Lab Members

Vikram Jakkamsetti

Vikram Jakkamsetti, M.D., Ph.D.

Instructor

Vikram Jakkamsetti received his M.B.B.S. (1998) and M.D. (Internal Medicine, 2002) from South Gujarat University (India) prior to a Ph.D. (Cognition and Neuroscience, 2008) from UT Dallas. His previous research examined the neurophysiological consequences of experience dependent plasticity on brain maps, neurons, and synapses. He now explores mechanistic links between energy metabolism and neuronal electrophysiology in mice and patients to provide translational medicine insights for treating seizures and intellectual disability. He also examines the molecular, synaptic and neurophysiological underpinnings of rodent behavior impacted by mutations. When not in the lab, he enjoys volunteering, sprint triathlons and performing Improv (i.e. no script) comedy theater with his spouse and friends.

Qian Ma

Qian Ma, M.D., Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist

Qian Ma was born and raised in China. She received her M.D. from Lanzhou University School of Medicine, Lanzhou, China, and a Ph.D. in Medical Science from Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. She joined the Pascual Lab when it was established in March 2007. Her research is focused on generating disease models and studying the mechanism of rare brain disorders. The goal of Qian’s research is to improve the understanding of mechanisms involved in inherited metabolic and excitability disorders in children and develop new treatments for these diseases. Qian has broad interest in multiple aspects of neurological disorders, and she previously studied the mechanisms related to stroke and traumatic brain injury. Outside of the lab, Qian enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening.

Akshar Dobariya

Akshar Dobaryia, M.S.

Data Scientist

Aksharkumar (Akshar) Dobariya grew up in India, received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Gujarat Technological University in 2016, and worked with neurosurgeons to aid them with his expertise on Neuronavigation and IONM devices. His inquisitiveness brought him to the United States for further study and training in neuroscience research. Akshar received his M.S. in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2020.

With the Pascual lab, Akshar is leading a large animal brain project for high-impact, clinically relevant research questions such as MCA stroke model, brain-network phenomenon using multiple tools such as NMR spectroscopy, neurophysiology, genetics, etc. in pigs. He has a strong background and expertise in neurophysiology data collection and analysis that includes EEG, ECoG, single-units and more. A well-nourished blend of biomedical engineering, neuroscience and data science knowledge and experience enables him a greater flexibility in pursuing high-impact translationally relevant research questions.  

Gauri Kathote

Gauri Kathote, M.S.

Data Scientist

Gauri Anil Kathote was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from University of Mumbai in 2017 and her M.S. in Bioengineering from University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. Her previous research focused on studying electrophysiological and hemodynamic effects in neural circuitry during and after prefrontal Transcranial Infrared Brain Stimulation.

In the Pascual lab, she performs data analysis on human electroencephalograms, neuropsychological tests, and rodent behavioral data to investigate characteristics and treatment efficacy for metabolic disorders. She is enthusiastic about implementing machine-learning algorithms to advance clinical research. In her free time, she enjoys sketching and bird watching.

Gus Angulo

Gustavo Angulo, B.S.

Research Technician

Gus Angulo was born and raised in Dallas. After earning his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of North Texas in 2013, Gus continued his pursuit of neuroscience research by joining the Pascual Lab in January 2019. He was previously focused on research that investigated the use of non-invasive optical imaging and EEG (electroencephalography) to record brain signals from the motor cortex to fulfill the objective of controlling remote prostheses using the decoded brain signals via brain-computer interfaces.

As part of the Pascual Lab team, Gus is currently dedicating his efforts to studying the mechanisms and therapies of metabolic diseases of the brain, including pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency and the use of triheptanoin oil as an alternate energy source for patients. In his free time, Gus enjoys competitive gaming and gardening.

Ignacio Malaga

Ignacio Malaga Dieguez, M.D., Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor

Ignacio Malaga received his M.D. from Oviedo University Faculty of Medicine (Oviedo, Spain) where he also received his Ph.D. degree. After completing his Pediatrics residency at Hospital Universitario Central de Astruias (Oviedo, Spain), he specialized in Pediatric Neurology at Hospital Sant Joan de Deu at Barcelona (Spain). During that period, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Child Neurology from Barcelona University. His previous research has been mostly in the clinical field, focusing on diverse areas of pediatric neurology, especially in epilepsy and autoimmune central nervous system diseases. He is currently the Head of the Pediatric Neurology Unit at Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and he also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Padre Osso Faculty / Oviedo University and collaborates with other private Universities in Spain. He actively collaborates with scientific societies, and is a current member of the Board of the Spanish Pediatric Neurology Society (past President) and member of the Board of the European Pediatric Neurology Society (EPNS). His position as Visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Neurology at UTSW Medical Center is funded by a grant given by the Alicia Koplowitz Foundation (Madrid, Spain).

Alicia Koplowitz Foundation

2022 Grant Awarded to Ignacio Malaga Dieguez

Adrian Avila

Adrian Avila, B.S.

Clinical Research Manager

Adrian Avila is native Texan from Plano. He earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of North Texas and has been in the Pascual lab for the past 7 years. Adrian is the clinical research manager, managing adult and pediatric clinical research studies for Dr. Pascual and the Glut1 Foundation. He is working with the Glut1 Deficiency Foundation on different activities. Outside of the lab, Adrian enjoys spending time with his family and playing bass guitar. 

Sharon Primeaux

Sharon Primeaux, M.S.

Senior Research Scientist

Sharon Primeaux was born and raised in Killeen, Texas. She received her B.A. degree in 1993 (Psychology) from the University of Houston and her M.S. (Psychology) degree in 2002 from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals since 2011. She is experienced in conducting research in the areas of developmental disabilities, hematology/oncology, psychiatry, neurology, hepatology, and abdominal transplant. In the Pascual lab, Sharon assists with the creation, conduct, and management of multiple clinical research trials. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports and working on home improvement projects.

Lab team, 5 men and 3 women, standing in front of window.