Lab Members
Hitesh S. Deshmukh, M.D, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Faculty Profile: Hitesh S. Deshmukh, M.D., Ph.D.
Hitesh_Deshmukh@URMC.Rochester.edu
Dr. Deshmukh's research program reframes our understanding of early life, viewing infancy not as a period of vulnerability but as a critical window of opportunity to establish lifelong lung health. His work explores how conditions before and shortly after birth can shape health outcomes through adulthood. The concept of "fetal origins of health and disease" guides our research, supported by evidence that early life experiences—including those before birth—affect many aspects of lung health, from susceptibility to viral infections (including SARS-CoV-2) to the development of asthma and chronic lung diseases. These early influences can have consequences that extend well beyond childhood.
Jerilyn Gray
Jerilyn Gray is the Lab Manager for the Deshmukh Lab and has been in this position for over a decade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Manchester University and a master’s degree in Biotechnology from Ball State University. Prior to joining the Deshmukh Lab, Jerilyn contributed to research in breast and prostate cancer, as well as eosinophilic allergy and immunology. She oversees daily lab operations and provides technical and administrative support to ensure the lab’s research runs efficiently and effectively.
Michael Vera
Mike is a graduate student at the University of Rochester in the Pathology Program Bioinformatics track. He joined the lab in the summer of 2025 and current research interests include understanding the impact of dysbiosis on neonatal immune development and the relationship to the development of inflammatory disease and infections later in life. Projects focus on single cell and spatial genomic computational analysis. Outside the lab, Mike enjoys hiking, cooking, and tabletop games with his friends.
Uday Pandey
Uday, originally from Kolkata, completed his Ph.D. in 2024 at NISER, India, where his research focused on the critical window of gut microbial regulation of postnatal intestinal epithelial development using mouse and organoid models. Following a brief postdoctoral training at WashU Medicine, he joined the lab in September 2025. He is interested in uncovering how microbial dysbiosis reprograms regenerative pathways in alveolar epithelial cells after injury during the neonatal period. Beyond the bench, Uday enjoys traveling, culinary experimentation, and long conversations with close friends. His guilty pleasures include biryani, fish, and desserts.
Staryn Love Jones
Staryn Jones is a Research Assistant in the Deshmukh Lab. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics with a minor in Computational Biology from the University of Rochester. Her work centers on using single-cell RNA sequencing to explore how microbial disruption in early life shapes immune maturation and contributes to long-term vulnerability to inflammatory disease and infection. Outside of research, Staryn enjoys taking road trips and exploring the beautiful trails and waterfalls in New York’s state parks, upcycling clothing, and spending time with her cat, Shadow.