People

Farzaneh Najafi, PhD

Principal Investigator

School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech


Office: IBB 3314

Lab: IBB 3205

email ; Twitter ; LinkedIn

I studied Biotechnology (integrated BSc/MSc/PhD program) at the University of Tehran, Iran, and did my master's project on stem cell research at Royan Institute at Hossein Baharvand's lab. 

I came to the US in 2007 to do my PhD in systems neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. I studied cerebellar mechanisms underlying motor adaptation in Javier Medina's lab and collaborated with Sam Wang's lab at Princeton University.

In 2014, I joined Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as a postdoc to study parietal cortex circuits underlying cognitive behavior in Anne Churchland's lab. 

In 2019, I joined the Allen institute for Brain Science to investigate the neural circuits of visually guided behavior using a team science approach

In January 2023, I started my appointment as an assistant professor at Georgia Tech to investigate the circuits and computations that underlie predictive processing in the brain.

Yicong Huang, MS

PhD Student
BME


email 

I am a graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology starting in Fall 2023 in the joint GT/Emory Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program. My research interest is computational neuroscience focusing on the neural mechanisms of learning and memory. Before the Ph.D. program, I earned a Master of Computer Science at Georgia Tech and a Master of Engineering at South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Intelligence Science and Technology at Xidian University, China. I plan to be an independent researcher and contribute to the understanding of the amazing brain.

Sana Naji, BS

PhD Student
Quantitative Biosciences


email 

I am a graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology starting in Fall 2024 in the Quantitative Biosciences Ph.D. program at GT. My research interest is cognitive and computational neuroscience. Before the Ph.D. program, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in bioelectronics at Sharif University of Technology, Iran. I plan to become a researcher and hopefully work on novel areas of learning in neuroscience.

Tim Stamm, MS

Research Engineer
ECE


email 

I graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2009 with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering.  I have held various engineering positions in both government and industry prior to deciding to return to graduate school in 2021 for an MS ECE.  My interests are geared towards being able to understand and replicate human neurophysiological architecture and functionality in the effort to treat various medical conditions, augment human capabilities, as well as developing biologically inspired artificial intelligence systems.

Sophie Medico, BS

Research Technician
Neuro


email 

I graduated from Baylor University in 2024 with a BS in Neuroscience. In the fall of 2024 I joined the Lab, and I am excited to explore the complex mechanisms behind learning and memory. I would eventually like to continue my education in neuroscience and to contribute to our scientific understanding of the brain.

Hosala Patil, BS

MS Student
Bioinformatics


email 

I am a master student at Georgia Institute of Technology in the department of Bioinformatics. I am interested in the field of neuroscience, neurological disorders and bioinformatics. I am working on both computational and engineering research in lab. I earned my Bachelor’s in Bioinformatics at Saveetha University, India. I hope to achieve new breakthrough in science (neuroscience).

Dan Nguyen, BS

MS Student
Biomedical Engineering


email 

I am a master's student at Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Biomedical Engineering. My research interests are behavioral and predictive/computational neuroscience. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at University of Massachusetts Amherst and gradually realized my growing interest in health sciences. My previous experience was in experimental wet laboratory works, while now I am eager to improve my knowledge in computational research. I am highly motivated and interested in pursuing advance degree in interdisciplinary neuroscience.

Kayla Frasier, BS

MS Student
Biology


email 

I am a master's student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, pursuing my master’s degree in biology. I am delighted to be a part of this lab, where I focus on behavioral aspects. Through this experience, I hope to deepen my understanding of the intersection between neural processes and behavior, and I look forward to making meaningful contributions to this exciting field

Yunkai Zhang

Undergraduate Research Assistant

EE


email 

I'm currently a student majoring in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, focusing on Electronic Devices and Electric Energy Systems. I'm passionate about integrating engineering principles with medical applications, and I'm excited to apply my knowledge to projects that advance neuroscience and medical technologies.

