Hassan is an Associate Professor (tenure-track) of Neurological Surgery and Medicine at the University of Miami (UM), and Director of High Content Screening Core for Phenotypic Drug Discovery. He is a member of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the Katz Drug Discovery Center, and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Hassan's primary research interest is understanding the role of kinases in proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), and utilizing this knowledge to develop therapeutics that repair CNS damage (caused by injury or neurodegenerative disease). In addition to this, Hassan is active in the areas of nephrology and oncology. He also has pet interest in the subject of personalized cancer therapy, which he pursues with collaborators at the University of Pittsburg.

Macarena has a PhD in Cellular and Molecular biology. She is a highly skilled neuroscientist with experience in laboratory management and expertise in a wide range of analytical techniques and methods. She has worked on diverse research topics: identification of therapeutics targets for eating disorders, obesity and metabolic diseases; the role of microbiota in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and the role of dopamine in innate emotions. Currently, she is working in the Ali lab on a number of translational projects aimed at developing early-stage CNS therapeutic leads into clinical candidates.

Rachel Njeim is a Postdoctoral Associate training in drug discovery (jointly in the Ali and Fornoni Labs). Rachel holds a PharmD degree from the Lebanese American University and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the American University of Beirut (Dr. Ali's alma mater). Rachel’s graduate studies focused on elucidating the renoprotective role of mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic kidney disease, with a particular focus on NETosis. Rachel’s work has set new milestones in understanding the pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease. Throughout her extensive training, Rachel has proposed a large body of therapeutic modalities in the quest for a definitive treatment for diabetic kidney disease.

Abdiel is a Graduate Student in the University of Miami’s Program in Biomedical Science —Neuroscience program. As a previous member of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Abdiel is experienced in histology, surgery, and behavioral analyses in animal models of CNS Injury. He was previously a member of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics in the National Institute of Health studying the role of Genetics in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Addiction.

Indigo is a proud Miami native with a B.Sc in Chemistry from Purdue University.  She has previous experience preparing bioassays for high-throughput DESI-MS analysis to study cell receptor binding to opioids and enzyme kinetics. Her main research interests lie in medicinal chemistry and novel therapeutics for chronic illnesses. She plans on eventually continuing her education by joining an MD/PhD program. 

Chloe is a Research Associate in the ABL Group (Ali, Bixby, Lemmon). She is Miami native with a B.Sc in Biological Sciences from Florida International University. She is currently doing her M.Sc in Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. Chloe has previous experience using automated systems to perform real time PCR test to detect SARS-CoV-2. As well as automated systems to perform CMIA to detect HIV-1 p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV-1/2. Her primary research is in the application of microorganisms in research.

Andres is a student in UM's 5-year BSc/MSc Biomedical Engineering program. His thesis project in the Ali lab centers on developing image analysis and computational workflows for quantifying drug effects in rodent models of spinal cord injury (SCI). He has experience with biomedical research including wet lab benchwork, cell culture, and imaging. He is also learning to perform tissue clearing  (brain, spinal cord) for 3D imaging with light sheet microscopy. After completing his MSc, Andres plans on pursuing a PhD in Bioengineering. His primary interest in is tissue engineering research, with specific interest in Spinal Cord Injury.

Cole is an undergraduate student at the University of Miami (Neuroscience major). He participates in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Authentic Research Lab and PRISM programs at UM and plans to attend medical school to become a neurosurgeon. His main research interests lie in the central nervous system, such as developing therapeutics to treat injuries resulting from physical trauma, demyelinating diseases, and other degenerative disorders. He is also interested in the field of neuro-oncology, researching treatments for cancers that affect the nervous system.

Haley is an undergraduate student at the University of Miami. She is majoring in biology with plans to attend medical school. At UM, she participates in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Authentic Research Lab program. She is interested in medical research pertaining to nephrology and oncology, including the development of medications to treat chronic diseases, such as Diabetic Kidney Disease. Some of her other interests include genetics and the role of senescent cells in aging.

Mia is an undergraduate student at the University of Miami studying Neuroscience. She is a member of the Health Professions Mentoring and Minority Women in Medicine programs at UM and plans to attend medical school. Her primary research interest is discovering therapies to treat CNS injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neurological disorders.