{"id":48,"date":"2026-10-26T05:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T05:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/?page_id=48"},"modified":"2026-10-28T10:53:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T10:53:03","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/?page_id=48","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"48\" class=\"elementor elementor-48\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-262cbd7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"262cbd7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1390cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"d1390cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- ============================================================\r\n  KARIKARI LAB \u2014 ABOUT US PAGE \u2014 Elementor HTML widget\r\n  ------------------------------------------------------------\r\n  HOW TO EDIT\r\n  1. IMAGES: set UPLOAD_BASE in the <script> at the bottom to your\r\n     uploads folder (keep the trailing slash). Each image uses\r\n     data-photo=\"file-name.jpg\". You can also paste a full URL\r\n     there (https:\/\/...) and it will be used as-is.\r\n  2. LINKS: search for  href=\"#\"  and the \"EDIT LINK\" comments.\r\n  3. ADD A TEAM MEMBER: copy one whole <article class=\"kl-person\">\r\n     \u2026 <\/article> block, paste it where you want it, and change the\r\n     id, photo, name, title, teaser and bio.\r\n     REMOVE ONE: delete their <article> block.\r\n     NO BIO YET: leave <div class=\"kl-bio\"><\/div> empty. The card\r\n     shows \"Full bio coming soon.\" and won't open a popup.\r\n  4. ADD\/REMOVE A GROUP: copy or delete a whole\r\n     <div class=\"kl-group\"> \u2026 <\/div> block.\r\n  5. ALUMNI: copy or delete one <div class=\"kl-alum\"> line.\r\n  6. DEEP LINKS: \/about-us\/#xuemei-zeng scrolls to that person\r\n     and opens their bio. The id on each <article> is the link.\r\n  This page uses the header from your separate header widget.\r\n============================================================ -->\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\r\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Archivo:wght@400;500;600;700;800;900&family=Spectral:wght@300;400;500;600&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\r\n<style>\r\n\/* ---------- Base \/ Elementor breakout ---------- *\/\r\n.kl-about, .kl-about *, .kl-about *::before, .kl-about *::after { box-sizing:border-box; }\r\n.kl-about { background:#FFFFFF; color:#0C0D0F; font-family:'Archivo',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased; line-height:normal; position:relative; width:100vw; max-width:100vw; margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw); margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw); overflow-x:clip; }\r\n.elementor-widget-html, .elementor-widget-html .elementor-widget-container { max-width:none !important; }\r\nhtml, body { overflow-x:clip; }\r\n.kl-about h1,.kl-about h2,.kl-about h3,.kl-about p,.kl-about ul,.kl-about li,.kl-about figure,.kl-about figcaption { margin:0; padding:0; }\r\n.kl-about ul { list-style:none; }\r\n.kl-about a { color:#1663CF; text-decoration:none; transition:color .2s; }\r\n.kl-about a:hover { color:#0C0D0F; }\r\n.kl-about img { max-width:none; border:0; border-radius:0; box-shadow:none; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-wrap { max-width:1180px; margin:0 auto; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-bar { width:38px; height:3px; background:#F5DC0F; display:block; flex:none; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-bar.sm { width:24px; }\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- Hero ---------- *\/\r\n.kl-about .kl-hero { position:relative; padding:clamp(72px,9vw,130px) clamp(20px,4vw,48px) clamp(80px,9vw,130px); background:radial-gradient(120% 90% at 78% 20%,#0E5C74 0%,#08334A 45%,#04121F 100%); color:#FFFFFF; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-eyebrow { display:flex; align-items:center; gap:14px; margin-bottom:26px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-eyebrow span:last-child { font-size:12px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:0.22em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#B9E6EF; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-hero h1 { margin:0 0 clamp(56px,7vw,88px); font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:clamp(44px,6vw,72px); line-height:1.0; font-weight:600; letter-spacing:-0.015em; color:#FFFFFF; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-hero h2 { margin:0 0 16px; font-family:'Archivo',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size:12px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:0.22em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#F5DC0F; line-height:normal; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-mission { margin-bottom:clamp(40px,5vw,64px); }\r\n.kl-about .kl-mission p { font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:clamp(26px,2.9vw,36px); line-height:1.42; font-weight:500; color:#F4FBFC; max-width:64ch; text-wrap:pretty; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-vision { max-width:900px; padding-top:clamp(32px,4vw,48px); border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18); }\r\n.kl-about .kl-vision p { font-family:'Archivo',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size:clamp(18px,1.7vw,22px); line-height:1.7; color:#D8DDE2; text-wrap:pretty; }\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- PI ---------- *\/\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-sec { padding:clamp(72px,8vw,110px) clamp(20px,4vw,48px); border-bottom:1px solid #E7E5DE; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi { display:grid; grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr); gap:clamp(36px,5vw,72px); align-items:start; scroll-margin-top:120px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-photo { position:relative; max-width:360px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-photo .frame { aspect-ratio:4\/5; overflow:hidden; background:#0C0D0F; border-radius:16px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-photo img { width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; display:block; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-badge { position:absolute; left:16px; bottom:16px; background:#F5DC0F; color:#0C0D0F; padding:14px 20px; font-size:13px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.04em; text-transform:uppercase; border-radius:8px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-text { min-width:0; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-kicker { display:block; font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:15px; color:#5A5F66; margin-bottom:14px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-text h2 { margin:0 0 6px; font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:clamp(30px,3vw,40px); font-weight:600; letter-spacing:-0.01em; line-height:1.1; color:#0C0D0F; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-title { margin:0 0 28px; font-size:16px; font-weight:700; color:#5A5F66; letter-spacing:0.01em; line-height:1.5; max-width:60ch; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-bio { font-size:17px; line-height:1.75; color:#3C3F45; max-width:70ch; text-wrap:pretty; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-bio p { margin:0 0 18px; color:#3C3F45; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-pi-bio p:last-child { margin:0; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-facts { margin-top:36px; padding-top:32px; border-top:1px solid #E7E5DE; display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(min(100%,240px),1fr)); gap:32px 40px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-fact-head { display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin-bottom:12px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-fact-head span:last-child { font-size:12px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.16em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#0C0D0F; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-facts ul { display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:8px; font-size:15px; line-height:1.5; color:#3C3F45; }\r\n@media (min-width:900px) {\r\n  .kl-about .kl-pi { grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,2fr); }\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- Team ---------- *\/\r\n.kl-about .kl-team { background:#F4F3EF; padding:clamp(64px,7vw,96px) clamp(20px,4vw,48px); }\r\n.kl-about .kl-team .kl-eyebrow { margin-bottom:16px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-team .kl-eyebrow span:last-child { color:#5A5F66; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-team-head { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:flex-end; gap:16px 40px; flex-wrap:wrap; margin-bottom:32px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-team-head h2 { font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:clamp(30px,3vw,40px); font-weight:600; letter-spacing:-0.01em; line-height:1.15; color:#0C0D0F; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-team-head p { font-size:15px; color:#5A5F66; }\r\n\r\n.kl-about .kl-groupphoto { position:relative; margin:0 0 clamp(48px,6vw,72px); aspect-ratio:21\/9; border-radius:16px; overflow:hidden; background:#0C0D0F; }.kl-about .kl-groupphoto + .kl-group { padding-top:clamp(50px,1vw,16px); } \r\n.kl-about .kl-groupphoto img { width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; object-position:50% 58%; display:block; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-groupphoto figcaption { position:absolute; left:0; right:0; bottom:0; padding:clamp(40px,6vw,72px) clamp(20px,2.4vw,32px) clamp(16px,2vw,24px); background:linear-gradient(to top,rgba(4,18,31,0.78),rgba(4,18,31,0)); display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:space-between; align-items:flex-end; gap:6px 24px; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:14px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-groupphoto figcaption .l { display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:0.02em; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-groupphoto figcaption .r { color:#D8DDE2; }\r\n\r\n.kl-about .kl-group { margin-bottom:clamp(40px,5vw,56px); }\r\n.kl-about .kl-group-title, .kl-about .kl-alumni h3 { margin:0 0 22px; font-family:'Archivo',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size:13px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.14em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#0C0D0F; padding-bottom:12px; border-bottom:2px solid #0C0D0F; line-height:normal; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-grid { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(190px,1fr)); gap:24px; }\r\n\r\n.kl-about .kl-person { cursor:pointer; scroll-margin-top:120px; outline:none; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-person.no-bio { cursor:default; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-photo { position:relative; aspect-ratio:1\/1; overflow:hidden; background:#E7E5DE; margin-bottom:14px; border-radius:14px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-photo img { width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; display:block; transition:transform .6s cubic-bezier(.2,.7,.2,1); transform:scale(1); }\r\n.kl-about .kl-overlay { position:absolute; inset:0; display:flex; flex-direction:column; justify-content:flex-end; gap:10px; padding:18px; background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(4,18,31,0.25) 0%,rgba(4,18,31,0.94) 62%); color:#FFFFFF; transition:opacity .35s ease; opacity:0; pointer-events:none; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-teaser { font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:16px; line-height:1.35; font-weight:500; color:#FFFFFF; text-wrap:pretty; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-cta { font-size:12px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.08em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#F5DC0F; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-person.no-bio .kl-cta { display:none; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-name { margin:0 0 3px; font-size:15px; font-weight:700; line-height:1.3; color:#0C0D0F; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-role { font-size:13px; line-height:1.4; color:#5A5F66; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-bio { display:none; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-person.is-on .kl-overlay,\r\n.kl-about .kl-person:focus-visible .kl-overlay { opacity:1; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-person.is-on .kl-photo img,\r\n.kl-about .kl-person:focus-visible .kl-photo img { transform:scale(1.06); }\r\n.kl-about .kl-person:focus-visible .kl-photo { box-shadow:0 0 0 3px #F5DC0F; }\r\n@media (hover:hover) {\r\n  .kl-about .kl-person:hover .kl-overlay { opacity:1; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-person:hover .kl-photo img { transform:scale(1.06); }\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- Alumni ---------- *\/\r\n.kl-about .kl-alumni { scroll-margin-top:120px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-alumni-grid { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(min(100%,260px),1fr)); gap:0 32px; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-alum { display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:3px; padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #DDDBD3; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-alum span:first-child { font-size:15px; font-weight:700; color:#0C0D0F; }\r\n.kl-about .kl-alum span:last-child { font-size:13px; color:#5A5F66; }\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- Footer ---------- *\/\r\n\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- Mobile ---------- *\/\r\n@media (max-width:600px) {\r\n  .kl-about .kl-groupphoto { aspect-ratio:4\/3; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-pi-photo { max-width:none; }\r\n}\r\n@media (max-width:520px) {\r\n  .kl-about .kl-grid { grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr)); gap:16px; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-overlay { padding:12px; gap:6px; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-teaser { font-size:14px; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-cta { font-size:11px; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-name { font-size:14px; }\r\n  .kl-about .kl-role { font-size:12px; }\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* ---------- Bio popup (moved to <body> by the script) ---------- *\/\r\n.kl-modal, .kl-modal *, .kl-modal *::before, .kl-modal *::after { box-sizing:border-box; }\r\n.kl-modal[hidden] { display:none !important; }\r\n.kl-modal { position:fixed; inset:0; z-index:99999; background:rgba(4,18,31,0.72); display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; padding:clamp(16px,4vw,48px); font-family:'Archivo',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-card { position:relative; background:#FFFFFF; border-radius:18px; max-width:880px; width:100%; max-height:calc(100vh - 64px); max-height:calc(100dvh - 64px); overflow:auto; display:grid; grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr); box-shadow:0 40px 80px -30px rgba(0,0,0,0.6); }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-photo { background:#04121F; min-height:280px; height:280px; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-photo img { width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; display:block; max-width:none; border-radius:0; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-body { min-width:0; padding:clamp(28px,3.4vw,44px); }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-eyebrow { display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin-bottom:14px; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-eyebrow .bar { width:30px; height:3px; background:#F5DC0F; display:block; flex:none; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-group { font-size:12px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:0.18em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#5A5F66; }\r\n.kl-modal h3.kl-m-name { margin:0 0 6px; padding:0; font-family:'Spectral',Georgia,serif; font-size:clamp(26px,2.6vw,34px); font-weight:600; line-height:1.1; letter-spacing:-0.01em; color:#0C0D0F; text-transform:none; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-title { margin:0 0 22px; padding:0; font-size:15px; font-weight:700; color:#5A5F66; line-height:1.4; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-bio, .kl-modal .kl-m-bio p { margin:0; padding:0; font-size:16px; line-height:1.72; color:#3C3F45; text-wrap:pretty; }\r\n.kl-modal .kl-m-bio p + p { margin-top:14px; }\r\n.kl-modal button.kl-m-close { position:absolute; top:14px; right:14px; width:44px; height:44px; min-height:0; padding:0; margin:0; border-radius:50%; border:none; background:#0C0D0F; color:#F5DC0F; font-family:inherit; font-size:22px; font-weight:400; line-height:1; cursor:pointer; box-shadow:none; text-transform:none; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; z-index:2; }\r\n.kl-modal button.kl-m-close:hover, .kl-modal button.kl-m-close:focus { background:#1F2227; color:#F5DC0F; }\r\n@media (min-width:700px) {\r\n  .kl-modal .kl-m-card { grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,2fr); }\r\n  .kl-modal .kl-m-photo { height:auto; }\r\n}\r\n@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {\r\n  .kl-about *, .kl-modal * { transition:none !important; }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"kl-about\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- ==================== HERO ==================== -->\r\n  <section class=\"kl-hero\">\r\n    <div class=\"kl-wrap\">\r\n      <div class=\"kl-eyebrow\"><span class=\"kl-bar\"><\/span><span>Who we are<\/span><\/div>\r\n      <h1>About Us<\/h1>\r\n      <div class=\"kl-mission\">\r\n        <h2>Our Mission<\/h2>\r\n        <p>Advancing the biology of blood-based Alzheimer\u2019s biomarkers, and bringing accurate diagnosis to communities around the world.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"kl-vision\">\r\n        <h2>Our Vision<\/h2>\r\n        <p>We envision a future where the molecular causes of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related neurodegenerative diseases are fully understood, from brain pathology to cerebrospinal fluid to blood, informing simple, accurate diagnostics available to everyone. Through a network of reference and expert laboratories, from the USA to Africa, we aim to ensure that where a person lives never determines whether they can get a diagnosis or access to treatment.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <!