• 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.

Staff Scientists

Preeti Chauhan, PhD (she/her) - Research Associate Scientist I

• 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!

Abby Tan

• Student at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics and submatriculating in Chemistry via the Vagelos MLS Program, expecting to graduate in May 2028.

• Joined the Cristancho Lab in Summer ‘25

• Project: Exploring how to integrate Adeno-associated viruses to alter gene expression prior to hypoxic exposures

• Beyond research: Ramen enthusiast, rom-com movie lover, sports fan, NYT Games addict

Jasim Faisal

• Student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Biology and Economics, expecting to graduate in May 2027.

• Joined Cristancho Lab Summer of 2025.

• Project: Understanding the role of Ephrin in transient hypoxia in vivo and in vitro.

• Beyond Research: Enjoys volleyball, Korean bbq, all things cars, Marvel movies, traveling.

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: Exploring the role of histone hyperacetylation in hypoxia-induced splicing changes

• 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