Visit the Alumni page for information on former lab members.

Sarah E. Sheppard, M.D., Ph.D., M.S.T.R.

Lead Investigator, Unit on Vascular Malformations

Phone: 240-578-5047
Email: sarah.sheppard@nih.gov

Lola Zerbib

PharmD, PhD

Lola joined NICHD in June 2024 as a postdoctoral fellow. She graduated from Université Paris Cité (Paris, France) with a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies and Advanced Therapies, followed by a PharmD and a PhD in 2023, also at Université Paris Cité. During her doctorate, Dr. Zerbib worked on PIK3CA-related disorders in the laboratory of Pr. Guillaume Canaud, where she developed novel in vivo models to validate a PI3K-targeted therapeutic strategy for vascular malformations, and further expanded this approach to TIE2-driven capillary-venous malformations. Her doctoral research led to several peer-reviewed publications, including a first-author paper in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy and a co-authorship in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Her current work in the Unit on Vascular Malformations focuses on identifying and validating genetic drivers of complex lymphatic anomalies, using zebrafish models to investigate Ras/MAPK signaling and advance new targeted therapies for patients with these rare and often life-threatening conditions. Her research and service have been recognized with the FY25 NICHD Career Development Award, the FY26 NICHD Early Career Fellowship Award, and a Travel Award and Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the 2026 FASEB Summer Research Conference, as well as a Travel Award at the 2026 International Vascular Biology Meeting. She served as an ad hoc reviewer for multiple journals and as a Poster Judge and Head Judge at NIH conferences. She regularly presents her findings at major international conferences, mentors junior researchers, and co-organizes the NIH Vascular Biology seminar series. In her free time, Lola swaps her lab coat for boxing gloves, bringing the same unstoppable momentum to the ring as she does to her science.

Jessica Johnson

NIH Ox-Cam Graduate Student

Jessica, an NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholar and Antarctic Scientist, is keenly interested in aerospace medicine, the study of sustainable human health in weightlessness and extreme (polar) climates. She received her B.A. in Astrogeophysics with Honors and a minor in German from Colgate University in 2022. 

She has conducted research and co-authored multiple papers discussing the climatic significance of boulder banding across Martian glaciers, the remote sensing of desert playa hydropatterns, and organic matter accumulation and electrical conductivity in Antarctic water tracks.  During 2022-23 austral summer, she completed a six-week polar expedition to the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

Prior to her DPhil, Jessica completed a Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellowship, in which she designed a novel, in vivo protocol that disentangles diffusion frequency‐dependence, tensor shape, and relaxation within tissue microstructure using multidimensional diffusion MRI (MD-MRI).

She has been honored with the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP), Antarctica Service Medal, and recognized as one of 100 Polar Women by the Women in Polar Science Network.

As an OxCam DPhil Scholar, Jessica studies the structural and fluidic mechanisms behind vascular malformations.

Deena Zeltser, M.D.

Staff Clinician

Email: deena.zeltser@nih.gov

Dr. Zeltser received a B.A., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, with a major in the history and sociology of science and a minor in religious studies. She received an M.D. from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, in 2005. 

After completing her residency in pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Children’s Memorial Hospital (currently known as Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago), Dr. Zeltser worked as a pediatric hospitalist at community hospitals in Chicago and its nearby suburbs. In 2010, she returned to Washington, DC, where she worked as a pediatric hospitalist at Children’s National Medical Center and at Holy Cross Hospital.

Dr. Zeltser joined NICHD in January 2017 as a pediatric staff clinician in the Office of the Clinical Director. She provides clinical support to NICHD research teams. She began working with Dr. Sheppard in 2022.

Dr. Zeltser was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. She now lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband and two children.

Christopher Marshall

Lab Manager, Research Specialist III

Email: christopher.marshall@nih.gov

Chris has 9 years of experience in the NICHD zebrafish facilities, where he formerly worked as the animal health specialist and the technical trainer for the husbandry team. Prior to working with zebrafish, Chris studied organismal biology and ecology at Towson University, where he received his B.A. in biology in December 2011. During his time at Towson, he interned with the Maryland Department of the Environment in a lab that specialized in habitat assessments.

