CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Our people are at the core of what makes the The Parent Lab such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We’re proud of the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their unique skills to the projects we’re working on. Together, we’ve planned and executed some of the most innovative and cutting edge experiments. Find out more about our team members below.
HANH VIVIAN NGO-VU
I was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the US in 1990. I got my BS in Biology at Georgia State University. Before joining Dr. Parent’s lab in August 2021, I worked with Dr. Charles Derby studying neurogenesis in crustaceans. I’m excited to switch gears and learn about how the brain makes memory and the association between obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. When not working in the lab, I enjoy reading, knitting, sewing, and making jewelry.
THEA ANDERSON
I joined the lab in June 2019 to start in the fall as a PhD student. I’m from Boston, where I worked with mouse models of NMDA-receptor impairment in schizophrenia at McLean Hospital and then on immune signaling pathways in colorectal cancer and neuroinflammation at the VA Hospital. I began studying molecular biology while training to be an art conservator, but soon realized that the biological mechanisms which create the minds of living things are far more interesting than those which cause deterioration of ancient artifacts, and was fortunate to be mentored through this switch by some wise and creative scientists. I’m excited to be here and eager to craft some good stories of how memories are made. Aside from brains and their stories, I love gardening, dance, and cooking fancy food.
USAMA ZAFAR
I was born in Pakistan and immigrated to the U.S. in 2016. I got my BS in biology with honors at Siena College. I was affiliated with Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity during my BS. Before I joined the Parent and Stern lab, my research focused on the mathematical modeling of COVID-19, how multiples of a given number return its r-fold repetition, oviposition preferences and fitness of Callosobruchus maculatus, and behavioral responses of zebrafish in a novel tank through models of stress and anxiety. I joined the Parent and Stern lab in January 2022 and am on the road to completing my master's in neuroscience from Georgia State University. I am currently participating in the University Assistantship Fellowship Program. While I was completing my BS, I became interested in the neural mechanisms related to memory and neuroinflammation.
Studying under Dr. Parent will provide me tools to explore other relationship of memory to behavior, and neurological disorder. Under Dr. Stern’s supervision, I will be focusing on a heart failure model. I intend on pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience upon the completion of my master’s degree. Outside of the lab, I like exploring nature, traveling, and watching shows and movies.
CALEB LEVINE
I am from East Brunswick, New Jersey, and I joined the lab in August of 2023 as a PhD student. I graduated from SUNY Albany in upstate New York with a BS in Chemistry and Psychology in May of 2020, where I studied brain insulin signaling in rats and the relationship between Alzheimer's and Type II Diabetes. More recently, I've spent the last few years working at PsychoGenics in Paramus, New Jersey, where I worked testing treatments for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases on different mouse models. Under Dr. Parent, I'm excited for the opportunity to further my understanding of brain metabolism and its relationship to Alzheimer's Disease. Outside of the lab, I love playing piano, cooking, and baking cookies without a recipe.
RAIHAANAH BINT ABDULLAH MUSLIM
I was born in Belleville, New Jersey and raised in Egypt where I lived for 12 years. After returning to America, I enrolled in Georgia State University to pursue my B.S. in Biology. In the summer of 2021, I was accepted into the MARC program and consequently joined the Parent lab. I aspire to do research in neurobiology and biochemistry. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading books, and listening to poetry.
TRENTON BUCKNER
I was born in Columbus, Georgia. At the end of my first year at Georgia State, I joined the lab because I wanted to receive direct exposure to neuroscience research and develop foundational science skills. Furthermore, this lab’s research felt translational to my future research interest since I aspire to investigate the underlying processes behind human diseases like Alzheimer’s through an intersectional lens. I’m excited to grow my relationship with neuroscience and experience the innovative nature of the field. Outside the lab, I enjoy socializing with friends, listening to music, and traveling.
HARISH KOYYA
In March 2022, I joined Dr. Parent’s lab as an undergraduate volunteer. In the lab, I am mainly assisting on a project to explore the role of astrocytes in the formation of meal-related memories. Contributing to the advancement of our understanding of memory while simultaneously developing research skills excites me the most. Born in the metro-Atlanta area, I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s at Georgia State University. In my spare time, I like learning about new technology, following the NBA, and spending time with family and friends.
CHINEDUÂ ODEDO
Born and raised in Nigeria, I moved to the U.S. in November 2020 to pursue a B.S. in Biology at Georgia State University. Before joining Dr. Parents' lab, I took an upper-level synthetic biology lab course where I learned to manipulate bacteria genes to express foreign proteins. Additionally, I gained experience using the digital SnapGene software and participated in the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference (GSURC). On becoming a Beckman Scholar in May 2022, I joined Dr. Parent's lab to explore my interest in neuroscience, a promising research field. Outside the lab, I like playing video games, hanging out with friends, and watching sports.