Our Alumni
Students, scholars, and scientists who trained with the lab and carried the work forward.
Mark Gained, PT, DPT, M.S.
I earned a bachelor's degree in health sciences from Oakland University, a master’s degree in Applied Anatomy from Case Western Reserve University, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from The Ohio State University. I am currently a PhD student in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University, where my research interests focus on optimizing parameters for transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation to enhance motor recovery and improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Amal Alharbi
I received my Bachelor's degree from KSU in Saudi Arabia, and my Master of Science degree in the neuromuscular field from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2016. I have worked as a physical therapist with a focus on neurological rehabilitation and as a TA at Qassim University. Currently, I am a doctoral student in the Rehabilitation Science Program at UAB, and I joined Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab in Fall 2019. My primary research interest is investigating the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle activity and metabolic health after SCI. My future goal is to be an educator and researcher in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy with a focus on Neurological Rehabilitation. In my spare time, I like spending time doing outdoor activities with my kids, hanging out with my friends, cooking new recipes, and swimming.
Matthew Farrow, PhD
I completed my PhD in Health at the University of Bath, UK in 2022. Specifically, I studied the effect of high-intensity exercise on cardiometabolic health in individuals with spinal cord injury. My current research interests focus on identifying exercise and nutritional interventions to improve health outcomes for this population. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing tennis, countryside walks, and watching soccer.
Kerollos Ibrahim
I am a 2nd year medical student at Florida State University College of Medicine. I graduated summa cumlaude with honors from Nova Southeastern University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology. During my undergraduate studies, I was involved in a project that focused on trying to understand the impact of spatial disturbance and biofilm robustness on pyoverdine production in different clinical strains of Pseudomonas which was later published in the American Society of Microbiology Journal. I was then involved in a project focused on determining the effects of sleep extension on interleukin-6 as part of my Honors in Major Project where I further developed my research and lab skills. What made me interested in spinal cord injury occurred after my father got into a severe car accident leaving him unable to work as a physical therapist for the past 5 years due to the severe spinal injuries he attained. This left a major impact on my family and I and made me determined to want to pursue a career in the medical field to serve this population. I joined Dr. Ceren Yarar-Fisher’s lab in the summer after my first year of medical school and I am very excited to hone my skills to help on several projects during my time here before residency. During my free time, I enjoy training for triathlons, spending time with family, and traveling.
Miles Grigorian
I am a 4th year post-doctoral scholar at Rehabilitation Medicine Laboratory. I am from China, and I earned my master's degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Cincinnati and my PhD degree in Nutrition Sciences from Purdue University. During my PhD training, I was involved with clinical trials investigating several aspects of dietary components on metabolic health outcomes. I greatly appreciated the applicability of human clinical nutrition research. In the meanwhile, I became interested in exploring the underlying mechanisms for the development of cardio-metabolic diseases. I joined Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab in 2017 to further expand my training in nutrition research and gain additional skillset in microbiome and metabolomics analyses. My current research projects include: 1) investigating the effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet on body composition, metabolic health, and gut microbiome in patients with long-standing spinal cord injury and 2) understanding the relationship between gut microbiome and glucose control in individuals with SCI supported by the NIDILRR Mary Switzer Research fellowship and Craig Nielsen Foundation postdoctoral fellowship. I love spending time with my family, cooking cuisines from across the world, and traveling.
Erika Womack, PhD
I grew up in Cleveland, MS (home of the Fighting Okra, yes look it up). I attended Mississippi State University for my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and Mississippi College for my master's degree in Biomedical Sciences. I have worked for the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) as a researcher for 7 years studying adolescent pediatric scoliosis in the pediatric population before returning to Mississippi State University for my doctorate degree in molecular biology and biochemistry. I worked for the USDA-ARS as a post-doctoral f ellow for 3 years as a geneticist prior to joining Dr. Yarar-Fisher's team where I am the laboratory manager and a researcher. Dr. Yarar-Fisher's program investigating spinal cord injury compliments some techniques that I have learned along my academic and professional career but, most importantly, has encompassed many new and exciting disciplines and techniques including bioinformatics, tissue culture, RNAseq, metabolic profiling, immunohistochemistry, and other procedures to study individuals with SCI. As a researcher, I contribute to running experiments, data analysis and writing and editing of manuscripts. My laboratory manager duties include keeping the laboratory safe and legal, reconciliation of accounts, and mentorship and training of physicians and medical, physical therapy, undergraduate, and high school students in the laboratory. Some of my interests outside of the lab include playing sports, hanging out with family and friends, home improvement, traveling domestically to explore different cities along with their food and culture, tailgating, and relaxing.
