The Jadiya Lab aims to foster a culture that promotes a productive, independent, and collegial environment where all members can thrive in pursuit of scientific excellence. The lab is dedicated to advancing our understanding of mitochondrial (dys)function in aging and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Our Research
Mitochondria and intracellular calcium flux are critical determinant of aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Neuronal intracellular calcium flux is tightly coupled with mitochondrial calcium uptake. Mitochondrial calcium flux is essential for cellular respiration specifically in excitable cells, like neurons, due to high energy demands. However, excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake can contribute to oxidative stress, mitochondrial and metabolic derangement, and neuronal cell death. Yet to date, our understanding of mitochondrial calcium signaling in neurons is limited, and its role in aging and neurodegeneration remains enigmatic. Utilizing multiple genetically modified rodent models our goal is to dissect how specifically mitochondrial calcium dysregulation contributes to aging and associated neuropathology.
Mitochondrial health is essential for cellular functions and survival. Our lab aims to investigate the mitochondrial quality control pathways, including mitochondrial proteostasis, dynamics, and mitophagy, to determine the mechanisms by which mitochondrial calcium dysregulation and mitochondrial (dys)function contribute to aging and age-related neurodegenerations. We combine mass spectrometry-based profiling (proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics), confocal and electron microscopy, mouse genetics, and mammalian physiology to understand how perturbing mitochondrial quality control pathway elicits neuronal pathology and how preserving healthy mitochondria can prevent age-associated neuronal dysfunction.
The lab studies the mechanisms of mitochondrial (dys)functions, calcium deregulation, and cell death in neurodegeneration, focusing on Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a major age-related multifactorial pathology and is characterized by irreversible memory loss and the deposition of amyloid-beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated-tau (neurofibrillary tangles), specifically in the brain cortex and hippocampal regions. Enormous scientific endeavor has been focused on unraveling the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving neurodegeneration, but there remains no cure for AD. Indeed, altered mitochondrial signaling is believed to present before the onset of clinical symptoms. We aim to determine the early contributor of this disease and identify new therapeutic targets for AD. The lab evaluates neurodegeneration, cognitive function, and neuropathology using various AD models, including 3xTg-AD, 5xFAD, and App-KI mice, in-vitro cell lines (APPswe), and human AD samples to assess how perturbation of mitochondrial (dys)functions predisposes to AD.
Mitochondrial functions and quality decline with normal aging and are linked with the progression of age-related diseases. We are interested in how mitochondrial (dys)functions and calcium dysregulation contribute to aging and how mitochondrial quality control pathways regulate lifespan. Our lab utilizes various in vivo and in vitro approaches to understand the molecular mechanisms directed at improving mitochondrial quality and function and how these mechanisms could be targeted therapeutically to improve life span.
Publications
View the most recent highlighted research articles, book chapters, and publications from the Jadiya lab at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Our Team
Pooja Jadiya, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Dr. Pooja Jadiya is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Her laboratory investigates mitochondrial biology in aging and disease, with a focus on uncovering molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets that protect brain and cardiac health—particularly in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular disorders.
She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Neurobiology) from the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), India, and completed postdoctoral training at Temple University in Philadelphia. During her postdoc, she received the prestigious NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, supporting her transition to an independent investigator. Dr. Jadiya's interdisciplinary expertise spans neurobiology, mitochondrial calcium signaling, protein quality control, redox biology, epigenetics, and cellular metabolism. Her lab utilizes genetic mouse models, advanced imaging, mitochondrial functional assays, calcium flux analysis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and behavioral studies to investigate how mitochondrial dysfunction drives neurodegeneration and cardiac decline.
She has authored numerous high-impact publications and received multiple awards for her contributions to the field. Her research is currently funded by the NIH, American Heart Association, and the Alzheimer's Association
The Jadiya Lab is a collaborative, innovation-driven research environment committed to advancing the science of aging and neurodegeneration. The lab welcomes collaborations and passionate researchers interested in mitochondrial biology, aging, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases.
Education
- Fellowship, Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2015 - 2020.
- Fellowship, Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 2015.
- Ph.D., Biological Sciences, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, 2015.
- M.Sc., Biotechnology, Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, India, 2008.
- B.Sc., Biotechnology, Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, India, 2006.
Natasha Jaiswal, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
njaiswal@wakehealth.edu
Dr. Natasha Jaiswal is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Jadiya Lab, where she leads a major project investigating the role of CLPB, a mitochondrial disaggregase protein, in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Her research focuses on how CLPB dysfunction contributes to mitochondrial stress and neuronal vulnerability, using innovative loss- and gain-of-function transgenic AD mouse models. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining biochemistry, behavioral neuroscience, and transcriptomic analysis, Dr. Jaiswal aims to uncover how CLPB influences amyloid pathology, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline. Her work ultimately seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets that restore mitochondrial quality control in neurodegeneration.
Dr. Jaiswal's research is currently supported by a prestigious American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship, highlighting the high-impact and translational value of her work.She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from Friedrich Schiller University, Germany, where she developed strong expertise in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and molecular biology. Outside the lab, Natasha enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, and dancing—activities that reflect her energetic and well-rounded personality.
Education
- Research Associate, University of South Florida, USA, 2023 - 2024.
- Ph.D., Genetics, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany, 2023
- M.Sc., Genetics, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India, 2018
- B.Sc., Chemistry, Zoology, and Biotechnology, St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru, India, 2016
Kunal Samantaray, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
ksamanta@wakehealth.edu
Dr. Kunal Samantaray is a postdoctoral fellow in the Jadiya Lab at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. His current research focuses on two complementary projects aimed at understanding how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
In one project, Dr. Samantaray investigates calcium homeostasis in AD, examining how post-translational modifications of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) alter calcium transport and link metabolic changes to mitochondrial dysfunction. His second project centers on TRIM25, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and its role in regulating mitochondrial proteostasis, neuroinflammation, and protein homeostasis in AD.
He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology and Biophysics from KIIT University, India, and completed first postdoctoral research in membrane biophysics at the University of Montreal, Canada. His previous work includes the development of electric field-guided bacterial assembly systems and microgel-based point-of-care devices, for which he holds two patents. Dr. Samantaray's projects utilize a wide range of techniques, including in vitro and in vivo models, advanced imaging, gene manipulation, mitochondrial assays, and behavioral neuroscience, to dissect mitochondrial dysfunction and identify potential therapeutic targets for AD.
Education
- Fellowship, Department of Physics, University of Montreal, Canada, 2021 – 2024
- Research Scientist, FemtoFarad Pvt. Ltd, India, 2020 – 2021
- CSIR-NET Research Fellow, School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, India, 2015 – 2020
Shatakshi Shukla
Shatakshi is a dynamic and dedicated visiting research graduate scholar. Within the Jadiya lab, she currently delving into the fascinating world of miRNAs and their impact on mitochondrial calcium signaling in Alzheimer's disease.
Education
- M.Sc., Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India, 2017 - 2019.
- B.Sc., (H) Biomedical Sciences, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, University of Delhi, Delhi, India, 2014 - 2017.
Gunjan Singh
Research Technician
gusingh@wakehealth.edu
Past Members
Darpan Raghav, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Rakesh Sharma, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Gina Phanomchon
Undergraduate Research Intern
Anabelle Hessong
Undergraduate Research Intern
Nicole I. Anthony
Center for Precision Medicine Summer Intern
Natnael Belay
Enhancing Undergraduate Education and Research in Aging to Eliminate Health Disparities (ENGAGED) Summer Intern
Aarush Kulkarni
High-School Draelos Scholar