@ Rutgers University
ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Alexandra obtained her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and then her doctoral degree in Molecular Biophysics from The Rockefeller University. She conducted postdoctoral studies in the group of HHMI investigator, Dr. Niko Grigorieff, first at Brandeis University and later at the HHMI Janelia Farm Research Campus as a Damon Runyon Fellow. She is the recipient of an At the Interfaces Award from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a Medical Research Award from The Rhode Island Foundation, two Salomon Faculty Research Awards from Brown University, and awards from NATO, the German Society of Biochemistry, The International Brain Organization, and Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. She has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and has served on review panels for federal, foreign, and international funding agencies. She was on the faculty at Brown University from 2014 to 2024 and relocated to The Institute of Quantitative Biomedicine at Rutgers University in 2025. She is excited about structural biology, responses to stress and DNA damage, microtubules, and all things biochemical.
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E-mail: alexandra.deaconescu@rutgers.edu
Alexandra Deaconescu,
B.E., Ph.D.
MEMBERS
Daniel Reda
Postgraduate researcher
E-mail: dgr123102(a)gmail.com
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Daniel Reda is a recent graduate from the College of New Jersey, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biology. Daniel specialized in cellular and molecular biology, with a focus and passion for disease progression and cellular degeneration. Hoping to return to further his education, Daniel enjoys painting, hiking, and cooking in his free time. ​
Manan Gosai
Undergraduate researcher
E-mail:
mhg64(a)scarletmail.rutgers.edu
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Manan is a 4th year student at Rutgers University—New Brunswick pursuing a double degree in Cell Biology & Neuroscience + Data Science. Manan’s previous experience includes a summer internship with BeOne Medicines in the biopharmaceutical sector contributing to cell culture operations and biologics manufacturing, as well as a year of lab experience in the Department of CBN as an Aresty Research Assistant working with Blood-Brain-Barrier mechanics and Zebrafish. Aspiring to pursue a PhD post graduation, Manan also enjoys Hiking, Star Wars, and History.
Monica Nitu
Special volunteer
E-mail:
mnitu1717(a)gmail.com
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Monica Nitu is a sophomore at Columbia University studying History on the pre-med track. Monica’s previous experience includes neurology research and meta-analyses at the Mayo Clinic, contributions to case studies presented at the American Society of Neuroimaging, and editorial roles in science, philosophy, and art publications. An aspiring physician, Monica also enjoys painting, reading, and writing as hobbies.
Suma Katta, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
E-mail:
suma16(a)gmail.com
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Dr. Suma Katta is a structural biologist specializing in protein crystallography, molecular biology, and protein biochemistry. With extensive postdoctoral research experience across leading scientific institutions, she has contributed multiple peer‑reviewed publications and deposited several high‑resolution protein structures in the Protein Data Bank. She is interested in expanding science outreach and promoting clear, accessible scientific communication.
Academic & Research Journey:
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Ph.D., University of Hyderabad
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Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.
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Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Delaware
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Postdoctoral Scientist, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine (Current)
Illia Kholiavin
Postgraduate Researcher
E-mail:
illiakholiavin(a)gmail.com
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Illia holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and has experience in protein purification, enzymatic assays, and molecular biology techniques. His interests focus on protein biology in cancer, including protein homeostasis, epigenetic regulation, and engineered therapeutic strategies such as targeted protein degradation (PROTACs) and CRISPR-derived approaches, with an emphasis on translational relevance.