ROHAN PUPPALA

M.S. in Biomedical Sciences: Lincoln Memorial | B.A. in Biology: Johns Hopkins

Multidisciplinary clinical and research professional with experience across Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Behavioral Therapy, and translational science. My research spans nephrology, surgical robotics, cancer biology, and vascular physiology, most recently investigating WNT signaling in copepods as a potential model system.

Skilled in molecular biology, CRISPR, and data tools like R and Tableau. Driven by a passion for bridging clinical insight with scientific innovation, I aim to pursue higher studies focused on advancing patient-centered solutions through research.

Imaging and Analysis Center, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN | Aug 2024 - Current

LEAD RESEARCHER

• Engaged in several ongoing projects as one of the lead researchers at the Imaging and Analysis Center at
  Lincoln Memorial University, under the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Stan Kunigelis.
• As part of my graduate research within the IAC, I am part of an ongoing project that investigates the
  presence of the WNT signaling pathway in copepods, as this is a highly preserved pathway amongst many
  organisms, and this may make Labidocera copepods a valuable model organism for cancer research. There
  is extensive use of immunohistochemistry, such as fluorescent tagging, as well paraffin sample
  preparation, microsurgery, and other ancillary wet lab methods/techniques.
• As part of the role as a lead researcher, I assist other projects, such as an ongoing project investigating the
  articulation of the legs (pleopods) of Labidocera copepods, with the aim of the research to inform ankle
  prosthetic design and function.
• As part of other ongoing research, I was invited to give a poster presentation at the AReMs conference in
  Boone, NC on 03/13/2025 – 03/14/2025. My research focused on investigating the optical pathway of the
  GRIN lens in Labidocera using a combination of microsurgical techniques, including microsurgery, freeze
  cracking, dry fracture, and light microscopy. These methods provided a detailed visualization of the
  optical pathway, with the goal of informing biomedical applications for a potential implant that could
  enable motion detection in individuals with non-congenital blindness. I presented my findings to judges,
  vendors, and fellow researchers in a competitive setting.
• I independently analyze experimental datasets whenever relevant to uncover meaningful trends and
  potential correlations that may not be immediately apparent, helping guide the direction of further
  investigation. My investigation utilizes tools such as R and Python.

Fleenor Research Lab, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, 02/01/24 | Feb 2024 - Aug 2024

MASTERS RESEARCHER

• My research with Dr. Fleenor involved the use of the Pulse Pen Tonometer Probe, which is being used to
  assess Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) in patients to assess its diagnostic value in prediction of co-
  morbities or pathology such as MI.
• As one of the first students to be a part of this project, I have had the privilege of being the one to create a
  thorough protocol for the use of the Pulse Pen and its implementation with patients; this is currently being
  used by the DO medical students carrying out patient studies.

Computational Interaction and Robotics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD | Jan 2017 - Apr 2017

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

• Annotated Rhinoplasty surgery videos.
• Watched and annotated Rhinoplasty surgery videos performed at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus to assess the viability of a grading software developed by the lab.
• Software was used to determine efficacy of the procedure and provide quantitative feedback to residents and medical students when performing Rhinoplasty surgeries.

Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY | Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

CLINICAL DATA RESEARCH ANALYST

• Worked in Dr. Sandeep Mallipattu’s lab with data obtained through patient testing observing the effect of KLF-binding factors on levels of specific hormones/molecules that are cofactors in kidney disease and malfunction.
• Performed mass data analysis using R to sort patient data obtained by the wet lab, and coordinated specific data to present findings and correlational values observed in the research.

Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh’s Lab, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD | May 2016 - Jun 2016

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

• Working on a project on haptics, specifically, an osteoporotic drill that utilizes haptic feedback to indicate different layers of the bone to the user.

Johns Hopkins LCSR, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD | Jan 2016 - May 2016

• Worked with the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK), which I used to develop a course on surgical robotics that was taught during the summer.
• Involved with developing code in Python and ideas that can be implemented in the course, using the da Vinci Surgical Robot.