Team Members

Riyi Shi

Mari Hulman George Endowed Professor of Applied Neuroscience

Riyi Shi is the Mari Hulman George Endowed Professor of Applied Neuroscience in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Shi received his MD at Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine (China) and PhD in neuroscience from Purdue University. Dr. Shi is specializing in uncovering the mechanisms of central nervous system trauma and diseases as well as instituting new treatments through innovative experimentation and pioneering new strategies in the field. His research contributions include originating the use of double sucrose gap technique for recording action potential conduction, establishing the methods of neuronal membrane resealing by polyethylene glycol (PEG), identifying acrolein as a key pathological factor in neuronal trauma and degenerative diseases, and establishing novel animal blast injury models. Two of his therapies have went to clinical trials, testing patients with spinal cord and head trauma, and multiple sclerosis.

Brad Duerstock

Associate Professor of Engineering Practice, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University

Brad received his BSE in biomedical engineering from Purdue University and his PhD in neuroscience from Purdue University. Brad’s research interest span from the study of disease states associated with neurological injury to the development of assistive technologies as an effective means of ameliorating functional caused by disability. His work has been published in various research projects in his lab include oxidative stress, assistive technology, physiological telemonitoring, STEM inclusion for persons with disabilities, and 3D visualization of SCI and TBI. Brad is longtime Boilermaker and member of CPR since he was as undergraduate researcher more than two decades ago.

Antoine Jerusalem

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University

Dr. Jerusalem received is his Diplôme d’Ingénieur from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace in France, his Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at Cambridge, MA, and his PhD in computational mechanics of materials from MIT. Antoine is a Fellow of St. Hugh’s College at the University of Oxford, and EPSRC Fellow, and World Economic Forum Young Scientist. His research includes computational mechanics of materials and brain and neuron multiphysics (TBI, ultrasound neuromodulation, etc.).

Richard Rodgers

Neurosurgeon, Clinical Professor, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine

Dr. Rodgers is an MD, Fellow of the American Associations of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS), and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He received his medical degree from the Indiana School of Medicine where he also completed his residency. Dr. Rodgers is associated with Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Indiana University School of Medicine in the Department of Neurological Surgery. Richard is a Harvey Cushing Clinical Fellow from the Neurotrauma and Neurocritical Care at the Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is interested in traumatic brain and spine injury.

Yunjie Tong

Assistant Professor, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University

Dr. Tong received his BS in physics from Beijing University, China. He later received his PhD in biomedical engineering from Tufts University. Dr. Tong\'s group utilizes multiple imaging modalities to identify and understand the neuronal and physiological changes in homeostasis that correlate to various diseases. The main imaging modalities used in his lab are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), electroencephalogram (EEG). Through concurrent multi-modal imaging studies on humans and animals, they try to deepen our understandings of the interactions between 1) neuronal and physiological oscillations; 2) brain function and perfusion; 3) central and peripheral spontaneous fluctuations.

Melissa Lewis

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University

Melissa Lewis received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at North Carolina State University and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the specialty of Neurology. She also completed her PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina State University. Her main research interests include spinal cord injury, neurotrauma and neuroimaging, frequently utilizing translational large animal models of injury and disease.

Jennifer Crodian

Research Associate

Jennifer joined CPR in March 2020 as a Research Associate. She holds a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from Indiana University. Jennifer worked as a high school biology teacher, and moved on to work for a biotech company before coming to Purdue. She has spent almost the last 20 years at Purdue in various research labs primarily with a molecular biology focus. She is helping to manage the research aspect of the group including regulatory documentation, ordering, and scheduling. Currently, Jennifer’s research involvement is focused on the initiation of cortical neuronal cultures that are used for various data collection experiments. Favorite TV show: Santa Clarita Diet

Christina Stober

Administrative Assistant

Christina joined CPR in January 2022 as the Administrative Assistant. She graduated with a BA in English and minor in Communication from Purdue University in 2019, and worked as a library clerk for two years before returning to Purdue to join CPR. She maintains the website, writes the newsletter, develops promotional and marketing material for the Center, and coordinates communication efforts. Outside of work, Christina writes as a hobby and enjoys keeping up with the latest shark research.

Mekyna Hall

Lab Technician

Mekyna joined CPR in February 2022 as a Lab Technician. She graduated from Purdue University in 2021, with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Agriculture in Animal Sciences with a concentration on Biosciences. Her favorite hobbies include traveling, skiing/snowboarding, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Mekyna assists our Research Associate and graduate students with lab tasks and research projects.

Anna Alford

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Anna began her PhD program in biomedical engineering at the Center for Paralysis Research in August 2020. She studied physics and applied mathematics before completing her bachelor’s degree with honors at Furman University. Anna’s current research interest lies in taking a quantitative approach to understand the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease, particularly multiple sclerosis. Fun facts: has a twin brother, traveled internationally playing viola, came face to face with a shark once, and danced in a parade at Disney World.

