Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Hongjun (Harry) Fu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Neuroscience, OSUMC

Hongjun.Fu@osumc.edu

Google Scholar:  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=x7VoNG0AAAAJ&hl=en

 

Postdoctoral Researcher

Diana Acosta, Ph.D. (May 2021 – Present)

diana.acosta@osumc.edu

I completed my Biomedical Engineering degree at Case Western Reserve University and Doctorate in Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College. Now as a post-doctoral scholar in Dr. Harry Fu’s lab, my projects include studying the ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1) protein, a novel subproteome gene signature in excitatory neurons that may serve as a master regulator of selective neuronal and regional vulnerability to tau pathology in early AD; and characterizing neural organoids to study tau spread and vulnerability to pathological tau in an innovative way. In the lab, I enjoy cell and organoid culture, western blots, and writing. Outside of the lab, I enjoy the parks, museums, malls, and food scene with my husband and baby boy.

Marie-Amandine Bonte, Ph.D. (July 2024 – Present)

bonte.9@osu.edu

I come from France where I obtained a master’s degree in Neuroscience at the University of Lille and a PhD in Neuroscience at the Lille Graduate School of Health Biology. I worked on the implication of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase deficiency in the context of Parkinson’s disease focusing on neuronal cell death and microglial activation. In order to pursue the study of neurodegenerative processes, I have joined the Fu laboratory as a postdoctoral scholar. I will be leading two projects, one on neuron-glia interaction in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and the second one on exploring the roles of ENC1 protein in these pathologies. This laboratory offers the opportunity of using a wide range of experimental models and innovative techniques. Outside the lab, I enjoy to workout and discover American culture.

Graduate Student

Tae Yeon Kim (August 2022 – Present)

kim.8694@buckeyemail.osu.edu

I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. I received my B.S. in Life Science and Biotechnology and M.S. in Neuroscience from Kyungpook National University in South Korea. I have focused on investigating neuroprotective effects of antioxidants on the dopaminergic neurons of Parkinson’s disease using in vivo experiments. To continue the study of neurodegenerative diseases in-depth, I joined Dr. Fu’s lab in 2022 as a Ph.D. student. I am currently focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the selective cellular and regional vulnerability in Alzheimer’s disease, using mouse models and human postmortem brain tissue with tau pathology. It is very exciting that I can experience various techniques with multiple projects in this lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching movies and going to cafés.

Research Technician

Sheeny Vo (May 2023 – Present)
vo.155@buckeyemail.osu.edu

I graduate from Ohio State Neuroscience Program, with a concentration in Computational/Cognitive studies, and a minor in Computer Information Sciences in December 2023. I continue to work in Dr. Fu’s lab and plan on pursuing an MD/PhD. Right now, my research in Dr. Fu’s lab is to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of cell-autonomous (neurons) versus cell-non-autonomous (microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes) on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). When I’m not in the lab, I like to get involved on campus. I’m a part of Power in Neuroscience and Ohio Staters Inc. Additionally, I work as a Patient Care Associate (PCA) at Brian and Spine Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, working out, and reading books.

Nicholas (Nick) Sweeney (January 2022 – Present)

sweeney.525@osu.edu

I graduated from Ohio State Neuroscience major interested in pursuing an MD/PhD in the future. My current research focuses on the relationship between Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). I utilize mouse models of TBI and post-mortem human brain tissue to investigate molecular underpinnings that may increase the risk of AD after TBI, especially related to dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP). I was awarded the Chronic Brain Injury Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) to continue my project, and I received best undergraduate research poster at the Department of Neuroscience research day. Outside of the lab, you can find me riding my bike throughout campus and exploring restaurants in the Columbus area.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Ana Clapper (May 2023 – Present)

clapper.64@buckeyemail.osu.edu

I am a third-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience with a minor in Human Nutrition hoping to go to medical school in the future. I am passionate about furthering research on neurodegenerative disorders, nutritional correlates to health, and expanding healthcare access to underserved communities. I am very excited to work in the lab and understand more about neuronal subtypes in AD pathology. I am currently assisting Nick on his research on the relationship between TBI and Alzheimer’s. In my free time, I like to run, try new restaurants, and travel.

Nithin Datla (January 2023 – Present)

datla.10@buckeyemail.osu.edu

I am a second-year Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. I am extremely interested in researching neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and the effects they have on specific cell types. I am currently assisting Nick in his research to figure out the relationship between Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Outside of Lab, I am a very active person, as I love to work out and play basketball in my free time. I am also involved in a few clubs around campus, such as Buckeyethon and Village Mentors.

