Nafisa M. Jadavji, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University
Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Child Health, College of Medicine – Phoenix, University of Arizona
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Jadavji is a trained neuroscientist, her lab investigates how the brain changes over the lifespan. More specifically, her lab studies the brain, maternal nutrition contributions to offspring neurodevelopment, neurological diseases (e.g. stroke and vascular dementia), and aging. She completed her PhD at McGill University in Canada in 2012. Afterwards, she moved to Berlin, Germany to complete her postdoctorate research at the Charité Medical University. In 2015, Dr. Jadavji returned to Canada to complete a second postdoctorate at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, where she was also an instructor in the Department of Neuroscience, Learning in Retirement, and Altitude Programs (University of Ottawa).
Dr. Jadavji is an editorial member of the Frontiers in Nutrition and Neuroscience (Associate Editor) and Metabolites (Review Editor) journals. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Journal of Young Investigators (JYI) and Advisory Board for Reproducibility for Everyone (R4E). When Dr. Jadavji is not in the lab, teaching, or writing, she enjoys to cooking and baking gluten free treats. Dr. Jadavji is also an avid traveler, runner, and knitter.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University
Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Child Health, College of Medicine – Phoenix, University of Arizona
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Jadavji is a trained neuroscientist, her lab investigates how the brain changes over the lifespan. More specifically, her lab studies the brain, maternal nutrition contributions to offspring neurodevelopment, neurological diseases (e.g. stroke and vascular dementia), and aging. She completed her PhD at McGill University in Canada in 2012. Afterwards, she moved to Berlin, Germany to complete her postdoctorate research at the Charité Medical University. In 2015, Dr. Jadavji returned to Canada to complete a second postdoctorate at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, where she was also an instructor in the Department of Neuroscience, Learning in Retirement, and Altitude Programs (University of Ottawa).
Dr. Jadavji is an editorial member of the Frontiers in Nutrition and Neuroscience (Associate Editor) and Metabolites (Review Editor) journals. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Journal of Young Investigators (JYI) and Advisory Board for Reproducibility for Everyone (R4E). When Dr. Jadavji is not in the lab, teaching, or writing, she enjoys to cooking and baking gluten free treats. Dr. Jadavji is also an avid traveler, runner, and knitter.
Kasey Pull, B.A. – Research Specialist
Kasey graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota. While majoring in Classics and Biology, Kasey served as a research assistant in the neuroscience department, as well as a teaching assistant for cell and molecular biology courses. In Phoenix, Kasey has served in a variety of roles, from an elementary school Latin teacher to a molecular technologist for Sonora Quest and Laboratory Sciences of Arizona. They are excited to be back at the lab bench as a member of the Jadavji lab staff. In their free time, Kasey enjoys reading, swing dancing, participating in local choral music ensembles, and pursuing LGBTQIA+ and mental health advocacy efforts.
Publications:
Kasey graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota. While majoring in Classics and Biology, Kasey served as a research assistant in the neuroscience department, as well as a teaching assistant for cell and molecular biology courses. In Phoenix, Kasey has served in a variety of roles, from an elementary school Latin teacher to a molecular technologist for Sonora Quest and Laboratory Sciences of Arizona. They are excited to be back at the lab bench as a member of the Jadavji lab staff. In their free time, Kasey enjoys reading, swing dancing, participating in local choral music ensembles, and pursuing LGBTQIA+ and mental health advocacy efforts.
Publications:
- Hurley L, Pull K, Jadavji NM (2022) Immunotherapies for Ischemic Stroke. Immunotherapy: Cancer and Beyond. Editors: Deshmukh and Lamichhane. (invited).