-- ==================== PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR ==================== -->\r\n  <section class=\"kl-pi-sec\">\r\n    <div class=\"kl-wrap kl-pi\" id=\"thomas-karikari\">\r\n      <div class=\"kl-pi-photo\">\r\n        <div class=\"frame\"><img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/tommy-karikari-grey.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas K. Karikari, PhD\"><\/div>\r\n        <span class=\"kl-pi-badge\">Principal Investigator<\/span>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"kl-pi-text\">\r\n        <span class=\"kl-kicker\">Leadership<\/span>\r\n        <h2>Thomas K. Karikari, PhD<\/h2>\r\n        <p class=\"kl-pi-title\">Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical and Translational Science \u00b7 Endowed Faculty Fellow in Peripheral Biomarkers of Brain Disorders<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-pi-bio\">\r\n          <p>Dr. Thomas Karikari believes that one of the most important questions in brain health can be answered with a simple blood draw. He is an internationally recognized neuroscientist working on the discovery, validation and clinical use of biofluid biomarkers for Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. His goal is to make accurate, early diagnosis possible for every patient, whether they are seen in a major academic hospital or a small community clinic.<\/p>\r\n          <p>His story begins in a small country town in Ghana, where school resources were scarce. When a middle school teacher left and was never replaced, he and his classmates taught themselves. That determination has followed him ever since. When he learned there was no quick and easy test for Alzheimer\u2019s disease, he asked why, and then went to work.<\/p>\r\n          <p>His lab developed the first commercially available plasma p-tau181 assay, immunoassays for plasma p-tau212, p-tau217 and p-tau231, and a plasma brain-derived tau (BD-tau) marker. These biomarkers have been validated across many cohorts and are used in therapeutic trials, diagnosis, prognosis and research worldwide.<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-facts\">\r\n          <div>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-fact-head\"><span class=\"kl-bar sm\"><\/span><span>Education and training<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li>PhD in Life Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Warwick, UK<\/li>\r\n              <li>Postdoctoral fellowship, Harvard Medical School<\/li>\r\n              <li>Postdoctoral fellowship and Assistant Professor, University of Gothenburg, Sweden<\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n          <div>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-fact-head\"><span class=\"kl-bar sm\"><\/span><span>Leadership at Pitt<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li>Founding Director, Biofluid Biomarker Laboratory<\/li>\r\n              <li>Founding Director, Mass Spectrometry and Single Molecule Analytics Programs, Department of Psychiatry<\/li>\r\n              <li>Director, Biomarker and Neurogenetics Core, Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Research Center<\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n          <div>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-fact-head\"><span class=\"kl-bar sm\"><\/span><span>Shaping global practice<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li>World Health Organization committee on Preferred Product Characteristics for blood biomarkers<\/li>\r\n              <li>Alzheimer\u2019s Association working group on guidelines for clinical use of blood-based biomarkers<\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n          <div>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-fact-head\"><span class=\"kl-bar sm\"><\/span><span>Selected honors<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li>Excellence in Scientific Research, Millennium Excellence Awards USA (2026)<\/li>\r\n              <li>Nature Rising Star in Ageing Research (2025)<\/li>\r\n              <li>Chancellor\u2019s Distinguished Research Award, University of Pittsburgh (2025)<\/li>\r\n              <li>Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2024)<\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <!-- ==================== TEAM ==================== -->\r\n  <section class=\"kl-team\">\r\n    <div class=\"kl-wrap\">\r\n      <div class=\"kl-eyebrow\"><span class=\"kl-bar\"><\/span><span>The Team<\/span><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"kl-team-head\">\r\n        <h2>The people behind the science<\/h2>\r\n        <p>Hover over a portrait for their focus. Click to read the full bio.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <figure class=\"kl-groupphoto\">\r\n        <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lab-group-2026.png\" alt=\"The Karikari Lab team outside UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital\">\r\n        <figcaption>\r\n          <span class=\"l\"><span class=\"kl-bar sm\"><\/span>The Karikari Lab, 2026<\/span>\r\n          <span class=\"r\">Pittsburgh, PA<\/span>\r\n        <\/figcaption>\r\n      <\/figure>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== GROUP: Research Scientists ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-group\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-group-title\">Research Scientists<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-grid\">\r\n\r\n          <!-- \u25bc PERSON (copy this whole <article> to add someone) -->\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"xuemei-zeng\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/xuemei-zeng-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Xuemei Zeng, PhD, MPH\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Mass spectrometry for unbiased and targeted biomarker discovery. Runs the lab day to day.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Xuemei Zeng, PhD, MPH<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Research Scientist and Laboratory Manager<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Xuemei Zeng is a protein biochemist specializing in proteomics, molecular and cellular biology, epidemiology and bioinformatics. She holds a PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and an MPH in Epidemiology, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research uses mass spectrometry for both unbiased and targeted biomarker exploration in neurodegenerative diseases. As lab manager, she oversees operations and personnel and supports grant applications. Outside the lab she enjoys Zumba, nature trails and growing her own vegetables.