About Us

Radhika Chadha
Chair

I completed my PhD in neuroscience at University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I studied abnormalities in the AKT-mTOR signaling cascade in postmortem human brain tissue from schizophrenia subjects. Now, as a postdoctoral associate in the Shepherd lab, I am studying the role of Arc-EVs in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. When I'm not in lab, I love exploring outdoors while hiking, off-roading and camping.

Paula Roy
Treasurer/Secretary

I am a postdoc in Nikki Link’s lab and I’m interested in how genes regulate brain development in the context of human disease. I use Drosophila to investigate microcephaly and its associated disorders (specifically intellectual disabilities). I am currently working on several genetic pathways and developing learning and memory paradigms for the lab. When I’m not staring at tiny fly brains, you can find me on the trail with my adventure cat Squeegee, in the yoga studio, or experimenting in the kitchen.

Sven Bervoets
Communications director

@BarefeetSven

My interests revolve around memory and learning, and the associated processes of local protein translation and communication between neurons. I work in both the Shepherd and Caron labs, where I focus on the role of dArc1 in memory and learning. Here I use Drosophila melanogaster to study such behaviours and the properties of the dArc1 protein in cell signalling. I am originally from Belgium where I completed my PhD at the University of Antwerp, studying the nuclear role of Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase in peripheral neuropathies. Outside the lab I love to go for a run and explore the nature around Salt Lake City.

Navita Lopez
Social Coordinator

I’m a postdoc in Dr. Monica Vetter’s lab and I am interested in the interactions between glia and neurons in development of the retina and glaucomatous neurodegeneration. I am currently working on microglial-mediated phagocytosis of retinal ganglion cells and a cool CRISPR experiment. When I am not in lab, I enjoy cooking (Nigel Slater is my hero), hiking with my dog and cycling. I can’t wait to start travelling again, learning about different countries and cultures.

Michael Hantak

A virologist at heart, I’m interested in how we utilize the endogenous viruses and virus-like proteins embedded in our genomes. In Jason Shepherd’s lab, I’m currently investigating Arc, a virus-like protein expressed in neurons that is required for memory consolidation. We hypothesize that Arc utilizes its viral properties to facilitate critical communications between neurons and other cells. Outside of lab, I’ve been enjoying the hiking and camping opportunities around Utah. Coming from flat Illinois, where I completed my PhD at Loyola University Chicago, it is wonderful to wake up every morning to a mountain view.

Alex Chagovetz

I am research scientist in the lab of Dr. Jim Heys and my research focuses on understanding how the brain codes and interprets time and space. Using in vivo cellular resolution imaging of mice performing tasks in a virtual environment, I hope to understand how neural circuits of within the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are involved in learning and recall. Of particular interest to me are “time cells” and how they contribute to episodic memories at a synaptic, cellular and neural circuit level. When I am not in lab, I spend as much time as possible in Southern Utah, where I canyoneer, rock climb and generally explore our amazing desert with my wife and two dogs

Jacki Roberts

My research career has centered around the broad question: how are neurons specified from progenitors? I first examined this question in the cerebral cortex for my PhD thesis. Now, as a postdoc, I’m focused on retinal neurogenesis. Specifically, I’m looking at the role of epigenetic regulation on the competence states of neural progenitors using genetic and bioinformatic tools. Outside of lab, I’m working on finding the best dog friendly trails in Utah. There are many excellent contenders.

Dayton Goodell

I’m fascinated by how tiny changes in Ca2+ influx at synaptic sites are able tocontrol synaptic, cellular, and network properties of neurons. In the Maricq lab, I am using the C. elegans model system to examine how a NMDA receptor auxiliary protein modifies the gating of this important Ca2+permeable glutamate receptor to alter system functions. Outside of work I enjoy hanging out with my 1 yr old son, and just about anything that can be done in the great outdoors here in UT.

Alumni

Find out where former alumni of the NAPG ended up