Lab Members

I enjoy staying active and spending time with my family. I’m trying to remain an avid skier, a regular gym-goer, and to continue exploring the mountains of the Southwest (knees permitting). At home I share life with two beautiful heelers—one obsessed with fetch and the other content to supervise.

People in labs are always off to better things. I’m proud of all the individuals who have passed through my lab, and I make an effort to stay in touch and follow their paths long after they leave (holiday cards included).

I also enjoy following Arizona Wildcat sports (when they’re winning). I’m an enthusiastic reader whose interests range from science and history to literature that explores the strange borderlands between science and imagination (ask me about Monstrology). When I’m not working or reading, you’ll likely find me drinking coffee, walking the dogs, or suppressing a smile as I try to ship the twins off to college.

Originally from the "City of Joy" in India, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Master's degree in Biotechnology. During my undergraduate studies at the University of Calcutta, I graduated as the top university rank holder in Biochemistry. I later obtained my Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India. 

During my doctoral research, I investigated plant transcription factors and Caulimoviral promoters, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression in plants. I further expanded my research interests in plant transcription factors during my postdoctoral training at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, where I studied the transciptional regulatory mechanisms underlying plant defense systems, particularly those associate with endoplasmi reticlum (ER) bodies in Arabidopsis.

Subsequently, I conducted postdoctoral research in the Hirschi Lab at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston, where my research focus shifted from trsanscription factors to the functional and structural characterization of calcium transporters. My work emphasized the elemental partitioning of nutrients and ions in lants, particularly under abiotic stress conditions such as flooding.

Following the relocation of the Hirschi Lab from Houston to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), I continued developing my research on elemental partitioning while incorporating a stronger biochemical perspective. 

My current work aims to examine the biochmeical pathways that regulate how plants allocate and utilize essential nutrients and elements when exposed to flooding and other environmental stressors. Moving forward, I  aspire to pursue a career as a scientist and plant molecular biolgist in either academia or industry. To date, I have published more than 15 peer-reviewed research articles and have served as a reviewer for several scientific journals. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family especially my three-year-old son - whom I miss grealy while I am in El Paso. I also enjoy watching and playing criket and table tennis, watching Indian films, and occasionally cooking Indian cuisine.

I joined the Hirschi lab in October of 2025 after earning my M.S. in Biology from UTEP. My research background is primarily in reptile ecology and evolutionary biology, and my master’s thesis was on the systematics of two snake species complexes in the genus Philothamnus from sub-Saharan Africa. Growing up in Florida during the heyday of Steve Irwin, I fell in love with reptiles — particularly crocodilians and snakes — and knew from a young age I was destined to become a herpetologist. My work in the Hirschi lab has expanded my skillset into the world of molecular biology which is helping me as I prepare to begin my Ph.D. soon. I am working on securing funding for a doctoral project studying the nesting ecology of American crocodiles in Lago Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic. This work is being developed in collaboration with the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Belize-based Crocodile Research Coalition. Beyond my Ph.D., my long-term goal is to move to Zambia and pursue research with Nile crocodiles inhabiting the Kafue River, an intriguing study system influenced by extensive mining activities in the Copperbelt region near the river’s headwaters.

I’m a research technician at Dr. Hirschi’s lab I will graduate in December 2026 with a bachelorettes in communication, and a minor in education, so what I’m a doing in Dr. Hirschi’s lab? currently at his lab I take care of general problems that may arrive such as clerical jobs, as well as helping Dr. Hirschi with his current classes and curriculum including  helping TA and make activities for his students.

I'm a proud dog mom of a border collie and enjoy listening to music and watching shows (mostly k-dramas) and enjoy spending my time with friends and family 

In the future I really hope to get a fellowship that allows me to teach kids in other countries as well as to get a stable job. 

I’m a developmental and genetic biologist specializing in the characterization of molecular and cellular mechanisms of genetic mutations found in birth defects. I earned my Ph.D. in Biosciences under the mentorship of Dr. Anita M. Quintana at UTEP. My research is focused on the characterization of brain phenotypes caused by a mutation in HCFC1gene using the Zebrafish model. My work has provided new insights into how specific mutations in different locations in a gene can alter normal brain development. I have received seven funding awards during my career. my work involves collaboration on multiple projects to explore the impact of mutations in abnormal facial development, red blood cell development, and brain development. He has been selected to multiple short talks to present at the Society of Developmental Biology conference where I remains an active member. I contributes to my  community by participating in the career fair at La Fe Preparatory school, sharing my scientific knowledge and passion for identifying important mechanisms in birth defects that can be implemented in clinical studies. I have  a family of ten Dachshund who live very happy and are very energetic. I have a beautiful son that likes to play outdoor and eating any time of the day.

I am currently an undergraduate student studying Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry while competing on the NCAA Rifle Team here at UTEP. Growing up, I lived on a ranch where we raised and competitively showed different species of livestock. Because I helped raise many different animals, I quickly developed a fascination with science and how living systems function.

In the lab, I am currently assisting with research related to how plants adapt under certain conditions and how we can improve plant growth and resilience. My work involves helping with experiments, analyzing data, and learning laboratory techniques that allow me to better understand biological functions at the molecular level. Being involved in research has been exciting because it gives me the opportunity to apply concepts from my coursework in a hands-on environment.