- Pull K, Folk R, Kang J, Jackson S, Gusek B, Esfandiarei M, Jadavji NM. Maternal dietary choline deficiencies during pregnancy and lactation reduce cerebral blood flow in 3-month-old female mice offspring following ischemic stroke to the sensorimotor cortex. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.08.23.505040v1
Lauren Hurley, B.Sc.- Research Assistant
Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science emphasizing in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Texas State University in 2020. She currently attends Midwestern University as a DVM student and is an active member of multiple clubs, in addition to working as a Veterinary Assistant in her spare time. She is excited to become a member of the Jadavji lab and venture into the world of research! Her hobbies include reading, hiking, cooking, weightlifting, and spending time with friends and family.
Publication:
Hurley L, Pull K, Jadavji NM (2022) Immunotherapies for Ischemic Stroke. Immunotherapy: Cancer and Beyond. Editors: Deshmukh and Lamichhane. (invited).
Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science emphasizing in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Texas State University in 2020. She currently attends Midwestern University as a DVM student and is an active member of multiple clubs, in addition to working as a Veterinary Assistant in her spare time. She is excited to become a member of the Jadavji lab and venture into the world of research! Her hobbies include reading, hiking, cooking, weightlifting, and spending time with friends and family.
Publication:
Hurley L, Pull K, Jadavji NM (2022) Immunotherapies for Ischemic Stroke. Immunotherapy: Cancer and Beyond. Editors: Deshmukh and Lamichhane. (invited).
Sharadyn Ille, B.S. – Doctor of Dental Medicine Student
Sharadyn is a Dental Student at Midwestern University, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Biology at The Ohio State University. During her time there, she worked as a research assistant at the Leukemia Tissue Bank, cryopreserving samples of leukocytes from cancer patients. She is excited to become a member of the Jadavji lab and take on a new area of research! During her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends.
Sharadyn is a Dental Student at Midwestern University, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Biology at The Ohio State University. During her time there, she worked as a research assistant at the Leukemia Tissue Bank, cryopreserving samples of leukocytes from cancer patients. She is excited to become a member of the Jadavji lab and take on a new area of research! During her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends.
Purvaja Marella, B.S. - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student (KAS Fellow)
I am a first-year medical student at AZCOM. I grew up in Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota for my undergraduate degree where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. When I am not studying, I like to hike, watch Netflix, and with the recent move to Arizona, I've discovered I enjoy traveling. With my research experience in college and my new exposure to medicine, I am excited to apply this knowledge to translation research as a member of the Jadavji Laboratory!
Publication:
Marella P, Yahn GB, Kang J, Jadavji NM. (2022) The impact of homocysteine on ischemic stroke and dementia: an updated review of clinical studies and mechanisms in Advances in Health and Disease. Nova Science Publishers Inc.
I am a first-year medical student at AZCOM. I grew up in Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota for my undergraduate degree where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. When I am not studying, I like to hike, watch Netflix, and with the recent move to Arizona, I've discovered I enjoy traveling. With my research experience in college and my new exposure to medicine, I am excited to apply this knowledge to translation research as a member of the Jadavji Laboratory!
Publication:
Marella P, Yahn GB, Kang J, Jadavji NM. (2022) The impact of homocysteine on ischemic stroke and dementia: an updated review of clinical studies and mechanisms in Advances in Health and Disease. Nova Science Publishers Inc.
Himmat Dhillon, B.Sc. – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
My name is Himmat Dhillon, and I am a second-year medical student at Midwestern University. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and attended The University of Western Ontario where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, weightlifting, cooking, and playing ice hockey. With previous clinical research experiences, I am very excited to apply this knowledge and study new fields of research as a member of the Jadavji lab!
My name is Himmat Dhillon, and I am a second-year medical student at Midwestern University. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and attended The University of Western Ontario where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, weightlifting, cooking, and playing ice hockey. With previous clinical research experiences, I am very excited to apply this knowledge and study new fields of research as a member of the Jadavji lab!
