Current Students
Graduate Students
Ryan Shahidehpour
Ryan joined the Bachstetter lab in 2019. He is just beginning his research on the role of dystrophic microglia in neurodegenerative disorders. Ryan is fascinated by the differences in pathological vulnerabilities and their clinical correlates in disease and injury. His main interests are neuropathology in TBI and neurodegenerative disorders. He hopes to be able to continue his research as an experimental neuropathologist.
Ryan is from Naperville, IL. He attended UW-Platteville for his undergraduate studies and IIT for his masters’ degree. His interests include lifting weights, playing lacrosse, crocheting, building classic motorcycles, and archery.
Jonathan (Jon) Vincent
Jon is an MD/PhD student at UKCOM with a passion for understanding the impact of neuroinflammation on the brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). He joined the lab in the summer of 2022 and his research is focused on investigating the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on synaptic plasticity following TBI. He hopes to become a physician-scientist at an academic medical center, treating TBI and stroke patients, while running an independent translational research lab.
Jon is from Cincinnati, OH, and prior to pursuing his medical/graduate studies, he earned his undergraduate degree in neurobiology while a NCAA Division-1 football player for the University of Cincinnati. He also gained valuable research experience in structural biology and clinical neurodiagnostics and neurorehabilitation. His hobbies include watching movies, writing stories, and cooking.
Elika Moallem
Elika grew up in Wayne, NJ, where she attended William Paterson University and completed her MS in Biotechnology in 2021, with her thesis titled “Neuroprotective Effects of Estrogen after a TBI and LPS-induced microglial activation.” She was awarded the Monroe Spivak Award for Excellence in Graduate Thesis Research by the Biology Department.
Elika joined the Bachstetter lab in 2022, where she currently researches the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on an Alzheimer’s disease-relavant mouse model. Her research interests include investigating the role of microglia and astrocytes in neuroinflammation as well as the development of novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.Beyond her academic pursuits, Elika enjoys cooking, reading, painting, and learning more about her own culture. She is an active member of the Iranian Student Association at UK, where she currently serves as the Vice President.
Undergraduate students
Annie Perkins
Annie joined the lab in September of 2023. She is a sophomore at UK studying Biology and German. She is from Fort Thomas, Kentucky and is very excited to get started with research.
Bella Deaton
Bella joined the lab in January of 2022. She is a sophomore studying Neuroscience and Pharmacology. She is from Indianapolis, Indiana and currently on the pre-medicine track! She is also part of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Matthew Lanning
Matthew joined the lab in August 2023. He is a senior at UK studying Neuroscience and Spanish. He is from Louisville, Kentucky. He enjoys playing guitar, good books, and spending time with his friends. After graduating he plans to attend medical school.
Madison Lapid
Madison joined the lab in January of 2022. She is a junior studying Biology and Business.
Marissa Harris
Marissa joined the lab in May 2023. She is a junior studying Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.
Samantha Stone
Sam joined the lab in August 2022. She is a junior studying Neuroscience and Pharmacology.