Rajdeep Kaur, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow
Phone (O): 301-827-7485
Phone (M): 301-201-5510
Email: rajdeep.kaur@nih.gov

As a postdoctoral fellow in the Ferreira Lab, my research focuses on utilizing mouse models and targeted therapies in the study of rare skeletal disorders. With a strong foundation in genetics and metabolism, I began my research career at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, where I focused on inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), particularly homocystinuria. My Ph.D. work led to the identification of novel CBS and MMACHC variants in cases with cobalamin C deficiency, making significant contributions to the understanding of these genetic disorders in India. My work also involved tandem mass spectrometry for metabolic screening and immunosuppressant drug analysis. I continued working in the same lab as a research associate (Sept 2019 - Nov 2022) to characterize and to explore the potential of readthrough drugs to correct the MMACHC R132* nonsense variant. I joined NIH as a postdoctoral fellow in the Ferreira Lab at the Skeletal Genomics Unit, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in February 2023, and in September 2024, I transitioned to the Unit on Skeletal Genomics, Division of Translational Medicine at NICHD (September, 2024- present) to continue the same studies under the mentorship of Dr. Ferreira. My primary work involves investigating Osteoglophonic Dysplasia and Trevor disease. We are working on mouse models created by different genomic editing strategies. Our goal is to study skeletal dysplasia, investigate defects in bone mineralization, understand disease pathogenesis, and explore therapeutic options for these conditions. Through my work, I aim to advance the understanding of skeletal dysplasia and contribute to developing novel therapies for these debilitating disorders.

Cuncun Ke, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow
Phone: 240-781-9169
Email: cuncun.ke@nih.gov

Dr. Cuncun Ke received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from China Agricultural University in 2019, where she focused on identifying the receptor responsible for maternal IgG transfer from mother to fetus. Following her doctoral studies, she joined the Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering at Henan University as a postdoctoral research fellow, investigating human diseases such as cataracts and periodontitis. In October 2021, Dr. Ke joined Dr. Kai Ge’s lab at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) as a visiting fellow, where she explored how epigenetic modifiers regulate gene expression during cell differentiation and embryonic development. Currently, she is a member of Dr. Carlos Ferreira’s lab, where she leverages her basic science expertise to study skeletal dysplasias. Her research aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that disrupt skeletal development in people, with the goal of developing molecularly targeted therapies.

Sudeep Gautam, Ph.D.

Scientist / Lab Manager (Contractor)
Phone: 443-928-6082
Email: sudeep.gautam@nih.gov

Dr. Sudeep Gautam is a scientist with extensive expertise in molecular genetics, cell biology, and disease modeling using genetically modified mouse models, organoids, and cell culture. His research focuses on identification of signaling pathways in metabolic disorders, cancer biology, and liver and kidney diseases, with a particular emphasis on identifying key molecular mechanisms.

Dr. Gautam earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, India, where he explored natural small molecules with antidiabetic potential. He has been awarded the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi. Before joining Dr. Ferreira’s lab, Dr. Gautam was a research fellow at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), where he investigated colorectal cancer progression using patient-derived organoids and a novel LGR5-GFP-APC knockout mouse model. Previously, at NICHD, he studied glycogen storage diseases, uncovering metabolic failures leading to hepatic and renal dysfunction.

He serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several prestigious journals, including the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Journal of Cellular Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism, and European Journal of Pharmacology. Additionally, he is an editorial board member for Phytomedicine and Frontiers in Immunology and a guest editor for Biomedicine. He is also an active grant reviewer for the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)/Wellcome Trust India Alliance since 2019.

Shivani Dixit, Ph.D.

Biological Scientist (Contractor)
Phone: 301-339-4204
Email: shivani.dixit@nih.gov

Dr. Shivani Dixit joined Dr. Carlos Ferreira's laboratory at NICHD as a biological scientist in 2025. Prior to this, she served as a scientist at the National Eye Institute (NEI) and as a visiting postdoctoral fellow at NEI and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), focusing on retinal degenerative diseases and cancer therapeutics. Her research specializes in rare skeletal dysplasias, particularly prenatal Caffey disease and genochondromatosis. She aims to elucidate the phenotypic spectrum and genomic basis of these conditions, develop relevant cell and animal models, and design targeted therapeutic approaches. Dr. Dixit earned her Ph.D. from CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, India, where she investigated the therapeutic potential of Vitamin D and its analogs in combination with phytochemicals for breast cancer treatment. Her work bridges basic science and translational medicine, advancing therapies for rare diseases and cancer.

Arwaa Mehran, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA
Phone: 201-365-8913
Email: mehrana2@nih.gov 

Arwaa Mehran is a postbaccalaureate fellow in the NIH Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) program at NICHD. She earned her B.S. from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in 2024 as part of the B.S./M.D. program. Prior to joining NIH, Arwaa conducted research at Columbia University’s Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute.

Fascinated by the intersection of genetics and bone biology, Arwaa studies skeletal dysplasias, with projects exploring osteoglophonic dysplasia (OGD), Trevor disease, and ESR2’s role in bone health. Equally passionate about making science accessible, she writes for The NIH Catalyst, translating current research findings.

Outside the lab, Arwaa enjoys baking, traveling, and skiing. Arwaa will begin medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in August 2025, where she hopes to continue integrating research and patient care.

Cristal I. Hernandez Hernandez, M.D.

Clinical Fellow
Phone: 787-329-2499
Email: cristal.hernandezhernandez@nih.gov

Cristal I. Hernandez Hernandez is a Pediatrics and Medical Genetics and Genomics trainee at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Prior to joining NHGRI, she trained at the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Puerto Rico and was a pediatrics resident at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Her interests include dysmorphology, genetic skeletal disorders, and prenatal genetics. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and her Schnauzers.