Trainees

Erik came to Vanderbilt in 2016 after completing his bachelor’s in biology (2014) and master’s in molecular science and nanotechnology (2016) at Louisiana Tech University. Erik’s master’s thesis focused on transcriptional control of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, which corresponded well to the research in the Rhoades lab. His current research is focused on solidifying the link between Gli2 and PTHrP in tumor-induced bone disease while identifying how this interaction facilitates the development of osteosarcoma. 

Emily (She/Her/Hers) is a biomedical engineering graduate student in the Jeffry Nyman laboratory. She completed her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2022. Emily is interested in elucidating the effects of collagen glycation on bone quality and fracture resistance.  

Stephen is an MD/PhD candidate in the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). He is completing his PhD in Cancer Biology, under the co-mentorship of Jonathan G. Schoenecker, MD, PhD, and Rachelle W. Johnson, PhD. His research focuses on the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment.

Zenaida is a graduate student in the Rhoades lab who was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She completed her bachelor’s in biology in 2021 from the University of Texas at El Paso. In 2024, she completed a post baccalaureate program from UT Health San Antonio and came to Vanderbilt under the IGP program. Outside of lab Zenaida enjoys listening to music, dancing, jigsaw puzzles, 3D jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with friends and family.

Nick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024 with his BS in Biomedical Engineering. Now he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedical Engineering (exp. 2029) as a member of Jonathan Brunger's laboratory. Nick is interested in developing a synthetic receptor-based engineered cell therapy for osteoarthritis.

Emily is originally from Michigan where she completed her BS in Biochemistry at Saginaw Valley State University in 2023. In the fall of 2023, she joined the Quantitative and Chemical Biology (QCB) Program here at Vanderbilt University. She has since joined Dr. Julie Rhoades’ lab as a member of the Cancer Biology Program. Her research focuses on altered transcriptional networks and their contribution to metastasis and chemoresistance in aggressive bone-metastatic breast cancer.

Anticipated graduation year: 2028 - Program in Cancer Biology PhD.

Zayn Kayali is a biomedical engineering graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, currently a medical student with a strong interest in orthopedic surgery. He is passionate about applying innovation and biomedical engineering principles to advance orthopedic care, bridging engineering-driven research with clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. Outside the lab, Zayn enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and golf.

Sakshi is a medical student at Vanderbilt in the Class of 2028. Originally from Dallas, she completed her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2024. Her research focuses on characterizing human plasminogen and streptokinase interactions that contribute to invasive disease. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to concerts, powerlifting, and hanging out with her dog, Riker.

Rachel is a Molecular Pathology and Immunology graduate student in the Rhoades lab. Originally from West Virginia, she received a BS in Immunology and Medical Microbiology from West Virginia University before joining Vanderbilt's IGP program in August 2023. Her current research focuses on Gli2 regulation of tumor-associated macrophages through alteration of cytokine profiles in bone metastatic breast cancer. Outside of the lab, Rachel enjoys crocheting, sewing, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Ravi joined Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology (VCBB) in 2024 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. His current research focuses on understanding the impact of hypertension on skeletal health and evaluating therapeutic strategies to preserve bone strength and prevent bone loss associated with elevated blood pressure using preclinical models. Ravi’s research explores the effects of aging on bone, with a particular emphasis on how advanced glycation end products (AGEs) influence bone microarchitecture, material properties, and mechanical integrity.

Prior to joining VCBB, he earned his PhD in 2023 from the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), India. His doctoral research focused on bone growth and development in relation to nutritional influences during early life. Specifically, his work demonstrated that maternal consumption of a high-cholesterol diet during pregnancy and lactation can induce long-lasting changes in offspring skeletal development, leading to persistent impairments in bone growth that are not fully reversed even after transitioning to a normal diet following weaning.

Haley is a postdoc in the department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She earned her bachelor's degree (2017) from UC Riverside, master's degree (2020) and PhD (2023) from UC Irvine in biological sciences before coming to Vanderbilt to join the lab of Dr. Ethan Lippmann in 2024. Her work is centered around generating and harnessing human stem cell derived models of the brain barriers to understand the mechanisms governing their functions and involvement in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of the lab, Haley enjoys reading, arts & crafts, listening to Taylor Swift and watching F1.

Jailyn is a Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) student, currently completing her PhD in Cancer Biology in the Johnson Lab. Jailyn completed her BS in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Chemistry at NC Central University. Jailyn’s current research focuses on the effects of denosumab and its withdrawal on breast cancer bone metastasis. Through this projection, she also studies the bone tumor microenvironment. Outside of the lab, Jailyn enjoys cooking/baking/eating, reading, and spending time with family/friends and her Bernedoodle.

Rachel is the Laboratory Manager and Histotechnologist in the Schoenecker Lab. She graduated from Indiana University-Purdue and became an ASCP board-certified histotechnologist in 2005. After nearly two decades in clinical histology, she joined the lab in 2021, where she investigates the cellular mechanisms underlying skeletal development, musculoskeletal trauma, and tissue regeneration using advanced histology techniques, RNAscope in situ hybridization, and spatial transcriptomics to characterize tissue remodeling and repair. Outside of the lab, Rachel explores visual storytelling through playwriting and poetry, alongside painting and photography.

Working in this lab has really given me a lot of confidence in my abilities. I feel very fortunate I’ve been given the opportunity to go from solid foundations to empowerment to change and enhance the directions I’ve been given, from PCR genotyping to colony management and beyond. My understanding of not just bones but aspects of the healing process have grown in ways I would never have expected. Feeling the heart-pumping excitement of realizing you’re a part of a group that’s discovering puzzle pieces necessary for survival never before found by others is without compare.

Sasi graduated with a Masters in BME from University of Akron, Ohio in 2010. After a brief stint in the industry with Philips Respironics (Monroeville, PA) as an Engineering Assistant, he joined the Nyman lab in August 2011. He assists with the research studies for Dr. Nyman, VCBB collaborators, Vanderbilt Orthopaedic department, and other industry projects; besides overseeing the daily operation and management of the Bone Biomechanics laboratory. He has strong technical skills with hands-on experience in Micro-CT, 1H NMR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM imaging, and biomechanical testing of bone.