MEET THE TEAM
Karthikeyani Chellappa PhD
Principal Investigator
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Center on the Biology of Aging
Karthi started her lab at Brown University in May 2023. Karthi is a hard-core metabolism enthusiast. Karthi is leading her team to tackle the biology of aging from the perspective of the host and host-microbiome interactions using an array of interdisciplinary approaches with a goal of identifying interventions to promote healthy aging. She is also passionate about inter-organ communications and systemic metabolism. She looks forward to connecting with researchers near and far. In her free time, Karthi loves to read, scout out new restaurants, and relax with friends and family.
Tony is a trained organic chemist. He began his career extracting and testing the antibacterial properties of medicinal compounds from plants native to the Peruvian Andes mountain region. He synthesized and tested small molecule probes for various proteins implicated in diseases like diabetes, cartilage degradation and the bubonic plague during his graduate studies. He currently runs the LC-MS instrument for metabolomics in the Chellappa Lab. He likes organic gardening and cooking. He also likes to bike and boat.
Youngjae Jo
Incoming Postdoctoral Researcher
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Narendra Joshi
MCB Graduate Student
Hello, I am Narendra and I come from the mountains (Nepal). I am an enthusiastic aging researcher/graduate student in the MCB department/Center on the Biology of Aging at Brown. Currently, I am working on identifying and understanding the metabolic pathways relevant to biological age. I am dedicated to unraveling the complexities of aging and discovering novel avenues for enhancing healthspan. Outside lab, I love watching/playing soccer and hanging out with friends. I look forward to connecting with people out there.
Tony is a trained organic chemist. He began his career extracting and testing the antibacterial properties of medicinal compounds from plants native to the Peruvian Andes mountain region. He synthesized and tested small molecule probes for various proteins implicated in diseases like diabetes, cartilage degradation and the bubonic plague during his graduate studies. He currently runs the LC-MS instrument for metabolomics in the Chellappa Lab. He likes organic gardening and cooking. He also likes to bike and boat.
Kellie Baldaro
Research Assistant
Kellie is a research technician with eight years of experience working with research animals in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. She provides assistance on various projects in the lab while also managing the mouse breeding colony. She also works with the Vaishnava lab managing the germ-free mouse facility. In her spare time Kellie enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her husband and two cats
Tony is a trained organic chemist. He began his career extracting and testing the antibacterial properties of medicinal compounds from plants native to the Peruvian Andes mountain region. He synthesized and tested small molecule probes for various proteins implicated in diseases like diabetes, cartilage degradation and the bubonic plague during his graduate studies. He currently runs the LC-MS instrument for metabolomics in the Chellappa Lab. He likes organic gardening and cooking. He also likes to bike and boat.
Ian Freezman
Research Assistant (Part-time)
Hello, I am a part-time Research Assistant specializing in LC-MS. Originally from Syracuse, NY, I graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology in 2022. I spent 3 years as an undergraduate researcher working on isolation of bacterial antibiotics. I currently work for Q2 Solutions where I started as an LC-MS Scientist and have since moved out of the lab to the role of Project Leader. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, skiing, playing guitar, watching sports, and spending too much time playing video games.
Tony is a trained organic chemist. He began his career extracting and testing the antibacterial properties of medicinal compounds from plants native to the Peruvian Andes mountain region. He synthesized and tested small molecule probes for various proteins implicated in diseases like diabetes, cartilage degradation and the bubonic plague during his graduate studies. He currently runs the LC-MS instrument for metabolomics in the Chellappa Lab. He likes organic gardening and cooking. He also likes to bike and boat.
Raphael Angelo Ignacio Zambrano
Incoming Research Assistant
Hello, Raphael here. I’m an incoming RA from the Brown University PREP program who graduated from Cal State Northridge majoring in Biotechnology/Medical Technology as well as Cell and Molecular Biology. From my experiences tackling antibiotic resistance with synthetic biology tools in undergrad, to examining a bacterial/viral co-infected lung model in my post-baccalaureate program, I continue to engage with my interests in the microbiology field and I look forward to learning more participating in research involving the microbiome. Aside from science however, I occasionally enjoy sightseeing and definitely trying new foods out there (so don’t hesitate to throw me a recommendation).
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Ian Kim
Undergrad Researcher
Ian Kim is a junior at Brown University, concentrating in Public Health and Linguistics. He is currently working on tracking metabolite change during aging and would like to eventually like to correlate metabolite change to other factors and comorbidities. Ian is originally from California and plays violin and runs in his free time. He is also involved in student government at Brown.
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Owen Lockwood
Undergrad Researcher
Owen Lockwood is a Junior at Brown University double concentrating in Biology Sc. B. Immunology Track and Sociology. His research interests currently include culturing and studying anaerobes from our gut microbiome, and discovering the role of NAD and its precursors in IBD. Outside of the lab, Owen enjoys practicing, teaching, and competing in taekwondo, playing his violin, and video games.
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Dana Magana Miralles
Undergrad Researcher
Dana Magana is a Junior double concentrating in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Human Biological and Medical Illustration. Her current research interests include cell culturing and mouse work, and she is currently working on developing a model for the nicotinamide transport mechanism. Outside of the lab, Dana enjoys finding new coffee places, cooking, and music. She also competes for Brown’s powerlifting team and is involved in a cappella and Brown’s mariachi band.
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Jason Lin
Undergrad Researcher
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Aanya Rao
High School Student
Aanya Rao is a high school senior at NPS International School Singapore. Aanya is an aspiring medical student interning in Chellappa Lab to further her knowledge in understanding the connection between gut microbiome, metabolism and ageing.
Aanya is passionate about giving back to the community, and founded Art:Connect, a youth organisation that integrates the use of art in healthcare. Aanya is a trained Indian classical dancer and enjoys exploring different art forms.