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n          <!-- \u25b2 END PERSON -->\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"anuradha-sehrawat\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/anuradha-sehrawat-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Anuradha Sehrawat, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">New bioanalytical methods for blood biomarkers of early Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Anuradha Sehrawat, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Research Scientist<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Anuradha Sehrawat is a molecular biologist with advanced degrees in Toxicological Sciences from Jamia Hamdard University, India. Her expertise spans cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and toxicology, including gene therapy for diabetes, pancreatitis and cancer. Today she develops innovative bioanalytical methods for blood biomarkers in clinical settings, aimed at early detection of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and the earliest pathological changes in the brain that may allow preventive interventions. In her free time, Anu enjoys yoga, meditation and reading.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== GROUP: Postdoctoral Fellows ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-group\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-group-title\">Postdoctoral Fellows<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-grid\">\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"wasiu-balogun\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/wasiu-balogun-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Wasiu Balogun, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Neuroinflammatory biomarkers in body fluids for diagnosing and predicting dementia.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Wasiu Balogun, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Wasiu Balogun earned his PhD in Molecular Pathology at Universiti Sains Malaysia. His research focuses on developing and applying neuroinflammatory biomarkers in biological fluids for the diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related dementias. He is experienced in molecular biology, biochemical assays and neuroscience. In his leisure time he loves playing with his kids and reading about world politics.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"yourim-lee\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/you-rim-lee-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"YouRim Lee, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Proteomic and metabolomic biomarkers in dried plasma spots.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">YouRim Lee, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">YouRim Lee holds a PhD in Senior Healthcare from Eulji University, South Korea, and is a licensed medical technologist. Her research has focused on biomarkers for age-related diseases and on estimating the age of bloodstains, with extensive experience in proteomics and metabolomics of human blood using mass spectrometry. She now develops methods for proteomic and metabolomic biomarkers in dried plasma spots and studies their role in the metabolic changes of neurodegenerative disease. Outside research she enjoys baking, crocheting, video games, travel, and all things cute.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"monika\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/monika-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Monika, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">LC-MS\/MS proteomics and protein modifications in Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Monika, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Monika earned her PhD in Medical Biotechnology from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, and a Master\u2019s in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Jamia Hamdard, India. Her research identified post-translational modifications and differentially expressed proteins in Alzheimer\u2019s clinical samples using LC-MS\/MS, and explored how aldehyde adducts affect amyloid-beta. She is expert in immunoprecipitation for LC-MS, proteomics method development and bioinformatics, and is committed to blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis. Outside work she enjoys eco-humanitarian volunteering, trekking, cycling, yoga, travel and cooking.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"abdul-monto\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/abdul-razak-monto-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Abdul Razak Monto, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">How tau pathology progresses, from early assemblies to mature tangles.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Abdul Razak Monto, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Abdul Razak Monto holds a BSc in Nutrition from the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana, and an MEng in Biochemical Engineering and PhD in Food and Biological Engineering from Jiangsu University, China. He brings a background in analytical chemistry, gene expression, microbiology and food chemistry. In the lab he studies the mechanisms that regulate tau aggregate pathology in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, from early-stage assemblies to mature tangles, to advance biomarkers and therapeutics. He enjoys sightseeing, soccer and reading about global politics.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"ruyu-shi\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ruyu-shi.jpg\" alt=\"Ruyu Shi, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Genetic and multi-omics studies of cognitive decline and Alzheimer\u2019s biomarkers.