Principal Investigator: Andrei Maiseyeu, PhD

After receiving Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , I joined an imaging and cardiovascular biology lab at the Ohio State University, Heart and Lung Research Institute ( DHLRI ) as a post-doctoral fellow. At first, I was puzzled by single-use labware: during my PhD work, thorough hand-washing of used labware was a grueling ritual and, occasionally, a ‘reward’ for successful synthesis. Starting with discovery of disposable plastic flasks that biologists routinely used, I learned many intricacies of medical research. Fast forward 10 years, in November 2016, I joined the faculty at Case Western Reserve University with the goal to elucidate mechanisms of cardiovascular disease through nanotechnology and chemistry. See my biosketch here .

Postdoctoral Scholar: Lauren Switala, PhD

I grew up on the west side of Cleveland. I earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master’s in chemistry from University of Oregon. I worked at Lonza in Bend, Oregon as a research scientist, analyzing formulations of drug products with bioavailability challenges before starting my PhD at CWRU in biomedical engineering. My overall goal in my career is to engineer drug delivery solutions. My PhD in the Maiseyeu lab was to improve the safety and accessibility of gene therapy through the use of PLGA nanoparticles used in conjunction with AAV. Outside of lab, I spend my time mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, playing guitar, reading novels and poetry, sailing, and playing with my cat Schmoo.

MD/PhD Student: Natalie Hong

I was born in Virginia and grew up in Palo Alto, CA. I earned my B.S. in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. During that time, I researched in the Minden Laboratory, primarily working on protein-extracting robots. Afterwards, I completed a post-bac at the National Institutes of Health in the Wood Laboratory working on drug-eluting bone cement and microspheres for cancer therapy. I joined the CWRU MSTP (MD/PhD program) in 2019 and joined the Maiseyeu lab in 2021. My thesis work primarily focuses on engineering our itaconate-delivering nanoparticles to be bioavailable via two routes: 1) oral, and 2) subcutaneous injection. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy singing, partaking in the food at Cleveland, and spending time with my two very cute cats.

MD/PhD Student: Dani Streever

Hi! I’m originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up with a passion for both the arts and sciences. Before pursuing engineering, I trained and performed with Ballet Chicago for a year after high school. I then attended Cornell University, where I earned my undergraduate degree and Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. During my time there, I conducted research in the Yang Lab within the Chemical Engineering Department, focusing on nanoparticle synthesis for drug delivery systems. I am currently in my G1 year as an MD/PhD student in Case Western Reserve University’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) and joined the Maiseyeu Lab in 2024. Outside the lab, I enjoy rock climbing, playing the violin, and spending time with my chaotic shepherd mix puppy.

Research Assistant: Abigail Allio

I was born and raised in Lakewood, OH and completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience at Kent State University. I have a keen research interest in Alzheimer’s Disease and the use of nanoparticles as a potential therapy for neurodegenerative disease. Currently, I am working on developing neuron-based models for neurodegeneration in addition to assisting in projects throughout the lab involving nanoparticles in different disease models.

Research Scientist: Oleksandra (Alex) Pavlova

I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Human and Animal Physiology from Kyiv National University (Ukraine), and a PhD in Experimental Therapy from the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology (Ukraine), where my research focused on smooth muscle and endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases. I was awarded a fellowship by The Physiological Society (UK) to continue studying γ-irradiation-induced vascular muscle damage and also participated in a Royal Society (UK) project investigating vascular complications in diabetes. Following my academic work, I served as a specialist in new drug certification for international pharmaceutical companies entering the Ukrainian market. Prior to joining Case Western Reserve University, I worked as an in vivo CRO specialist with a focus on toxicology, efficacy studies, and PK/PD. At CASE, my primary responsibilities involve in vivo techniques, and I contribute to research projects in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease and environmental pollution.

Undergraduate Student: Alondra Barajas

Alondra Barajas received her B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University and will be pursuing a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at New York Medical College. Her undergraduate research focused on neuroinflammation and therapeutic modulation in Alzheimer’s disease. Her current academic interests include neurodegenerative diseases and targeted drug delivery, with plans to pursue a career in medicine.

High School Student: Ava Kamensky

My name is Ava Kamensky and I was born in China but grew up in Cleveland OH. I am a highschooler at Hathaway Brown, and I joined the Maiseyeu Lab in 2024. I am currently working with my graduate student Natalie Hong, while she helps me on my project surrounding the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease progression.

Past Members

    PhD Student: Lin Di, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar: Alice Chaplin, PhD

Research focus: Design and use of novel therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular disease through GLP-1 receptor activation

Research Assistant: Huiyun Gao

Research focus: Cellular mechanisms of atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic diseases with integrated nanotechnology

Research Assistant: Courteney Asase, MD

Research focus: Cellular and molecular mechanism of different cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis

Medical Student: Matt Mignery, MD

Research focus: Elucidating atherosclerotic macrophage metabolism along its M1/M2 polarization spectrum

Join Our Team!

This could be you! Contact us if you are interested in joining our team!