Current Lab members
Group Leader
Tudor C. Badea, MD, MA, PhD
MD (University of Cluj, Romania), MA (Columbia University, NY), PhD (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore), Postdoctoral fellowship (HHMI/Johns Hopkins University), Group leader for 11 years at National Eye Institute (NIH). Senior Investigator at Transylvania University since Sept 2021, Member of the Brain Reseach Center of the Romanian Academy since June 2022.
Major research interests and expertise include Molecular Biology, Genetics, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Pathology and Immunology. Management experience (11 + years) in leading a group of students, fellows and technical staff towards answering questions in the field of visual development and function. Expert in genetic manipulations, animal models, tissue culture, behavior analysis.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Vladimir V. Muzyka, PhD
MSc (Novosibirsk State University, Russia), PhD (Novosibirsk State University, Russia), Postdoctoral fellowship (National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda), Senior Investigator at Novosibirsk State University & Institute of Cytology & Genetics SB RAS (2020-2022, Novosibirsk, Russia).
Major research interests and expertise include Developmental biology, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Cell and Molecular Biology. Have large experience with molecular biological techniques (PCR, molecular cloning, Western blot, Southern blot, Sanger sequencing) and light microscopy (fluorescent, confocal, DIC). Worked on the projects focus on brain and retina development, cell type specialization and targeted genome editing. Have the expertise in making transgenic animals as well as mammalian cell lines. Considerable experience with animal work as well conventional and embryonic stem cell culture. Expertise in writing and reviewing scientific manuscripts and grant applications.
Master Student
Anamaria Lazar, PhD
Graduate of the Doctoral School of Biology, University of Bucharest, lecturer in the Faculty of Food and Tourism, Transilvania University of Brasov.
Expertise and research topics addressed are related to mammalian population biology and ecology. Over 10 years experience as an expert mammalian biologist.
PhD Student
Raluca Pascalau, MD
MD (Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania), Postdoctoral fellowship (NEI/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA & KSAS/Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA). Ohpthalmology resident at Cluj County Emergency Clinical Hospital since Jan 2022, PhD candidate at Transylvania University since Sept 2022.
Major research interests and expertise include Neuroanatomy, Developmental Biology, Ophthalmology, Neuroscience and Genetics. Research experience (3+ years) in neuroanatomical dissections in human and animal models, mouse colony management, mouse histology, genetics and functional testing. Medical experience in diagnosing and treating eye pathology in children and adults.
PhD Student
Edwin Humberto Hodelin Maynard, MD
MD (University of Medical Sciences of Guantánamo, Cuba) since 2015; General Comprehensive Medicine Specialist (University of Medical Sciences of Guantánamo, Cuba) since 2017; Member of National Epilepsy Surgery Group at International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Cuba, since 2019; Neurosurgery Specialist (CIREN, University of Medical Sciences, La Habana, Cuba) since 2021; Assistant Professor (“Miguel Enríquez” Medicine Faculty, University of Medical Sciences, La Habana, Cuba) since 2022, PhD student at Transylvania Univeristy, Brasov since 2022.
Major research interest includes Brain Connectivity, Epilepsy Surgery, Functional Neurosurgery, Neurosciences, Neuroimaging, Tractography Techniques. Research experience (4 year) in Automated Fiber Quantification. Medical experience in drug resistant epileptic patients’ surgical management, neurotrauma.
Research Engineer/PhD student
Diana Petre, MSc
PhD student at Transylvania University since Oct 2023, Medicine Department, Master in Organic Agriculture, The University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca (2021-2023). Horticultural Engineer Degree, Graduate of The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, (2010-2014), “Ovidius” University, Constanța.
Main research interests include Cell and Molecular Biology, Developmental biology, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetic manipulation, General and specific animal husbandry, Botany, technologies in organic farming, links between animal behaviour and specific environments/ influences of plant extracts on RGC activity, relashionships between insulin sensitivity and gene expression. Research experience in Medicinal Plants, general and specific animal (mice) husbandry, Sugar beet and potato technological analysis, Energetic efficiency biogas plants improvement by integrated system: biogas-microalgae-biofuels in frame of biorefinery concept,
Undergraduate student
Ileana Daria Madan
Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry (Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest). Master's degree in Neurobiology (Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest). I worked as a Research Assistant in projects that involved the study of ion channels present in neuronal membrane and immune response.
Research interests and expertise include Molecular Biology and Neurobiology. Techniques I frequently used: Cell Culture, Calcium Imaging, ELISA, Fluorescence Microscopy, centrifugation, transfection, electrophoresis, Western Blot.
Graduate student
Gisselle Fernndez Peña MD, MSc
MD (University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba); Histology specialist (University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba); MSc in Toxicology (Institute of Pharmacy and Food, University of Havana, Cuba); Member of the Cuban Society of Basic Biomedical Sciences (SCCBB); Assistant Professor (Department of Histology of the Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences Victoria de Giron, University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba); PhD student at Transylvania University of Brasov since 2023.
MD (University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba); Histology specialist (University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba); MSc in Toxicology (Institute of Pharmacy and Food, University of Havana, Cuba); Member of the Cuban Society of Basic Biomedical Sciences (SCCBB); Assistant Professor (Department of Histology of the Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences Victoria de Giron, University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba); PhD student at Transylvania University of Brasov since 2023.
Graduate student
Adina Teodora Rosca, Msc
Master in Infectious Diseases, University of Kent, UK (2018-2019), Diploma in Bachelor of Science, Bioveterinary Science, University of Lincoln, UK (2015-2018). Since 2023 PhD student in Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, Transylvania University, Brasov.
Main research interests include Molecular Biology, Genetics, both molecular and population level, Microbiology and Biochemistry. Research experience in: mtDNA haemoparasitic determination in wild passerine species in areas of farmer lands from UK, Energetic efficiency biogas plants improvement by integrated system: biogas-microalgae-biofuels in frame of biorefinery concept, Genetical approaches for assessing the wild population of brown bears (Ursus arctos) across territories of Romania through non-invasive sampling.
Graduate student
Aloyma Veliz, MD
MD (University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba), since December2022; Ophthalmology resident (Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital), since January 2023; PhD student at Transylvania University of Brasov since October 2023.
Major research interests include Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Medical experience in diagnosis and treatment (clinical and surgical) of eye pathologies.
Former Lab members
Ana Maria Taranciuc (Sisman), MD
Currently Clinical Laboratory resident
Vlad V. Vochitu, MD
Graduated Medical School 2023
Malina Barbu
Medical Student (6th year)