Meet the PI
Dr. Michelle Gray
Dr. Gray received a B.S. in biology from Alabama State University in Montgomery. She then earned a Ph.D. from Ohio State University in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. At Ohio State University, she studied neurogenic defects that resulted in abnormal axon pathfinding abnormalities caused by genetic mutations in the zebrafish model system using cellular and molecular biology techniques in the laboratory of Dr. Christine Beattie. Dr. Gray performed post-doctoral studies in the laboratory of Dr. X. William Yang in the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles. She developed a conditional human Bacterial Artificial Chromosome transgenic mouse model containing the entire human huntingtin locus to model Huntington’s disease (BACHD) that is widely used by many laboratories throughout the world. She continues to use mouse genetic approaches to model neurodegenerative diseases.
Lab Members
Searching. Learning. Discovering.
Dr. Gray has a diverse team of lab members she mentors in her lab. She believes in a hands on approach to building the next generation of scientists.
Jahmel Fowler, PhD, MHA
My name is Jahmel Fowler and I am from Nassau, Bahamas. I am a newly defended PhD in the Gray lab. My research focuses on somatostatin- and parvalbumin-expressing interneurons and their contribution to molecular and behavioral phenotypes in Huntington’s Disease. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and writing healthcare articles.
PhD Candidate
Jewel S. Hairston
My name is Jewel Hairston, and I am from Huntsville, AL. I am fifth year PhD candidate in the UAB Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program in the Biochemistry and Structural Biology theme. My research in the Gray lab is focused on interneuron-astrocyte interactions and their contributions to the striatal circuit and Huntington's disease phenotypes. In my spare time, I love to listen to music, attend concerts, and host my friends for dinner parties.
Undergraduate Student
Hope K. Migwi
My name is Hope Migwi, and I am a sophomore studying neuroscience. As an undergrad, I am so excited to embark on my research journey at the Gray Laboratory! I am currently assisting Jewel on her project which focuses on interneuron-astrocyte interactions and the morphological changes associated with Huntington’s disease using mouse models. I look forward to deepening my knowledge and contributing to Huntington’s disease research. In my free time I enjoy reading, painting, and spending time with my friends and family.
Lab Intern
Diya Kana
My name is Diya Kana and I am from Hoover, Alabama. I am currently a senior at Hoover High School. My research in the Gray Lab is focused on striatal astrocyte morphology changes in Huntington's Disease. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, painting, and spending time with my friends and family. I am so excited to work with everyone in the Gray Lab!
Masters Student
Jordynn Hunter
My name is Jordynn Hunter, and I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from UAB. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in the Multidisciplinary Biomedical Sciences program at UAB. My research focus on the involvement of alpha-actinin-2 in the pathogenesis of Huntington's Disease. Apart from my academic endeavors, I find pleasure in reading, watching TV, and cherishing moments with my family.
Undergraduate Student
Morgan Hicks
My name is Morgan Hicks, and I am currently a senior studying biomedical sciences and minoring in psychology and chemistry. I am from Chattanooga, TN and plan to attend PA school after I graduate. My research in the Gray lab focuses on studying striatal astrocytes and their morphological changes in Huntington’s disease within wild type, BACHD, and BAC-CAG mouse models. In my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, thrifting, and traveling.
Undergraduate Student
Anushka Patel
My name is Anushka Patel, and I am a senior neuroscience major and chemistry minor in the University Honors Program. I have been researching with Dr. Gray since the summer before my freshman year and have focused my research on GABA transporters. Additionally, in my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and playing badminton.
Undergraduate Student
Darien Robinson
I’m Darien Robinson, a Senior Neuroscience Major with minors in both Chemistry and Pyschology here at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. My research with Huntington’s Disease focuses on exploring the role of both somatostatin and parvalbumin-expressing cells in striatal GAT1 loss using a conditonal BACHD mouse model. Outside the lab, in my spare time, I enjoy traveling, shopping, and watching netflix!
Lab Alumni
