People

Postdoctoral Fellows

Meiling Zhao, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
zmeiling@umich.edu

Meiling joined the Mattis Lab after graduating from the University of Michigan. During her Ph.D. study, she investigated how sensory and neuronal responses change during learning in neurodevelopmental disorder mouse models using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening.

Graduate Students

Chandni Rana
Graduate Student

Chandni graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida and then worked as a lab technician at NYU before joining the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UM. Her previous projects focused on using machine learning to decode human EEG data at UF and developing a novel meso-scale optoacoustic imaging system at NYU. Outside of the lab, she enjoys watercolor painting, hiking, hanging out with friends, trying new places to eat, and learning about everyone’s personality type!

Amanuel Sahilu
Graduate Student
asahilu@umich.edu

Amanuel graduated from Cornell University in 2022 with a B.A. in Biological Sciences, concentrating in Neurobiology. He then moved to New York City to work as a Lab Manager and Research Assistant in the Gadagkar Lab at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute. He started in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UofM in fall 2025, and joined the Mattis Lab as a graduate student in the summer of 2026. Outside the lab, he can be found trailing unusual birds, listening to J.S. Bach, or writing blogposts on whatever he’s been reading.

Krystal M. Santiago-Colón
Graduate Student
ksantia@umich.edu

Krystal graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus with a B.S. in Biology in 2022. As an undergraduate, she studied how the brain regulates feeding and energy balance behaviors, how spinal cord circuits enact motor control, and neuropeptide-mediated pain pathways. She enjoys participating in science outreach activities catered to underrepresented communities and helping students find their potential in STEM. In her free time she likes baking, playing with her cats, weightlifting, and birdwatching.

Research Laboratory Specialists

Joseph Barden
Research Laboratory Specialist
jrbarden@umich.edu LinkedIn

Hailing from Livonia, MI, Joe completed his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Cellular & Molecular Biology at Albion College in 2013. Since then, he has worked as a technician and manager in multiple labs at the University of Michigan, each with a focus on neurobiology. Joe joined the Mattis lab at its inception in 2022 as a Research Laboratory Specialist Associate and was promoted to a Research Laboratory Specialist Intermediate in 2025 after completing his Master’s degree at UofM. His greatest non-scientific passion has always been music, and he enjoys occasional piano gigs around southeast Michigan.

Limei Zhu, Ph.D.
Research Laboratory Specialist
limeizhu@umich.edu

Limei received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). After graduation, she worked as a Research Associate at the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS. In 2019, she began a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at the University of Michigan, initially in Dr. Bing Ye’s laboratory. She joined the Mattis lab February 2023 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and was appointed as a Research Laboratory Specialist Senior in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys reading and painting.

Technicians

Kashvi Gupta
Technician
kashvigu@umich.edu

Kashvi graduated from Rutgers University in 2026 with a B.A. in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, where she completed an undergraduate thesis focused on meningeal lymphatic vasculature and immune cell populations. In her free time, she enjoys sketching, ice skating, and playing guitar.

Undergraduates

Silvia Abbasi
Undergraduate Student
silviaa@umich.edu

Silvia is a junior majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) with a minor in Data Science. She joined the Mattis Lab in the Fall of 2025 and aspires to pursue a career in neurology or psychiatry. Silvia has previously worked in a Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Lab. Outside of academics, she enjoys singing, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Farah Abdelhak
Undergraduate Student
fabdelha@umich.edu

Farah joined the lab as a freshman, studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology on the pre-med track. She has previous experience volunteering at the neurology clinic at Detroit Medical Center. In her free time, she likes playing flute, crocheting, and cooking for her friends and family.

Arnav Akhaury
Undergraduate Student
aakhaury@umich.edu

Arnav joined the lab at the beginning of his freshman year at UofM, where he is majoring in neuroscience. In high school, he was involved with neuroscience research and mental health initiatives. After graduating, he plans to go to medical school and ultimately to become a neurosurgeon. In his free time, he loves playing tennis, traveling, and watching sports with friends.

Angad Chauhan
Undergraduate Student
angadc@umich.edu

Angad joined the lab the summer before his freshman year at the University of Michigan, where he plans to major in biomolecular science. After graduation, he intends to attend medical school. In his free time, he enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Udaiveer Gill
Undergraduate Student
ugill@umich.edu

Udaiveer joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan, where he is majoring in Neuroscience. He has prior experience in neuroscience, which deepened his interest in the field. In his free time, he enjoys staying active and listening to music.

Hudson Haberland
Undergraduate Student
hudshabs@umich.edu LinkedIn

Hudson joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan, studying Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French on the Pre-Med track. He previously worked as a medical scribe at a neurology clinic. After graduating, he hopes to go to medical school and pursue a career in Neurology. Outside of academics he is a tennis coach, loves to wake surf, and enjoys some pickleball now and again.

Alexander Hollier
Undergraduate Student
ahollier@umich.edu

Alex joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience. He is intending to enter medical school after his graduation. He volunteers at a children’s hospital in his hometown. In his free time, he enjoys working out and spending time with friends.

Megan Lee
Undergraduate Student
leemegan@umich.edu

Megan joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan, studying neuroscience on the pre-med track. After graduating, Megan hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in child neurology. In her free time, Megan loves to be active. She dances and enjoys hiking and running

Anastasia Minkova
Undergraduate Student
minkovaa@umich.edu

Anastasia joined the lab at the end of her junior year, and is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish Language. She has previously worked in a Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, and aims to pursue a career in pediatric medicine. In her free time, she loves traveling, volunteering, and alpine skiing.

Sreyashi Mondal
Undergraduate Student
srmondal@umich.edu

Sreyashi joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan, studying Computer Science. After graduating, Sreyashi hopes to pursue a career in software engineering. In her free time, Sreyashi loves to play the piano. She also enjoys reading and travelling and hopes to visit as many places as she can.

Anam Noor
Undergraduate Student
anamnoor@umich.edu

Anam joined the lab as a freshman at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience. As a high school student she was involved in public health and STEM education initiatives. After graduating, she hopes to go to medical school to pursue a career in Neurology. In her free time, Anam adores reading, baking, and hanging out with her friends.

Yousif Ogaily
Undergraduate Student
yoogaily@umich.edu

Yousif joined the Mattis lab in fall 2025 as a sophomore. He is majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. His prior research experience in an a Neuropsychology clinic. Yousif aspires to go to medical school to become an ophthalmologist. Outside of academics, he enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Alexander Sajdak
Undergraduate Student
sajdaka@umich.edu

Alex joined the lab as a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in Computer Science. After graduation, he intends to enter the industry in a data facing role. During his free time, Alex likes to cycle, ski, read science fiction and go camping.