DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY
Our Team
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Pavan Bhargava, MD
Dr. Bhargava is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, also serving as the SOM Co-Director Johns Hopkins University Autoimmunity Center of Excellence. He went to medical school in India at the Christian Medical College (Vellore) and completed his neurology and neuroimmunology training in the US. His goal is to identify new treatments for progressive MS and to help personalize care of people with MS.
LAB MEMBERS
Saumitra Sen Singh
Research Post-Doctoral Fellow
Saumitra is from India. He received his PhD in 2021 and became a lab member in August of the same year. His primary project is conducting extensive functional metabolomics studies to uncover the intricate molecular mechanisms linking metabolite alteration to multiple sclerosis (MS) in mouse models. During his leisure time, Saumitra enjoys engaging in sports activities and watching games with his friends.
Fatemeh Siavoshi
Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellow
Fatemeh is a medical graduate from Iran, having completed her degree in 2021. Since joining the lab in August 2023, she has been working on metabolomics, proteomics, and microbiome studies, with a focus on identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for MS. She also contributes to clinical trials. Outside the lab, Fatemeh enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring nature.
Satheesh Kumar
Research Post-Doctoral Fellow
Satheesh obtained his PhD degree from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in India. He then moved to the Indian Institute of Science for his postdoc to study the therapeutic potential of glial-derived EVs in neurodegenerative diseases. He joined the Bhargava Lab in April 2023 and is currently studying CNS-derived EVs as potential markers of pathological disease mechanisms and biomarkers of treatment response. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing cricket and football.
Dimitrios Ladakis
Research Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dimitrios grew up in Crete, Greece, where he also studied medicine. He graduated in 2020 and joined the lab one year later, working on identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers utilizing transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics along with clinical outcomes. He is currently a neurology resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital and will be staying for neuroimmunology fellowship in July 2027. Outside of the lab, he enjoys going to the movies and exploring Baltimore’s food scene.
Rahel Eskinder
Research Technologist
Rahel graduated with her Biology degree from the University of Virginia. She joined the Bhargava lab in July 2024, where she currently works alongside the postdocs in glial-derived EV projects, mouse models, and cell culture. Rahel also works on the blood processing of samples for patients on clinical trials. When not working in lab, she enjoys being outdoors running, finding new eateries in Baltimore, and going to concerts.
Aymane Allen-Hamnach
Undergrad
Aymane is an undergraduate research student at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Neuroscience. He joined the lab in September 2025, and assists in projects with the animal models of MS, which involves preparing immunofluorescence stains and analyzing CNS tissue samples. Outside of lab, he enjoys lifting weights, cooking, and listening to good music.
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Avery Silliven
Undergrad
Avery is an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Environmental Studies. She joined the lab in September 2026, with research interests including neuroimmunology and neurotoxicology, particularly in how environmental factors may influence neurological health. In her free time, she enjoys goin on runs, reading, and spending time with friends.
LAB ALUMNI
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Rohit Thapa (Undergraduate Researcher/Masters's student)
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Larissa Jank (Research Post-Doctoral Fellow)
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Ashley Muller (Clinical Research Coordinator)
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Veronica Minney (Undergraduate Researcher)
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Deepika Joshi (Research Technologist)
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Kanak Gupta (Research Technologist)
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Soonmyung (Andrew) Hwang (Clinical Research Coordinator)
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Steven Rua (Undergraduate Researcher)
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Sakshi Chopra (Clinical Research Coordinator)
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Ajay Kesharwani (Research Post-Doctoral Fellow)
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Jesse Ritter (Clinical Research Coordinator)
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Sonal Singh (Undergraduate Researcher)
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Kesava Varanasi (Undergraduate Researcher)
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Sophia Kim (Research Technologist)
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Arthur Reyes (Research Technologist)