Our Team

Manish Adhikari (he/him/his) graduated with a master’s degree in India, and in 2014, he earned his PhD in radiation biology from the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Ministry of Defence, Delhi, India. Manish’s research interests include studying the molecular mechanisms involved in pediatric low-grade glioma progression, RONS-induced DNA damage and immunology. He has over 10 years of post-PhD research experience and has worked in renowned universities in the United States and abroad, such as Kwangwoon University in Seoul, South Korea, and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He has published over 50 manuscripts, book chapters, and review articles. Recently, he moved from Little Rock, AR, to St. Louis, MO, to join the Department of Pediatrics at WashU. In Brossier’s lab, he is working on understanding how different mutations affect stem cell populations in different regions of the brain to influence when and where pLGGs form in kids. Outside the lab, he loves to spend time with his family and watch political news and reviews on YouTube. He is also a die-hard cricket fan and never misses almost any cricket match.

Sabiha Bano (she/her/hers) was born and raised in India, where she obtained a Masters in Botany from Dehradun, India. After her post-graduate study, she pursued a career in teaching biology to senior high school students for five years. Thereafter, she worked as research trainee at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, to gain experience in cell and molecular biology. Recently, Bano moved from India to St. Louis with her husband. Currently, she is working as research technician in Brossier lab. She is gaining experience in mice handling, dissection, immunofluorescence and much more. Apart from lab, she is a great henna artist and loves to cook delicious food for friends and family!

Vasavi Koneru (she/her/hers) was born and raised in India, where she obtained a bachelor’s in biotechnology from Andhra Pradesh, India. After her Bachelor’s, she moved to USA to pursue her master’s in bioinformatics and computational biology. During her master’s she gained hands on experience on working with mice and various molecular biology techniques. After master’s she worked at Mount Sinai Hospital to pursue her interest in working with immunology department where she gained hands on experience in analyzing single cell datasets. Currently, she is working as a senior research technician in Brossier lab exploring the mechanism underlying the effect of an obesogenic maternal diet on neurodevelopment and tumor progression in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Apart from lab, she enjoys cooking, exploring new places, binge-watching tv and playing badminton.

Gemma (Gem) Martin (they/them/theirs) was born and raised in King George, VA. They earned a BS in Biology from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Afterwards, they completed a post baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. Their current research involves exploring the mechanism underlying the effects of an obesogenic maternal diet on neurodevelopment and tumor progression in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Gem is a dedicated LGBTQ+ and mental health advocate both in and out of the lab. In their free time, Gem enjoys crafting, reading, baking, collecting tattoos and hanging out with their partner and cats.

Emma Gerhard (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis, originally from the Chicago suburbs. She is pursuing a Biology major on the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry track, with minors in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology (PNP) and Children’s Studies. She plans on attending medical school and hopes to work with a pediatric population. At WashU, Emma is involved in organizations that partake in outreach within the communities of St. Louis, through aiding the unhoused population, providing medical education to elementary public schoolers and music therapy. Outside of school, Emma enjoys playing violin finding new music, and spending time with friends and family.

Nandini Shyamala (she/her/hers) is a rising sophomore undergraduate student from Northern Virginia. She is pursuing a major in neuroscience and a minor in psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, with aspirations to attend medical school. At WashU, she is the captain of the university’s premier competitive Bollywood fusion dance team, traveling around the country with her team. Outside of academics, she enjoys dancing, cooking, doing arts and crafts and trying new foods with her friends.

Reagan Winegar (she/her/hers) is from southwest Missouri and is currently attending Washington University in St. Louis for her undergraduate degree where she is studying cognitive neuroscience, bioinformatics, and biomedical physics. Within the WashU community, she serves as the External Logistics Chair for the WashU STEM Education Association (WUSEA) and as a Student Executive Board Member – First Year Washington University Student Associate (WUSA) Chair. She previously conducted research under Dr. Henry L. Roediger in his Memory Lab. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with family, volunteering in the local healthcare systems, traveling and attending concerts.