Our Team

Xinbei is a senior Ph.D. student in the Meffert Lab, focusing on investigating the post-transcriptional mechanisms of neuropathic pain. Xinbei is an expert in confocal imaging; she also works with mice and next-generation sequencing. Xinbei was born and raised in Chengdu, China, the home of giant pandas and hot pot. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two cats and engaging in indoor activities such as painting, sewing, and recently crochet. Additionally, she loves hiking and traveling, and enjoys going to the mountains and the beach during longer breaks.​​

Bonita is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology graduate program. She earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biology and Applied Molecular Biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Bonita is currently investigating viral-host RNA-RNA interactions in the nervous system in the Witwer and Meffert Labs.​

Emily attended Penn State Behrend where she pursued her love of science in the form that NWPA does best: salamanders and potatoes. Now, as a doctoral candidate in the BCMB program, Emily studies microRNA impact on mitochondrial gene expression. She is passionate about scientific communication and advocating for women in science and hopes to one day have her own lab. Outside of science, Emily loves threadwork crafts and her cat, Murray (who is named after miRs!).​

Ariella is from upstate NY and studied Biology and Chemistry at Skidmore College. Before coming to Hopkins, she worked on structural biochemistry and microbiology projects. Now, she is excited to begin her thesis project studying the subcellular localization of the RNA-induced silencing complex. Outside the lab, Ariella loves all things outdoors - catch her rock climbing, running, or hiking! She also enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with friends. ​

Sydney graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with her B.S. in Biochemistry. While there, she worked in Dr. Soma Dhakal’s lab to help design DNA-based single-molecule sensors. Later, she became a Postbaccalaureate IRTA Research Fellow at the NIH under the supervision of Dr. Richard Proia and studied gene editing as a treatment for specific neurodegenerative diseases. In the Meffert lab, Sydney is excited to investigate microRNAs in the context of neurological disorders. When she’s not behind the bench, Sydney enjoys visiting new restaurants and coffee shops, going to concerts, and weekend getaways to cool new places.​

Preksha graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with her B.S. and M.S in Bioinformatics with a minor in Chemistry and Anthropology. Before joining Dr. Meffert’s lab, Preksha worked on creating bioinformatic pipelines through R and python to study genetic factors affecting different forms of cancer. Currently she is working on different projects related to mitochondrial proteins and their role in translation. Outside the lab, Preksha enjoys going to concerts, hanging out with friends, and going on new adventures!

Anselmo is from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and attends Johns Hopkins University as an undergraduate. Fueled by his interest in the brain, he is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in psychology and is also a SURFiN fellow where he is pursuing his interest in the brain sciences. Outside of academics, Anselmo enjoys a variety of hobbies, including soccer, tennis, golf, fishing, skating, ukulele, skateboarding, and video games.

Melissa takes care of our mouse colonies, ensuring all our mice are happy and healthy.