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Ruyu Shi, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Ruyu Shi is a human geneticist trained at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in large-scale genetic and multi-omics studies of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Her work examines genetic influences on cognitive decline and on blood- and imaging-based biomarkers, using approaches such as multi-ancestry GWAS, rare-variant analysis and longitudinal modeling. She brings expertise in statistical genetics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and the integration of proteomic, genomic and neuroimaging data. Outside work she enjoys painting, design, photography and sports.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"anurag-raj\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/anurag-raj-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Anurag Raj, PhD\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Proteomics and computational analysis for Alzheimer\u2019s biomarker discovery.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Anurag Raj, PhD<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Anurag Raj is a bioinformatics researcher working on Alzheimer\u2019s disease biomarker discovery through proteomics and computational analysis. He earned a PhD in Bioinformatics from CSIR-IGIB in New Delhi and previously contributed to single-cell transcriptomics research in traumatic brain injury at UPMC Children\u2019s Hospital of Pittsburgh. His expertise includes proteomics, single-cell RNA-seq, bulk omics and reproducible pipelines. He enjoys traveling and cooking.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== GROUP: Research Staff ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-group\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-group-title\">Research Staff<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-grid\">\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"james-emanuel\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/james-emanuel.jpg\" alt=\"James E. Emanuel\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Over 20 years coordinating studies in late-life mental health and cognition.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">James E. Emanuel<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Senior Research Coordinator<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">James Emanuel has more than 20 years of experience coordinating research in late-life mental health and cognition. He most recently completed the LATTICE study, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial testing whether lithium can prevent people with mild cognitive impairment from developing dementia. He has a long-standing interest in the relationship between psychosis and cognition, contributing to findings on psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer disease, psychotic depression and bipolar disorder. Outside the lab he plays guitar and competitive pinball.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"lamia-choity\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lamia-choity-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Lamia Choity\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Identifying blood biomarkers specific to Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Lamia Choity<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Research Specialist<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Lamia Choity earned a BS in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. At the Aging Institute of UPMC she tested cancer drugs on RB-1 deficient cell lines and worked with C. elegans to identify methyltransferases that confer resistance to oxidative stress. As a Student Behavioral Associate on the geriatric unit at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, her interest in dementia deepened, leading her to the Karikari Lab, where she works on blood biomarkers specific to Alzheimer\u2019s disease. She enjoys drawing and spending time with cats.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"nya-nicholson\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nya-nicholson-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Nya Nicholson\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Biobanking blood samples, and how social and biological factors shape disease risk.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Nya Nicholson<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Research Specialist<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Nya Nicholson graduated from Georgia State University with an interdisciplinary degree in Biomedical Science and Business. She works as a biobanker, processing human blood samples for clinical research, and contributes to ongoing projects. Her interests center on how cultural, environmental, social and biological factors interact to shape disease risk and progression. Outside the lab she enjoys historical fiction, time with her dog, trying new cuisines and volunteering.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"marissa-farinas\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/marissa-farinas-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Marissa F. Farinas\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">The protein biochemistry behind Alzheimer\u2019s biomarkers.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Marissa F. Farinas<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Research Project Coordinator WPIC<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Marissa Farinas earned a BS in Neuroscience at The Ohio State University, testing small-molecule inhibitors in models of multiple sclerosis, and an MS in Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she used single-nuclei RNA sequencing to uncover markers of vulnerability and resilience in the hippocampus in Alzheimer\u2019s disease. After a year in a neuropathology lab studying essential tremor, she returned to the Alzheimer\u2019s field. She enjoys long-distance running, hockey and reading.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"michel-nafash\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/michel-nafash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Michel N. Nafash\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Simoa and NULISA immunoassays, and validation of new biomarker assays.