Meet Our Lab Team
Maria E. Solesio
Dr. Maria E. (“Marién”) Solesio was trained in Spain, where she earned her PharmD in 2008 and her PhD in Neuropharmacology in 2013. The main focus of her PhD dissertation was the study of mitochondrial dysfunction in pharmacological models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. During her PhD studies, she visited the laboratory of Dr. Mike P. Murphy, in Cambridge, UK, where she trained in the use of mitochondrial-addressed antioxidants. In July 2013, just after graduation, she joined New York University (NYU) for her postdoctoral training, thanks to a competitive fellowship sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Health. At NYU, she worked for a year under the supervision of Dr. Blas Frangione, at the laboratory of Dr. Silvia Fossati. In July 2014, she joined the laboratory of Dr. Evgeny V. Pavlov, also at NYU, where she conducted her second postdoctoral training until September 2019. During that time, she visited the laboratory of Dr. Ursula Jakob, at the University of Michigan, where she trained in protein biology techniques.
In May of 2018, Dr. Solesio was awarded a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award by NIA/NIH. Thanks to those funds and the generous start-up package offered by Rutgers University, she was able to establish her own laboratory at Rutgers University, where she is currently a Faculty member in the Department of Biology. Since her arrival at Rutgers, she has secured major funding (NIH, NSF, and AHA), and published scientific manuscripts as the single corresponding author. In July of 2025, she secured promotion to Associate Professor and tenure. Dr. Solesio’s main research focus during her career has always been the study of mitochondrial physiology and dysfunction in neurodegeneration and aging. She is especially interested in the role of mitochondrial polyP in the dysfunction
of the organelle.
Meet Our
Post-Doctoral Researchers
Dr. Renata Torres da Costa
Dr. Renata Torres da Costa received her undergraduate degree in Biology at Universidade Metodista de São Paulo. Subsequently, she worked in an epidemiologic surveillance laboratory at Instituto Adolfo Lutz in Brazil. Dr. Torres da Costa earned her Master’s degree in Biosystems at the Federal University of ABC in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her Master’s work focused on expressing a recombinant protein from Alphavirus using a eukaryotic expression system to develop specific serological diagnosis assays. Moreover, she completed her PhD in biochemistry at the Federal University of ABC in Brazil in 2020. During her PhD studies, she established a cellular model to address the pathophysiological mechanisms of methylmalonic academia (an inborn error of metabolism) during neuronal maturation. Moreover, her dissertation was focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondria dysfunction caused by methylmalonic acid in neuronal and astrocytic cells; as well as the effects of these disorders on the functionality of the same cells in the nervous system. That work resulted in two manuscripts as first author. After completing her PhD, she worked in a COVID-19 diagnosis laboratory at Centro Universitário FMABC in Brazil during the pandemic.
Meet Our
Graduate Student Researchers
Bryan Ramirez Aguilar
Bryan Ramirez Aguilar is currently a graduate student at Rutgers University-Camden, participating in the accelerated Master’s program to pursue a Bachelor’s/Master’s in Biology with a concentration in Chemistry and Latin American Studies. Currently, a member of Solesio’s Laboratory, his focus has been on analyzing molecular mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the significance of inorganic polyp has become pivotal in interpreting cellular pathways and mitochondrial function.
As the Vice-President of Black & Latin Excellence in STEM at Rutgers University-Camden, Bryan diligently works to assist other students in succeeding in the biomedical sciences. He is committed to supporting underrepresented students and providing equal opportunities in research. Bryan is keen on pursuing further studies and obtaining a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology with the intention of contributing to innovation in the biomedical field.
Ernest Scoma
Ernest (“Ernie”) Scoma obtained his Bachelor’s in biology with a concentration in genetics from Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Subsequently, he joined Solesio lab, where he obtained his Master’s with a project focused on the study of the mitochondrial effects of polyP in models of Parkinson’s disease. Currently, he is a PhD student in the lab, working on a project aimed to better understand the role of polyP on ischemia-reperfusion injury.
He has already published
as a first author.
Sheida Kavehmoghaddam
Sheida Kavehmoghaddam completed her Bachelor’s of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branches (Iran, Tehran). She worked as a lab Technician in Pathology Laboratories, including Biochemistry and Hematology departments. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the Biology program at Rutgers University and is a member of Dr. Solesio’s laboratory. Her research interests include Cell biology, aging, and neurodegeneration diseases.
She is currently working on the role of mitochondrial polyphosphate in cellular neurodegeneration diseases as her thesis project.
Meet Our
Undergraduate Student Researchers
Angel Keifner
Angel Keifner is currently an Honors College undergraduate student at Rutgers University-Camden, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biology. After completing his education, he plans to pursue a career in science, advocating for the underserved population. He joined the lab in order to enhance technique and skills that will help shape and further consolidate his career goals. He is interested in the variety of roles that inorganic polyphosphate is proposed to contribute to in the physiology of mitochondria, specifically its roles in energy metabolism, calcium signaling, and mitochondrial dynamics. Outside the lab, Angel is an active participant in a variety of clubs at Rutgers University-Camden, including those that support the disadvantaged community within Camden.
Read About Our
Former Researchers
See what they’re up to!
Teresa Osorio
PhD student at John Hopkins University
Matheus Moreira Perez
PhD student at Thomas Jefferson University
Vendangi Hambardikar
Associate Research Scientist at New York Genome Center
Mariona Guitart-Mampel
Postdoctoral researcher at IDIBAPS, Spain
Brendan MacIntyre
Rresearch lab specialist at CHOP
Luca Tagliafico
Researcher at the University of Genoa, Italy
Pedro Urquiza
Researcher, Drexel University
Shariq Khan
Master’s and DO student at NYIT
Lisa H Do
Biotech