Meet The Team

B.Sc. in Chemistry from University of Delhi

M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology

PhD in Chemical Biology from Clemson University

Post doc in Biophysics/biochemistry at Yale

Stanley Fahn Juniour Faculty Award

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sunil.kumar97@du.edu

B.A. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental                     Biology from the University of Colorado- Boulder

PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biophysics from the                         University of Denver

MDF Young Investigator Pilot Grant

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"My background is in structural biology of proteins and nucleic acids. I like fiber arts, vintage pulp novels, and bad YA movies."

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emily.oldani@du.edu

B.Pharmacy from Satavahana University, India (2015)

M.S. Pharm in Medicinal Chemistry from National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar, Mohali, India (2017)

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology - Jodhpur, India (2023) collaboration with CSIR-IICB, Kolkata, and NIPER, Kolkata, India.

Postdoc in Medicine at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. (2023-2024)

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"As a medicinal chemist, my area of interest is the design and synthesis of small molecules and peptide-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases like AD, PD, and other tauopathies. Currently, I am focusing on applying the interface of chemical, biophysical, molecular dynamics, molecular/cellular biology, and animal model approaches to understand how protein misfolding and aggregation contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases on a molecular level and their treatment."

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rathnam.mallesh@du.edu

B. Pharm from Pune University, Pune, India (2014)

M.S. (Pharm) in Pharmacology and Toxicology from National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, India (2016)

Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India (2020)

Postdoc in Molecular Biophysics and Neurology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA (2021-2025)

Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2023-2025)

“I am an interdisciplinary researcher specializing in protein heterogeneity and molecular biophysics, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. My research explores biomarker discovery and development of therapeutics by inhibiting pathological protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, music, and exploring new cuisines”.

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kundlik.gadhave@du.edu

B. Pharm from Pune University, Pune, India (2014)

M. Pharm in Quality Assurance Technique from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India (2016)

"My research focuses on developing novel therapeutics using cellular and mouse models. My current work involves evaluating the effects of novel molecules in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease mouse models, with the goal of translating these findings into clinical applications and supporting the development of effective therapies."

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kavita.gawade@du.edu

MS in Chemistry from the University of Denver

"I am passionate about drug discovery and development. My research interest includes neurodegenerative diseases, the development of peptidomimetics and foldamers for modulating challenging protein-protein interactions. I have contributed to the validation of Oligopyridyl (OP) compounds targeting α-synuclein and Aβ42 in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, as well as Oxopiperazine helix mimetics targeting the CBP/p300 KIX–Myb/MLL interactions, leading to publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, ACS Chemical Biology, and Science Translational Medicine. Currently, I am extending this work to tauopathies associated with Alzheimer’s disease, integrating medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and protein biophysics to advance novel therapeutic strategies for challenging disease targets."

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johnson.joseph@du.edu

B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Liberia

M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University

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charles.baysah@du.edu

B.S. with First Class honors in Chemistry from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura​

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"I was honored with the Professor W. S. Fernando Gold Medal for achieving the highest performance in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. I love traveling, gardening, skiing, hiking, and hanging out with my friends in my free time."

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kushani@du.edu

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

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thomas.ntebi@du.edu

BSc chemistry 2016 - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

M.S Chemistry 2019 - North Carolina A&T State University

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kwesi.akrofi@du.edu

​Studying Chemistry at the University of Denver.

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"I'm passionate about all things drug design and synthetic organic chemistry!"

B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Central Oklahoma

ryan.webb@du.edu

Studying Chemistry and Economy at the University of Denver.

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lauren.e.roberts@du.edu

 My name is Taj Kumar and I am a second year undergraduate student at the University of Denver, majoring in Physiology in Health and Disease. Driven by a deep passion for science and a strong desire to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, I’m pursuing a path toward becoming a physician.

I am a chemistry major with minors in math, biology, and medical physics. I am pre med and I enjoy photography, hiking, and dancing. My favorite quote is "There are always flowers for those who want to see them." by Henri Matisse. 

I am a rising junior at Cherry Creek High School with a strong passion for learning and creating. I hope to meaningfully contribute to research focused on treating neurodegenerative diseases. Outside the lab, I enjoy basketball, piano, and hiking.