Bernardo was born in Brazil and received his B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Franciscan University in 2016. During his undergraduate studies, he was awarded a scholarship and worked as a visiting student in Prof. Mark Berryman’s lab at Ohio University to understand the role of CLIC5 and Radixin interaction in driving deafness and vertigo in mice. Back in Brazil, he obtained his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in the group of Prof. Cristiane Matté, where he developed an interest in mitochondrial oxidative stress and redox biology. During his M.Sc. and Ph.D., he investigated how maternal dietary modifications during pregnancy may modulate the redox status and mitochondrial physiology in the developing offspring’s brain and their potential neurodevelopmental outcomes. Bernardo joined the Goedeke lab in 2023 as a postdoctoral fellow, where he is using his experience to investigate how mitochondrial uncoupling reduces the progression of diabetic atherosclerosis in mice. In his free time, he enjoys reading books, long-distance walking, discovering good music, and playing team sports.

Niki is originally from Queens, New York. She obtained a B.S. in Biochemistry from The City College of New York in 2021 and M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine from Imperial College London in 2022. Under the mentorship of Dr. Elina Akalestou at Imperial College, she investigated potential underlying mechanisms driving Type 2 Diabetes remission post-bariatric surgery via a kidney-adipose tissue axis. Using human kidney cells, she investigated the effect of adipokines on renal glucose reabsorption. Niki joined the Goedeke Lab within the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Mount Sinai as a Research Associate in 2022 and later, as a graduate student in 2024. She is interested in using her background in molecular biology and in vivo experience to investigate novel metabolic hubs and their potential role in the development of atherosclerosis. In her free time, she enjoys long-distance cycling and traveling.

Myles is from Manhattan, New York and currently attends the Bronx High School of Science. He is most interested in cardiovascular disease with a particular interest in atherosclerosis. Myles developed an interest in atherosclerosis after seeing a coronary angiogram in the catheterization laboratory and wondering why this disease could not be reversed or prevented. Myles joined the lab in January of 2023. His favorite activities include playing the piano, playing tennis, and learning Latin.

Connor received his B.A. in Biology, with minors in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Psychology, and Philosophy, from the University of Miami in 2023. Previously, under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Kontorovich at The Cardiovascular Research Institute at Mount Sinai, Connor performed basic laboratory assays for molecular cardiovascular genetics research on myocarditis. During his undergraduate studies, he developed an interest in studying metabolism, mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics, and oxidative stress—particularly, the role of mitochondria in pathways underlying chronic disease. Connor joined the Goedeke Lab in June 2023 as a research volunteer to develop an understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiometabolic disorders. Outside the lab, Connor enjoys reading and long-distance running.