Manwani Lab
The Manwani Lab
Bharti Manwani, MD, PhD, FAHA – Associate Professor
Education & Training
MD SN Medical College – Agra, India
PhD University of Connecticut Health Center – Farmington, CT
Residency Neurology, University of Connecticut – Farmington, CT
Fellowship Vascular Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Boston, MA
Areas of Interest
Clinical & research interests: vascular neurology, stroke in women, cardioembolic strokes, Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and general neurology
Research
The Manwani Lab is dedicated to advancing women’s health through research on the heart–brain axis in ischemic stroke, cardioembolic strokes and dementia related to atrial fibrillation, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). By combining basic and translational science, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that drive cerebrovascular disease and transform these discoveries into targeted, patient-centered therapies. Our goal is to understand the sex-specific factors that influence vascular dementia and stroke outcomes.
Our research sits at the crossroads of vascular neurology, cardiology, pathology and neuroscience. Ongoing projects include:
- Atrial fibrillation and sex differences
- Sex differences in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)
- Heart-brain crosstalk after stroke
- Neural and cardiac inflammation in atrial fibrillation and CAA
We use a range of experimental and clinical tools to connect molecular mechanisms to patient outcomes. Techniques include translational atrial fibrillation, stroke and dementia models, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, histology, proteomics, behavioral testing, and advanced vascular imaging like MRI.
Clinical Connection
As part of an active vascular neurology program, the Manwani Lab bridges the gap between the stroke unit and the research bench. We investigate biological differences across sex, stroke subtypes, and vascular contributions in dementia to develop individualized strategies for stroke and dementia prevention.
Our Team
We are a collaborative, multidisciplinary, and mentorship-driven lab that brings together clinicians, neuroscientists, and cardiovascular biologists. We value curiosity, integrity, and teamwork, believing that meaningful science happens when diverse perspectives work toward discovery with real translational impact.
We welcome motivated graduate students, undergraduate students, medical students, postdocs, research scientists, research associates, and both clinical and academic collaborators who share our interests.
Interested in joining or learning more? Contact us to explore current projects and opportunities at [email protected].
Gabriel Chiu, PhD – Research Scientist
Education & Training
BS Animal Biology, University of California at Davis – Davis, CA
PhD Nutrition and Neuroimmunology, University of Illinois at Urban Champaign – Urbana-Champaign, IL
Chengyu Wu, MD, PhD – Research Associate
Education & Training
BS Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University – China
MS Medical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Science – China
MD Anhui Medical University – China
Postdoctoral University of Massachusetts Medical School – Worcester, MA
Research Assistants
Joey HernandezAleena LukoseElizabeth ZhanovVisiting Students
Camila Mariutti Dutra de Almeida - Undergraduate Research StudentKhushi Upadhyay - Undergraduate Research Student