Our Team

Jenny Hsieh, Ph.D.

The most fascinating cell in the body is the stem cell. How a single pluripotent stem cell develops into the trillions of cells in the human body or how stem cells continue to give rise to new neurons in the adult brain remains a mystery. My lab studies the cellular, genetic, molecular, and circuit mechanisms of the brain and nervous system using human iPSCs, 3D brain organoids and mouse models. Outside of the lab, my family and I love to explore San Antonio at local music fests, rodeos, or hill country wineries. I also enjoy hosting get-togethers, especially inviting the team over for poolside relief in the Texas summer heat!

Sergio Gamero-Alameda

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Alcala, in Spain. I joined Hsieh Lab in 2017 at UT Southwestern as a lab technician. At UTSA, my role in the lab has changed to lab manager. Outside of work, I spend my time birding, hiking and enjoying nature.

Vanesa Nieto-Estevez, Ph.D.

Hi there, I am Vanesa. I got my B.S. in Biology in the University of Alcala and my Ph.D in Neuroscience at the Cajal Institute (Madrid, Spain). I joined the Hsieh Lab in 2015 as a postdoctoral fellow. I’m studying genetic epilepsy using 3D organoids. When I am not in the lab, I like traveling, especially to see animals in the wild.

Parul Varma, Ph.D.

Hi, this is Parul. I have my PhD in Nuclear Architecture and Chromatin Organization where I studied the role of nuclear matrix components using Drosophila melanogaster as the model system. Currently, I am studying gene expression dynamics in genetic and acquired epilepsies using mouse and human model systems. I am a Molecular Biologist turned into a Bioinformatician. Recently, I have taken up interest in single cell data analysis and spend most of my time running codes and developing R skills. Other than lab, I love to work out, travel and take part in creative art classes.

Gopu Changarathil, Ph.D.

I am a biomedical science researcher - experienced in stem cell sciences (4 years), behavioral neurosciences (1 year), clinical genetics (2 years) and microbiology (1 year) - from Japan and India. My strengths lie in excellent (biomedical) scientific communication, and scientific writing. Accustomed to working in international, cross-cultural and stressful work environments.

Eva Diaz Guerra, Ph.D.

Hi, my name is Eva. I have a PhD in the Stem Cell field. I was investigating the role of hormones in the mouse mammary gland stem cells. After that, I did my first postdoctoral research at the Cajal Institute (Spain). I was studying the role of transcription factors (Tbr1 and Nurr1) in olfactory bulb development. In addition, I was investigating the effects of APOE polymorphism in Alzheimer’s disease using iPSC technology. Recently, I joined the Hsieh’s Lab and I am interested in studying sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and genetic epilepsy using 3D brain organoids. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my family and friends.

Erin Hurley

Hi, I'm Erin, a PhD student in the Neuroscience program. I grew up in the Boston area and got my undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut, but I got sick of the winter so now I'm here in Texas where there's no such thing as winter. I am interested in studying the molecular mechanisms underlying familial Alzheimer's disease and my favorite brain cell type is microglia. I also love NASA and my long-term goal in life is to go to the moon. In my little free time, I enjoy running away to different cities and exploring new places.

Courtney McMahon

The Army Reserve is what first brought me to San Antonio, and I fell in love with the city, chips and queso, and UTSA. I began my graduate studies as a masters student in a microbiology and immunology lab, which inspired me to pursue my PhD, albeit in a neural stem cell lab. Currently, my research involves using hESC-derived cerebral spheroids to study the effects of maternal exposures during pregnancy on the development of the fetal brain. If I’m not in the lab, I’m outside somewhere with my dog or socializing with the other Hsieh lab students over wine.

Kaisha Meyer

My name is Karina (I go by my middle name, Kaisha) and I'm a PhD student in the Neuroscience program at UTSA. My fascination in brain metabolism and its dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases lead me to pursue a PhD, so here I am. Currently, I am using patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells to model Alzheimer's disease with the end goal of uncovering convergent mechanisms between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. I love to sleep, hike, run, and runaway to the mountains.

Zacharie Maloney, M.S.

Zacharie Maloney is a PhD student in UTSA's Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Joint UTSA/UTHSC Graduate Group in Biomedical Engineering. Zach's project focuses on using engineering approaches to promote vascularization of human cerebral organoids. Joining the Hsieh Lab in Fall 2021, Zach brings experience in biomedical engineering, systems biology, and software engineering.

Adebayo "Bayo" Adeyeye, M.S.

I have a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and an M.S. degree in Environmental Science investigating the concentrations and movement of estrogen compounds in Cibolo Creek, a perennial stream in the Texas Hill Country that receives treated wastewater effluent. I assist with retrovirus packaging, molecular biology, histology, and confocal microscopy. I also help with animal husbandry and perform behavioral assays including cognitive testing in mouse models of mTLE. The lab members are awesome to work with. In my free time, I watch and play soccer.

Sara Mirsadeghi

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Marissa Coppin

Hello! My name is Marissa Coppin and I am a sophomore undergraduate researcher pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology and a concentration in Pre-Medicine. Outside of working in the Hsieh lab and other extracurricular clubs, I am a director of STEMulate, a nonprofit organization that works to provide STEM education to disadvantaged districts in San Antonio. I also enjoy exercising and eating a healthy diet. After my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a DO/PhD or MD/PhD medical degree and become a physician specializing in either neurology or PM&R.

Araniz Muniz Perez

Hello! My name is Aranis Muniz Perez and I'm a senior undergraduate research assistant majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience. Outside of the lab, I love reading, cooking, and going on hikes with my friends. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I hope to complete a PhD in cell biology and work as an industry scientist.

Nikolas Merlock

I'm Nik and I am an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a Neuroscience concentration. Outside of school, I work as an undergraduate research assistant in Hsieh Lab, and as a software developer for the tech start-up Augmented Destiny, where we specialize in business workflow optimization and automation. In the future, I intend to combine my experience in research and tech with my neuroscience education in order to research and develop cutting-edge technologies, and deepen our understanding of the brain in the process. Also, I made this website!