Jaden Adams
I am from Springville, AL and I currently attend Jefferson State Community College. My major is biology and I plan on pursuing a career in physical therapy. I am currently involved in organizations such as; Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, Mu Alpha Theta, and Men 2 Men. I am also involved in a program called Blazing to Biomedical careers which is in partnership between Jefferson State Community College (JSCC) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). This program aids students in obtaining a baccalaureate degree in the behavioral or biomedical sciences so they can go on to further education and start a career in biomedical research. While attending this internship, I was privileged to work under Dr. Yarar-Fisher, Dr. Erika Womack, Dr. Jia Li, and Amal Alharbi. I learned a great amount of useful techniques dealing with STEM research and I had a great time working with them. Some of my hobbies include listening to music, playing the drums, playing sports, and exercising.
Zoe Samira Evans
I am a native of Bessemer, AL and I attend Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL where my major is Biology. Throughout high school, I was involved in many activities including the marching and concert bands, captain of cheerleading team, beta club, FBLA, and Student Government Association. In college, I am a cheerleader, an ambassador, and I am involved in the STEM Program which has allotted the opportunity of receiving an internship through UAB's Blazing to Biomedical Careers (BBC) program as part of a NIH initiative to lessen disparities. This program provides an entrance into advanced biomedical research careers. The internship led me to join Dr. Yarar's lab for the summer. I felt her lab would provide guidance into a biomedical career as I hope to become a laboratory personnel or occupational therapist one day. Joining Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab has allowed me to explore both laboratory and clinical research to help guide my future options. My hobbies include cheering, shopping, eating, reading, and going to church.
Marguerite Marquez
I am a second-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, AL. I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry from the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!). I am from Gulfport, MS, and I love the water. During my undergraduate career, I conducted research in a behavioral neuroscience lab and wrote and defended a thesis on Feedback Related Neuronal Processing During Motor Learning. This research contributed to a professional interest in neurological physical therapy. Throughout my undergraduate career, I also held multiple leadership positions in large scale community service organizations. This experience allowed me to realize that regardless of the exact nature of my future profession, I would like to work to serve others. Within the healthcare realm, that passion has evolved to working with and for medically underserved or marginalized populations. I currently serving as Clinical Director and Patient/Volunteer Coordinator for Equal Access Birmingham, a free clinic that serves the underinsured population of Birmingham, AL.
Sarah Taylor
I am a pre-med student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC majoring in Health and Exercise Science with minors in Chemistry and Bioethics. I am originally from Birmingham, AL, and I graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 2019. My undergraduate courses in Health and Exercise Science have led me to become more interested in the role of nutrition and exercise in health and disease, which is what prompted me to join Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab. I love being a part of this lab because I am able to learn more about basic science research techniques, while I am also able to experience the clinical side of research and get a glimpse into the tangible effects this research can have on individuals. Outside of school, I love playing tennis, running, cooking and baking, traveling, and exploring Birmingham's amazing restaurants with my family and friends!
Mualla Eraslan
I received my first B.S. degree in chemistry education from Hacettepe University in Turkey. Following my undergraduate education I worked as a Histo-technologist at Boston University Medical Center's Anatomic Pathology Lab for 12 years. Specifically, I worked in immunohistochemistry, histology, cytology, and molecular diagnostic laboratories. While working as a Histo-technologist I earned my second B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Laboratories from Boston University. I moved to Birmingham in August 2014 to get my Master's Degree in Biotechnology at UAB, which I received in August 2015. Following my Master's Degree I joined Dr. Yarar-Fisher's laboratory as a laboratory manager. My current projects investigate the effects of long-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation and high protein diet on metabolic and hypertrophic signaling in the paralyzed muscle.