Brock Beauclair

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Brock received his Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of North Texas in 2019. Brock currently works on using laser ablation to investigate acrolein generated by cortical neurons in the event of very targeted trauma. Brock came to CPR to have the opportunity to put his knowledge of math and physics to work helping people in real and tangible ways. Favorite hobbies: cooking and finding cool vases.

Joseph Fernandez

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Joseph joined the Shi lab in January, 2017. He graduated from Yale with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience in 2012. Following graduation, he worked at the Yale School of Medicine as a post graduate research assistant. There, his research focused on using zebrafish as a model organism for understanding the genetics of autism spectrum disorder. After finishing this position, Joseph traveled to Senegal to start a math and science tutoring business. Having satiated his need for travel and adventure, he returned to the United States to pursue his PhD in biomedical engineering. He is currently an NIH fellow under the Purdue Interdisciplinary Training Program in Auditory Neuroscience (TPAN). In the Shi lab, his work focuses on understanding the subsequent auditory deficits following blast traumatic brain injury, and how these deficits correlate to anatomical changes within the central nervous system. Favorite book: Great Expectations Favorite hobbies: Gardening and cooking.

Brianna Kish

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Brianna is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. She also received her BS in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University. She studies brain hemodynamics and CSF flow and their roles in the progression of injury and disease in humans and animal models. Her research focuses on multimodal imaging, including fMRI, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and EEG.

Shatha Mufti

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Shatha earned her PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences University in Boston. She joined the Center for Paralysis Research in 2021 and is currently working towards her PhD in interdisciplinary biomedical sciences (IBSc) in Dr. Riyi Shi’s lab. Shatha’s research interests include neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, nanobiotechnology and neuropharmacology. Favorite books: Harry Potter franchise Favorite movie: Interstellar Favorite TV shows: House, This is Us.

Edmond Rogers

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Edmond Rogers received his MS in neurophysiology from Dr. Guenter Gross at the University of North Texas in 2018, subsequently entering the Shi laboratory as a Lynn Fellowship recipient. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering as a CTSI TL1 Fellowship recipient, and is investigating the link between traumatic brain injury and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Edmond developed a novel in vitro of trauma (Rogers and Gross, 2019), which allows for the simultaneous electrophysiological and morphological monitoring of neuronal networks exposed to high-g forces in real-time. He is combining this exciting new methodology with Dr. Shi’s well-established in vivo models to explore the underlying mechanisms of primary and secondary injuries and their relationship to neurodegeneration (i.e. Alzheimer’s disease). Favorite hobbies: dressage, classical guitar, volleyball, and hiking with his dog, Daisy Mae.

Rachel Stingel

PhD Student, College of Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Rachel received her BA in neuroscience, with a minor in biology, from Washington & Jefferson College in 2019. In 2021, Rachel received her MS in neuroscience: systems, behavior and plasticity from Temple University. During her time as an undergraduate and graduate student, Rachel’s research focused on neurodegenerative mechanisms and behavioral outcomes as a consequence of mechanical injury, links between the gut-brain axis and dementia, and mapping motor pathways. As a PhD student in CPR, Rachel plans to continue working on spinal cord injury repair. Favorite movies: Rudy, Happy Gilmore Favorite food: Pizza.

Siyuan Sun

PhD Student, College of Veterinary Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences

Siyuan officially joined the Shi lab in August of 2020 as a PhD student through the Purdue Interdisciplinary Life Sciences ((PULSe) program. He graduated from Capital Medical University (China), with a major in spine surgery, and finished his residency training as a surgeon in 2018. Currently, Siyuan’s research interest is to develop, refine and evaluate new treatments, diagnostic imaging tools and various therapy interventions for the individuals who suffer from spinal cord injury (SCI). Favorite hobbies: traveling, all kinds of car racing, especially Formula 1, and making car models.

Ziayang "Sunny" Zhang

PhD Student, College of Veterinary Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences

Sunny graduated from University of California, Davis with a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior. After shadowing in the hospitals, Sunny realized that there was a gap in basic medical research and their clinical relevancy/applications. Her main goal was to conduct research that had a potential to be translated in new pharmaceuticals or therapeutics. She started the PULSe Interdisciplinary PhD program in 2019 and currently works on traumatic brain injury (TBI) related studies. Sunny hopes to integrate the unique in vivo and in vitro TBI models to investigate how management of neuroinflammation could help with the disease prophylaxis or prognosis. Favorite hobbies: On weekends, she likes to do equestrian. After practicing western riding for four years in college, she is now learning Dressage, which is quite a challenge. She also enjoys traveling, reading novels, and hanging out with her nerdy friends to talk about science.