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

Research 
My graduate research project was on sickness behavior after neuroimmune activation. We achieved this using three different models. 1. Hypoxia, 2. LPS and endotoxin, and 3. Dietary fiber and fat. We measured depressive like behavior and learning and memory, as well as biochemical analyses for immune markers including caspase-1 and IL1. My postdoc project was on chemotherapy induced cognitive deficit and possible therapeutic interventions. It focused on utilizing mitochondrial protectants and mesenchymal stem cells. I had 2 projects as a research associate. The first was on hypertension and intracranial aneurysms. The second was using pharmacological intervention on cancer tumor growth

Hobbies & Interests 
Playing video games and tabletop games with friends, 3D modeling and printing


Research Assistants


Joey Hernandez

Education & Training
BS
Biotechnology and Public Health, University of Houston – Houston, TX (2027)

 

 

 

 

 


Vasi Kyriakopoulos

Education & Training
EMT
Louisiana Bureau of EMS – Baton Rouge, LA (2022)
BS
Neuroscience, Tulane University – New Orleans, LA (2022)
MS
Neuroscience, Tulane University – New Orleans, LA (2023)

 

 

 

 


Aleena Lukose

Education & Training
BS
Psychology, Texas A&M University – College Station, TX (2024)

 

 

 

 

 


Elizabeth Zhanov

Education & Training
BS
Molecular and Cell Biology, Texas A&M University – College Station, TX (2025)