Preeti Vellanki

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio


email 

I’m currently a third year at Georgia Tech, pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in psychology. I’m very excited to be working with the behavioral side of the lab. My interests lie in the intersection between psychology and neuroscience and I plan to become an M.D in the future. I hope to be a practicing physician and contribute to the growing field of neurological and psychological research. 

Yuvraj Dhadwal

Undergraduate Research Assistant
CS


email 

I'm a second-year Computer Science undergraduate at Georgia Tech with a keen interest in the intersection of Machine Learning and Neuroscience. My passion lies in exploring how advanced computational techniques can be applied to better understand brain function and improve human health. As I continue my studies, I am eager to delve deeper into research and projects that contribute to improving lives.

Siya Kumar

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Bio


email 

I’m a third year student at Georgia Tech majoring in Biology and minoring in Health Economics and Policy. I am very interested in psychology and neuroscience and I’m excited to be working on the behavior side of the lab! Looking ahead, I aspire to obtain a medical degree, with the goal of becoming a physician and contributing to advanced research in the field of psychology.

Misha Mishechkin

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Physics & Applied math


email 

Physics & Applied Math first-year undergrad at Georgia Tech. Conducted award-winning, internationally-recognized aerospace research at MIT, multiple pending patents holder, author of scientific paper, featured in ScienceNews Explore article. Gymnastics athlete & coach. Working at Najafi Laboratory to apply my skillset in another field of science.

Arya Nahri

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Math & Computer Science


email 

I am a Mathematics undergrad, Computer Science minor. I am in my senior year at Georgia Tech and will be returning in Spring 2026 to complete my Master's degree in Math. My primary experience is in ML, statistics, and software engineering. I am highly interested in developing algorithms and models to extract knowledge from real-world data.

Alumni:

Laurence Copeland, BS

Research Technician

BME


email 

I graduated Fall 2023 from Georgia Tech with my Bachelors Degree in in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Physics. I plan to pursue a PhD in neuroscience focusing on behavior-neural mapping and its use in creating models that predict human behaviors. Ultimately, I plan to develop my own models that will allow us to get a better understanding on how we think.


Abhi Saji

High school Research Assistant



email 

I'm a rising high school senior at The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. I'm very excited to work with the lab's behavioral and engineering sides. My interests lie in the intersection between helping others and neuroscience. Once I enter college, I plan to major in Neuroscience and continue contributing to the growing field of neurological research.

Saba Bita

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Neuro


email 

I am a fourth-year neuroscience major with a minor in HMED at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout my academic journey, I have been deeply fascinated by exploring the complexities of the brain and human behavior. My ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD in biomedical engineering, which will enable me to make significant contributions to the advancement of neuroscientific research and the creation of creative solutions for problems concerning neurological health.

Kelly Adams

Undergraduate Research Assistant

ME


email 

I am currently a Mechanical Engineering student concentrating in design at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am passionate about robotic design related to improving and assisting research labs. I intend to pursue a BS/MS and eventually work in the industry.

Yizhao Hou

Undergraduate Research Assistant

ME


email 

I am currently a third-year student at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Robotics. My aspiration is to continue increasing the breadth and dept of my Engineering studies in an interdisciplinary fashion such as with medical robotics, where I can explore the convergence of different disciplines and contribute to the development of innovative solutions.

Belle Abebe

Undergraduate Research Assistant

EE


email 

I am currently a student at Georgia Institute of Technology studying Electrical Engineering with concentrations in Bioengineering and Electronic Devices. With a keen eye for innovation, I aspire to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies that bridge the gap between electrical engineering and the life sciences, aiming to make a positive impact on society's well-being.

Aadya Potdar

Undergraduate Research Assistant

CE


email 

I am a rising third-year Computer Engineering student at Georgia Tech. My fascination lies in the intersection of cutting-edge technology and healthcare, particularly in the exploration and development of innovative medical devices. My goal upon graduation is to contribute to the field of medical robotics, where I can merge my technical expertise with my dedication to improving patient care.

