Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Yuan Pan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Scholar in Cancer Research
Email: YPan4@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Yuan Pan's research program lies at the intersection of neuroscience and cancer biology. The Pan Lab, established in the Department of Symptom Research in 2022, focuses on understanding the interactions between neurons, cancer cells and chemotherapy. These efforts aim to shed light on the pathogenesis of several types of nervous system cancers and to provide potential strategies for predicting, treating and preventing these cancers and improving patient quality of life.
Dr. Pan trained with Drs. David Gutmann and Michelle Monje in cancer neuroscience, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and glial biology. Her recent work has revealed that neuronal activity synchronizes with germline Nf1 (a tumor suppressor) mutation to drive the initiation and maintenance of optic pathway glioma (Pan et al., Nature, 2021).
Dr. Pan was recently named a 2024 Andrew Sabin Family Fellow in Basic/Translational Science.
Anand K. Singh, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Anand joined the Pan Lab in October 2022. He is a neuroscientist with more than 15 years of experience in preclinical drug testing and regulatory affairs. He completed his Ph.D. at CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, where he and his colleagues established a new pesticide-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. During his postdoctoral fellowship at Linkoping University, he worked on the neurocircuitry of the affective dimension of inflammatory pain. Currently, Anand is handling multiple projects on chemotherapy drug treatment, the assessment of neurotoxic side effects, and reverse translation of a small molecule inhibitor targeting oxidative phosphorylation as an anticancer strategy.
Benjamin E. Aghoghovwia, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Benjamin came to the Pan Lab in November 2022. He obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand in 2018 and completed his postdoctoral training at both Otago and the University of California, San Francisco. His Ph.D. thesis and postdoctoral research mainly explored the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells in neurological disorders of the basal ganglia, such as neonatal stroke and cerebral palsy. His interest in expanding knowledge in neuroscience led him to the Pan Lab. His career goal is to understand the mechanisms of neuron-glia interaction in neurogenetic disorders such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics, extend the frontiers of knowledge and promote patient care.
Kechen Ban, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Kechen has been a member of the Pan Lab since March 2023. He received his doctoral degree in molecular biology from the University of Putra, Malaysia. He has more than 20 years of experience in cancer research. Currently, his main interest is to understand the neuronal regulation of nervous system cancer and glia-mediated neurological deficits.
Khushboo Irshad, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Khushboo has been a member of the Pan Lab since September 2022. She completed her Ph.D. in biochemistry at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India, in 2013. Her Ph.D. thesis and postdoctoral research involved the study of signaling pathways implicated in brain tumors and patient-derived primary cultures. Her current interest includes the study of the intricacies between cancer cells and cells of the nervous system. Khushboo's long-term academic goal is to learn the advanced modalities that can help to better investigate the molecular mechanisms that pose challenges in the therapy of cancer patients.
Khalil Ali Ahmad Kasm, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Khalil joined the Pan Lab in July 2022. He obtained his Ph.D. in pharmacology from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2021. His research focuses on the field of cancer neuroscience and neuropharmacology. He has eight years of research experience in chronic pain, neuronal-glial interaction and oxidative stress, and he has published several peer-reviewed manuscripts. His career goals are to discover the mechanisms of action of novel therapies and disease-related pathogenesis by using preclinical and translational research that can substantially benefit clinical research and improve patient quality of life.
In his free time, Khalil enjoys swimming, football, hiking and cooking.
Momo K. Harris, B.S.
Senior Research Assistant
Momo joined the Pan Lab in February 2024. She earned her B.S. in biology from Brigham Young University in 2018, where she first learned lab management skills in the Evolutionary Ecology Lab with live-bearing fishes. Since graduating, she has worked with mice extensively in neuroscience and cancer biology. In the Pan Lab, she functions as the general lab manager, supervising the animal colony as a whole and lending research support to behavioral and immunohistochemistry experiments.
Momo’s hobbies include crafting, playing with the Houston Concert Band, reading and listening to books, and playing board games.
Chhay Hok, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Chhay earned his B.S. in Nutrition from Texas A&M University in May 2024. During his time there, he was involved in murine model research examining how maternal nutrition affects offspring metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. That experience solidified his passion for research and shaped his desire to pursue a career in biomedical science. Chhay is excited to continue building on this foundation in the Pan Lab, where he looks forward to gaining new skills and learning from experienced scientists. His long-term goal is to pursue a graduate degree and continue doing research aimed at improving cancer treatment.
In his free time, Chhay enjoys staying active, cooking, and reading.