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Michel N. Nafash<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Research Project Assistant<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Michel Nafash holds a BS in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State and is pursuing an MS in Translational Pharmacology at The Ohio State University. He runs clinical cohort studies with Simoa and NULISA immunoassays to quantify Alzheimer\u2019s biomarkers in human biofluids, helps develop in-house assays, and leads a clinical and analytical validation study following FDA bioanalytical guidelines. He also trains new staff and writes standard operating procedures. Outside the lab he enjoys gardening, soccer and nature walks.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== GROUP: Data Science & Administrative Staff ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-group\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-group-title\">Data Science &amp; Administrative Staff<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-grid\">\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"happiness-aigbogun\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/happiness-aigbogun.jpg\" alt=\"Happiness Aigbogun\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Bioinformatics and statistics on Alzheimer\u2019s biomarker data.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Happiness Aigbogun<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Data Coordinator &amp; Analyst<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Happiness Eric Aigbogun holds a BSc in Computer Science from Landmark University, Nigeria, and specializes in computational biology, single-cell RNA sequencing and machine learning. Her work has included predictive modeling for colorectal cancer classification and scRNA-seq analysis of olfactory datasets. In the lab she runs bioinformatic and statistical analyses of Alzheimer\u2019s biomarker measurements and contributes to manuscripts. She enjoys painting, cooking global cuisines and documentaries.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"theresa-boots\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/theresa-boots-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Theresa E. Boots, MS\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Machine learning on large cohort datasets to find biomarker patterns.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Theresa E. Boots, MS<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Statistician<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Theresa Boots holds an MS in Statistics and a BS in Biology, with a Neuroscience concentration and Mathematics minor, from West Virginia University. Her experience covers study design and data analysis in toxicology, epidemiology and risk assessment. Her research applies advanced machine-learning methods to large cohort datasets to investigate biomarker patterns and associations. She enjoys family time, travel and trying new coffee shops.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"brandon-lorme\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/brandon-delorme.jpg\" alt=\"Brandon De Lorme\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Database design, data quality and automating the lab\u2019s workflows.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Brandon De Lorme<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Database Manager<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Brandon De Lorme brings a background in clinical research, data quality and database programming, spanning specimen processing, laboratory billing and reconciliation, oncology research, vaccination data exchange, database auditing and design. He loves improving workflows through automation, building intuitive interfaces and finding programmatic fixes for recurring problems. Outside work he cultivates seeds from local trees, hikes, plays Dungeons &amp; Dragons and the jazz triangle.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== GROUP: Graduate Students ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-group\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-group-title\">Graduate Students<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-grid\">\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"menayit-dresse\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/menayit-dresse-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Menayit Tamrat Dresse\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">How blood biomarkers perform across populations and in real-world care.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Menayit Tamrat Dresse<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Graduate Student<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Dr. Menayit Tamrat Dresse is pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. She earned her medical degree at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, and a Master\u2019s in Public Health and Health Economics at Ume\u00e5 University, Sweden. Her research identifies biofluid biomarkers for Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related dementias, examines how they perform across population-based cohorts, and builds a roadmap for using blood biomarkers in real-world patient care. She enjoys swimming, travel, reading and new cuisines.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"aj-gilsrud\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/aj-gilsrud-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Alexandra Jean (AJ) Gilsrud\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Mass spectrometry assays to expand diagnostics for neurodegenerative disease.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Alexandra Jean (AJ) Gilsrud<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Graduate Student<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">AJ Gilsrud holds degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience and German Language and Culture from Western Washington University. Before graduate school she studied mitochondrial dynamics in familial Parkinson\u2019s disease at NINDS, and in 2024 she began graduate studies at the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. Her current work develops mass spectrometry assays to expand diagnostic tools for Alzheimer\u2019s and other neurodegenerative diseases. She enjoys drawing, painting, pyrography, hiking and her cats.