Hajera Amatullah is an Assistant Professor at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics. Hajera grew up in Abu Dhabi and Toronto, and performed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Toronto.

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Hajera received a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) postdoctoral fellowship and undertook her work in Dr. Kate Jeffrey’s lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Hajera started her independent lab in July 2023 and her research focuses on chromatin regulation of innate immunity in health and disease.

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Outside of the lab, Hajera enjoys biking, basketball, baking, and books (everything from comics books to dystopian sci-fi to colonial and ‘post’-colonial literature).

Himali Gujrati obtained her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2023) from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she worked under the guidance of Dr. Bi-Dar Wang. In the Amatullah Lab, Himali is investigating the role of chromatin reader UHRF2 in innate immune identity and function and how disruption of UHRF2 contributes to inflammatory airway diseases. Beyond the lab, Himali expresses her creativity through acrylic painting, graphite sketching and enjoys classical dancing.

Brianna LaFratta is from Virginia where she graduated college with a Biology degree. Following graduation, she worked for Thermo Fisher as an Immunology Research Associate. Now, she lives in Philadelphia and is gratefully employed by UPenn. In the Amatullah Lab, Brianna works on characterizing the contribution of innate immune memory of environmental triggers in chronic immune disorders. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, yoga, and spending quality time with her two cats, Gaia and Atlas.

Fariha is a Tufts biomedical engineering graduate with a passion for biotechnology research and healthcare equity. Her fascination with the intricate workings of the human body and immune system led her to the Amatullah Lab at UPenn. In the Amatullah Lab, Fariha is working on chromatin reader L3MBTL3 and its role in chronic inflammatory diseases. Beyond the lab, you can find her exploring scenic hiking trails or painting her views on life. Fun fact: If she wasn't doing BME, she would've been a wildlife rehabilitator!

Sydney Racine is an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Biology on the pre-med track. Originally from New Jersey, she is passionate about immunology, public health, and how environmental factors influence disease outcomes. Beyond her research, Sydney is deeply committed to community health initiatives. She helps coordinate kidney disease screenings for low-income communities in Philadelphia and contributes to GlobeMed’s professional development committee. Additionally, she serves as a tour guide for Penn’s Kite and Key Society, sharing her love for the university with prospective students.

Esha Gadi is a passionate activist and researcher. In the lab, Esha is working with Brianna in understanding the effects of nanoplastics on the immune system. Outside of research, Esha is the co-founder of Hush Cakes, a bakery which has provided over 1,000 meals and raised over 3,000 dollars for homeless shelters. In her free time, Esha is a traveling kathak dancer and volunteers at her local free medical clinic.