Lab Team

Professor
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Emory University School of Medicine

Faculty Profile

Steven Goudy, M.D., MBA is the Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Emory University, where he is focused on craniofacial bone development and regeneration.  His lab is currently developing regenerative approaches to pediatric craniofacial bone loss using animal models.  Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, Dr. Goudy is developing innovative approaches for drug and cell delivery, leveraging their collaborations with the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Aside from spending time in lab and clinic, he is an active runner and was one of the Olympics torch-bearers at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

Hope Robinson, Ph.D. comes to us from the cancer side of research, having earned her PhD in Cancer Biology and completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Cancer Immunology here at Emory. She is excited to work on encouraging cells to grow and divide rather than figuring out better ways to eliminate them. Hope and her family have lived in Georgia for over 25 years and love Atlanta. When she is not doing research, Hope enjoys spending time with her husband, their adult children, and the various animals that have found their way to the Robinson home.

Keerthi Priya Chinniampalayam Sekar, Ph.D. is currently a postdoctoral fellow. I relocated here due to my spouse pursuing a postdoctoral training. I earned my PhD, M.S, and B.S degrees from the University of Madras. My doctoral and M.S projects primarily focused on stress and behavior in various models, such as sleep deprivation and adolescent stress. For my postdoctoral work, I am dedicated to studying the role of the oral microbiome in wound healing, particularly in oronasal fistula models. Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, gardening, traveling, trying different cuisines, and playing chess.

Tim Cha, B.S. earned his B.S. in Mathematical Biology and Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) at the University of Michigan, 2020. While at Michigan, he worked as a lab manager for a neuroscience lab studying sensory processing, motivation, and homeostatic behaviors. He moved to Emory with his partner in 2023 and was fortunate enough to join the Goudy Lab! Tim’s research interests include animal models of disease, histology, and the ethical care and use of animals in research. In the future, Tim will be applying to veterinary school. Besides time spent in lab, he loves to hike and camp with his two Shiba Inus, bake, try new restaurants, and run outside (not on a treadmill).

Afra Toma, Ph.D., M.S. obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. She graduated with her BS and MS degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University and University of Florida, respectively. As Toma was co-advised by Dr. Steven Goudy and Dr. Nick Willett, her project focuses on developing biomaterials-based immuno-regenerative therapies for orofacial clefts in pediatric patients and enhancing oral wound healing via local delivery of immunomodulatory drug. Apart from spending time in lab, Toma enjoys photography, cooking, and painting.

Sundus Kaimari, B.S. was an M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech. She earned her B.S. in Biological Engineering in 2021 from the University of Georgia. Her research interest is the use of biomaterial in the context of tissue regeneration. Her project focuses on the development of a high throughput assay that screens for activators of p70 S6K to harness them in craniofacial bone regeneration. In the future, Sundus hopes to expand her knowledge in regenerative therapies and apply that in providing therapies for pediatric patients. Outside of lab, Sundus enjoys hiking, playing badminton, reading, and spending time with friends.

Yejin Katy Suh, B.S. recently completed her B.S. in Biology at Emory University, 2023. Her current project focused on elucidating the pathways contributing to the effects of Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 (BMP2) on human pediatric bone cells. In the near future, Katy will be applying to medical school. Outside of the lab, Katy enjoys working as an EMT for the Emory community, running, and visiting new cafes and bakeries in Georgia!

Andre Burnham, M.D. B.A. earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Hamilton College and is now finishing his M.D. at Emory University School of Medicine. Prior to attending medical school, he worked as a Research Specialist and undergraduate biology lab instructor at Emory University. His laboratory research focuses on studying immunomodulatory properties of small molecules and cell therapies. His clinical research interests include head and neck cancer, postoperative wound healing, and quality of life outcomes in surgical patients. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing piano, golfing, and beekeeping.

Archana Kamalakar, Ph.D., M.S. was an Associate Scientist in our lab. She hails from India where she completed her Masters in Microbiology and a P.G. Diploma in Clinical Research. Archana discovered her propensity for Science at a very early age and she presented herself as a scientist at her 6th grade career exhibition. Thereafter, she completed her doctoral thesis project titled "Novel Regulators of Osteoclastogenesis: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Parathyroid hormone-related protein (12-48), (PTHrP(12-48))” at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Archana completed her Post-doctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. Goudy. Archana aspires to continue academic research and teaching in order to inculcate the love for Sciences in generations to come. Apart from Science, Archana also has a passion for Sailing. In 2006, she won the gold at the National Sailing Regatta (India) held by the Laser Class Association of India (LCAI).

Heath Bradley, M.S. earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology from Grove City College in 1997 and earned a M.S. in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University in 2006. Heath has over 20 years of experience in both research and clinical labs. In the fall of 2021 Heath joined the Goudy lab at Emory as to study the role that the oral and nasal microbiomes play on wound healing of orofacial clefts.  Heath hopes to further the lab's study of wound healing to help those in need find the help to have a better life. Outside of work, Heath enjoys outings with friends and family to see the Atlanta United and enjoys camping and other outdoor activities with his family.

Monica Behara, B.S. was an M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech. She graduated in 2021, with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Materials Science Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. She is very passionate about the field of immunomodulation and is hoping to expand her knowledge of wound healing in the context of biomaterials implantation. In the future, Monica aspires to work with nanoscale biomaterials, and hopes to eventually apply this technology to immuno-regenerative therapies. In her free time, Monica is a classically trained violinist and pianist, is a member of several orchestras on/off campus, and enjoys singing in a variety of languages. 

Nithin Ravikumar, M.S. was an M.S. student in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech with a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering also from the school. In the Goudy Lab, he is currently developing a PEG hydrogel-based strategy for the delivery of Jagged1 to improve bone regeneration of craniofacial injuries. Nithin hopes to strengthen his skills as a researcher and engineer to contribute to the scientific community and play role in improving human health. His other interests outside of science include reading and traveling.

Angelica Amanso, Ph.D., was an academic research assistant scientist. She is from Brazil and obtained her degree in Pharmacy-Biochemistry at Sao Paulo University. Deep understanding of human biology was one of her major interests, so she pursued career as a scientist at the Heart Institute-Sao Paulo University, where she completed her Ph.D. in Cardiovascular basic science. Since 2009, she has been working at Emory University, developing projects and collaborating with several labs. In her spare time, she enjoys nature trails with her four-paw kids.

Samir Ballestas Naissir, M.D., was a medical doctor coming from Universidad del Norte at Barranquilla, Colombia. He discovered his passion for medicine, at a very young age and pursued medical training, specifically in Otolaryngology.  Interested in basic science research, he is very enthusiastic about surgical approaches like, voice surgery, endoscopic cranial base tumor resections and cleft palate charity surgeries for underserved communities. One of the purposes of the work he is doing here can also have an impact in vulnerable populations in his country and Latin America. Soccer and reading are among his interests outside medicine and science.