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"joanne-xie\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/joanne-xie-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Joanne Xie\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Alpha-synuclein assays for Parkinson\u2019s and related diseases.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Joanne Xie<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Graduate Student, 2026<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Jiaan (Joanne) Xie holds a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing a PhD in the Center for Neuroscience (CNUP) program at Pitt. Her research in the Karikari Lab focuses on developing alpha-synuclein detection assays to expand diagnostic tools for Parkinson\u2019s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, driven by her passion for biomarkers that enable early detection and diagnosis. Outside the lab she sings in a choir and enjoys video games. She is also a huge fan of boba, musicals and symphony orchestras.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== GROUP: Student Workers ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-group\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-group-title\">Student Workers<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-grid\">\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"shayna-brodman\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"https:\/\/karikarilab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shayna-brodman-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Shayna Brodman\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\">Plasma protein biomarkers of Alzheimer\u2019s disease using Simoa technology.<\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">Shayna Brodman<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Student Worker, 2025<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\">Shayna Brodman is an undergraduate student-athlete at Davidson College, studying biology with a minor in neuroscience on the pre-health track while competing in Division I lacrosse. In the lab she uses Quanterix Single Molecule Array (Simoa) technology to investigate plasma protein biomarkers of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. She plans to pursue an MD-PhD in neurology. Outside the lab she enjoys exercise, hiking, kayaking and local coffee shops.<\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <!-- EXAMPLE: new member with no bio yet (uncomment to use)\r\n          <article class=\"kl-person\" id=\"first-last\">\r\n            <div class=\"kl-photo\">\r\n              <img data-photo=\"first-last.jpg\" alt=\"First Last\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n              <div class=\"kl-overlay\"><p class=\"kl-teaser\"><\/p><span class=\"kl-cta\">Read bio \u2192<\/span><\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-name\">First Last<\/p>\r\n            <p class=\"kl-role\">Job Title<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"kl-bio\"><\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n          -->\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <!-- ========== ALUMNI (copy\/delete one .kl-alum line per person) ========== -->\r\n      <div class=\"kl-alumni\" id=\"alumni\">\r\n        <h3>Alumni<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-alumni-grid\">\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Alexandra Izydorczak, PhD<\/span><span>Postdoctoral Fellow, 2024\u20132026<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Ella Klaus<\/span><span>Research Specialist, 2026<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>John Grizzanti, PhD<\/span><span>Postdoctoral Fellow, 2023\u20132025<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Yijun Chen<\/span><span>Graduate (PhD) Student, 2023\u20132025<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Akshay Prasadan<\/span><span>Statistician, 2024\u20132025<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Nick Heaton<\/span><span>Biostatistics Student, 2024\u20132025<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Tara Lafferty<\/span><span>Research Principal, 2023\u20132025<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Ally Albert<\/span><span>Research Associate, 2024<\/span><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"kl-alum\"><span>Kathryn Mi<\/span><span>Student Worker, 2024<\/span><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <!-- ==================== BIO POPUP (filled automatically, no need to edit) ==================== -->\r\n  <div class=\"kl-modal\" hidden>\r\n    <div class=\"kl-m-card\" role=\"dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"kl-m-name\">\r\n      <div class=\"kl-m-photo\"><img alt=\"\"><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"kl-m-body\">\r\n        <div class=\"kl-m-eyebrow\"><span class=\"bar\"><\/span><span class=\"kl-m-group\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n        <h3 class=\"kl-m-name\" id=\"kl-m-name\"><\/h3>\r\n        <p class=\"kl-m-title\"><\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"kl-m-bio\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <button type=\"button\" class=\"kl-m-close\" aria-label=\"Close\">\u00d7<\/button>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n(function () {\r\n  \/* >>> EDIT THIS: folder URL where you uploaded the images (keep trailing slash) <<< *\/\r\n  var UPLOAD_BASE = 'https:\/\/YOUR-SITE.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/';\r\n\r\n  var root = document.querySelector('.kl-about:not([data-kl-ready])');\r\n  if (!root) return;\r\n  root.setAttribute('data-kl-ready', '1');\r\n\r\n  \/* Images: data-photo=\"file.jpg\" -> UPLOAD_BASE + file; full URLs used as-is *\/\r\n  root.querySelectorAll('img[data-photo]').forEach(function (img) {\r\n    var v = img.getAttribute('data-photo').trim();\r\n    if (!v) return;\r\n    img.src = \/^(https?:)?\\\/\\\/\/.test(v) || v.charAt(0) === '\/' ? 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