People

Our lab is formed by an enthusiastic group of postdocs and students with diverse professional expertise including Neuroscience, Medicine, Biomedical and Electrical Engineering, Materials science. Members include students from China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Vietnam, and the USA.

Postdoctoral

Dr. Maria Alejandra González-González is Research Associate II. She received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences with honor mention and her MSc. in Neurobiology from the Neurobiology Institute at UNAM, Mexico. She obtained her bachelor as Pharmaceutical Chemist Biologist from the University of Querétaro, MX. She was awarded an international Fellowship from the Grass Foundation in 2019. Dr. Gonzalez is member of the National System of Investigators (SNI) in MX. Her research contributions include the discovery of new cellular populations in the periventricular zone of the cerebellum. Current projects include decoding and neuromodulation of functional neuronal networks in the autonomic nervous system for bioelectronic medicine, and the implementation of neural interfaces with engineered materials (shape memory polymers and high performance graphene electrodes).

PhD Students

David Lloyd Ph.D. candidate and Sr. Research Assistant. Received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Houston. His primary interests are in computational approaches to physiological and medical problems. His primary focuses include modeling and simulation, electrochemistry, machine learning, and image-based techniques. His current research focuses on the computational description of peripheral nerve interfaces and neural function.

Farial Rahman Ph.D. candidate and Research Assistant. She completed her undergraduate in The University of Texas at Dallas, graduating with CollegiumV Honors and Cum Laude Latin honors with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Business Administration. Her undergraduate research and capstone project focused on peripheral nerve regeneration using a biomimetic nerve implant. Her current project focuses on the use of wireless neural interfaces for peripheral nerve regeneration and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Farial is an international student from Bangladesh and is passionate about promoting diversity, inclusivity and mental health, and exploring different cuisines.

Xingjian Gu Ph.D. candidate and Research Assistant. He received his bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from Southeast University, China, and joined in Dr. Romero-Ortega’s RNN laboratory in 2020. With a broad interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, his current research focuses on the development of 3D-bioprinted devices for peripheral nerve injury repair. His long-term research goal is to create artificial tissues and organs for better human health. When not working, he enjoys traveling with family and friends.

Bret See Ph.D. candidate and Research Assistant. He received his Bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry, Economics, and Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, he spent several years as an engineer in the semiconductor industry. His interest is in cortical prosthetics for motor and sensory neural interfaing.

Zuha Yousuf Research Assistant. received her Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering from NED University in Karachi, Pakistan. She then received a Fulbright Scholarship award to pursue an MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston. In her research, she works in an American Heart Association founded project to develop wireless neural interfaces that reduce blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. In her free time, she enjoys reading works of fiction, and travelling with family and friends.

Master's Students

Mason Garza

Mason is a pursuing a Masters in Biomedical Engineering with a thesis option. He joins the lab from UT-San Antonio where he majored in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

Undergraduate Students

Sarah Aldin. Senior Biomedical Engineering student expecting to graduate from the University of Houston Cullen School of Engineering in May of 2022. Currently assisting post doctoral and graduate students in the RNNL laboratory.

Nusayba El-Ali is currently a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston. She will be assisting the hypertension project. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Award 2022.

Ken Nguyen is a junior at the University of Houston majoring in Biomedical Engineering. He is currently assisting with the hypertension project.

Laura Rubio is a junior Biomedical Engineering major at the University of Houston. Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) 2022 Award.

Hoang Tran is a junior Biomedical Engineering major with a minor in Medicine and Society. Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) 2022 Award.