Current Lab Members
Nagaraj Kerur, BVSc, PhD
Associate Professor
Email: [email protected]
Nagaraj Kerur is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University. Upon completing training in professional Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agricultural Sciences in India, Nagaraj earned a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at Chicago's Rosalind Franklin University. He completed his postdoc training with Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati at the University of Kentucky in 2015, with support from Beckman Initiative for Macular Research (BIMR) and NIH's pathway to Independence award (K99/R00) and then joined the faculty in 2015. In 2016, he went to the University of Virginia as an Assistant Professor to further the research program in the inflammatory mechanism of aging and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He made his transition to The Ohio State University in 2021, taking on the role of Associate Professor and continuing his research into the inflammatory mechanism of AMD and DNA damage signaling.
Associate Professor
Email: [email protected]
Nagaraj Kerur is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University. Upon completing training in professional Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agricultural Sciences in India, Nagaraj earned a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at Chicago's Rosalind Franklin University. He completed his postdoc training with Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati at the University of Kentucky in 2015, with support from Beckman Initiative for Macular Research (BIMR) and NIH's pathway to Independence award (K99/R00) and then joined the faculty in 2015. In 2016, he went to the University of Virginia as an Assistant Professor to further the research program in the inflammatory mechanism of aging and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He made his transition to The Ohio State University in 2021, taking on the role of Associate Professor and continuing his research into the inflammatory mechanism of AMD and DNA damage signaling.
Vinodhini Jayananthan, BVSc
Graduate Research Associate
Vinodhini Jayananthan is a BSGP student and a graduate research associate in the Kerur Lab, studying the molecular mechanisms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her research focuses specifically on choroidal neovascularization, a key characteristic of wet-AMD. Her ultimate goal is to identify novel therapeutic approaches for this condition. In the Kerur Lab, she conducts a variety of molecular and in vivo experiments to better understand AMD pathogenesis and potential treatments. Among these techniques, she is particularly passionate about fundus fluorescein angiography, an imaging method used to study ocular vascular leakage. She finds it fascinating to observe real-time changes in the back of the eye based on our treatments and research ideas. Vision is invaluable, and she is grateful to contribute to research that aims to preserve and restore it.
Graduate Research Associate
Vinodhini Jayananthan is a BSGP student and a graduate research associate in the Kerur Lab, studying the molecular mechanisms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her research focuses specifically on choroidal neovascularization, a key characteristic of wet-AMD. Her ultimate goal is to identify novel therapeutic approaches for this condition. In the Kerur Lab, she conducts a variety of molecular and in vivo experiments to better understand AMD pathogenesis and potential treatments. Among these techniques, she is particularly passionate about fundus fluorescein angiography, an imaging method used to study ocular vascular leakage. She finds it fascinating to observe real-time changes in the back of the eye based on our treatments and research ideas. Vision is invaluable, and she is grateful to contribute to research that aims to preserve and restore it.
Noman Bakshi, MS
Visiting Scholar
Noman Bakshi is a Visiting Scholar in the Kerur Lab and will be joining as a graduate research associate in 2025. His research focuses specifically on the cGAS STING pathway and its role in aging and Alzheimer's disease, as well as finding a protective role of cGAS STING in different RPE degeneration models. Among the different techniques used in the lab, Noman's work involves studying the aging patterns in different KO mice models, confocal microscopy to study protein co-localization and RPE degeneration, and cell culture studies to uncover new inflammatory mechanisms.
Visiting Scholar
Noman Bakshi is a Visiting Scholar in the Kerur Lab and will be joining as a graduate research associate in 2025. His research focuses specifically on the cGAS STING pathway and its role in aging and Alzheimer's disease, as well as finding a protective role of cGAS STING in different RPE degeneration models. Among the different techniques used in the lab, Noman's work involves studying the aging patterns in different KO mice models, confocal microscopy to study protein co-localization and RPE degeneration, and cell culture studies to uncover new inflammatory mechanisms.
Miriam Gibbs
Research Technician
Miriam Gibbs is a Research Technician who studied Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University. Before joining the Kerur Lab, she worked at the Museum of Biological Diversity doing ecological research. She enjoys the opportunity to explore the molecular side of organismal biology, with a particular interest in how evolutionary processes influence age-related degenerative diseases. In the lab, Miriam specializes in histology, microdissection, and mouse colony maintenance.
Research Technician
Miriam Gibbs is a Research Technician who studied Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University. Before joining the Kerur Lab, she worked at the Museum of Biological Diversity doing ecological research. She enjoys the opportunity to explore the molecular side of organismal biology, with a particular interest in how evolutionary processes influence age-related degenerative diseases. In the lab, Miriam specializes in histology, microdissection, and mouse colony maintenance.
Nika Manlou
Undergraduate Assistant
Nika Manlou is a third year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. She is majoring in Finance and is planning to apply to medical school in the future. She has a strong interest in ocular neurodegenerative diseases and is eager to explore how different research tools can be utilized to better understand and combat these conditions.
Undergraduate Assistant
Nika Manlou is a third year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. She is majoring in Finance and is planning to apply to medical school in the future. She has a strong interest in ocular neurodegenerative diseases and is eager to explore how different research tools can be utilized to better understand and combat these conditions.
Gwen Reed
Undergraduate Assistant
Gwen Reed is a second-year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. She is currently studying Biochemistry and plans on pursuing a career in the medical field as a Physician's Assistant after she graduates.
Undergraduate Assistant
Gwen Reed is a second-year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. She is currently studying Biochemistry and plans on pursuing a career in the medical field as a Physician's Assistant after she graduates.
Raphael Yazji
Undergraduate Assistant
Raphael Yazji is a 3rd-year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. He is actively pursuing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology. Raphael intends to apply to medical school after taking a gap year. He is passionate about research and is especially interested in ophthalmology, which led to his decision to join Dr. Kerur's Lab. In his free time, Raphael likes to play tennis, listen to music, and cook.
Undergraduate Assistant
Raphael Yazji is a 3rd-year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. He is actively pursuing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology. Raphael intends to apply to medical school after taking a gap year. He is passionate about research and is especially interested in ophthalmology, which led to his decision to join Dr. Kerur's Lab. In his free time, Raphael likes to play tennis, listen to music, and cook.
Former Lab Members
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Bryce Rush
Yoon Cho Daipayan Banerjee, PhD Salar Abbas, PhD Daniel Keuchel, BS |
Thirushan Wigna-kumar
Elizabeth Ghias, MS Eric Odermatt, BS Kurt Langberg, MS Asmaa Zidan, MD |
