Postdoctoral Fellows
Selvam Panneer Muthuvel
Postdoctoral Associate
Dr Muthuvel joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UAB as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in May 2024 and he is doing synthesis of Glycan-Biomaterials to promote the tissue repair in Regeneration Lab (Dr Samal Juhi). My research aims to develop the novel Glycan functionalized biomaterials which is useful for brain disorders and neuroinflammation. Prior to UAB, he has worked as a Senior Research Fellow to develop the cationic imidazolium-oligomers based anti-bacterial drug in Biomedical Engineering, NTU, Singapore and he has worked as a Research Fellow to develop the peptides for Cancer Immuno-Therapy Imaging (CITI) programme in Department of Biological sciences, NUS, Singapore. Apart from academics, he loves to cook, exploring new dining spots, doing party with new friends and playing cricket, kabaddi and swimming.
Graduate Researchers
Meghana Madabhushi
Biotechnology Master’s Candidate
Meghana is pursuing her master’s in biotechnology in the School of Health Professions at UAB. She has preciously worked with different cell lines to understand the metabolic activity induced by insulin in the human body. She finds neuroscience both challenging and exciting and is excited about applying her knowledge in cell and molecular biology in Glycans for Regeneration Lab.
Emmanuel Ajala
Data Science Master’s Candidate
Emmanuel is currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science. His passion for this field stems from his curiosity about artificial intelligence and the compelling stories data can tell. He aims to uncover and address gender disparities in the biomedical mass spectrometry. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys playing sports, playing the piano, staying fit, occasional travel, and a well done cooked steak—anything less just won’t do!
Undergraduate Researchers
Chiara Chie
Majoring in Neuroscience • UAB Honor’s Student
Chiara is a class of 2027 undergraduate student at UAB with a passion for neuroscience and medicine. This year as she partakes in the Glycans for Regeneration Lab, she is thrilled to explore the intersections between biology and engineering in further detail, using her past leadership and organizational experience to guide her in facing the new and exciting challenges she will find in this lab!
Nicholas Reyes
Majoring in Neurosciene • UAB Honor’s Student
Nicholas is an Undergraduate Student for a Bachelor in Neuroscience with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. He has always loved working with people and learning about medicine and is working to become a doctor. He developed an interest in neuroscience in middle school and in learning about the complexities of the brain and the nervous system. He is very excited to be able to contribute to the lab with the information he has learned.
Paxton Gillispe
Majoring in Biomedical Engineering • UAB Honor’s Student
Paxton is an undergraduate student at UAB pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Engineering World Health. Paxton’s dedication to healthcare is fueled by her awareness of the disparities within the healthcare system, particularly for minority communities. Her passion for helping others has led her to the Glycans for Regeneration Lab, where she is excited to learn more about the real-world applications of Biomedical Engineering.
Hazel Hajariwala
Majoring in Biology • UAB Honor’s Student
Hazel Hajariwala is an undergraduate and Honor’s Student at UAB. She is a part of class of 2027 and is studying Biology. Hazel has a passion for helping people and often volunteers in her free time. She has always been eager to learn new things and achieve new goals and experiences. Hazel gained first-hand experience as a CNA in her hometown and is dedicated to furthering her career and education at UAB. By participating in this lab, she hopes to fulfill her dream of becoming a physician. Her ambitious attitude and positivity will undoubtedly contribute to her experiences, learning, and her future within anesthesiology.
Samal Lab 