About Amin Lab and Metabolic Therapeutics

Rajesh Amin

My overall research interest is focused on developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases and other metabolic-related diseases. To achieve this goal, my research focuses on target identification, in silico-based drug design and development, synthesis, and testing in vitro and in vivo. For example, we have recently had success in developing libraries of compounds for various nuclear receptors and applied them to improve behavioral deficits and synaptic plasticity in models of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

More recent work has focused upon studying the dynamics of gut brain metabolites that alter synaptic plasticity. Lastly, my lab is entering a new area focused upon mitigating spine alteration in neurodegeneration by regulating the players in actin dynamics. These studies are diverse in mechanism however they are years’ worth of work and help define my labs past, present and future directions for the development of novel therapeutics for preventing the progression of mild cognitive impairment to late stage Alzheimer’s disease.

After undergoing rigorous postdoctoral training, at the Center of Integrative Medicine and Endocrine Research, a metabolic group resulting from the closure of Pfizer Ann Arbor, Michigan. I joined Auburn University as Assistant Professor, tenure track in 2010 and subsequently moved to Auburn, Alabama. I was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 2016.

We currently have received NIH, AHA, as well as institutional awards, including the very prestigious Presidential Award Institutional Research (PAIR) from Auburn University.

Rajesh Amin, Professor, PhD.

rajamin@auburn.edu

Phone: 334-844-8295

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Outside of the Lab

Meet the Lab

Meet the ones running experiments, analyzing data, and bringing life to the lab.

Post Doctoral Fellow

Meenakshi Singh, Ph.D

Meenakshi Singh grew up in Chandigarh, India. She completed her post-graduation (2016) and Ph.D. (2021) in the Dept. of Natural Products at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Kolkata. Before joining Auburn University, she served as Research associate-III at NIPER-Guwahati.

Her research interest blended with various plant secondary metabolites and their functional diversity for treating chronic/metabolic diseases. She uses the computational resource to guide her experimental research. She worked on designing p53/MDM2 inhibitors via 1,3 dipolar-cycloaddition reaction for cancer treatment.

Besides chemistry, to rejuvenate the neurons, Meenakshi enjoys spending time with friends and family, meditating, visiting galleries and traveling, and listening to folk and pop songs. She envisages and appreciates new experiences in chemistry and life.

Pharmacology Graduate Student

Sampada Tamankar

I come from a city of dreams in India- Mumbai. I obtained my Bachelor of Pharmacy at Viva Institute of Pharmacy, affiliated with the University of Mumbai then pursued my MS at India’s most reputed and top university–NIPER-SAS Nagar where I focused on protein binding and its characterization using spectrometric techniques. However, my keenness toward in vivo characterization and understanding the signaling mechanisms in cell lines and animal models is what drove my interest in pharmacology.

I am very excited to be involved in Neuroscience research focused on frontal temporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. My project will focus on novel drug discovery and development for inhibiting the MARK/PAR-1-Tau signaling axis.

Pharmacology Graduate Student

Joyal Xavier

Joyal Xavier, born and raised in Kerala, India in a district named Kollam. I received my bachelor's degree, Government College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical College, Kottayam. As a Junior Research Fellow at CSIR-CIMAP, I worked on various phytochemicals to target receptors involved in cancer cell metastasis and proliferation. For this, we initially use docking methods to find the binding affinity of selected chemicals with the receptors, and then we continue with the confirmational studies with assays, cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, in vitro studies in malignant cell lines, and in vivo studies in cancer.

Currently, I have joined Dr. Amin’s lab to further develop my skills in silico drug design and development for metabolic-related diseases.

Medicinal Chemistry Graduate Student

Nic Crall

Nicholas Crall is a Ph.D. student in Medicinal Chemistry at Auburn University in the Amin lab.

His research focuses on ligand-dependent modulation of nuclear receptor coregulator recruitment, with an emphasis on Liver X Receptor (LXR) signaling, building on prior work with PPAR nuclear receptors in college. He combines molecular dynamics simulations, fragment-based drug design, and biochemical assays to investigate mechanisms of receptor activation and repression.

Nicholas has experience in chemical synthesis and analytical chemistry techniques including LC-MS, NMR, and HPLC, and has contributed to patented drug development efforts.

Masters Student

Mary Carol Grayden

I am originally from Opelika, Al. I have grown up in Auburn and love the traditions. I received my undergrad in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University.

I am currently a master's thesis Pharmacology student. I plan to start my thesis program in the Summer of 2026. As of right now, my interests include Diabetes and pharmacogenetics.

Outside of school, I am a leader for the kid's ministry at the Opelika Church of the Highlands campus. I also love devoting my time to volunteer with Camp Seale Harris, a Type 1 Diabetes organization. In addition to that I enjoy reading, painting, and making people laugh.

PharmD-PhD Student - Medicinal Chemistry

Tivana Hester

Tivana Hester is from a number of places, but moved to Auburn for university. Here, she is a dual-degree student pursuing a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry alongside her PharmD at the Harrison College of Pharmacy.

Her current work involves looking at nuclear receptors to develop a novel compound for Alzheimers' disease or other neurodegenerative diseases.

Her long term professional goals are to develop her own lab in a research intensive college of pharmacy with a focus in developing drug therapies for psychiatric disorders. She enjoys teaching and wish to take an academic position which allows her to teach university courses, run a lab, develop scientists, and advocate for patient populations. She would also love to head clinical trials

Outside of the lab, she enjoys hanging out with her cat, drawing and painting, and trying caffeine products.

PharmD-PhD Student - Pharmacology

Min Suk Choi

Min, originally from South Korea, earned his B.S degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before moving to Auburn to pursue his interests in pharmacy. He is currently pursuing a PharmD-PhD dual degree at Harrison College of Pharmacy, specializing in pharmacology.

His research will focus on studying the AEP (Asparagine Endopeptidase) inhibitor compounds and evaluate these compounds for effects on tumor cell viability and conduct transcriptomic analyses to elucidate mechanisms of action.

His long-term goal is to serve in a leadership role within the pharmaceutical industry, driving the discovery and development of novel therapies for diseases that currently lack effective treatment options.

Outside the lab, Min enjoys going to the gym, playing basketball, and exploring the best coffee spots around campus.

PharmD Student

Santiago Castillo

Santiago Castillo is originally from Austin, Texas, and moved to Auburn, Alabama to pursue a pre-pharmacy track at Auburn University. He was later admitted to the Harrison College of Pharmacy, where he is currently working toward his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).

His research focuses on cholesterol metabolism in oligodendrocytes and its potential role in Alzheimer’s disease by monitoring levels of cholesterol and related sterols.

His long-term professional goals include gaining experience in the clinical setting as a critical care pharmacist before eventually transitioning into the field of industrial pharmacy, where he can pursue a focus in infectious disease.

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Undergraduate Student - Genetics Pre-Pharmacy

Jacob Bundy

Bio.

Undergraduate Student - Pre-Medicine Biomedical Sciences

Brian Kim

Brian is from South Korea and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University.

In the Amin Lab, his work focuses on asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) inhibition and tau phosphorylation activity related to Alzheimer's disease pathology.

His long-term goal is to attend medical school and specialize in neurology, combining clinical practice with translational research in neurodegeneration. He is especially interested in how bench science discoveries can bring new hopes for patients.

Outside the lab, Brian trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is always looking for the best food spots in Auburn.