I study how cells and tissues recover after injury. My research has focused on intestinal stem cells and neurodegeneration.
I want to understand how cells respond to injury and what helps them recover.
I study how TET1 affects which secretory cell types intestinal stem cells become as the epithelium recovers.
I engineer human intestinal epithelial cell lines to distinguish cell states based on SOX9 expression.
Studied ethanol-induced neurodegeneration and etifoxine-mediated neuroprotection in Alzheimer's-model mice using quantitative fluorescence microscopy.
I review studies of GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B variants to assess the evidence linking these genes to disease.
Shelke, E.; Janto, N.V.; Gleizes, A.R.; Gracz, A.D.
2026 CGIBD Research Competition · Raleigh, NC
Selected among the 12 highest-rated abstracts.
Shelke, E.; Marshall, S.A.
2024 SRSP Research Day, North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC
Shelke, E.; Marshall, S.A.
2023 SRSP Research Day, North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC
Received the Outstanding Research Award.
I isolate intestinal crypts and grow organoids in Matrigel using WENR/ENR media and growth-factor supplements. I also run clonogenic assays with isolated intestinal stem cells and Paneth cells to study regeneration and cellular plasticity.
I use Sox9EGFP and cell identity to sort intestinal epithelial populations. I then use the sorted cells in clonogenic cultures to study stem-cell behavior and Paneth-cell dedifferentiation.
I plan and run immunofluorescence experiments on intestinal tissue, from cryosectioning and antigen retrieval to staining, imaging, and analysis. Markers I have worked with include CHGA, MUC2, DCAMKL1, and lysozyme.
I use HCR fluorescence in situ hybridization to see where RNA is expressed in intestinal epithelial tissue and cell models.
I dissect and prepare mouse intestinal tissue, cut cryosections, and analyze tissue from genetically engineered models of intestinal stem-cell injury and regeneration.
I use fluorescence images to measure cell counts, cell locations, and marker expression in intestinal and neural tissue. My work has also included measuring amyloid-β accumulation and microglial responses.
I organize data by experimental replicate, run statistical comparisons, and interpret the results in the context of the experiment.
Through ClinGen, I review published evidence on GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B variants for gene-disease validity assessment and clinical interpretation.
Outside the lab, I work with patients, help train students, and supervise a team at UNC Campus Recreation.
I help people recovering from cancer treatment with low-intensity exercise sessions tailored to their mobility and strength. I work with returning participants and see how their recovery changes over time.
I help patients find their way to appointments at UNC Health Cancer Hospital. I also help with programs for patients and families through the Patient and Family Resource Center.
In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, I transported patients and helped them move safely through the unit after surgery.
I helped with patient intake by recording vital signs and the concerns patients came in with, then passing that information to the physician.
I have trained students in Swiss rolling, immunofluorescence, cryosectioning, and other lab techniques. At UNC Campus Recreation, I supervise Operations Ambassadors and help run a large recreation facility.
I engage UNC students through campus outreach and tabling to expand membership and promote environmental solutions.
I'm Eeshan, a neuroscience student at UNC–Chapel Hill. I'm interested in how the body recovers after injury, and what happens when that process breaks down. Right now, I study intestinal stem cells in the Gracz Lab. Before that, I worked on neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.
Outside the lab, I work with people recovering from cancer treatment, help patients and families at UNC Health, and supervise a team at Campus Recreation.
Happy to connect!
Get in touch ↗EDUCATION
Minors in Medical Anthropology and Chemistry · Dean's List ×3 · Expected May 2028.