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Faculty and Staff

Dikha De (Biostatistician III)

Dikha graduated from Boston University School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health degree in 2022, specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Global Health Program Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation. She also completed her Bachelor's in Dental Surgery at Manipal College of Dental Sciences, India, in 2018. During her master's program, she discovered her passion for large-scale epidemiological studies, coding, and public health in general. Her primary interests include data analytics using SAS and SQL, as well as communicating and implementing research for a broader audience.

At the Seddon Lab, she serves as a Biostatistician III, where her responsibilities include maintaining various databases, extracting data, performing analyses, creating visualizations, and contributing to ongoing research on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other maculopathies. Currently, in addition to her various project responsibilities, she is assisting in translating updated risk prediction models into the AMD Risk Calculator.

Before coming to the United States for her higher education, Dikha practiced public health dentistry and worked for a non-profit organization specializing in health promotion, cancer screening, awareness, and treatment.

Publications:

Seddon, Johanna M et al. “Family History of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Genetics Predict Progression to Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration Adjusting for Macular Status, Demographic, and Lifestyle Factors.” American journal of ophthalmology, vol. 255 74-86. 10 Jul. 2023, doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2023.06.017
Seddon JM, Rosner B, De D, Huan T, Java A, Atkinson J. Rare Dysfunctional Complement Factor I Genetic Variants and Progression to Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Sci. 2022 Dec 30;3(2):100265. doi: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100265. PMID: 36909148; PMCID: PMC9993025.
Lee JS, Albrechta H, Goodman GR, De D, Takabatake K, O'Cleirigh C, Mayer KH, Fisher C, Carnes CT, Chai PR. Diversity in Digital Pill Systems: Differences in Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Use of a Digital Pill System for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men with Diverse Racial and Ethnic Identities. Proc Annu Hawaii Int Conf Syst Sci. 2023;2023:2933-2942. Epub 2023 Jan 3. PMID: 36654663; PMCID: PMC9843706
Chai P, De D, Albrechta H, Goodman GR, Takabatake K, Ben-Arieh A, Lee JS, Glynn TR, Mayer K, O'Cleirigh C, Fisher C. Attitudes towards participating in research involving digital pill systems to measure oral HIV pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis: a cross-sectional study among men who have sex with men with substance use in the USA. BMJ Open. 2023 Jan 30;13(1):e067549. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067549. PMID: 36717151; PMCID: PMC9887701.

**Laura Grunenkovaite** (Research Coordinator II)

Laura Grunenkovaite graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a BS in Biology in May of 2022. Her thesis focused on investigating cilia regeneration in a C. elegans temperature sensitive kinesin mutant which may help in addressing ciliopathies in the future. At the Seddon Lab, she started as a Clinical Research Coordinator I but quickly moved up to a Clinical Research Coordinator II position. On a daily basis, Laura interacts with many patients – coordinating blood draws, retinal imaging, and promoting healthy habits. She has contributed to projects regarding the characterization of genotypic-phenotypic associations to help guide the therapeutics which may alter retinal disease onset and progression. She is currently in the medical school interview process and hopes to attend medical school next year. Outside of work, Laura loves to ski, read, bike, and forage berries and mushrooms.

**Preya Patel** (Research Coordinator I)

Preya Patel graduated from the University of Massachusetts- Amherst with both a BS in Biology and BA in History in 2023. Her thesis focused on the influence of a plant-based diet on the molcular mechanisms in cancer which brings to light additional therapeutic options to consider alongside traditional treatment methods. It also adds to the growing literature of personalized and preventative medicine. Her interest and background in the intersection between lifestyle, particularly nutrition, and disease is what initially attracted her to the Seddon Lab- which focuses on both in the context of macular degeneration and other related ocular disorders. She has a keen interest in scientific dissemination and puts that passion into practice through her interactions with patients and maintenance of the Seddon Lab website and social media outlets. She hopes to hone this skill as she prepares to apply for a masters in genetic counseling. Outside of work, Preya spends her time engaging in civic engagement and scientific activism with various grassroots organizations.