Our Team

Marissa Scavuzzo, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor/PI

she/her

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… exploring somewhere outdoors

Favorite pipette is the P200

Currently bumping on Spotify Kendrick Lamar

Braison Liemisa

Research Technician

he/him

In lab since 2024

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… at a local bar hanging out with friends or at a gym running

Favorite pipette is the 1000uL

Currently bumping on Spotify Yo Maps

Haleigh Paolucci

Research Technician

she/her

In lab since 2024

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… with my dog, either hiking or kayaking or spending time with friends and family.

Favorite pipette is the Definitely 200uL

Currently bumping on Spotify Guns N Roses

Aaliyah Staples-West

Ph.D. Student

she/her

In lab since 2025

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… watching sports. Volunteering. Hanging with friends. Watching Netflix. Hiking. Going to the orchestra. Going to the movies. Going to the beach. Working out. Finding new restaurants. Trying new things.

Favorite pipette is the multichannel

Currently bumping on Spotify Maverick City

Haley Aharoni

Ph.D. student

she/her

In lab since 2025

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… exploring Cleveland!

Favorite pipette is the 200uL

Currently bumping on Spotify Taylor Swift

Liwen Zhu

Undergraduate

she/her

In lab since 2024

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… on campus

Favorite pipette is the repeating pipette, it is so good when you need to pipette a lot

Currently bumping on Spotify MADE IN HEIGHTS

Akshaya Vadivel

Undergraduate

she/her

In lab since 2025

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… dancing, crocheting, and going on walks around a wade lagoon

Favorite pipette is the 200 microliter multichannel

Currently bumping on Spotify Nissan Altima by Doechii

Alka Tomar

M.D. Student

she/her

In lab since 2022

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… running in the metroparks

Favorite pipette is the P200

Currently bumping on Spotify Fred Again

Sohan Raju Gangam

Undergraduate

he/him/his

In lab since 2025

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… KSL

Favorite pipette is the P1000

Currently bumping on Spotify Star Wars Theme Songs

Nadia Mukasine

Undergraduate

she/her

In lab since 2025

When I’m not in lab you could usually find me… reading or at a coffee shop

Favorite pipette is the 200uL

Currently bumping on Spotify Asake

Lab Alumni

Nick Sarn, Ph.D.

Former Postdoc

he/him

In lab 2025

Moved on to: Professor at Tri-C / Lorain CCC

Calia Thompson

 Former PREP student

she/her

In lab: 2024-2025

Moved o to: Ph.D. student at CWRU 

Jeyashri Rameshbabu

Former Undergrad

she/her

In lab: 2021-2025

Moved on to:  Medical student at University of the Incarnate Word

Naya Alsouss

Former SURFiN Fellow Undergrad

she/her

In lab: 2023-2025

Moved on to: Medical student at Ohio University