Nicole  Brossier, MD, PhD

Nicole Brossier, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Hematology and Oncology

Nicole Brossier, MD, PhD, (she/her/hers) received her MD, PhD from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and completed her training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She is a practicing pediatric neuro-oncologist who focuses on treating children with brain and spinal tumors related to genetic disorders, including Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis. Her lab focuses on understanding the genetic, neurodevelopmental and environmental factors that influence tumor development in the pediatric brain. Outside of the lab, Brossier enjoys cooking, painting, singing and spoiling her many nieces and nephews.

Lab members

Manish Adhikari, PhD

Manish Adhikari, PhD

Senior Scientist

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

Sabiha Bano

Research Technician II

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!

Gemma Martin

Gemma Martin

Senior Research Assistant

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 looking at how an obesogenic diet affects circulating EGF levels in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Martin is a dedicated LGBTQ+ and mental health advocate both in and out of the lab. In their free time, Martin enjoys crafting, reading, baking, collecting tattoos and hanging out with their two grey cats, Jasper and Mica. 

Emma Gerhard

Emma Gerhard

Undergraduate student

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.

Annie Mozzer

Annie Mozzer

Summer student

Annie Mozzer (she/her/hers) is from Agawam, MA, and got her bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University. She worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital as a research technologist for 3 years before starting medical school here in St. Louis. She currently is finishing up her first year of medical school at Ponce Health Sciences University-St. Louis. In her free time, Annie enjoys knitting, crocheting, painting, reading, and running.

Nandini Shyamala

Nandini Shyamala

Undergraduate student

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

Reagan Winegar

Undergraduate student

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. Within the WashU community, she serves on the logistics and community outreach committees for the WashU Stem Education Association (WUSEA), as a Washington University Student Associate (WUSA), and as a member of the Memory Lab overseen by Heny Roediger, III. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with family, volunteering in the local healthcare systems, travelling and attending concerts.

Past personnel

Ambrose Chan

Research Technician II

Ambrose Chan (he/him/his) was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and just recently completed his undergraduate degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Managerial Economics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is planning on attending medical school and is spending his gap year working in the Brossier lab to gain more experience in a wet lab environment. Chan’s favorite experience of the lab so far has been the embryonic dissections and is looking forward to learning and experiencing so much more. Outside of the lab, you can find him spending time with his friends and playing with their new puppy, Bentley.

Sarvika Mahto

Undergraduate Student

Avery Wang

Undergraduate Students