Our Team

[Su-pruh-jaa Va-rah-dah-rah-jan]

Principal Investigator

supraja.varadarajan@utsouthwestern.edu
I’ve been enthusiastic and curious about Biology for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in Bangalore, India, and I moved to the US to pursue a Masters in Biomedical Engineering. I ended up falling in love with neuroscience and more specifically with axons. I earned my PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA in Samantha Butler’s lab, where I studied axon guidance in the developing spinal cord. Wanting to apply these developmental principles to rebuilding neural circuits, I joined Andrew Huberman’s lab at Stanford for my postdoc, where I focused on understanding the role of neural activity in promoting axon regeneration in the visual system.
Scientific Interests: I joined the Department of Neuroscience at UT Southwestern in Jan 2024. Our lab continues to identify mechanisms that promote visual repair, with a specific focus on axon regeneration and reconnectivity.
Life outside the lab: Spending time with my two sons and husband, baking, reading, puzzle-solving

Research Assistant

benjamin.chandy@utsouthwestern.edu
Bio:
I am a graduate from Texas A&M University where I received my bachelor’s in biomedical engineering with a focus on biomolecular and cellular engineering. I am also planning on applying to medical school in 2025, with hopes of becoming an Ophthalmologist. While in school, I was interested in learning about cellular regeneration and how it can be used for regenerative medicine. Now, as a member of the Varadarajan lab, I am excited for the opportunity to study the processes behind axon regeneration in the visual system and how we can manipulate it for clinical use.

Life outside the lab: Outside of the lab, I enjoy rowing, exploring new restaurants, and playing games

arya.raju@utsouthwestern.edu
Bio:
I am a second-year pre-med student at UT Dallas studying Neuroscience. My experience as an ophthalmic technician at a retina clinic allowed me to witness firsthand the profound impact of vision loss on patients' lives, sparking my deep appreciation for the preservation of the visual sense. This experience, combined with my passion for neuroscience, led me to the Varadarajan Lab, where I found the perfect intersection of my interests. The lab's focus on understanding molecular pathways that guide axon growth and devising regenerative strategies for vision restoration aligns with my goal of contributing to advancements in neuro-ophthalmology.
Outside the lab, I enjoy photography, mountain biking, calisthenics, and Formula One.

Undergraduate Researcher - UT Dallas

Undergraduate Researcher - Green Fellow, UT Dallas

shreya.chandna@utsouthwestern.edu
Bio:
I am a third-year neuroscience major with a minor in cognitive science at The University of Texas at Dallas. My research journey began in Dr. Hart’s Cognitive Neuroscience Lab of Memory and Language, where I conducted cognitive assessments and analyzed neuroimaging data to study language processing in individuals with primary progressive aphasia. I then joined Dr. Pancrazio’s Bioengineering Neuronal Networks and Interfaces lab, contributing to projects investigating sensory discrimination and detection using intracortical microstimulation in rodent models. These experiences motivated me to pursue a PhD in the field, with the goal of advancing our understanding of the brain and developing innovative solutions to neurological challenges. Currently, as a Green Fellow, I am looking forward to beginning work in Dr. Supraja Varadarajan’s lab, where I will study glial cell involvement in retinal ganglion cell axon regeneration.
Life outside of the lab: I enjoy hiking, reading, volunteering at the animal shelter, and spending time with my family and friends.

Research Assistant

houda.chamseddine@utsouthwestern.edu
I am a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where I completed a master’s in health psychology/neuroscience. During my time in graduate school, my primary focus was on understanding potential neuroendocrine factors that mediate sex differences in opioid withdrawal. I was specifically interested in ovarian hormones and their influence on opioid addiction. February 2024, I joined the Varadarajan lab as a research assistant and am excited to learn new techniques and be part of the team!
Life outside the lab: My interests outside of the lab include drawing, visiting art museums, and geocaching.

Summer Student

hannah.bajaj@utsouthwestern.edu
I am a third-year student at Tulane University studying Neuroscience and Computer Science on the pre-medical track. With a strong interest in utilizing technological advances to address scientific and medical challenges, I plan to use my interdisciplinary background to improve outcomes. My technological research experiences include working with Dr. Sam Landry at the Tulane School of Medicine on antigen-processing & protein interaction as well as running a clinical trial with Dr. Meghan Howell on using heart-rate variability as a potential indicator for preterm birth & pre-eclampsia among expecting mothers in the New Orleans community. Now at the Varadarajan lab, I aim to further our understanding of the signals involved in reconnecting regenerating axons in the visual system, and to help develop innovative strategies for repairing neural circuits.
Life outside of the lab: I enjoy competitive dancing, spending time with friends & family, traveling, and baking!