Director
Dr. Sudip Bajpeyi
Director, MiNER Laboratory
Director, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program
J. Edward and Helen M.C. Stern Endowed Professor
Health Sciences and Nursing Bldg, Rm 445
sbajpeyi@utep.edu
(915) 747-5461
Faculty Profile
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Jehu Apaflo
Postdoctoral Fellow
Jehu is interested in understanding the effects of a high fat diet and physical activity on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. His research aims to elucidate the benefits of exercise, electromyostimulation and dietary interventions in preventing and mitigating the metabolic defects associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
jnapaflo2@utep.edu
Doctoral Students
Joshua Labadah, MPhil, PhD(c)
Graduate Research Associate
Joshua is interested in investigating the immune modulations associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. He aims to identify immune markers to enhance diagnosis, assessing treatment efficacy and as potential therapeutic targets. He hopes his research sheds light on how lifestyles changes such as nutrition and exercise impact the immune system in relation to insulin sensitivity. Joshua is also interested in community health education and promotion.
Preyangsee Dutta, MD
Graduate Research Associate
Preyangsee's research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms and genetic basis of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. She plans to explore how genetic variations affect physiological processes that link cardiovascular risk with metabolic diseases. This research aims to improve risk prediction and develop personalized treatment strategies. From a clinical perspective, her work seeks to advance the understanding of cardiovascular and metabolic health, paving the way for more effective prevention and treatment approaches.
Zara Fatahimeiabadi, MS
Graduate Research Associate
Zahra is interested in exercise physiology, metabolic disease, insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, exercise intervention (particularly resistance training) and cancer research. Her current study aims to investigate the feasibility and impact of self-administered neuromuscular electrical stimulation on glycemic control in the hyperglycemia population
Dwaipayan Saha, MD
Graduate Research Associate
Dwaipayan is focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes, and their links to cardiovascular complications like Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). His work will also explore the interplay between insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function, aiming to identify factors that drive disease progression. With a clinical background in medicine, he focuses on the prevention and precision medicine strategies for cardio-metabolic diseases, striving to uncover root causes and therapeutic targets that can effectively mitigate cardiovascular disease risks and reduce the global burden of cardio-metabolic diseases.
Graduate Students
Seyram Yawa Azagloh, M.Sc
Graduate Research Associate
Seyram has a background in human nutrition, exercise science, and kinesiology. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Her research interests lie at the intersection of metabolism, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases, with a focus on lifestyle interventions, and metabolic disease prevention. Seyram has experience in clinical nutrition and health behavior research and is passionate about applying evidence-based approaches to improve population health outcomes.
Undergraduate Students
Anai Isabel Gomez Baca
Lab Team Member
Anai is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science. Her research interests include metabolic diseases, the musculoskeletal system, and exercise physiology. Anai hopes to apply the knowledge gained through her research toward her future goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and making a positive impact on her community.
Giovanna Lopez
Lab Team Member
Giovanna is an undergraduate kinesiology major with a minor in nutrition and a strong passion for health, movement, and performance. As a volunteer in the MiNER Lab, she enjoys gaining hands-on experience in research. Giovanna plans to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy to help individuals improve their quality of life through movement.
Adrian Ordaz
Lab Team Member
Adrian is an undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. His interests include studying how exercise and lifestyle factors influence metabolic health, particularly in relation to insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation. He hopes to apply his experience towards a career in physical therapy to help improve health through movement and rehabilitation.
Richard Vazquez
Lab Team Member
Richard is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. His interests include understanding how exercise and lifestyle factors influence physical performance and overall health. Through his work in the MiNER Lab, he is contributing to analyzing clinical data and helping graduate students in metabolic and clinical research. He plans to apply his laboratory experience toward a career in physical therapy, using movement and rehabilitation to promote health and recovery.
rgvazguez2@miners.utep.edu
Ulices Villalobos
Lab Team Member
Ulices Villalobos is an undergraduate student currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a concentration in biology. His research interests revolve around metabolic diseases by studying defects in insulin signaling pathways using skeletal muscle cell culture models. Ulices aims to attend medical school and use his research experience to further aid the Hispanic community in El Paso with such health disparities. In addition to his academic endeavors, Ulices has a strong passion for theology, photography, and ministry within the Presbyterian Church of America.
