Meet the Research Team
Our Team
The Pokam Lab is home to highly motivated, hardworking, and talented postdocs, graduate students, research assistants, and undergraduates. Through collaborative innovation, we strive to make meaningful contributions to neuroscience. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment, offering training opportunities for outstanding individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Our Community
2025 Texas Epilepsy Walk in College Station
Members of the Pokam Lab and other labs in the NExT Department volunteering at the Texas Walk for Epilepsy in College Station, TX on May 3, 2025. Left to Right: (3rd) Chloe Pham, (5th) Michaela Edmond, and (6th) Meera Nagarkatti. Other volunteers pictured below: Savannah Ruffino.
Invited Speakers & TBI Advocates: Lincoln and Kristen
We had the honor of welcoming an incredible young guest and his family to visit our lab in April. At 12 years old, he is a bright, talented student, musician, and video gamer with a deep curiosity for science and the events surrounding 9/11 and the lasting impact it had on our country (and others). Lincoln Shumbera and his mom (Kristen Shumbera) shared their powerful story—how he survived a traumatic brain injury as an infant and how their family navigated the challenges that followed. Their resilience, love, and determination were deeply moving, and their openness reminded us of the strength it takes to turn adversity into hope. They also shared an exciting future goal: creating a website to provide resources and support for other families whose children have experienced a traumatic brain injury. We’re inspired by their vision and honored they chose to spend time with us. Visits like these remind us of the real-world impact of our work and the people at the heart of it.
Left to Right: Punam Pokam, Michaela Edmond, Savannah Ruffino, Chloe Pham, Katherine Lemus, Lincoln, Faith Bullock, and Kristen (Lincoln's mom).
Left to Right: Savannah Ruffino, Chloe Pham, Katherine Lemus, Lincoln, Faith Bullock, and Kristen (Lincoln's mom).
Lincoln celebrating his birthday!
2025 Aggie Biomedical Engineering Thesis Symposium
Left to Right: Katherine Lemus, Michaela Edmond, Savannah Ruffino, Ethan Maclam (presenter),
and Leana Lopez.
Ethan Maclam, a senior thesis student, presenting his findings on neuronal excitability one-month post-traumatic brain injury.
2024 Holiday Party
Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics Department