Matthew Ma

Undergraduate Research Assistant

EE


email 

As a third-year student at Georgia Tech, I find myself immersed in the world of Electrical Engineering. I constantly seek out projects that allow me to bridge the gap between theory and application as well as work with others. I have set my sights on a future where I can make significant contributions to the field of innovative medical robotics. 

Reagan Hicks

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio


email 

I am currently working on my bachelor's degree in Biology, with a minor in Neuroscience, at Georgia Institute of Technology. I am interested in the neural applications of genetics, which starts with a good understanding of the brain and the interactions between its structures. I plan to earn my PhD and complete post-doctoral research before becoming a professor. 

Nandita Narayanan

Undergraduate Research Assistant

CS


email 

I'm currently a Computer Science student at Georgia Tech with a concentration in modeling/simulation and artificial intelligence. I'm really excited to work with the computational side of the lab and my interests include data science, machine learning, and neuroscience.

Rikhil Seshadri

Undergraduate Research Assistant

CE


email 

I am a second year pursuing a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering major at Georgia Tech. I am interested in the applications of machine learning and data science in furthering other fields of research, specifically biology, medicine, and neuroscience.

Kevin McCollum

Undergraduate Research Assistant

EE


email 

I am currently an Electrical Engineering major at the Georgia Institute of Technology with interests in Energy Systems and Circuit Technology. My goal is to explore the applications of concepts that I have learned and discover ways to solve problems using engineering. I believe in working with other disciplines of engineering and other fields of study in order to achieve this goal.

Alejandro Avila

Undergraduate Research Assistant

CE


email 

I am a third-year Computer Engineering major at Georgia Tech with concentrations in Computing Hardware and Emerging Architectures and Cybersecurity. I am always trying to expand my knowledge in engineering to become a more well-rounded engineer. My future aspirations include working in computer architecture or RF engineering be it in industry or academia.

Rudra Goel

Undergraduate Research Assistant

CE


email 

I am a first year at Georgia Tech studying Computer Engineering. I joined the Najafi Lab in Fall 2023 to be part of the crossovers between biological sciences and electrical engineering. I plan to continue my research with Dr. Najafi and others at Tech in hopes of achieving new breakthroughs and learning more about the world around us.

Vishaal Jamched

Undergraduate Research Assistant

CS


email 

I am currently a sophomore at Georgia Tech, studying Computer Science with a minor in Neuroscience. I am fascinated by the cross section between these fields and aspire to contribute to understanding the brain better through technological and computational advancements. I find the brain incredibly alluring and believe technology will be vital in unlockocking the secrets it holds.

Kushal Dudipala

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio/CS


email 

My name is Kushal Dudipala and I am a double major in Biology and Computer Science at Georgia Tech. I am currently involved in the computation side of the lab. My interests include computational neuro, bioinformatics, and data analysis.

Daniel Mehrabian, MD

Medical Student

Currently a Class of ’25 M.D. candidate at the Medical College of Georgia, I graduated Magna Cum Laude Finance BBA in 2020 from University of Georgia. Among the lab’s more unique, my background research interests are shared among most of the Najafi lab team – a curiosity for ethology, particular interest in mouse-model surgical tasks (i.e., transcardial perfusion, visceral dissection), bench work, and cellular imaging and histology. Dr. Najafi’s team provides useful experience that helps its members learn and grow – in short, my research sabbatical is certain to prove useful in achieving my career ambitions as a hopeful future surgeon.

Garrett Anderson

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Neuro


email 

I am currently a second year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish at Georgia Tech. After I finish my undergraduate studies, I plan to attend medical school so that I can use my knowledge of Neuroscience and fluency in Spanish to improve the human condition by practicing medicine in underrepresented Spanish speaking countries.

Vanshika Mehta, BS

Research Technician

Neuro


email ; LinkedIn

I graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2022 with a double major in Neuroscience and Mathematics. During my bachelor's, I investigated the role of the locus coeruleus in modulating functional connectivity of brain networks. I also worked on a neurodevelopment project using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. I am passionate about studying neurological disorders and am strongly motivated to help better people's lives through my research skills and experience.