Principal Investigator
Shahab Vahdat, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Director, Stroke NeuroRecovery Lab
Shahab joined the Bioengineering Department at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 2024, and holds an additional affiliation with the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UCR. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant Professor of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida from 2019-2024. He was a postdoctoral scholar in the Departments of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery at Stanford University, where he studied neurotreatment and pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in rodent models. His earlier postdoctoral fellowship was at University of Montreal, focused on of spinal cord functional neuroimaging and electrophysiology in humans. He received his PhD degree in the field of human motor neuroscience from McGill University, Canada. He obtained his MSc and BSc degrees in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology and University of Tehran.
His areas of research include neural circuits and neurotreatment in ischemic stroke, with a particular focus on brainstem and spinal cord circuitry.
Assistant Professor, Director, Stroke NeuroRecovery Lab
Shahab joined the Bioengineering Department at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 2024, and holds an additional affiliation with the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UCR. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant Professor of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida from 2019-2024. He was a postdoctoral scholar in the Departments of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery at Stanford University, where he studied neurotreatment and pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in rodent models. His earlier postdoctoral fellowship was at University of Montreal, focused on of spinal cord functional neuroimaging and electrophysiology in humans. He received his PhD degree in the field of human motor neuroscience from McGill University, Canada. He obtained his MSc and BSc degrees in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology and University of Tehran.
His areas of research include neural circuits and neurotreatment in ischemic stroke, with a particular focus on brainstem and spinal cord circuitry.
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Ph.D. Students
Vishwas Jindal
Vishwas completed his PhD in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida. He earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering and gained industry experience prior to beginning his doctoral training. He is keen on learning the deep-rooted concepts of Neural System and Neuroimaging and aims to develop novel engineering solutions to problems associated with neurological limitations and dysfunctions. His research primarily focuses on investigating cortical and brainstem neural mechanisms in intact and lesioned mice during motor skill learning and optogenetic stimulation.
In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors and binging on Bollywood movies.
Vishwas completed his PhD in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida. He earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering and gained industry experience prior to beginning his doctoral training. He is keen on learning the deep-rooted concepts of Neural System and Neuroimaging and aims to develop novel engineering solutions to problems associated with neurological limitations and dysfunctions. His research primarily focuses on investigating cortical and brainstem neural mechanisms in intact and lesioned mice during motor skill learning and optogenetic stimulation.
In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors and binging on Bollywood movies.
Sushain Kaul
Sushain is currently a Ph.D. student in the Stroke NeuroRecovery Lab. He joined our research team in 2019 while doing his Masters in Biomedical Engineering. His time in the lab helped him develop an ardent interest in Neuroscience, especially in the use of optogenetics for stroke rehabilitation. After completing his master’s degree in 2021, he continued his research in the lab as a PhD student, first in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (APK) at the University of Florida, and subsequently in the Bioengineering Department at the University of California, Riverside.
His current research centers on understanding spasticity and evaluating optogenetic stimulation as a neuromodulation strategy in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.
Other than research, Sushain loves to travel around the world and take pictures. He also loves to go on bike trails and outdoor adventures.
Sushain is currently a Ph.D. student in the Stroke NeuroRecovery Lab. He joined our research team in 2019 while doing his Masters in Biomedical Engineering. His time in the lab helped him develop an ardent interest in Neuroscience, especially in the use of optogenetics for stroke rehabilitation. After completing his master’s degree in 2021, he continued his research in the lab as a PhD student, first in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (APK) at the University of Florida, and subsequently in the Bioengineering Department at the University of California, Riverside.
His current research centers on understanding spasticity and evaluating optogenetic stimulation as a neuromodulation strategy in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.
Other than research, Sushain loves to travel around the world and take pictures. He also loves to go on bike trails and outdoor adventures.
Derun Wang
Derun is a PhD student in Bioengineering Department at the University of California, Riverside, working in the Stroke NeuroRecovery Lab. His research investigates brain–spinal cord interactions underlying motor control and recovery, with a focus on post-stroke spasticity.
He integrates multimodal brain and spinal cord fMRI with quantitative, systems-level analysis to study descending motor pathways and sensorimotor integration. His work emphasizes systems-oriented modeling approaches that inform the design of neurorehabilitation and neuromodulation strategies.
Outside of research, Derun enjoys cooking and spending time engaging in physical exercise and outdoor activities.
Derun is a PhD student in Bioengineering Department at the University of California, Riverside, working in the Stroke NeuroRecovery Lab. His research investigates brain–spinal cord interactions underlying motor control and recovery, with a focus on post-stroke spasticity.
He integrates multimodal brain and spinal cord fMRI with quantitative, systems-level analysis to study descending motor pathways and sensorimotor integration. His work emphasizes systems-oriented modeling approaches that inform the design of neurorehabilitation and neuromodulation strategies.
Outside of research, Derun enjoys cooking and spending time engaging in physical exercise and outdoor activities.
Undergraduate Students
Jason Veizaj (Biology)
Zoë Schuler (APK)
Erika de Jesus (APK)
Krystina M Masihy (APK)
Jenavieve King (APK)
Dhruv Sakaria (APK)
Zoë Schuler (APK)
Erika de Jesus (APK)
Krystina M Masihy (APK)
Jenavieve King (APK)
Dhruv Sakaria (APK)
Alumni
Pouneh Baniasad (PhD student, Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, 2021-2023)
Cho-Lun Chaing (MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2020-2021)
Jasmine Singh (MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2020-2021)
Shailini Nigam (MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2020)
Undergrads: Anthony Avila (APK), Caeley Reever (Biology), Claudia Galindo (APK), Jack Callaway (APK),
Keval Patel (APK), Parker Smith (APK), Rushabh Shah (APK), Dahlia Wrubluski (APK)
Cho-Lun Chaing (MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2020-2021)
Jasmine Singh (MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2020-2021)
Shailini Nigam (MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2020)
Undergrads: Anthony Avila (APK), Caeley Reever (Biology), Claudia Galindo (APK), Jack Callaway (APK),
Keval Patel (APK), Parker Smith (APK), Rushabh Shah (APK), Dahlia Wrubluski (APK)
Stroke Neuro-Recovery Lab is looking for students on a rolling basis!
If interested, please send a brief statement of interest, your resume, and an unofficial transcript of your degree(s) to Dr. Vahdat at [email protected]. Current UCR Undergraduate and Master's students seeking research opportunities should be in a good academic standing with an overall GPA > 3.6.