McCullough Lab Profile & Members
Louise McCullough MD/PhD – Principal Investigator
Dr. McCullough’s laboratory focuses on the investigation of sex and age differences in inflammatory signaling in both the brain and peripheral tissues after stroke. A major area of recent work investigates the mechanisms by which social isolation increase mortality and impairs recovery after stroke, an effect also seen in humans. Social isolation alters the immune response to stroke during chronic recovery. Her lab is currently attempting to reduce age-related inflammation both in the brain and periphery to reduce brain injury using bone marrow replacement and manipulation of the microbiome.
Photo by Dwight C. Andrews/McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Office of Communications
Anik Banerjee – GSBS Graduate Research Assistant
Education & Training
BS Chemistry (Biological Track), Texas A&M University – College Station, TX (2019)
MS Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Center at Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – Houston, TX (2021)
PhD Immunology, University of Texas Health Center at Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – Houston, TX (2021-present)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: gut microbiota-immune-brain axis, therapeutic manipulations of the microbiome in neurodegenerative and neurophysiological diseases
Clinical interests: neurology and neurosurgery
Research
Neuroscience Program, Department of Neurology – MD Anderson UTHealth GSBS – Houston, TX (August 2021-present)
Mentors: Dr. Louise McCullough, MD/PhD and Dr. Juneyoung Lee, PhD
“The Detrimental Effects of Social Isolation toward the Microbiome and Host Metabolism”
Hobbies & Interests
Painting, dogs, cars, bicycling and running
Andrea Becerra-Calixto, PhD – Research Scientist
Education & Training
BS Microbiology
MS Biomedical Basic Science
PhD Biomedical Science: Neuroscience
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Cellular and molecular neurobiology and development of cell culture system models based on stem cell technologies
Clinical interests: Neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and neurovascular diseases
Research & Experience
My research has focused on the development of brain and mid-brain organoids to understand the deconstruction of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Likewise, I have developed neuroprotection models through gene and cell therapy in cerebral ischemia, searching for molecular targets related to immunoregulation in neural cells. I have experience in 2D and 3D cell culture systems, microscopy, and biochemical and immunoassay techniques.
Frank W Blixt, PhD – Research Scientist
Education & Training
BS Zoology Biomedical Science, University of Oklahoma – Norman, OK (2011)
MS Biology, Lund University – Sweden (2013)
PhD Clinical Sciences, Lund University – Sweden (2018)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: microbiome influence on development, generational effects of dysbiosis, stroke, retinal ischemia
Clinical interests: microbiome targeted therapies for stroke prevention/recovery
Research & Experience
Retinal Ischemia – A Vascular Perspective (2014-2018) under the supervision of Professor Lars Edvinsson and Professor Karin Warfvinge – Lund University, Sweden
The role of CGRP in migraine pathophysiology (2014-2020) under the supervision of Professor Lars Edvinsson and Professor Kristian Agmund Haanes – Glostrup Research Park, Denmark
Hobbies & Interests
Film making and editing, European football, and working out.
Shivi Garg – Research Assistant I
Education & Training
BS Biology with minor in Psychology, University of Houston – Houston, TX (2022)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, social isolation, neuropsychiatry, and behavioral ad cognitive neuroscience
Research & Experience
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Baylor College of Medicine – Houston, TX (June 2022-Dec 2022)
Hobbies & Interests
Reading sci-fi and crime/mystery thrillers, cooking, and exploring new restaurants
Grant Goodman – Research Assistant I
Education & Training
BS Neuroscience, Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO (2021)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: I am currently involved in projects studying the effects of maternal microbiome composition on offspring’s stork outcomes, investigating the role of TGFβ in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and investigating effects of stroke and traumatic brain injury on cellular metabolism.
Research & Experience
BRAINS Research Laboratory, Department of Neurology – UTHealth – Houston, TX (Dec. 2021-present)
Hobbies & Interests
Reading, hiking, martial arts, and traveling
Danye Jiang, PhD – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Education & Training
BS Molecular and Cellular Biology, Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD
PhD Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine – Houston, TX
Areas of Interests
Research Interest: Microglia, glia biology, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), stroke, and social isolation
Research & Experience
My current research interests are to understand 1) how polarization of microglia, the CNS resident immune cells, affects disease development and 2) how manipulation of their responses may delay disease progression and promote brain tissue repair. My early career contributions were focused on investigating the effect of early developmental exposure to general anesthetics on brain development under the guidance of Dr. David Mintz and Dr. Guo-li Ming. My graduate training continued to focus on neural development using a model of murine retina under the mentorship of Dr. Melanie Samuel. Specifically, I identified the complement protein C1q as a regulator of neurite confinement in horizontal cells as well as the signal regulatory protein SIRPα in instructing developmental microglial activation and phagocytosis, and ultimately synapse refinement during retinal development.
Hobbies & Interests
Rock climbing, classical concerts, and antiquing
Janelle Korf – MD/PhD Graduate Research Assistant
Education and Training
BS Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX (2016)
MD/Ph. University of Texas Health Center at Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – Houston, TX (2017-2025)
Areas of Interest
Clinical interests: Neurology, pediatrics, infectious diseases
Research interests: Microbiology, brain-gut axis, microbiome, microscopy
Research
Despite our increasing understanding of the fundamental role that the microbiome plays in moderating immune responses, there are still many circumstances in which its importance is overlooked and potential avenues of intervention are completely unexplored. Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (n-HIE) accounts for 23% of infant mortality worldwide and affects 0.7-1.2 million infants annually. Amongst those who survive the initial injury rates of disability remain high throughout life. Despite the high disability burden associated with survival after n-HIE, there are very few preventative or protective treatments available for infants after an HIE event. Due to my long standing interest in microbes and recent evidences showing that microbiota can be orchestrated beneficially to treat diseases, as my thesis project, I will elucidate the role of microbiome in n-HIE conditions. Interestingly, we are seeing that intestinal microbiome plays a major role in neurological disease outcomes. We are working on investigating the causative effect of n-HIE on gut pathologies and how therapeutic interventions at the level of the microbiome can decrease the body’s systemic inflammatory response and improve neurological outcomes. I will define pathways by which this is accomplished and identify key microbial derived factors that could be used as a therapy for both short and long term benefits.
