Meet Our Team
Melissa Marquez
Research Project Assistant
Melissa Marquez
Research Project Assistant
Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Boston University. Her research interests center on chronic disease, aging, and population health, with a focus on health equity. Before joining the lab, she was a Research Associate on the NJHealth Study, supporting research on the social, environmental, and behavioral factors that shape health across New Jersey communities. She hopes to build a career advancing population health through epidemiologic research and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the Rutgers School of Public Health.
I'm interested in supporting healthy communities and helping people live life to the fullest. We need to improve our prevention efforts in this country!
BTS leader RM, I would love to ask him about the process of creating an album.
My favorites are listening to music, playing video games or games on my phone (mainly Pokemon Go), or going to concerts.
Nicole Katchur, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Nicole Katchur, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Her research focuses on how traumatic brain injury and neuroinflammation affect cognition and long-term neurological outcomes. She earned her AB in Neuroscience and PhD in Molecular Biology from Princeton University and is currently an MD-PhD trainee at Rutgers RWJMS. She is interested in translational work linking neuroinflammation to cognitive changes.
I study aging because many neurological diseases and cognitive changes develop gradually over time, often long after the initial injury or insult occurs. I’m particularly interested in understanding how processes like neuroinflammation and traumatic brain injury contribute to long-term brain health and neurodegeneration with aging.
Anne Hathaway
Creating new latte flavor combinations, engaging in recreational sports like volleyball and softball, and creating mixed-media art.
Lisa Lanza López, PhD
Research Coordinator
Lisa Lanza López, PhD
Research Coordinator
Dr. Lisa Lanza is a Registered Dietitian with over 12 years of experience in nutrition and public health. She earned her Master of Public Health from Hunter College, City University of New York, and contributed to a randomized controlled trial on childhood obesity prevention at New York University. She completed her PhD in Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University. Dr. Lanza currently serves as a Research Coordinator at the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research at Rutgers University.
I like to help others
The Rock
Dancing, painting, biking, cooking
Danai Chasioti, PhD
Consultant
Danai Chasioti, PhD
Consultant
She is a statistical geneticist and biostatistician with a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and an M.S. in Biostatistics. She provides consulting services across study design, data analysis, and interpretation. Her work focuses on complex diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, using biobank and multi-omic data to identify drug targets and develop polygenic risk scores. Previously, she was a Statistical Geneticist at Biogen, supporting translational research in neurodegeneration.
I study aging because of its strong connection to neurodegeneration and dementia, which are among the most impactful complex diseases affecting quality of life. I am interested in understanding how the human brain changes over time and what drives these processes. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to research that improves prevention, early detection, and overall quality of life.
Keanu Reeves- he seems such a kind, selfless and humble person
Outside of work, I love spending quality time with friends, I enjoy staying active through fitness and CrossFit, as well as traveling and exploring new places. I also love art, and in my free time you’ll usually find me at the beach, at the movies, or taking photos.
