Nafisa M. Jadavji, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University
Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Sapna Viridi, MBS - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
I am a medical student at AZCOM heading into my second year. I moved from Michigan to Arizona after graduating with my undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in Midtown Detroit. Following that, I completed the Master of Biomedical Sciences program here at Midwestern University. My research thesis focused on the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease, and I look forward to continuing research in the Neuro field.
I am a medical student at AZCOM heading into my second year. I moved from Michigan to Arizona after graduating with my undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in Midtown Detroit. Following that, I completed the Master of Biomedical Sciences program here at Midwestern University. My research thesis focused on the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease, and I look forward to continuing research in the Neuro field.
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. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002 /jnr.24605 PMID: 32112450
- Jesse Jauhal, B.S. - Master of Biomedical Sciences Student
- Jeemin Kang, MA - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
- Sarah Coonrod, BSc. - College Veterinary Medicine Fellow
- Agnes S. Pascual, M.S. – Senior Research Specialist
- McCoy Clementson, B.S. - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student
(KAS Fellow) - Joshua Poole, B.S. - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Student (KAS Fellow)
- Shaley Jackson, B.Sc. - Research Assistant
- Gyllian Yahn, B.A. - Master of Biomedical Sciences 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)
- Sean North, B.Sc. - Research Assistant
- 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)
- 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. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002 /jnr.24605 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.