• Born in Caracas, Venezuela, raised in South Florida

• College @ the University of Miami - dual major in Biology and Philosophy

• MD/PhD program @ the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Funding: Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study)

• Pediatrics & Child Neurology @ the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Instructor Funding: NINDS R25, NICHD K12)

• Favorites: wandering Philadelphia, traveling, gelato, World Cup futbol, chasing my toddler and cockapoo.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellows

We are looking for a post-doctoral fellow to join the team!

Preeti Chauhan, PhD (she/her)

• Research training experience from Michigan State University, Michigan, USA, (Post-Doctoral Research Associate) and Banaras Hindu University, India (Ph.D.).

• Joined the Cristancho lab in July 2022

• Project: 1) Determining the long-term effects of hypoxia on synaptic density and function. 2) Establishing neuronal cell culture models of in vitro correlations.

• Beyond research: Traveling and exploring new places/cultures.  Love being around family, friends, and loved ones.

Graduate Students

Staff

We are looking for a senior technician to join the team!

Ethan Gadra

• Haverford College (class of 2022): Major in Biology, Minors in Chemistry & Environmental Studies

• Started working in the Cristancho Lab summer of 2021 as an undergraduate. Now a great technician!

  • Thesis investigating the potential neuroprotective effects of histone variant H3f3b.

• Project: continuing research into the effects of H3f3b on the pathophysiology of prenatal hypoxia.

• Beyond research: Haverford College pole vault record holder, enjoys hiking, animals, & spending time with friends & family

Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate Students

We welcome undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students. Look out for the lab entry in the CURF Research Directory! Work-study students are welcome!

Caroline Dannacher

• student at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Neuroscience with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025.

• started working in the Cristancho Lab since the very beginning (Summer ‘22)

• Project: working to understand the effects of prenatal hypoxic injury on neuronal migration.

• Beyond research: enjoys being on the Penn Sailing team, listening to Broadway show tunes, and exploring Philadelphia with friends.

Bianca Rodriguez

• student at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Neuroscience with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025.

• started working in the Cristancho Lab since the very beginning (Summer ‘22)

• Project: bioinformatic approaches to correlating preclinical models to human developmental disorders

• Beyond research: true crime stories, horror movies, and good food.

Shikhar Gupta

• student at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Biochemistry and submatriculating in Chemistry via the Vagelos MLS Program, expecting to graduate in May 2026.

• joined the Cristancho Lab in Fall ‘22

• Project: studying lactate and protein/histone lactylation as an epigenetic marker of prenatal hypoxia

• Beyond research: sings in the Penn Chorale, serves as an elected student government member, and currently trying his best to become a movie buff and perfect his french press recipe