Team
Principle Investigator
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Assistant Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Maria Mavrikaki
Assistant Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterMaria Mavrikaki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at BIDMC and Harvard Medical School. Maria is a neuroscientist who transitioned from McLean Hospital and Harvard's Department of Psychiatry to join BIDMC in 2019 as an Instructor in Frank Slack’s lab. She established her independent lab at BIDMC in 2024. Her pioneering research, which revealed association between severe COVID-19 and molecular signatures of brain aging, has been highlighted in top-tier journals and major media outlets. Building on this work, her ongoing research explores the spatial topography of molecular signatures of brain aging, supported by an R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging.
Postdoctoral Fellows
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Anupama Rai, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterAnupama did her Ph.D. in cell and molecular neurosciences from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India. Before joining the Mavrikaki lab in January 2024, she worked as a Postdoctoral fellow at Yale University. Her research focuses on understanding neuron and glia interactions particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. In the Mavrikaki lab she is working on understanding the spatial organization of human frontal cortex using spatial transcriptomics approaches.
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Irais Erendira Valenzuela-Arzeta, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterIrais obtained her master's degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) in Mexico City, where she also completed her PhD in Molecular Neurobiology. During her PhD, her project focused on studying a neuroinflammation rat model. Currently, she is interested in studying the mechanisms of brain aging and the different pathways related to this process.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her rabbit, cooking, and dancing. Additionally, she loves finding places where she can enjoy a good cup of coffee.
Research Assistants
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Research Assistant at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Jane Banahan
Research Assistant at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterJane graduated from Muhlenberg College in May 2024 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Philosophy. She is interested in the biological mechanisms of behavior, particularly aggression and maladaptive behaviors like substance abuse. She aspires to pursue a PhD in neurobiological sciences that allows her to explore how the biology of the brain facilitates these behaviors. Jane is currently contributing to exploring the molecular mechanisms of brain aging and is excited about upcoming research on the neurobiological mechanisms of opioid use disorder.
Outside of the lab, Jane enjoys exercising, drawing, and playing the guitar.
Lab Alumni
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Visiting Summer Student
Vedant Desai
Visiting Summer StudentVedant is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, studying Physiology and Neurobiology, and is also on the pre-med track. His interests are primarily in neurological disorders and the biological mechanisms underlying addiction.
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Undergraduate student at Duke UniversityVisiting Summer Student
Jarvis Savage
Undergraduate student at Duke UniversityVisiting Summer StudentJarvis Savage is a rising college senior at Duke University who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and a double major in Chemistry. He is interested in biotechnology, especially cellular and protein engineering, and hopes to attend graduate school.
In his spare time Jarvis likes to read and go for walks.
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Visiting Summer Student
Kristina Dujic
Visiting Summer StudentKristina recently graduated from Queensborough Community College and is continuing her studies in Biotechnology at the City College of New York. With a background in molecular biology and bioinformatics, her research experience spans projects investigating sensory pathways in Hydra, the functional properties of intrinsically disordered CAHS proteins in tardigrades, and comparative gene analysis. Her scientific interests lie at the intersection of virology, microbiology, and the molecular basis of disease, particularly in understanding pathogenicity and host-pathogen interactions. In her summer rotation, she will contribute to a mini-project aligned with Dr. Mavrikaki lab’s broader investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms of opioid use disorder.
Outside the lab, Kristina enjoys writing, baking, and hiking.
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Visiting Summer Student
Masiel Nuñez
Visiting Summer StudentMasiel currently attends Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York, where she is pursuing an Associate in Health Sciences and will be graduating in Fall 2025. Her research experience includes investigating how pro-inflammatory cytokines are differently regulated by STAT3 in trained innate immunity. Her interests lie in understanding how the brain processes speech and language, particularly how these processes are affected in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as uncovering the molecular and biological mechanisms that underlie the condition. In Masiel’s summer rotation, she will be working on a mini project that will contribute to the larger opioid use disorder research of the lab.
Outside of the lab, Masiel enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying out restaurants.