Chandra Mohan
Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Endowed Professor
cmohan@central.uh.edu

Kamala Vanarsa
Lab Manager
kvanarsa@central.uh.edu

Her research focuses on utilizing novel proteomic technologies including ITRAQ and NRM assays to quantitate biomarkers in human body fluids. Other research interests include detecting novel biomarkers in human body fluids using Somalogic’s SomaScan Assay.

Yewei Ma
HOC Core Director
yma29@uh.edu

Dr. Yewei Ma’s projects focus on cutting-edge proteomics and biomarker detection from any types of samples, including autoantigen/antibody screening, protein microarrays, aptamer-based multiplexed proteomics, proximity extension assay, bead-based immunoassay and many more. Our personalized services will significantly accelerate your research progress and grant application.

Anto Sam Crosslee
Research Assistant Professor
crosslee@central.uh.edu

Crosslee’s research focuses on understanding the molecular pathways involved in autoimmunity and is working on creating an in-vitro model of glomerulus.

Jayaraman Tharmalingam
Researcher 3
jtharmal@Central.UH.EDU

Jayaraman’s research is focused on identifying the pathogenic mechanisms underlying lupus nephritis, using animal models, with translational biomarker studies in human lupus nephritis.

Geethangili Madamanchi
Research Scientist
gmadaman@central.uh.edu

Geethangili’s research focuses on Non-invasive OCT/OCE of Skin Fibrosis in a Bleo Mouse Model.

Valeria Espinosar
Core Scientist
valeria.espinosar@gmail.com

Valeria’s research is centered on the identification of proteomic biomarkers through diverse platforms, including Olink, ELISA, RayBiotech L-Series Antibody Array, and Somalogic Somascan.

Sofia Cantu
Research Tech1
sicantu@cougarnet.uh.edu

Sofia’s research focuses on comparing and assessing advanced biomarker platforms, focusing on the variations between techniques used, specificity, advantages and disadvantages, as well as systematic evaluation of the reproducibility of research between differing biomarker discovery platforms. Sofia has been awarded the PURS Scholarship for Spring 2024.

Ayesha Budhwani
PhD Student (BME)
ajbudhwa@cougarnet.uh.edu

Ayesha works in Dr. Mohan’s and Dr. Abidian’s laboratories to explore how various ECM proteins impact the growth of renal resident cells or neurons. This involves 3D-printing of ECM proteins, cell culture and functional studies. Alongside, she is characterizing a novel monoclonal antibody with therapeutic potential.

Vinaika Maruvada
PhD Student (BME) | Data Analyst
vmaruvad@cougarnet.uh.edu

Vinaika’s project focuses on developing and validating a digital phenotyping platform for continuous remote monitoring of behavioral, physiological, and psychological parameters associated with lupus nephritis and other rheumatic diseases, initially through a pilot study in University of Houston students studying stress and cognitive status.

She is also a data analyst at Mohan Lab, where she works on analyzing proteomic data to uncover biomarker changes that impact disease outcomes. Her role involves conducting diverse forms of data analysis and identifying potential biomarkers from large-scale datasets.

Sanju S
PhD Student (BME)
ssukumar@cougarnet.uh.edu

Sanju’s project focuses on Unravelling the molecular basis of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in NPSLE. This project aims to investigate the circulating factors and alterations in cell adhesion proteins and molecules that contribute to BBB breakdown in NPSLE. It employs an in vitro BBB model using mouse endothelial cells and astrocytes and will identify candidate proteins as potential biomarkers for NPSLE and examine their effects on BBB integrity and permeability.

Shuvethapriya Sampathkumar
Graduate Researcher (MS in BME)
ssampat3@cougarnet.uh.edu

Shuvetha is a graduate researcher focused on advancing 3D bioprinting technologies and developing innovative point-of-care diagnostic tools. Her work explores the use of biomaterials and bio-fabrication strategies for engineering proximal tubules of the kidney. She is also working on developing rapid, point-of-care assays for detection of Lupus Nephritis.

Salman Promon
PhD Student
skpromon@cougarnet.uh.edu

Salman’s research is focused on proteomic biomarker-based ‘point of care’ diagnostic device development and 3D bioprinting.

Munim Ahmed
PhD Student (BME)
mahmed66@cougarnet.uh.edu

Munim’s research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to address challenges in medical image analysis. His work aims to develop AI-driven methodologies that enhance diagnostic and prognostic capabilities, improve disease outcome prediction, and translate computational advances into clinical tools that support decision-making in healthcare. Through advanced ML models for medical imaging, he seeks to contribute to the integration of AI into healthcare for more precise and effective treatments.

Diptish Wankhade
Physician Scientist
dwankhad@central.uh.edu

Diptish’s research focuses on identifying Novel Stool Biomarkers for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using 7K SomaScan Proteomics and predicitng Strictures & Fistulas in Crohn’s Disease using stool proteins.

Anjani Marri
Physician Scientist
smarri@central.uh.edu

Anjani’s research focuses on identifying novel biomarkers for Lupus nephritis in urine and serum using ELISA technique. These novel biomarkers helps to monitor the disease activity and identify the flares without tge invasive renal biopsies.

Thanoj Aila
Graduate Researcher (MS in Data Science)
taila@cougarnet@.uh.edu

Thanoj’s projects focuses on biostatistics and data-driven analysis in proteomics research. He is currently exploring glomerular classification and developing machine learning models to better understand complex biological datasets. His work integrates computational analysis, statistical modeling, and biological insight to advance studies in protein expression and disease mechanisms.

Madeline Rogers
Undergraduate Researcher
mcrogers@cougarnet.uh.edu

Madeline’s research focuses on modeling blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and leakage in neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). She assists in developing and maintaining an in vitro BBB model by culturing astrocytes and mouse brain endothelial cells (MBECs), supporting experiments that investigate barrier integrity under inflammatory conditions. Her work contributes to identifying key molecular mechanisms and potential biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with NPSLE.

Kimberly Hoang
Undergraduate Researcher
khoang24@cougarnet.uh.edu

Kimberly is developing a rapid point-of-care test for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) using novel stool-based protein biomarkers. Her work aims to increase the accessibility of diagnoses, enabling earlier intervention and a more favorable treatment outlook. This contribution will alleviate the external burdens – cost, time, energy – tied to IBD being a progressive disease, and provide a more sustainable option for monitoring. Future studies will focus on improving sub-phenotypical differentiation through multi-analyte designs.

Manisha Madhusudan
Undergraduate Researcher
mdmadhus@cougarnet.uh.edu

Manisha’s project focuses on modeling the glomerular filtration barrier using endothelial and podocyte co-culture to study how lupus patient serum disrupts barrier integrity. She is also profiling autoantibodies in lupus nephritis (LN) using a 21,000-plex protein array to identify both known and novel IgG, IgA, and IgM targets involved in immune pathways and biomarker discovery.

Shalaka Dhavalikar
Undergraduate Researcher
sdhavali@cougarnet.uh.edu

Shalaka’s research explores immune and metabolic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She is working to identify immunogenic regions on lupus autoantigens through epitope mapping to identify potential therapeutic targets. Simultaneously, she is performing urinary metabolomic analyses to uncover metabolic changes driving renal flares in lupus nephritis. She also helps develop an in vitro blood–brain barrier model to examine how inflammation impacts barrier function in neuropsychiatric SLE.

Abhiram Pavuluri
Data Analyst Trainee
abhiram.pavuluri@gmail.com

Abhiram is a Data Analyst specializing in proteomic and genomic data, with a focus on biomarker analysis.