Tahara Trimble, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Tahara is a dedicated healthcare professional with a growing focus on clinical research. With a solid foundation in healthcare settings, she has developed a strong understanding of patient care and symptom management that drives her passion for research aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Tahara is currently pursuing a master’s degree in genetics, which aligns with her desire to contribute to evidence-based practices that address patient needs, particularly in the area of symptom research. Her long-term goal is to leverage her research and analytical skills to impact healthcare policy and promote patient-centered care.
Alesandra Echeandía Marrero
Ph.D. Student
Alesandra was a rotating graduate student in the Pan Lab from January to March, 2024. In May 2024, she joined the lab as a permanent member. She is continuing her Ph.D. studies in the neuroscience program at the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Cheng-En (Allen) Shen
Ph.D. Student
Allen is a first-year Ph.D. student enrolled at the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He joined the Pan Lab in March 2024 as a rotation student. In May 2024, he became a full-fledged member of the lab. He earned his master's degree in molecular and cellular biology from National Tsing Hua University in 2020. His research at that time delved into tumor metabolism and its implications for cancer progression. Subsequently, he became a research assistant in a neurotechnology laboratory at Academia Sinica, where he led a project to design molecular tools for precise control of neurotransmitter receptors by using optogenetics techniques. Currently, his main interest is to explore the involvement of tumor suppressors in neuron-glia/glia-glia communication, neurological function, and gliomagenesis.
Outside the lab, Allen is an animal lover, especially cats and dogs. He also likes to play pickleball and badminton.
Aishani S. Gargapati, B.S.
Research Assistant I
Aishani joined the Pan Lab in October 2023 as a student volunteer. She graduated from Rice University in May 2024 has joined the lab full time. At Rice, she majored in biosciences (concentrating on cell biology and genetics) and minored in medical humanities. She has conducted research in metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics. She aspires to pursue a career as a physician-scientist, providing patient-centered care and conducting cancer research.
Outside of the lab, Aishani enjoys playing tennis, dancing Indian classical dance and Bhangra, and spending time with family and friends.
Madeline N. Ansley
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Madeline joined the Pan Lab in October 2023. She is majoring in both neuroscience and studio art at Rice University. She hopes to attend medical school and to specialize in surgery.
Outside of the lab, Madeline's hobbies include painting, drawing, and weightlifting.
Varsha K. Chandramouli
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Varsha is a junior at Rice University pursuing degrees in Sports Medicine and Spanish. She hopes to become a physician in the future and to pursue oncology.
In her free time, Varsha enjoys running, biking, and rock climbing.
Nathan Chen
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Nathan is a sophomore at Rice University. He is interested in medicine, computer science, and health policy in general and in neuroscience more specifically. A native of Iowa City, he has studied abroad twice, most recently in South Korea. In the Pan Lab, he looks forward to exploring the new (to him) field of cancer neuroscience.
Outside the lab, Nathan enjoys playing sports, reading books of all kinds, and trying new things.
Elise (Sae-Eun) Cho
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Elise joined the Pan Lab in May 2025. She is a sophomore at Rice University majoring in neuroscience and minoring in medical humanities, and she is also pursuing a certificate in Spanish. She is interested in both neuroscience and oncology, and she hopes to delve into the intersection of these interests in the Pan Lab. She plans to pursue medicine after completing her undergraduate degree.
Outside of the lab, Elise loves reading novels and writing short stories and poetry.
Melissa (Xiaoyu) Geng
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Melissa joined the Pan Lab in May 2025. She is an undergraduate student at Rice University working towards a dual degree in neuroscience and sports medicine. She has used electrophysiology techniques to conduct research on microglial regulation of obesity, and she is more than excited to further explore the field through cancer neuroscience research at the Pan Lab. Her ultimate aim is to pursue a medical career in either neurology or neurosurgery.
As a native Houstonian, Melissa loves exploring the city’s diverse food culture and trying out new restaurants and cafes with friends. In her free time, she enjoys biking, bodybuilding and binge-watching dramas on the couch.
Ava S. Hamblett
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Ava joined the Pan Lab in January 2024. She is a sophomore at Rice University working towards a major in biosciences with a concentration in cellular biology and genetics and a major in kinesiology. She is passionate about biology and the medical field and excited about opportunities in research and physical therapy.
Ava is a scoring member of the Rice University Division 1 swim team.
Shreya Raja
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Shreya is a rising sophomore at The University of Texas in Austin, where she worked in the DIY Diagnostics Lab as part of the Freshman Research Initiative Program. Next semester, she will work with a team to design a diagnostic device, possibly for Huntington disease, to be used in low-resource situations. Her future goals including earning her Ph.D., conducting research, and becoming a professor.
