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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.
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.
Caden Harper, B.S.
Lab Technician I
Caden is a Biomedical Science graduate with a minor in Public Health from Texas A&M University. 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, B.S.
Lab Technician I
Emily is a Biology graduate with a minor in Public Health from Texas A&M University. 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.
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.
PhD Students
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Inesha Wiseman, M.S.
PhD Student
Inesha Wiseman is originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Theatre from Ripon College in Wisconsin, and a Master of Science in Integrated Biomedical Sciences from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently a first-year PhD student in the Medical Sciences program at Texas A&M University. Inesha is passionate about neuroscience, with a particular interest in improving outcomes for the geriatric population facing chronic cognitive and physical conditions. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, coaching youth athletes, and attending theatre productions, bringing both creativity and dedication to her work in and outside of the lab.
Graduate Students
Maryam Olaleye, B.S.
Graduate Researcher
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
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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