Lab Members

Uzair Ahmed graduated with a degree in Neuroscience in 2025 and a minor in Global Public Health. He joined the lab in 2021, where he developed a broad range of scientific interests, primarily focusing on human‑induced pluripotent stem cell‑derived cardiomyocytes and modeling cardiac ischemia. He remains committed to pursuing medical school and a career as a physician. Outside of the lab, he was actively involved in BuckeyeThon and Philocracy, enjoyed playing soccer, and valued time with family and friends. He is now pursuing an MBA at the Fisher College of Business.

Syed Ashraf graduated in 2024 with a degree in Health Sciences from The Ohio State University. His research focused on using human induced pluripotent stem cell‑derived cardiac progenitor cells to improve heart recovery after myocardial infarction. He plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. Outside the lab, he enjoyed photography, archery, and traveling to explore new places.

Ali Akhtar is a fourth‑year Neuroscience major planning for medical school. His lab focus included cell work and cultures. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and going to the gym. He volunteers at Doctors West and mentors freshmen for APIDA at OSU.

Ghazala Sameer is a second‑year Biomedical Engineering student and a member of BMES. She joined the lab to learn more about stem‑cell reprogramming and bioengineered materials with potential cardiology applications, while building research skills and problem‑solving approaches. She enjoys reading, working out (weightlifting/tennis/dance), volunteering, rock‑climbing, and go‑karting.

Salmman Ahmed earned a BS in Biology from John Carroll University and is pursuing medical school at LECOM. He previously conducted research at Case Western Reserve University on proteins in mitochondrial fission and at John Carroll on synapse development in Drosophila. In Dr. Khan’s lab (Spring 2021), his work included immunostaining, nano/microparticles for cardiac repair post‑MI, and mouse echocardiography. He enjoys mentoring/teaching, fitness, theology books, and has a strong interest in cardiology.

Abbey is a second‑year Microbiology major in OSU’s combined BS/MS program. She plans to pursue a PhD and move somewhere warmer than Ohio. She joined the lab in January 2023 and looks forward to developing an independent project. On campus, she is active with the OSU Boxing Club and is a Group Fitness Instructor at the RPAC. In her free time, she enjoys her two yellow labs, reading, and working out.

Katie is a first‑year Biochemistry major with double minors in Spanish and Neuroscience. She is a member of MAPS and Phi Delta Epsilon, and a Morrill Scholar. She joined the lab to gain research skills and collaborate with the team. She aims to focus on neurosurgery and neurological diseases in the future and apply stem‑cell recovery insights to her work. She enjoys reading and discovering new music.

Sahal graduated with a Biology major and is applying to medical schools. His research focused on fabricating drug‑releasing microspheres for controlled delivery to body tissues, particularly the heart. He enjoys spending time with friends and reading.

Naseem is a fourth‑year Biology major planning for medical school. She served as president for the Minority Association of Pre‑Medical Students and was a BuckeyeThon team captain for Biological Scholars & Pre‑Medicine. She joined Dr. Khan’s lab to expand her knowledge in cardiovascular research and enjoys mentoring, reading, and time with friends and family. She is interested in cardiovascular and emergency medicine.

Former member of Khan Lab.

Former member of Khan Lab.

Former member of Khan Lab.