Lab Members
Protiva Dutta
Education: College of the Holy Cross, BS in Biology, 2013.
Interest: The aspects of the job she enjoys most is interacting one-on-one with research participants. After working in microbiome research for the past five years, she has learned a great deal from both participants and colleagues. Outside of work, Protiva enjoys doing yoga, taking care of houseplants, reading, and spending time in the outdoors.
Danielle Ferdinand
Education: Massachusetts College of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, MS in Clinical Research, 2022; Fitchburg State University, BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, 2017.
Interest: Danielle’s research interests include preventing the development of PTSD after traumatic events, the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine boosters in healthcare workers, and the gut brain axis in Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys gaming, movies, arcades, going out to eat, and hanging out with friends.
Ethan Loew
MD/PhD Student
Education: Union College, BS in Chemistry, 2013.
Interest: Ethan is an MD/PhD student co-mentored by Dr. John Haran and Dr. Beth McCormick. His research interests focus on understanding the role of the gut microbiome in Alzheimer’s disease with a particular emphasis on the regulation of the intestinal epithelium by commensal microbiota. In his personal time, he enjoys working on classic cars, cycling of all kinds, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Abigail Lopes
Education: Major in biology with a minor in human services and rehabilitation studies from Assumption College
Interest: Abigail's interests are the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in healthcare workers that do not have natural immunity from past infections; The gut brain axis in Alzheimer’s disease
Patrick McGrath
Education: Assumption College, BS in Psychology and Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience and Behavior, Minor in Chemistry.
Interest: Patrick's research interests include the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines and boosters in health care workers and the role of the microbiome and gut brain axis in Alzheimer's Disease. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, hiking with his dog, coding, and reading about scientific history.
Samuel Odjidja
Education: University of Massachusetts at Amherst BS in Public Health Sciences and minor Biology, 2022.
Interest: Samuel's research interests include understanding the relationship between the gut-brain axis and its relation to cognitive health. Outside of work Samuel enjoys reading, volunteering as well as competing in new sports and video games.
Lethycia Romeiro
Education: Framingham State University, BS in Biology, 2023
Interest: My research interests include understanding the relationship between the gut-brain axis and cognitive decline. Outside of work, I enjoy running, hiking, riding motorcycles, and spending time with my family.
Imane Samari
Education: Worcester State University, BS in Biology, 2022
Interest: Working in clinical research since graduating, she has gained much interest in the field of research and cognitive science specifically. Being able to work on a study examining the link between the gut microbiome and cognitive decline, has really deepened her interest. In her free time, Imane enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering.
Sepahrad Zamani
Education: UMass Lowell, MS in Biological Sciences, 2020. UMass Lowell, BS in Biology with a minor in Math, 2018.
Interest: Sepahrad’s research interests include Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, and the gut-brain axis in cognitive decline. Outside of work, Sepahrad enjoys hiking and rock climbing.
Abigail Zeamer
Education: Brandeis University, B.S. in Biology '19
Interest: Abigail is a Ph.D. Candidate in Dr. Vanni Bucci's lab who works closely with Dr. Haran. She is primarily interested in using computational methods to identify microbiome features that associate with neurocognitive disease outcomes with the goal of identifying live biotherapeutic candidates. When not in the lab or at her desk, she enjoys rowing, rock climbing, skiing, and spending time with her cat and rabbit.