Hatice Cetin
I received my B.S degree in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation from Hacettepe University in Turkey. Following graduation, I started working as a research assistant at Hacettepe University in 2013. I completed my Master's degree in June, 2016. The focus of my thesis was investigating the effect of exercise after radiofrequency denervation in patients with facet joint syndromme. I am still working at the same university as a research assistant while pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Science. My research focus is on spinal cord and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. I joined Dr. Ceren Yarar-Fisher's lab in September, 2017, and I'm currently studying the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle metabolism in individuals with sub-acute spinal cord injury.
Baris Cetin
I earned my B.S. degree in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation from Hacettepe University in 2013. After graduation I started working at the same university as a research assistant at the neurological rehabilitation unit. I earned my MSc degree in 2016 in the field of neurological rehabilitation. My research focus was studying the effect of spinal stabilization exercises on walking and balance in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. I have continued my studies at Hacettepe University and started my doctoral training in the field of neurological rehabilitation. I am currently studying at Dr. Ceren Yarar-Fisher's Lab and investigating the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimualtion on muscle metabolism in individuals with sub-acute spinal cord injury.
Perry W. Griffin II
As a medical student just completing their first year, I chose to pursue research over the 2017 summer to increase the breadth of my research experience to include working with patients in a clinical setting and pursuing answers to questions that may later impact patient care and recovery. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. My college career began nontraditionally at the age of 27 after working as a personal fitness trainer. I felt led to pursue higher education as I realized my passions were with caring for and educating others in areas of health and well-being. Ultimately, I felt the call of medicine and began attending The University of Alabama School of Medicine in late 2016. My first research experience was during my undergraduate career under Dr. Gordon Fisher, where I performed immunohistochemistry to determine muscle fiber type ratios in participants before and after interventional exercise programs and performed cross-sectional analysis comparing vital measurements such as blood pressure, arterial elasticity, and insulin sensitivity. I became much more familiar with principles and pathways for which I was already passionate, while also being able to see how these phenotypic differences may affect health outcomes and risk in certain patient populations. My limited experiences have led me to believe that a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation would be exceptionally rewarding and I was fortunate enough to be selected to receive the Summer Research Fellowship Award from the Diabetes Research Center. This opportunity involves conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Yarar-Fisher, as it relates to patients with spinal cord injuries and the examination of novel nutritional modalities and their effects on protection and recovery from damage, as well as brown adipose tissue distribution, functionality, and activity. Personally observing how dramatically a patient's mobility can be altered by a single event and then being able to explore questions and seek answers that may lead to improvements in such patients' quality of life is a reward without parallel.
Adarsh Kulkani
I am a medical student about to start my second year here at the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UASOM). Born and brought up in Birmingham, I headed to Nashville, Tennessee for a change in scenery to attend Vanderbilt University for my undergraduate studies, earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. After gaining some perspective on basic science research during my time in college, I was curious to expand my horizons in the realm of research and try clinical or translational research. As a medical student, I wanted to enter an area of research that greatly interests me as well as an area that I could possibly see myself pursuing as a career. Taking neuroscience courses as an undergraduate gave me immense enthusiasm for medicine involving the nervous system and played a significant role in my decision to join Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab. Through the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Functional Neurorehabilitation Research Program, I received the FNR Scholarship award to do research this summer. My research will be investigating the effectiveness of a ketogenic diet in facilitating neuro-recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). We believe processes that typically occur after SCI, such as glutamate excitotoxity, inflammation, and induction of apoptotic pathways, will be inhibited by ketone bodies resulting from a ketogenic diet. Our hypothesis is that 8 weeks of a ketogenic diet, as compared to a standard diet, immediately following SCI significantly improves motor and sensory function as well as functional independence in patients with complete SCI.
Christian Behren
I am a graduate student in the Department of Nutrition Science rotating in Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab. I grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC earning my B.S. in Nutrition and Foods, and Exercise Science as well as my M.S. in Dietetics. I am incredibly excited and appreciative for the opportunity to work in Dr. Yarar-Fisher's lab. Rehabilitation Medicine is an area of research that has always interested me, but I have previously not had the opportunity to be exposed to. As a lifelong competitive athlete, I am interested in examining the differences both small and large between injured and trained muscle. Along with differences in how injured vs. trained muscle responds to nutrition. Gaining a better understanding of these intricate differences could lead to novel and improved nutrition and exercise intervention strategies for those with injury. Outside of school, my interests include running, hiking, cycling, cooking, traveling and hanging out with my French Bulldog, Django.