Lab Members

Anandakumar Shunmugavel, PhD

Research Scientist II

I earned my doctoral degree in neuroscience from M.S. University, India. I did my postdoctoral training in behavioral neuroscience at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, and quantitative medical imaging at National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland.

My previous research interest was in understanding the functions of the prefrontal cortex and improving those functions after mild traumatic brain injury using rodent and ferret animal models and controlled cortical impact closed head injury model of engineered rotational acceleration (CHIMERA) and blast injury devices. Thus I have an additional interest in neuroplasticity, learning and memory, executive functions, and social behavior. I have used multimodal structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging in my research effort in addition to biochemical and cell biological tools.            

Apart from my academic interests, I’m passionate about my hobbies which include reading, writing poems in my mother tongue Tamil,  listening to music, practicing acoustic guitar, and playing pool and outdoor activities include hiking, kayaking, photography, and driving to the countryside and beach.

Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=anandakumar+shunmugavel

Email me: as3776@rwjms.rutgers.edu

Bruno Carabelli

Postdoctoral Fellow

I earned my doctoral degree in Physiology University is Federal University of Parana. My main interest and work were using different animal models of Depression and potential new therapies to prevent this illness. One of the compounds I studied was omega 3, which is a family of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, supplemented via Fish Oil in different phases, such as during gestation and lactation and in adult life. Also, I performed small studies testing Ketamine and Buprenorphine in a depression model with an immune challenge in mice.

Before joining Dr. Kim’s lab, I was doing a postdoctoral study using a mouse model of Gulf War Illness, at the University of California, Riverside. Gulf War Illness is a severe illness that afflicts one-third of the nearly 700,000 U.S. troops who served in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. This disease is characterized by a variety of symptoms and co-morbidities, such as Depression, Anxiety, Gastrointestinal disturbances, Fatigue, and muscle/joint pain. We investigated the changes in the microbiota of mice exposed to the chemicals and the potential reversal of the phenotype using probiotics supplementation.

My hobbies include outdoor exercise like walking in parks, reading, movies, and listening to music.

Indu Vaddiparti 

Student Research Assistant

I graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in math. Previously, I have partaken in research at Massachusetts General Hospital/Northeastern investigating affect regulation and Alzheimer’s disease. I have also completed a research internship at the Lichtman Lab in Harvard University, during which I analyzed filopodial extensions of dendrites and their different functions and classifications.  

I am really excited to be a part of Dr. Kim’s lab! I aspire to attend medical school and become a physician in the future. 

In my free time, I enjoy practicing and performing Carnatic classical vocal music and spending time with my family. 

Avantika Raman

Student Assistant

I’m a junior at Rutgers University majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in psychology. I have previously interned at Body 1, where I worked as a data science intern to collect and consolidate information for a pharmacy company. Additionally, I spent a year as a part-time tech at Beverly Hospital where I got certified in various clinical skills such as phlebotomy and EKG. This opportunity allowed me to work closely with nurses and doctors during the Covid-19 pandemic. I’m the founder of RU SOARS, a fully recognized research-based organization on campus.

I am excited to be a part of Dr.Kim’s lab and help my lab members with their tasks including PCR and gel electrophoresis. I’m also looking forward to working with mice for DNA sample collection too!

In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, electric guitar, and going on hikes.

Email me: ar1598@scarletmail.rutgers.edu