Ethan Rose (May 2023 – Present)

rose.1470@buckeyemail.osu.edu
I am a 5th-year undergraduate studying neuroscience at The Ohio State University with plans of attending medical school after graduating. Along with research that I assist with in Dr. Fu’s lab, I also currently work as an ambassador for The Longest Day to fundraise and raise awareness to support the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. In the lab, I assist Diana with current research projects studying tau pathology in neuronal organoids. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, playing musical instruments, and spending time with my pet birds.

Harshitha Vathyam (June 2023 – Present)

vathyam.2@buckeyemail.osu.edu

I am a second-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience, hoping to attend medical school in the future. I am passionate about helping others, researching various neurodegenerative disorders and applying this knowledge to raise awareness in the community. In the lab I love to learn about and assist with the various ongoing projects and expand my neuroscience knowledge, particularly regarding Alzheimer’s pathology. Outside of the lab I love to sing, travel, explore nature, and volunteer with various organizations.

James Xiao (Oct 2023 – Present)
xiao.1043@buckeyemail.osu.edu
I am currently a first-year undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience on the Pre-Medicine track. I am passionate about neurodegenerative diseases and have goals of providing dependable healthcare to those who need it most. With my tutelage in Dr. Fu’s lab, I aim to learn more about the various pathologies that influence Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing soccer, eating food, listening to music, and binge-watching Black Mirror. I am also active in a few clubs include Remote Area Medical and Pickleball Club.
Jacob Henry (Feb 2024 – Present)
henry.1159@buckeyemail.osu.edu
I am a second-year neuroscience major with aspirations to attend medical school in the future. Neurodegenerative disease is very interesting to me, so I am very happy to be a part of The Fu Lab. I hope to use the skills I learn in the lab to help me obtain my future goals in medicine. Outside of the lab, I can be found spending time with friends or family and trying new sushi restaurants.
Jia Xie (March 2024 – Present)
xie.1356@buckeyemail.osu.edu
I am currently a second-year neuroscience major interested in pursuing an MD or a PhD. I am particularly interested in the underlying molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease and how it can be affected by other factors. Currently, I assist other members with their various unique projects. In my free time, I like to run and get involved in a few clubs, such as Village Mentors and Buckeyes Against Alzheimer’s.


Mia Mixon (June 2023 – Present)

mixon.36@buckeyemail.osu.edu

I am a second-year neuroscience major interested in pursuing medical school in the future. My passion is to serve others and be a light to those around me. In the lab, I enjoy learning new techniques, assisting with the on-going research projects, and gaining understanding about AD pathology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy serving in the children’s ministry at my church, serving on the NAACP executive committee, and spending quality time with my family.

Alumni

Liangping Li (Postdoc, now Staff Scientist at the High-Throughput Screening Core, Vanderbilt University)

Lalitha Venkataraman (Postdoc, now Postdoc at NCH)

Cody Morrison (Research Associate, now PhD student in Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology at Central Michigan University)

Shuo Chen (Graduate student, now Graduate student at OSU)

Jiawen Liang (Research Assistant, now Master student of Computer Science program at Northeastern University)

Praneethkumar Madhu (Undergraduate Research Assistant, now MD student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Justin Gorski (Undergraduate Research Assistant, now MD student at Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School)

Tam Quach (Visiting Scholar, now Research Scientist at OSU)

Jinshan He (Researcher 2, now Research Scientist at OSU)

Xianglan Liu (Researcher 2, now Researcher 2 at OSU)

Sarah Jia (Undergraduate Research Assistant, now Clinical Research Assistant at OSUMC)

Haoran Huang (MSTP rotation student, now Graduate student at OSU)

Emily Payne (MCDB rotation student, now Graduate student at OSU)

Sabrina Mackey-Alfonso (MSTP rotation student, now Graduate student at OSU)

Anthony Alfredo (NGP rotation student, now Graduate student at OSU)

Gregory Huang Tan (Undergraduate Research Assistant, now Undergraduate student at Columbia University)

Elizabeth D’sa (Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Notre Dame)

Mia Mixon (Undergraduate Research Assistant, now Undergraduate student at OSU)

Talia Bortz (High School intern)

Meseret Alemu (High School intern)

Rishi Patel (High School intern)

Vincent Haney (High School intern)

Taylor Henoch (High School intern)