PHD STUDENTS
RAJAN K C, PhD
Rajan is from Nepal. Rajan came to the State in 2016 and earned his bachelor’s in 2019 in molecular biology from McNeese State University, Lake Charles. After his graduation, he worked at Witt lab, LSUHSC, Shreveport in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology working on alpha-synuclein interactions with yeast and recombinant human Snx3 associated to retromer mediated retrograde recycling. He joined Tulane CMB PhD program in 2020 and Meadows’ lab in 2021. He is also a Galazo Lab team member. He is being co-mentored and trained by Dr. Meadows and Dr. Galazo to study the molecular mechanisms that regulates cortical neurogenesis. In his free time, he enjoys working out, walking in Audubon Park, travelling, and listening to music.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Stereotaxic Apparatus
Favorite place at Tulane: Lab Bench
Nehal Patel, PhD
Nehal is from Kenya, the land of big five and cradle of humanity. Nehal earned his Bachelor degree in Biotechnology from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Following his undergraduate degree, he worked at Boston Scientific as a research technician. This experience sparked his enthusiasm for science and research, and thus decided to pursue graduate school. He earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Science and Nanotechnology from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA. He then joined the Meadows Lab in 2017 to start his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at Tulane. His research in Meadow’s lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism that regulate angiogenesis in normal and diseased state such as arteriovenous malformations. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, being outdoors, and trying out new food recipes.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: The real-time PCR machine, aka Lord Voldemort
Favorite place at Tulane: The Maker Space
ANGELA CRIST, PHD
Angela Crist is a 4th year PhD student in the Meadows Lab. She is originally from Jacksonville, FL and like any Florida girl, loves the sunshine and beach. Angela received her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of North Florida where she studied coastal biology. While there she interned at Mayo Clinic in Dr. John (Al) Copland’s lab. It was in this cancer biology lab that she discovered her love of research and decided to pursue research as a career. When she’s not in the lab she enjoys hiking with her dog, Dixie, and reading books. Traveling is a hobby when she can afford it. She has won many poster awards at scientific conferences in addition to being the 2017 Cell and Molecular Biology Apple Bobbing Champion.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Q-Sonica Sonicator and the Qubit
Favorite place at Tulane: 1834 Club
Xingyan (Cheyenne) Zhou, Phd
Xingyan (Cheyenne) is from China. Xingyan discovered a passion for research during her Master’s studies at China Medical University. She decided to pursue a Ph.D. degree at Tulane University and joined the Meadows Lab in 2018. Cheyenne is obsessed with bench work, and gathering and analyzing data in the lab. In her leisure time, she and her husband enjoy exploring great restaurants and attractions throughout New Orleans.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Pipette
Favorite place at Tulane: Academic square
MS STUDENTS
dawn westhoff
Hailing from Kansas, Dawn brings her midwestern charm to the lab, joining as a graduate student in 2017. Dawn is our resident Applebee's informant, as it is her favorite restaurant and second home. She also harbors a small menagerie in her 1 bedroom apartment, offering a home to 4 cats and 1 dog.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: table top centrifuge
Favorite place at Tulane: the fish pond
Smita amrita debnath
Smita is from Bangladesh and has completed her Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at North South University, Bangladesh. During her undergrad years, she was fascinated by Developmental Biology and wanted to pursue it further. Thus, she applied for the Tulane Cell and Molecular Biology program and started her master's program in August 2022. She has also been interested in the research work of Meadows lab since 2020. Therefore, she is now doing her service hours in the Meadows lab, where she gets to learn different techniques and expose herself to the exciting field of research daily. Other than science, she likes to paint and travel.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Dissection scope
Favorite place at Tulane: A bench beside the Woldenberg art Center
LABORATORY TECHNICIANS
melissa boldridge, bs
laboratory technician
After graduating from Harvard, Melissa joined the Meadows Lab in 2014 and paved the way for future lab techs and for the lab in general with her superb organization and protocol testing. Also known for her baking skills, Melissa made the best peanut butter fudge brownies known to man.
katie huang, bs
laboratory technician
Joining the lab in 2015 after graduating from LSU in Biochemistry, Katie was a lab research technician for the Meadows Lab for 2.5 years. Katie provided the lab with ultimate frisbee lessons and Pusheen stickers.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: the confocal microscope
Favorite place at Tulane: the 4th floor Israel balcony
kelsey carter, bs, ms
laboratory technician
Kelsey left her home state of Mississippi to join the Meadows lab in 2017. Kelsey received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. While studying as an undergraduate student she joined an entomology lab where she discovered her love for research. She received her Master of Science in Medical Sciences from Mississippi College and joined the Meadows lab as a lab technician shortly after graduating. Outside of the lab, Kelsey enjoys playing video games, exploring New Orleans and spending time with her dog.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Repeater Pipette
Favorite place at Tulane: the mouse room
AVERY BLANKS, BS
laboratory technician
Avery is from Jackson Michigan, and later graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelors degree in biochemistry. Beyond his passion for science Avery enjoys learning about art and world history, hence a minor in Art History. In his free time Avery enjoys cooking food, eating food, and playing video games.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Micro centrifuge
Favorite place at Tulane: Newcomb Art Museum
Emma Rosenthal, BS, MPH
laboratory technician
Emma joined Meadows Lab in August 2021. She was raised in Portland Oregon, and graduated from the Tulane with a bachelors degree in cell & molecular biology in 2020. Beyond her passion for science, Emma enjoys studying international conflicts and infectious diseases. In her free time, Emma enjoys running around Audubon Park, watching French films, eating tacos, and reading new books.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: Vortex mixer
Favorite place at Tulane: Under the trees on the A-quad
Christian DIETZ
RESEARCH technician
Christian is from New Orleans, Louisiana. His love for biology was first peaked when he discovered a book about stem cells and the future of medicine. Graduating from University of New Orleans in the spring of 2020, he started working at Eurofins as a chemical lab technician. Unsatisfied in that field of work he left to join the Meadows lab in July 2022. When not on the clock, he is usually growing produce for his community and studying Spanish.
Favorite piece of lab equipment: pipette
Favorite place at Tulane: Israel 450
