Team – Shcheglovitov Lab

Our lab is in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Utah. We are also affiliated with the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Psychiatry, and Huntsman Cancer Institute. Dr. Shcheglovitov serves as a Faculty Director of Clinical and Translational Research Core at Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

We firmly believe that diversity enhances our scientific and academic pursuits, leading to more innovative and impactful outcomes. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that values and respects individuals from all cultural backgrounds. We welcome and support individuals from diverse communities and promote equal opportunities for everyone. We expect all lab members to actively promote and uphold these principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage open and honest communication, active listening, and the creation of a safe space where everyone can freely express their thoughts and ideas.

Oleksandr "Alex" Shcheglovitov, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Neurobiology

Alex is originally from Ukraine. He did my bachelor’s degree in applied physics and master’s degree in biophysics at the National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. He obtained his Ph.D. in biophysics from the Bogomolets Institute of Physiology. He did his postdoctoral training with Dr. Ed Perez-Reyes at the University of Virginia and Dr. Ricardo Dolmetsch at Stanford University. Outside of the lab, Alex enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing judo.

H. M. Arif Ullah, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Arif grew up in a costal village in Bangladesh near Kutubdia Upazila. From a young age, he traveled approximately 100 miles from his home to pursue his education, as there were no schools in his village. Arif completed his bachelor's degree in pharmacy at the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) and his master's degree in pharmacology at North South University (NSU) in Bangladesh. He earned his Ph.D. in pathology from Kyungpook National University (KNU) in South Korea. Arif joined our lab in September 2021, bringing with him expertise in biochemistry and cell biology.

Qiju Huang

Neurobiology Graduate Student

Qiju is a food enthusiast from Nanjing, China! She obtained a bachelor's degree in food sciences from Nanjing Normal University and master’s degree from a joint program between Nanjing Normal University and the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. As an undergraduate student, she received a number for prestigious awards, including Outstanding Graduate (2018), Distinguished Zhu Jingwen Scholarship (2018), and National Scholarship (2017). She joined the Molecular Biology program at the University of Utah in August 2021 and our lab in June 2022.

Mariana Araya De Godoy, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Mariana is from Brasília, the capital of Brazil. She earned her bachelor's and licentiate degrees in Biological Sciences from Universidade Santa Úrsula, Brazil, and her master's and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. During her graduate studies, she investigated the effects of protein restriction during gestation and lactation on cell proliferation in the hippocampus. Mariana is well-traveled, fluent in four languages—English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Romanian—and has a passion for exceptional tea, Brazilian Carnival, and exosomes.

Anthony Ricciardulli

Neuroscience Graduate Student

Anthony is a proud son of California. He completed his bachelor's degree in Microbial Biology at Berkeley. During his time there, he received recognitions through the Undergraduate American Cancer Society California State Scholarship and the USAA California State Scholarship. Anthony gained research experience as a research assistant in the Rusty Gage's lab at Salk, where he studied chromosomal and metabolic instability in human neurons. He joined the Neuroscience Graduate program in September 2022 and our lab jointly with the Nick Frost's lab in June 2023.

MIGUEL ANGEL CUEVAS

Bioengineering Graduate Student

Miguel was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Utah Valley University and his master's degree in Biomedical Informatics from the University of Utah. Miguel started as a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Graduate program in September 2023 and promptly joined our lab. He brings with him extensive expertise in computer programming and data analysis.

Erin Taylor

Research Scientist

Erin is a post-bac researcher in the lab. She grew up in Oregon and completed her bachelor’s degree in biophysics at BYU. While in BYU, she conducted research with Jordan Yorgason, focusing on studying microglia morphology in the mouse brain using a two-photon confocal microscope. Erin joined our team in June 2023. She is excited to continue with research as a graduate student next year.

YONGSOO KIM

Lab Technician

Yongsoo, originally from Korea, earned his bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Utah. Before joining our lab in March 2023, he served as a Sergeant and Squad Leader in an infantry battalion in Korea. Additionally, Yongsoo holds a 3rd-degree black belt in taekwondo. He keeps our lab running smoothly. We entertain the idea of cloning him, believing that the world would be a better place with more people like Yongsoo!

Zhenni Jin

Undergraduate Student

Zhenni is an undergraduate student at the University of Utah pursuing bachelor's degree in Psychology and Chemistry. Zhenni helps Erin with imaging experiments and data analysis. She joined the lab in December 2023.

Reece Goh

Undergraduate Student

Reece is a pre-med sophomore at the University of Utah majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Physics and Creative Writing. Reece joined us in January 2024, and she works with Mariana.

Vy Nguyen

SURFiN Scholar

Vy Nguyen was born in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. She transferred from the University of Science, Ho Chi Minh city, and is currently a sophomore majoring in Biology at the University of Utah. She joined our team in October 2022. She works with Anthony between our lab and the Frost's lab.

Jude Werth

UROP Scholar

Jude is a Biomedical Engineering student who is jointly co-mentored by Drs. Jan Kubanek and Alex Shcheglovitov. He is the main point of contact between our labs and DataJoint. Jude specializes in developing tools and codes for measuring electrical activities from organoids.

Sunset

Lab Mascot

We are always looking for enthusiastic, creative, and ambitious people to join our team. If you like what we do and would like to join us this information is for you.

Group Photos