Sanika Joshi, MBS – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
Sanika is a medical student at Midwestern University interested in the field of neurology, public health, and nutrition. She was raised in California and attended the University of California, Irvine where she graduated with honors in Public Health Science. While pursuing her undergraduate education, Sanika worked on numerous research projects such as studying the behavior of microbial communities in a Cystic Fibrosis lung model, understanding variation in pain sensitivity in different cultures, and even conducting an epidemiological study to determine how climate change affects various populations across California. She has a passion for learning and enjoys running long-distance, baking, reading books, and going on long hikes in her free time. She is excited to understand how nutrition plays a key role in affecting brain health as a part of the Jadavji lab! |
Faizan Anwar, BS – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
I am First Year Osteopathic Medicine student. I earned his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. I was previously involved in research that investigated cortical morphometric changes in patients with schizophrenia. With my interest in neuroscience and psychiatry, I was also researching molecular changes in the amygdala, hippocampus and cortex that are involved in post-traumatic stress disorder in murine models of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In my free time, I enjoy the company of my friends and family
I am First Year Osteopathic Medicine student. I earned his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. I was previously involved in research that investigated cortical morphometric changes in patients with schizophrenia. With my interest in neuroscience and psychiatry, I was also researching molecular changes in the amygdala, hippocampus and cortex that are involved in post-traumatic stress disorder in murine models of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In my free time, I enjoy the company of my friends and family
Jadavji Lab Alumni
1. Yahn GB, Leoncio J, Jadavji NM The role of dietary supplementation of one-carbon metabolism on stroke
outcome. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care: doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000743 (invited)
1. Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM (2020) The antioxidant role of one-carbon
metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (invited)
2. Bennett C, Green J, Ciancio M, Goral J, Pitstick L, Pytynia M, Meyer A, Kwatra N, Jadavji NM*. (2021) Dietary
folic acid deficiency impacts hippocampal morphology and cortical acetylcholine metabolism in adult male and
female mice. Nutritional Neuroscience: In Press (IF = 4.281)
1. Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM. (2020) The antioxidant role of one- carbon
metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (invited)
1. Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM. (2020) The antioxidant role of one-carbon
metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (invited)
1. Al Rubaye H, Adamson C, Jadavji NM (2020) The role of maternal diet on offspring gut microbiota
development. Journal of Neuroscience Research. PMID: 32112450
- Gyllian Yahn, MBS - Doctor of Dental Medicine Student
- Yahn GB, Abato JE, Jadavji NM (2021) Role of vitamin B12 deficiency in ischemic stroke risk and outcome. Neural Regen Res 16(3):470-474.
- Yahn GB, Leoncio J, Jadavji NM (2021) The role of dietary supplementation of one-carbon metabolism on stroke outcome. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care: doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000743 (invited)
- Yahn GB, Wasek B, Bottiglieri T, Malysheva O, Caudill MA, Jadavji NM. (2021) A dietary vitamin B12 deficiency impairs motor function and changes neuronal survival and choline metabolism after ischemic stroke to the sensorimotor cortex in middle aged male and female mice. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.17.456684v3
- Marella P, Yahn GB, Kang J, Jadavji NM. (2022) The impact of homocysteine on ischemic stroke and dementia: an updated review of clinical studies and mechanisms in Advances in Health and Disease. Nova Science Publishers Inc.
- Sapna Viridi, MBS - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
- Jesse Jauhal, B.S. - Master of Biomedical Sciences Student
- Clementson M, Jauhal J, Jadavji NM* Dietary B-vitamins deficiencies and maternal over supplementation on neurodevelopment: an updated narrative. Vitamins and Minerals in Neurological Disorders. Editor: Colin Martin, Vinood Patel, and Victor Preedy. Elsevier. (invited).
- Jeemin Kang, MA - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
- Marella P, Yahn GB, Kang J, Jadavji NM. The impact of homocysteine on ischemic stroke and dementia: an updated review of clinical studies and mechanisms in Advances in Health and Disease. Nova Science Publishers Inc.