Hobbies & Interests
Art, hiking, and gardening
Alexis McAlister – Graduate Research Assistant
Education & Training
BA Neuroscience & Cognitive Science with a minor in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University – Houston, TX (2021)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia, gut-brain axis
Research & Experience
GradSURP Summer Research Program, UT Health – Houston, TX (2018)
BRAINS Summer Research Program, Department of Neurology – UT Health – Houston, TX (2019)
Research Technician – Department of Neurology, UT Health – Houston, TX (2019-2021)
Hobbies & Interests
Traveling, playing guitar and bass, photography, cycling
Patrick Mooz – GSBS Graduate Research Assistant
Education & Training
BS Neuroscience (Bachelors of Science and Arts), University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX (2021)
MS Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Center at Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – Houston, TX (2021-present)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: MicroRNAs and the impact they have on post stroke social isolation
Clinical interests: Neurology, neurosurgery and radiology
Research & Experience
Neuroscience Program, Department of Neurology – MD Anderson UTHealth GSBS – Houston, TX (August 2021-present)
BRAINS Lab Summer Student, Department of Neurology – UT Health – Houston, TX (June – August 2018, June -August 2019)
Hobbies & Interests
Fishing and skiing
Martin Svacina, MD – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Education & Training
MD Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne – Germany (2019)
Residency: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne – Germany (2019-present)
MD Doctoral Thesis: “Preclinical Evaluation of Cardiac Effects of Fingolimod and Combinational Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis”
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Immune neuropathies, gut microbiota-immune axis, chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy, and neuroimmune pharmacology
Clinical interests: Immune neuropathies, neuromuscular ultrasound & electrophysiology, neuromuscular diseases, multiple sclerosis, and neuroimmunology
Research & Experience
I worked on clinical and laboratory research in the RG “Neuroinflammation and Neuromuscular Disorders,” under Dr. Helmar C. Lehmann at the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany (2013-2023). We focused on mechanisms of action of therapeutic immunoglobulin and interaction with COVID-19 vaccines, gut microbiome composition and blood-derived immunomarkers in CIDP, and novel ultrasound-based diagnostic techniques for neuromuscular diseases. I have had an international clinical internship in Surgery at Inselspital Bern in Switzerland (2018). Currently, I am co-mentored by Dr. Kazim Sheikh.
Hobbies & Interests
Playing guitar, composing, history, sports, and traveling
Chunfeng (Sheryl) Tan, MD/PhD – Research Scientist
Education & Training
MD Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology – Qinhuangdao, China
PhD Neuropathy, Niigata University Brain Research Institute – Niigata, Japan
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Niigata University Brain Research Institute – Niigata, Japan
Areas of Interests
Research Interest: Neuropathology of Neurological disorders (ALS, AD, FTD, Stroke, etc.) and Psychiatric disorders (Schizophrenia, Depression, drug addiction, etc.)
Research & Experience
I had worked as a trainee and faculty member at Niigata University, Japan. During those years, I conducted extensive research in Neuropathology. I accumulated rich experience on human anatomy, gross and microscopic investigation of specimens, as a neuropathologist; and on the whole set of histotechnology for clinicopathological research. After moving to the United States, I worked in the basic and translational research laboratories and focused on the cell and molecular neuroscience. I elaborated my expertise in Pathology and contributed to multiple basic and translational research projects to understand the neurobiology and pathophysiology of brain disorders, including Cognition, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Anxiety/Depression, Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Neuroendocrine cancer. I expanded my experience on the animal anatomy and histopathology, and strengthened the technologies on basic and translational research. The studies I have led and been involved were published in major Neuropathology, Neurology, Neuroscience and Cancer journals.
Moreover, I have been involved in building the human brain banks. I hosted courses as the instructor to teach the members in Willed Body Program how to effectively harvest the human brain.
Hobbies & Interests
Photography, cooking, traveling and playing with my kids
Kristen Rebeles – Research Assistant I
Education & Training
BS Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, TX (2020)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Cerebral ischemia, neuroinflammation, interactions between gut microbiota, brain, and immune system
Clinical interests: Neurology and pathology
Research & Experience
Student Worker, Mozzachiodi Laboratory – TAMUCC – Corpus Christi, TX (2020)
Clinical Research Assistant, HD Research LLC – Bellaire, TX (2021-2022)
Hobbies & Interests
Reading, baking, embroidery, and gardening
Bryce West – Research Assistant I
Education & Training
BA Neuroscience with minor in Chemistry, Dartmouth College – Hanover, NH (2021)
MS Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry – Rochester, NY (2022)
Areas of Interest
Research interests: Alzheimer’s Disease, blood-brain barrier, addiction, multiple sclerosis, gut-brain axis
Clinical interests: Neurology and neurodegenerative diseases
Research & Experience
Undergraduate Researcher Assistant, “Deep Brain Stimulation and Agency” Laboratory – Cognitive Science Department, Dartmouth College – Hanover, NH
MS Student, “Methamphetamine abuse and the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease” – Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry – Rochester, NY
Hobbies & Interests
Volunteer Special Olympics softball coach, working out/Pilates, and spending time with family and her dogs