Frank Lin
Frank (Lunhui) Lin has over 20 years of experience in biomedical research, having worked in both the Boston and Houston areas. Currently, he serves as a Scientist and Lab Manager in Dr. Holder’s group at Baylor College of Medicine. Frank is deeply engaged in investigating the genetic and neurobiological foundations of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, with the aim of discovering cures and developing future therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Frank holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biochemistry, as well as a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, all from Xiamen University. Outside of the lab, he enjoys road trips to explore nature and playing bridge games.
Gopinath Mondal
Gopinath is a postdoctoral researcher focused on investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying undiagnosed neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. His work aims to uncover key pathways and identify driver genes responsible for impaired neurogenesis in these disorders. By utilizing disease mouse models and neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), he seek to understand the genetic and regulatory mechanisms at play, with the ultimate goal of contributing to clinical advancements that improve patients’ quality of life.
Ashwini Ashwathanarayan
Ashwini Ashwathanarayan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy (BPT) from KIMS, RGUHS, Bengaluru, and both a Master’s (MSc.) and Ph.D. in Regenerative Medicine from MAHE, Bengaluru. She is passionate about exploring the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular diseases, with the goal of translating this knowledge into therapeutic applications.
Her current research centers on investigating the molecular mechanisms of a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. She utilizes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients as a model system, directing these iPSCs toward neural differentiation to study their development and functionality. By gaining insights into the molecular basis of the disease, Ashwini aims to contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies.
Outside of her research, Ashwini enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and listening to music.
Amani Ambush
Amani is a Research Technician II who joined the lab in October 2022, supporting a range of research activities. She earned her B.S. in Laboratory Animal Science from North Carolina A&T State University and her M.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Houston. Currently, Amani collaborates with colleagues to study Shank3 production in transgenic mice, while also managing DNA extractions. She aspires to become a physician and pursue a career in academic medicine, where she hopes to mentor future generations. Outside of the lab, Amani enjoys reading and watching movies with her loved ones.
Hao Chau
Hao is a biotechnology graduate specializing in bioproduction, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. Since joining Dr. Holder’s group in 2019 while pursuing a master’s degree in biotechnology, He has focused on investigating neuroscience pathology using transgenic mouse and fly models to explore the mechanisms behind mutant genetic markers. Their work includes mouse genotyping, behavioral testing, neuronal imaging, and tracing.
In their free time, Hao conducts AI simulations using Bard technology to explore potential drugs and treatments. They also enjoy practicing archery, coding, and working on computational projects.