- Pull K, Folk R, Kang J, Jackson S, Gusek B, Esfandiarei M, Jadavji NM. Maternal dietary choline deficiencies during pregnancy and lactation reduce cerebral blood flow in 3-month-old female mice offspring following ischemic stroke to the sensorimotor cortex. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.08.23.505040v1
- Sarah Coonrod, BSc. - College Veterinary Medicine Fellow
- Agnes S. Pascual, M.S. – Senior Research Specialist
- Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. (2022) Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. Nutrients, 14(14), 2960; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142960
- PREPRINT: Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.04.04.487028v2
- McCoy Clementson, B.S. - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
(KAS Fellow)
- Clementson M, Jauhal J, Jadavji NM* Dietary B-vitamins deficiencies and maternal over supplementation on neurodevelopment: an updated narrative. Vitamins and Minerals in Neurological Disorders. Editor: Colin Martin, Vinood Patel, and Victor Preedy. Elsevier. (invited).
- Joshua Poole, B.S. - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student (KAS Fellow)
- Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. (2022) Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. Nutrients, 14(14), 2960; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142960
- PREPRINT: Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.04.04.487028v2
- Shaley Jackson, B.Sc. - Research Assistant
- Sean North, B.Sc. - Research Assistant
- Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. (2022) Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. Nutrients, 14(14), 2960; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142960
- PREPRINT: Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.04.04.487028v2
- Neha Kwatra, B.Sc. - Research Assistant
- Kwarta N, Jadavji NM. (2020) How changes in our genes impact outcome after stroke. Atlas of Science. https://atlasofscience.org/how-changes-in-our-genes-impact-outcome-after-stroke/
- Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM (2020) The antioxidant role of one-carbon metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (IF=5.014) (invited)
- Bennett C, Green J, Ciancio M, Goral J, Pitstick L, Pytynia M, Meyer A, Kwatra N, Jadavji NM*. (2021) Dietary folic acid deficiency impacts hippocampal morphology and cortical acetylcholine metabolism in adult male and female mice. Nutritional Neuroscience: In Press (IF = 4.281)
- Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.04.04.487028v2
- Poole J, Jasbi J, Pascual AS, North S, Kwatra N, Weissig V, Gu H, Bottiglieri T, Jadavji NM. (2022) Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue. Nutrients, 14(14), 2960; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142960
- Jeannine Leoncio, B.S. - Research Assistant
1. Yahn GB, Leoncio J, Jadavji NM The role of dietary supplementation of one-carbon metabolism on stroke
outcome. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care: doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000743 (invited)
- Calli Bennett, B.Sc. - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student (KAS Fellow)
1. Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM (2020) The antioxidant role of one-carbon
metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (invited)
2. Bennett C, Green J, Ciancio M, Goral J, Pitstick L, Pytynia M, Meyer A, Kwatra N, Jadavji NM*. (2021) Dietary
folic acid deficiency impacts hippocampal morphology and cortical acetylcholine metabolism in adult male and
female mice. Nutritional Neuroscience: In Press (IF = 4.281)
- Kassidy Burgess, BS - College of Veterinary Medicine Fellow
1. Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM. (2020) The antioxidant role of one- carbon
metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (invited)
- Forrest Bethel, MSc - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student (KAS Fellow)
1. Burgess K, Bennett C, Mosnier H, Kwatra N, Bethel B, Jadavji NM. (2020) The antioxidant role of one-carbon
metabolism on stroke. Antioxidants. 9(11):1141 (invited)
- Chelsea Adamson, MPH – Research Assistant
1. Al Rubaye H, Adamson C, Jadavji NM (2020) The role of maternal diet on offspring gut microbiota
development. Journal of Neuroscience Research. PMID: 32112450
- Jamie Abato, BSc - Research Assistant
- Abato JE, Moftah M, Cron GO, Smith PD, Jadavji NM*. (2020) Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency alters cellular response after ischemic stroke in male mice. Nutritional Neuroscience. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2020.1769412.
- Yahn GB, Abato JE, Jadavji NM (2021) Role of vitamin B12 deficiency in ischemic stroke risk and outcome. Neural Regen Res 16(3):470-474.