Lab Members

P. Hande Ozdinler, PhD

Associate Professor

ozdinler( at )northwestern.edu
 312-503-2774

PhD: LSU/Health Sciences Center

 View Ozdinler's Faculty Profile

Dr. Ozdinler received training in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, cell biology, anatomy and neuroscience. She is the recipient of Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center and NUCATS Translational Innovation awards. She was recruited to be the founding director of the 2nd Les Turner ALS Laboratory at Northwestern, which focused on the biology and pathology of upper motor neurons. She is now a faculty member to the Chemistry Life Sciences Processes Institute, Les Turner ALS, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Research Centers.

Mukesh Gautam, Ph.D.

mukesh.gautam( at )northwestern.edu
 312-503-7132

 View Gautam's Faculty Profile

Dr. Gautam's research is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuronal vulnerability especially in ALS/FTD. He uses electron microscopy, metabolomics, transcriptomics, extracellular vesicle, and nanoparticle-mediated approaches to understand the basis of selective neurodegeneration. He is especially interested in mitochondria biology in neurodegenerative diseases and improving mitochondria function as a therapeutic strategy to improve neuronal health. Dr. Gautam earned his PhD in reproductive endocrinology from University of Delhi, India. He received training in the Ozdinler lab and now is a Research Assistant Professor. Dr. Gautam is the recipient of the inaugural Ellen McConnell Blakeman ALS Research Fellowship from A Long Swim Foundation, and his research is supported from a grant from Spastic Paraplegia Foundation.

Afshin Babazadeh, Ph.D.

afshin.babazadeh( at )northwestern.edu

Afshin Babazadeh received his PhD from Macquarie Medical School at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, where he investigated the regulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) in relation to the aggregation and accumulation of TAR DNA/RNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in cellular and zebrafish models of motor neuron diseases. During his PhD studies, he was awarded the Macquarie Medical School Small Grant Scheme and received the best review paper award. Dr. Babazadeh joined the Ozdinler Lab to pursue postdoctoral studies in motor neuron diseases.

Christopher Quintanilla, Ph.D.

christopher.quintanilla( at )northwestern.edu
 312-503-2776

Christopher Quintanilla completed his doctoral research at the University of Chicago, where he studied the role of Cdx genes in the early development of the zebrafish embryo. He joined the Ozdinler lab in the fall of 2020 and is currently studying how cytoskeletal dysfunction of upper motor neurons (UMNs) contributes to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

Baris Genc, Ph.D.

Dr. Baris Genc has received his PhD at Louisiana State University Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy where he investigated the role of neurotrophic factors in sensory neuron development. During his Postdoctoral training he switched from neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration field. Currently his research is focused on understanding upper motor neuron biology in ALS, and cellular and molecular mechanisms of selective motor neuron vulnerability in ALS. He was the recipient of the NIH Mechanisms of Aging and Dementia T32 training grant investigating molecular mechanisms of selective vulnerability of motor neurons in ALS.

Richard .Wolff

richard.wolff( at )northwestern.edu

Richard Wolff earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he majored in anthropology, biology, data science, and global health. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences at the same institution. His research experience includes work on the gut microbiome and stress-related psychiatric disorders. In his current role, he is particularly interested in neural anatomy and the neuropathology of degenerative neurological conditions. He plans to apply to medical school, with interests in neurology and otolaryngology (ENT)

Sushmitha Srikanth

sushmitha.srikanth( at )northwestern.edu

Sushmitha Srikanth graduated with a Master’s in Biotechnology from the University of San Francisco. She currently works on a range of projects in the lab and is excited to learn alongside experienced researchers. During her graduate training, she conducted a CRISPR-Cas9–mediated knockout of the PERP gene in mammalian (HEK293) cells. Her interests include molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal function and neurodegeneration. She aims to pursue a PhD after gaining further research experience while continuing to develop her technical expertise and contribute to ongoing work in the lab.

Taray Noah Sterling

taraysterling2028( at )u.northwestern.edu

Taray is a first-year student at Northwestern University, currently majoring in neuroscience. He has been in the Ozdinler lab since the fall of 2024 and hopes to pursue a MD with a future specialization in neurology. His interests include disease mechanisms and brain plasticity.

Mihailo Radojicic

mihailo.radojicic( at )northwestern.edu

Mihailo S Radojicic received his M.D. at Belgrade University School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. He is currently a Research Scientist at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Department of Physiology and Visiting Research Scientist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Neurology.

Izaak Aguilar

Now: Research Technologist II at NeuronaTherapeutics

Angela Ahrens

Now: Research Associate at Pathos

Dila Bitlis

student at Northwestern University.

Jonathan Brent

Now: Assistant Prof. at the Department of Neurology, Northwestern University

Ina Dervishi

Now: Neurocrital Care Fellow and Neurologist at the University of Chicago Medical School

Zach Fitzgerald

Now: PhD student at NUIN

Öge Gozütok Moore

Now: Regulatory Affairs Coordinator at Northwestern University

Aksu Gunay

Now: PhD student at UIC

Ben Helmold

Now: MD Candidate at Duke University School of Medicine

Javier Jara

Now: Imaging Director at Nikon Instruments

Omar Kashow

Nabil Khan

Now: Physician at Weiss Memorial Hospital

Nuran Kocak

Now: PhD Student at Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

Amiko Lagrimas

Now: Research Associate at Exicure

Kate Pauss

Now: PhD student at University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Mina Peric

Now: PhD student at the University of Belgrade.

Onur K Polat

Now: Postdoctoral fellow, Rush University, Medical School

Heather Hye Shin

Now: Research Associate, Standford University

Jacob Sowizral

Now: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Macdonnell Stanford

Now: MD at the Department of Neurology, Brown University

Rosalind Wang

Now: Graduate Student at University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy

William Weber

Now: Emergency Room Physician, University of Chicago

Edward Xie

Now: Stony Brook University Hospital, Opthalmology

Marina Yasvoina

Now: Lecturer in Neuroscience, King's College London