Our Team

Vani is a Staff Scientist in the Copits Lab. She is the molecular biologist responsible for generating all the different optogenetic tools and viral constructs used to study optical modulation of synaptic transmission and circuit tracing in the Copits and Samineni labs, and keeps the lab stocked, organized and not on fire. She loves cooking, reading and spending time with her grandkids.

    Projects:

1. To find the Electrophysiological and transcriptomic class of Human Peripheral Sensory Neurons using Patch-seq

Human-based models and cell culture can reliably identify pain cause to devise a promising new pain treatment. To this end, we use donor tissue samples to gain a better understanding of the cells involved in human pain processing. At WashU Pain Center, I am part of the team that collects Donor tissue (DRG and spinal cord) and uses for research.

2. To understand the role of neurexins trans-synaptic interactions on somatosensory synapse formation and regulation of sensory processing.

The project involves combination of intersectional genetics, viral strategies and Optogenetic manipulations to understand neurexins role in synapse formation and peripheral signal processing.

Education:

• MS: Neuroscience, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
• PhD: Neuroanatomy, AIIMS, New Delhi, India

During my postdoctoral research in Pain Pharmacology at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel and at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, I explored the gating mechanism of TRP channels and role of distinct spinal neurons in somatosensation and pain, respectively.

In my spare time I enjoy listening to music and nature visits.

Dinesh is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. He completed his PhD at the University of Toledo. He is developing and deploying optogenetic tools, such as GPCR-based opsins and optically controllable ligands, to study neuromodulation and synaptic transmission. He enjoys traveling, photography, and playing cricket.

Bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1Fs-gZPUIiOMul/bibliography/public/

Jamie is an MD/PhD student at WashU. They are using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to study how the brainstem modulates pain and responds to opioids. Outside of lab, they are involved in activism and mutual aid in St. Louis. In their free time, they enjoy playing trumpet, board games, and hiking. They also host the podcast In Plain English, a show about making science approachable and jargon-free.

Ping received her M.S. from National Yang-Ming University, where she studied labeling efficiency of neuronal tracers. Before joining the Copits lab, she contributed to biomarker screening research at UCSF. Currently, she is developing novel optogenetic tools at WashU. In her free time, Ping enjoys exercising and reading.

Deblina is a Research Assistant in the Copits group at Washington University in St. Louis. After obtaining her M.Sc. in microbiology from Vidyasagar University, India, she worked at the National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases in India, as a Project Assistant in Virology. Later, she joined Medica Super Speciality Hospital in India and worked as a Scientific Officer in the Molecular Biology department. In 2023 she joined the Copits lab to work on the U19 tissue procurement project. She also performs several molecular biology experiments. Besides research, she loves to practice and perform Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam), and yoga.