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SouzaLab
Meet the Team
Team Members
Jocelin Reyes, B.S.
Research Assistant / Lab Manager
Jocelin has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a certificate in healthy development. She contributes to research by focusing on the cognitive changes due to circadian dysregulation. Jocelin is passionate about understanding the cognitive changes in Alzheimer’s disease and the relationship between brain-gut axis. When she is not working, she enjoys watching kdramas, swimming and traveling.
Amanda Essoh, PhD
Research Associate
Amanda studies striatal circuitry and neuron activity in the context of neurodegenerative disease. She is an advocate for access and progress in medical science to help everyone understand more about health and nature. When she is not working, Amanda spends time with her family, friends, and as many animals as possible.
Mar (Marivelle) Levett, B.S.
Research Technician
A native of New Braunfels, Texas, Mar earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with a minor in Business at Texas A&M University. She has been a part of the lab since April 2024, and explores how circadian dysregulation impacts the gut (often called the body's second brain). When she is not in lab, Mar enjoys hiking, playing video games, and snuggling with her cats.
Post-Docs
Hannah Smith, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Hannah is originally from Boise, Idaho. She holds a B.S. in biotechnology with an emphasis in microbial systems and a minor in microbiology from Montana State University, and a PhD in medical sciences from Texas A&M University. Hannah is passionate about immunology and in her free time she loves exploring the outdoors, running, hiking, skiing, and traveling to new places. As a devoted cat enthusiast, Hannah brings curiosity, energy, and dedication to both her scientific work and her adventures.
Graduate Students
Maryam Olaleye, B.S.
Research Technician
Maryam contributes to research examining the relationship between circadian rhythm disruption and cognitive impairment with animal models. In addition, she conducts literature reviews to support the development of human-based research. When she is not working, Maryam reads science fiction books, listens to K-pop music, and spends time with family.
Undergraduates
Caden Harper
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Caden is a senior studying Biomedical Science with a minor in Public Health. In his free time he enjoys going to concerts, running, and watching F1. While in this lab he enjoys applying what he learns to real-world challenges. With the goal of using science to make a meaningful impact on public health.
Emily Iglesias
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Emily is an undergraduate Biology student with a minor in Public Health. In the lab, she studies how circadian rhythm dysregulation affects cognition, sleep-wake cycles, and neuroinflammation, focusing on microglial activity and aging. Outside the lab, she is active at the BUILD construction site, builds relationships with her mentees, spends time with friends, and enjoys good food.
Harshitha Shanmugam
Undergraduate Academic Collaborator
​Harshitha is a class of ‘27 cellular and molecular neuroscience major from Katy, TX. Her interests in lab are the connection between the gut microbiome, the brain, and cognitive aging. Harshitha plans on attending graduate school in the future. In her free time, she likes to read, paint, and listen to music.
Ethan Tran
Undergraduate Academic Collaborator
Ethan Tran is a Biomedical Science’s Major at Texas A&M University from Houston, Texas. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine on the premed track. Some things he enjoys in his free time are the outdoors, golf, and cooking.
Alex Xin
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Alex is an undergraduate student from Sugar Land, Texas. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, golfing, and photography.
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