One of my goals during my undergraduate years is to continue developing my research skills and gain experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. I also hope to contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects in the lab while continuing to grow as both a student and a researcher.

Over the next 5–10 years, I plan to complete my undergraduate degree and pursue medical school while continuing to grow my passion for science and research. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy spending time outdoors and supporting my long-term boyfriend, Jake, as he pursues a career in football, and I look forward to building a life together.

I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Science at the University of Texas at El Paso and an Excellence Scholarship recipient.

My journey towards healthcare started out with something simple, looking at the stars. As a kid, looking at those tiny, pretty, specks of light in the sky felt so far and unreachable, yet endlessly enchanting. Just like how medical school feels the same but feels worth pursuing. Like the stars, my goals remind me to keep looking forward rather than look down at the negativities.

College coursework, research, shadowing, community service, and internships are obstacles that present their own challenges. Every difficult class, every failing moment to secure an internship, and every moment of doubt is part my journey. These obstacles are not meant as discouragements but learning moments that grow into steppingstones that strengthen my passion to reach my dream. Like how some stars fade, fall, or explode, their lights still travel across space; In the same way, even setbacks contribute to my growth and shape my journey.

Academically, my main focus is building a strong foundation to prepare for medical school. I’m passionate about gaining hands on experience through research. As of now, I’m currently assisting in research involving plants called Arabidopsis Thaliana, where I am developing skills that will help me understand plant biology. Working with this research team has given me the opportunity to apply concepts that I’ve learned in class, strength my laboratory techniques, and collaborate and meet new people. As I continue, I hope to grow both as a student and a researcher while contributing to ongoing and future projects.

Outside of my academics, I enjoy reading and spending quality time with friends and family. Those daily, fleeting moments, may seem ordinary but they help keep me grounded allowing me to continue towards my goal.

Like building a constellation, my journey is made up of many stars, each moment is a step closer to my dream.

I recently earned my Ph.D. in Biosciences in 2026 under the mentorship of Dr. Siddhartha Das at UTEP. In his lab, I studied the lipid raft assembly, extracellular vesicle release, and sphingolipid synthesis of a protozoan intestinal parasite, Giardia lamblia. I also studied the interaction between host intestinal cells and the parasite by co-incubating them and measuring cytokine and chemokine release of the host cells. I analyzed novel treatment options that targeted these mechanisms of the parasite in order to combat Metronidazole-resistant giardiasis. I started working with Dr. Das as an undergrad while still attending El Paso Community College under the Bridges to the Baccalaureate program in 2016. I transitioned to UTEP and was privileged to earn more research fellowships while working with Dr. Das, including LSAMP and RISE. I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology in 2019. I enjoyed my work in the lab and knew I wanted to pursue Graduate school. During my graduate career with Dr. Das, I have been involved in 5 publications, with 2 more in the works. My favorite kind of experiment to perform in the lab is Confocal microscopy, because I do like some photogenic cells. I am now transitioning into plant cell biology and calcium transporters with Dr. Hirschi’s lab, which I am very excited to experience. I am looking forward to expanding my skillset and learning molecular biology techniques in a new organism that will feel like a fresh start for me. I would like to seek a long-term career as a researcher in industry. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, being with my cats, and listening to heavy metal music.

I am an undergraduate studying biomedical sciences and plan to minor in public health and data science. I am also a 2025 traditional Terry Scholar and a member of Double T Health Professions Honor Society at Texas Tech El Paso and their HOSA Future Health Professionals team. Outside of science life, I am also a contributor writer for UTEP's student newspaper, The Prospector and I am trying to start up a mutual aid group for students here on campus. I consider working in this lab as my first serious job and I'm very excited to keep growing and learning during my time here. 

In the lab, I am currently learning how to help with everything we need to run experiments. I've planted a few Arabidopsis Thaliana ecotypes and learned how to make media to use in our plates during experiments. It is my first time in a setting like this so learning while also being able to help has been exciting. The other undergraduates and I also meet with Dr. Hirschi to reinforce the scientific concepts that are important to our lab's research and understand the theory behind everything we do.

I hope to make meaningful contributions to the lab and use what I have learned to slowly start doing my own experiments. I want to keep learning the skills that good researchers have and be able to explain the lab's work to anyone who asks, as well as describe the translational outcomes of the Hirschi Lab's research. I would also hopefully like to start a sustainability initiative in the Hirschi Lab and in many other labs in the Biology department here at UTEP, as about 2% of the world's plastic waste comes from research labs. Because of this, I hope to learn more about lab processes and how we can keep contributing to science while also being ecologically responsible.

As much as I love being in the lab, Dr. Hirschi has informed us that we cannot (and he does not want us to) stay forever. After graduating from UTEP, I plan to enroll in a MD/PhD program and do public health or genetics research. I also want to start an initiative to get more women like me into science and research as a whole. I plan to work as an emergency medicine doctor and double board in EM and Trauma Surgery. I would also like to start a community outreach program where I work and provide medical care for people who are unhoused or for those who cannot afford healthcare services. I hope my future career is rooted in research as well as making healthcare more accessible as a doctor-scientist.