In her free time, Shreya enjoys painting, listening to music, playing the guitar, and watching shows and movies. Her current preferences include cooking shows, Death Note, and Stranger Things; her all-time favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. She is also a huge cat person.
Avani Shepherd, B.S.
Research Medical Student
Avani is a second-year medical student at McGovern Medical School. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in biochemistry from Texas State University in 2021. Before medical school, she worked in environmental health and safety, gaining experience in public health and workplace safety. She is interested in internal medicine and is committed to serving underserved communities as a future physician.
In her free time, Avani enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy novels.
Meishan (Ella) Zhou
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Ella is a sophomore studying neuroscience at Rice University and is also interested in bioengineering. She hopes to pursue a career in neuropathology research.
Outside of the lab, Ella loves photography, gaming, and running.
Shungu Zimbwa
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Shungu joined the Pan Lab in October 2023. He is a student at Rice University.
María Monserrath Olivera Acevedo
Monserrath (Monse) was part of the Pan Lab from January to March, 2024. She is a third-year undergraduate student earning a bachelor's degree in biosciences at the Tecnologico de Monterrey University. Her interests are neurology, genetics and immunology, as well as how these three converge in neurodegenerative disease. Future plans include medical school and specializing in neurology, and she also hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in neurogenetics or neuroimmunology.
Sama A. Alnassiry, B.S.
Sama joined the Pan Lab in May 2022, shortly after earning her B.S. in biomedical sciences from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her research there focused primarily on understanding the bacteria Streptococcus Mutans K. She left the lab in April 2024 to join UT Health as a research associate.
Renae E. Bertrand, Ph.D.
Renae joined the Pan Lab as a Research Investigator in April 2023. She is now a Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist at The University of Texas Heath Science Center at Houston (UT Health Houston).
Nathan T. Bui
Nathan was an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in the Pan Lab from October 2023 to August 2024. He is pursuing a degree in neuroscience and biosciences at Rice University. He has conducted research on the hypothalamic regulation of appetite and satiety in ob/ob transgenic mouse lines and on the determination of potential biomarkers for IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in glioblastoma.
Rommel Caballero-Juarez
Rommel was an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in the Pan lab during his senior year at Rice University, where he studied cell biology and genetics.
Seynabou (Zaina) Diagne
Zaina spent summer 2024 as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in the Pan Lab. A native Houstonian, she is majoring in neuroscience (pre-med track) at Dartmouth College and is minoring in Russian studies.
Hana El-Toukhy
Hana joined the Pan Lab as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in May 2022. She is pursuing a biomedical engineering degree at the University of Houston. Her research interests have included genetic engineering for neurological and retinal degenerative diseases.
Emilia Gibson Lopez
Emilia joined the Pan Lab in December 2024 as a rotating undergraduate student, to complete a 6-week rotation as part of her educational program iat Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City. As a biosciences student, she has worked on projects investigating the effect of different viruses on the immune system and on a neuroscience project about gliomas.
Tasneen Islam
Tasneen joined the Pan Lab as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in September 2022. She is now pursuing her M.D. at Western University of Health Sciences - Oregon Campus.
Sara E. Maupin-Garcia
Sara joined the Pan Lab as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in October 2023. A student at Rice University, Sara changed her major in August 2024 to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and, as a result, transitioned to another lab that more closely reflects that research focus.
Alexia Torres Mendoza
Alexia is an undergraduate student at Tecnologico de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech), where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in biosciences. She completed a 6-week rotation in the Pan Lab in January 2025.
Samer Sharafaldin
Samer joined the Pan Lab as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in October 2023. He graduated in December 2024 from the University of Houston and is seeking employment opportunities in research.
Valeria Vega
Valeria is a fourth-year medical student at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She joined the Pan Lab in December 2024 for a 6-week rotation as part of her educational program. Her ultimate goal is to become a neurosurgeon, and toward that end she is studying for exams to gain entrance into a US neurosurgery residency program.
Jade Xu
Jade was an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in the Pan Lab in Fall 2023. She is now continuing her studies at Rice University.
Elsayed (Sayed) Zaabout
Sayed is a Ph.D. student at the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He joined the Pan Lab for his first rotation in September 2024 and has moved on to the next rotation in his program.
Eric T. Zhang
Eric came to the Pan Lab as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer in October 2023. He is now continuing his studies at Rice University.