Lab Members

Nikki Posnack, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Full Profile

Nikki Posnack, Ph.D.

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Research Areas

Pediatric Cardiac Research
Electrophysiology Research
Cardiac Visualization

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Blake Cooper

Predoctoral Fellow

Blake Cooper

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Biography

Blake Cooper is a Ph.D. student in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at The George Washington University. She brings experience from work in a medical device testing lab and a wearable device start-up company. Her research in the Posnack lab thus far has focused on the effects of plastic chemicals, such as bisphenols, on cardiomyocyte calcium handling and electrophysiology. Her dissertation research will utilize a combination of cell imaging techniques, microelectrode array technology, whole-heart langendorff perfusion and dual optical imaging to further investigate intrinsic sex-specific differences in the myocardium and how these may be exacerbated after exposure to environmental xenoestrogens.

Kazi Haq, Ph.D.

Research Associate

Kazi Haq, Ph.D.

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Devon Guerrelli, M.S.

Clinical Research Coordinator

Devon Guerrelli, M.S.

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Biography

Devon Guerrelli is a Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Engineering department at The George Washington University. Devon’s research focuses on pediatric cardiac electrophysiology, specifically how common cardiac intensive care unit therapies (plastic medical devices, off-label medications, blood transfusions, etc.) alter cardiac conduction. In addition, Devon employs microelectrode arrays, isoelectric focusing, electron microscopy and fluorescent imaging to investigate age dependent changes in cardiac conduction and structure. Devon is involved in multiple collaborations with various research groups including Dr. Ishibashi’s lab at Children’s National Hospital to better understand how chronic perinatal hypoxia delays cardiac maturation in cyanotic congenital heart disease and Dr. Weinberg’s lab at The Ohio State University to develop pediatric cardiac electrophysiology computational models. Devon also works closely with the Cardiac Surgery team at Children’s National to coordinate multiple clinical research studies.

Jenna Pressman

Research Technician I

Jenna Pressman

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Anysja Roberts, M.S.

Research Technician I

Anysja Roberts, M.S.

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Luther Swift, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Luther Swift, Ph.D.

Research Centers

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Lab

Posnack Lab

Biography

Luke Swift, Ph.D., is developing an animal model of cardiovascular development for the purpose of improving drug application in a pediatric population – and he brings a broad range of previous research experience. His previous projects have included identifying the mechanism underlying anthracycline cardiotoxicity, discerning the cellular factors behind the initiation of ectopic cardiac activity, and applying hyperspectral imaging to improving the next generation of ablation catheters. Outside of the lab, he continues his work on his own cardio as an avid cyclist.

Our Team

Nikki Posnack, Ph.D.

Nikki Posnack, Ph.D.

Research Centers

Lab

Research Areas

Blake Cooper

Blake Cooper

Research Centers

Lab

Biography

Kazi Haq, Ph.D.

Kazi Haq, Ph.D.

Research Centers

Lab

Devon Guerrelli, M.S.

Devon Guerrelli, M.S.

Research Centers

Lab

Biography

Jenna Pressman

Jenna Pressman

Research Centers

Lab

Anysja Roberts, M.S.

Anysja Roberts, M.S.

Research Centers

Lab

Luther Swift, Ph.D.

Luther Swift, Ph.D.

Research Centers

Lab

Biography

Students