Jagruti Sahu, Lab Specialist, Department of Cell Biology

Educational background: Duke University with a Masters in Biomedical Engineering (Specialization in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering)

Research interests: To tailor the properties of biomaterials in order to create environments that promote effective cellular responses to injury, encouraging tissue repair and regeneration. Understanding how these materials interact with cellular pathways involved in damage responses is key to developing therapeutic strategies for enhanced tissue healing. I transitioned from biomaterials research to studying mitochondrial immune responses to gain a deeper understanding of how mitochondria regulate inflammation and healing, playing a critical role in these processes.

Non-science interests: When I am not in the lab, you’ll find me singing, painting, whipping up experiments in the kitchen, getting lost in books, and taking long walks. I’m also a self-proclaimed professional overthinker :P and a Bollywood buff, shamelessly simping over SRK—his movies are on repeat, and honestly, I’m not even sorry about it! Oh, and I’m that sweet, cheerful introvert who is always up for meaningful conversations when the mood strikes!

Rebecca Olson, Lab Technician, Department of Cell Biology

Educational Background: B.S. in Zoology, North Carolina State University

Research Interests: I graduated from NC State in 2024 with my B.S. in Zoology. At State I spearheaded a research project on maternal anxiety in aye-ayes and other lemur species. I've also conducted research on aye-aye vocalizations, demodex mites in lemurs, and elephant ecology in Thailand. My research interest for the future is the evolution of reproductive behaviors, particularly the coevolution of antagonistic behaviors in sex strategies. I joined Dr. Newman's lab in 2024 because I'm interested in understanding the intricacies of innate immunity and learning cell biology techniques.

Non-scientific interests: Hiking, painting, taking care of my houseplants, and talking about my cats--Bupkis and Zucchini

Tara Vohs, Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

Educational background: B.S in Chemistry, Michigan Technological University

Research interests: I am currently investigating how mitochondria regulate the cell's innate immune system, a delicately balanced system that can lead to either autoimmunity or cancers, infections, and more when it goes awry. Gaining a deeper understanding of how this pathway works and how it is regulated are the first steps toward the goal of modulating the pathway's response in individuals who have too much or too little immune activation.

Non-science interests: Out of the lab, you can find me reading, doing digital art commissions, crocheting, or spending time with my cat. You can also catch me in shows for The First Harmonics, UVA's STEM graduate student acapella group!