus interactions with the innate immune system.

  • Carlos Vera

    Carlos Vera

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Cardiovascular Institute

    BioCarlos obtained his B.S. in Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. He received his PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder working with Dr. Leslie Leinwand on myosin myopathies. His dissertation focused on analyzing the effects on myosin's cross-bridge cycle from mutations associated to Hypertrophic (HCM) and Dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies. For his postdoc he will focus on disease mechanisms that can influence severity.

  • Banita Verma

    Banita Verma

    Postdoctoral Scholar, General and Vascular Surgery

    BioI am Banita Verma, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, currently working with Dr. Fredrick M. Dirbas at the Department of Surgery. Our research focus is to understand the type of cell death and the nature of immune responses triggered by FLASH versus conventional radiotherapy in various murine breast cancer models. Additionally, we aim to explore the role of DAMPs released by dying cells in generating immune responses after both FLASH and conventional radiotherapy. Furthermore, we are interested in studying the mechanism behind the low toxicity of the FLASH compared to conventional radiotherapy to the adjacent non-cancerous tissue. To accomplish this goal, our laboratory is actively collaborating with Dr. Bill Loo, who holds great expertise in the field of radiation oncology.
    Before joining Stanford University, I served as a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden from 2021-2023. My research aimed to study the activation mechanism of Cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT), a pivotal enzyme in acetylcholine synthesis. This enzyme is known to be hypoactive in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Our group successfully synthesized novel compounds capable of enhancing ChAT activity.
    I completed my doctoral research in cancer biology at the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, PGIMER Chandigarh, India, in 2021. My work was the evaluation of role of TNF-α mediated Necroptosis in breast cancer cells. My primary research interests are cancer biology and cell death pathways.

  • Elisa Mariel Visher

    Elisa Mariel Visher

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Genetics

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsElisa Visher is broadly interested in the (co)evolution of life history strategies, niche breadth, diversification, and adaptability. They use mostly experimental evolution methods in microbial systems to test the predictions and assumptions of theoretical literature. Currently, they am especially interested in understanding the genetics of trade-offs in microbes to better understand patterns of diversity in nature and constraints to adaptation.

  • Edward Vizcarra

    Edward Vizcarra

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Transplantation Surgery

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsImmunology, Epstein–Barr virus, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

  • Sarina Volari

    Sarina Volari

    Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychiatry

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsResearcher on hypnotically-induced near-death experiences

  • Allison Vreeland

    Allison Vreeland

    Clinical Instructor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development
    Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychiatry

    BioDr. Allison Vreeland (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in working with children, teens, and families. Dr. Vreeland received her PhD in Clinical Psychological Science with a minor in Quantitative Studies at Vanderbilt University. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship in Child Psychology at UCSF with specialty training through the Child Trauma Research Program. She completed a research and clinical fellowship in the Immune Behavioral Health Clinic at Stanford University, where she focused her research efforts on examining neurological markers of patients diagnosed with pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Clinically, Dr. Vreeland’s program of clinical care is focused on the delivery of evidence-based clinical interventions for individuals with anxiety, OCD, PANS/PANDAS, mood disorders, and behavioral challenges.