Chris joined the Sheppard lab in 2022. As lab manager, he supports both the clinical team and the wet lab. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast, a DC sports fan, and a proud father of two.

Andrea Bowling, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., FNP-C

Lead Associate Investigator

Email: andrea.bowling@nih.gov

Andrea Bowling has been a dedicated member of the NIH since 2019. She began her NIH journey at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, where she played an integral role on the neurosurgery team, supporting adults suffering from incurable pain. Later, at the National Human Genome Research Institute, Andrea focused on rare genetic disorders affecting adult populations.

Currently at NICHD, Andrea serves as the lead associate investigator for Dr. Sheppard’s natural history study, which aims to deepen understanding of lymphatic anomalies and enhance patient outcomes. Additionally, she leads the Validation of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale in Spanish, expanding accessibility of this scale for Spanish-speaking patients.

Andrea earned her Doctor of Nurse Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health from Regis College during her tenure at NIH, her master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Georgetown University, and her registered nursing license from Stevenson University. Driven by a passion for research, she is especially interested in the psychosocial impact of rare chronic illness on patients and their families. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, reading, and traveling.

Jessica Ding

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Email: jessica.ding@nih.gov

Jessica is a postbaccalaureate fellow in Dr. Sheppard’s lab studying complex lymphatic anomalies. She uses zebrafish models to investigate disease-associated genetic variants and underlying mechanisms, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic strategies. Originally from the Dallas area, Jessica graduated from Brown University with a Sc.B. in Neuroscience and an A.B. in Philosophy. She hopes to attend medical school after graduating and would love to continue translational research throughout her career. Outside of the lab, you can find her playing Catan, making pottery, and trying out new restaurants.

Audrey Breckenridge

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Email: audrey.breckenridge@nih.gov

Audrey studies complex lymphatic anomalies using the zebrafish model to better understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind these rare conditions and to find new and more effective treatments. Audrey graduated from University of Richmond with a B.S. in biology and a minor in health studies. While at Richmond, she completed undergraduate research in the lab of Dr. Colleen Carpenter studying epilepsy using the zebrafish model. Audrey is excited to continue her research career as she takes her next step toward a Ph.D. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring new areas of DC, and spending as much time outside as she can!

Laila Lawson

Clinical Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Email: laila.lawson@nih.gov

Laila is a member of the clinical research team in Dr. Sheppard’s lymphatic anomalies lab. Her responsibilities include patient specimen processing, scheduling in patient visits, requesting medical records and other administrative work that involves enrolled and potential study participants. Laila is a graduate of Howard University with B.S in Health Science and a double minor in Chemistry and Maternal and Child Health. Before joining the team, she was a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at My Own Place that cared for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. She currently in the process of applying for medical school. In her free time, she enjoys hosting extravagant themed gatherings with friends, watching true crime, and cooking.

Parinita Nautiyal

Clinical Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Email: parinita.nautiyal@nih.gov

Parinita coordinates multispecialty care, guides participants through their NIH Clinical Center visits, and manages communication for families participating in Dr. Sarah Sheppard’s natural history study of lymphatic anomalies. Parinita values learning directly from families’ experiences with lymphatic anomalies, which inspires her to incorporate patient-focused research as an aspiring medical student. She is passionate about empowering children with complex healthcare needs and supporting their loved ones.

Parinita graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a B.A. in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism and minors in Cognitive Science and Chemistry. During her time in Cleveland, Parinita taught cooking classes and educational lessons to children living with type 1 diabetes. She has contributed to studies on psychosocial support for healthcare providers and families facing cancer with Dr. Lori Wiener at the NCI Pediatric Oncology Branch.

As a proud Jersey native, Parinita enjoys beach days, a good slice of pizza, and quality time with her family!