Current Lab Members
Current Lab Members
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Melanie Carless, Ph.D.
Melanie Carless, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Carless received her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. Her research is focused on identifying epigenetic factors associated with complex diseases, and in understanding how these might contribute to disease risk and be leveraged as potential novel therapies. To accomplish this, she combines human, animal and cell-based systems. Rapid advancements in biomedical research necessitate a degree of plasticity, and as such, her research program has transformed significantly over the years to incorporate aspects of both basic and translational research. Some of her current projects involve utilizing epigenetic editing techniques to study Alzheimer’s disease, identifying peripheral miRNA biomarkers associated with neuroanatomical variation, and investigating epigenetic factors associated with energy balance, cellular energy metabolism, and obesity. Dr. Carless is committed to the development of young scientists and often involves herself with mentorship and leadership opportunities. In her spare time, she hikes and trains in martial arts and self-defense tactics and enjoys spending time with her kids, dogs and friends.
Contact: Melanie.Carless@utsa.edu
Lucy Blondell, Ph.D.
Lucy Blondell, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Amandine Grenier, Ph.D.
Amandine Grenier, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Christian Serrano
Christian Serrano
Ph.D. Student, Cell and Molecular Biology Program
Chris received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from UTSA in Biology and is currently working on his PhD in the Cellular and Molecular Biology program. His project involves studying DNA methylation in the context of childhood obesity, specifically within a Hispanic cohort, and he is interested in learning new bioinformatic techniques. Outside of the lab, he is interested in running, reading and playing video games.
Uchit Bhaskar
Uchit Bhaskar
Ph.D. Student, Neuroscience Program
Uchit received his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, India in 2019, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at UTSA. His work focuses on the broad aspects of epigenetics, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease. He’s currently working to establish in vitro human cell models of aging that can better reflect diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and help understand how DNA methylation changes can contribute to disease progression. He’s also involved in utilizing epigenetic editing strategies in stem cell-derived models to better understand disease progression and ameliorate disease burden. In his free time, Uchit likes to travel, hike, read non-science books, and spend time with friends.
Contact: Uchit.Bhaskar@utsa.edu
Emily Shrimpton
Emily Shrimpton
Research Assistant/ Master's Student
Emily is a master’s student in biology and full-time research assistant in the lab. She wants to further her understanding of epigenetics and neuroscience and investigate their effects on complex diseases. Additionally, she has a growing interest in the computer science field and how tools such as machine learning can be applied to biological research. Her research in the lab has included some work with the SAFHS pyrosequencing project, exosomal miRNA extraction and bioinformatics for sequencing data, and iPSC to skeletal muscle cell conversion for epigenetic editing. In her pastime, she likes to travel, go on hikes, read, doodle, watch tv, and play video games.
Contact: Emily.Shrimpton@utsa.edu
Arianna Hurtado
Arianna Hurtado
Research Assistant/Postbac
Arianna joined the arless lab in 2020, her sophomore year. She is an undergraduate student and the lab manager. During her time in the lab, she has been working on Pyrosequencing to look at CpG sites in 5 genes correlated with cardiometabolic syndrome. Furthermore, Arianna has a love for hiking, camping, reading, and binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy.
Contact: Arianna.Hurtado@utsa.edu
Phoenix Edmond
Phoenix Edmond
Undergraduate Student
Phoenix joined the Carless lab in 2023, her sophomore year. She is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience with a concentration in Molecular Neuroscience. During her time in the lab, she has been working primarily on exosomal miRNA extraction. Furthermore, Phoenix has a love for video games, rock climbing, going to concerts, and cats.
Contact: phoenix.edmond@utsa.edu
ASiya prasla
ASiya prasla
Undergraduate Student
Asiya is an undergraduate student at UTSA. She is in her third year of pursuing a degree in Biology. She joined the lab in 2023 as an undergraduate research assistant. Some of her favorite hobbies are watching Formula 1 and tv shows, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
Contact: asiya.prasla@my.utsa.edu
Devahuti nanda
Devahuti nanda
Undergraduate Student
Deva is a current undergraduate Research Assistant who joined the lab in June 2023 through the NPRE program. She is a first year Neuroscience major who enjoys reading, strumming her guitar, singing, and dancing.
Contact: devahuti.nanda@my.utsa.edu
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