Adna Curukovic, M.S., Ed.D.
Research Associate
Adna received her B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Northwestern State University. In 2015, she completed her M.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. During her master’s studies, Adna worked in the laboratory of Dr. Tara Williams-Hart, whose research was focused on finding the potential molecular targets of a putative anti-cancer drug, fusarochromanone (FC101). In 2019, Adna received her doctoral degree in Healthcare Leadership from LSU Shreveport. A former number 1 ranked tennis player in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adna also holds a USPTA certification and teaches tennis in her free time.
Shweta Tiwary, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Shweta received a B.S. degree in Biotechnology from Banasthali University in 2011. In 2013, she completed her M.S. degree from Banasthali University. During her Master dissertation she worked on the role of Ayurvedic drugs on apoptosis in Drosophila at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). She obtained her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi, India in 2020. During her graduate studies, she focused on studying the role of Mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) proteins in islet cell apoptosis in diabetes. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and painting. She also loves gardening and has a small garden of her own.
Cristina Guerena, B.S.
CMB PhD Student
Cristina earned her B.S. degree in Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 2022. During her time at UTEP, she participated in the esteemed research program known as BUILDing Scholars, which is designed to engage students more deeply in the STEM field. During her sophomore year at UTEP she joined a lab under Dr. Renato Aguilera and studied the cytotoxicity of various compounds against cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors either playing tennis or walking her dogs.
Pablo Santos Molina, B.S.
CMB PhD Student
Pablo earned his B.S. in Microbiology from Arizona State University in 2022. As an undergraduate, he conducted research as a Barrett College Fellow under Dr. Miyeko Mana, studying how the gut microbiome influences intestinal stem cell properties under a high-fat diet. After graduating, he joined the Sloan Kettering Institute through the MSK Bridge Program, where he studied mycobacterial proteostasis and DNA repair under Dr. Michael Glickman. He joined the Jewell Lab in April 2025 and is currently working on mTORC1 regulation by glutamine and asparagine. Outside the lab, he enjoys exploring new food spots in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Greg Urquhart
Lab Manager
Greg has an AAS degree in biotechnology from Collin College. He has been at UT Southwestern Medical Center since 2001.
Praneeth Moturi, B.S.
Fall 2023 - Starting Medical School
Summer Intern
Praneeth received his B.S. in Biology from University of Texas at Dallas in 2020. Previously, he volunteered in Dr. Zhang's lab assisting with identifying the role of heme in neuronal development and how altered heme homeostasis leads to Alzheimer's disease. He joined the Jewell lab to continue expanding his understanding of molecular and cell biology as well as cancer biology. In his free time, he likes to play football and basketball and volunteer at COVID-19 vaccination drives.
Amana Khan, B.S.
Fall 2025 - Starting Medical School
Summer Intern
Aamna graduated in May 2025 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Prior to joining the Jewell Lab, she was studying the effects of substance abuse on the neural circuitry of rodents under Dr. Sven Kroener. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing.