Christopher Nelson, PhD
Christopher Nelson is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Chris received his Bachelors in Biological Engineering at the University of Arkansas in 2009. His PhD was completed with Professor Craig Duvall at Vanderbilt University designing biomaterials for gene and drug delivery. His postdoctoral work was with Charles Gersbach at Duke University designing genome editing approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Shilpi Agrawal, PhD
I grew up in India and completed my master’s in biotechnology in India. I came to United States in Fall 2016 and completed my PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry in Fall 2020. I began studying the protein-ligand interactions and engineering proteins to gain thermal stability and bioactivity during my time as a graduate student at the University of Arkansas. By the end of my PhD, I started developing interest in gene editing and in vivo applications by collaborating with few laboratories. I now study different delivery vectors to improve the efficacy of gene editing and to further translate the use of CRISPR systems for in vivo applications. Apart from research, I enjoy outdoor events like hiking and biking. I also love to dance and cook all kind of cuisine (especially Indian).
Harumi Padmaswari
Harumi completed her medical degree at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, in 2017. She had worked as a physician in clinics and hospitals in Indonesia which triggered her curiosity in the emergence of molecular therapy. She is highly interested in gene-based therapy research especially for genetic and complex diseases. She completed her PhD in 2025. Now, she is continuing as a computational biologist in our lab. In her free time, you will find Harumi stargazing and writing postcards.
Jayita Ujjaini
Jayita earned her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2025. She joined the Nelson Lab in 2023 as an undergraduate research assistant, where she worked on analyzing transcriptional control in macrophages using CRISPR-Cas9. Following graduation, she transitioned into a Lab Technician role. In this position, she supports ongoing research through responsibilities such as inventory management, experimental assistance, lab safety compliance, ordering and financial tracking, and general lab maintenance. Outside of the lab, Jayita enjoys traveling and exploring new places.
Abbey Stokes
Abbey graduated from Harding University in May 2022 with a B.S in biomedical engineering. She first experienced the campus through the INBRE program where she did research in the chemistry department in Dr. Maggie He’s lab. She entered the University of Arkansas biomedical engineering Ph.D. program in Fall 2022 with research interests in immunology and gene therapy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, movies, scrapbooking, and playing music.
Daniel Maxenberger
Daniel graduated from the University of Arkansas in May 2023 with a B.S in biomedical engineering. He joined the Nelson Lab in 2020 as an undergraduate researcher and enrolled in the University of Arkansas biomedical engineering Ph.D. program in Fall 2023 with research interests in viral vector production and epigenetic regulation via gene therapy. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, camping, dancing, and cooking.
Adila Khalil
Adila is a Fulbright Ph.D. student who joined the Nelson Lab in Fall 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pakistan. Currently, she is pursuing her research in Cell and Molecular Biology with a particular interest in gene editing therapy. On her free time, Adila likes to play chess, spend time with her kids, and explore random places.
Maykol Rojas
Maykol is a Fulbright PhD student who earned his B.Ed. in Biology and Science Education from Universidad de Playa Ancha in Chile. As an undergrad, he conducted research in environmental microbiology, where he developed a growing interest in virology. He joined the Nelson Lab in August 2024 with a strong interest in CRISPR technology and its potential applications for treating viral infections such as HIV and HPV. In his free time, Maykol enjoys watching 90s TV shows and movies, playing Nintendo video games, photographing nature, and listening country folk music.
Dillon Cheney
Dillon joined the Nelson Lab in May of 2025 as a M.S.B.M.E Graduate Assistant to study tissue and promoter dependencies on gene therapies. He completed his undergraduate degree (B.S. Biology) at the University of Arkansas in May of 2024. Outside of the lab, he spends a lot of time in the gym, practicing guitar, or boating at the lake.
Ian Popp
Eliana Adamos
Amie Donathan
FEP Team
Joshua Nguyen
Undergraduate Lab Alumni
2020 Amira Elhamady B.S. Now Environmental Management Specialist @ EcoConServ Egypt
2020 Andrew Greek B.S. Now DO/MBA Student at Kansas City University
2020 Pranav Suri B.S. Now medical resident at West Virginia University
2021 Prashant Khatiwada B.S. now PhD student at UC Davis
2023 Mary Jia, B.S. now PhD student at Duke University
2024 Gabby Bulliard now a PhD student at UTSW
2024 Julliana Renales now at Medtronic
2025 Ryan Rouse now a medical student UAMS
2025 Ahmed Tolba now a medical student at UVA
Graduate Lab Alumni
Landon Burcham, MS 2022
Landon completed a Masters of Science in Biomedical Engineering adapting new sequencing methods to examine precision of gene editing. He is now at Tune Therapeutics.
Morgan Reese, MS 2023
Morgan Reese graduated with a Masters Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology in the Summer of 2023.
Allie Ivy, PhD 2024
Allie completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2024 developing gene delivery tools for macrophage cell therapy. She is now an analyst at Symbiosis.