UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER · UNC–CHAPEL HILL

Eeshan
Shelke.

I study how cells and tissues recover following injury—from the molecular programs that govern intestinal stem-cell fate to mechanisms of neurodegeneration.

1,000+research hours
3research settings
2028expected graduation
01 / RESEARCH FOCUS

My work centers on cell and tissue recovery following injury, connecting mechanistic biology with questions that matter for human disease and recovery.

02

Research

GRACZ LABORATORY2026—PRESENT

Tet1 safeguards lineage allocation in intestinal stem cells

Investigating how TET1 influences secretory lineage commitment and stem-cell behavior during intestinal epithelial recovery.

OrganoidsFACSImmunofluorescenceSox9EGFP
  • Led ChgA, MUC2, and DCAMKL1 immunofluorescence assays to characterize secretory lineage commitment associated with Tet1 loss.
  • Isolated single Paneth-cell and intestinal stem-cell populations by FACS and performed clonal organoid assays across WENR and SCF+WENR conditions.
  • Trained undergraduate and rotation students in immunofluorescence and cryosectioning.
GRACZ LABORATORY

Differential SOX9 expression

Engineering human intestinal epithelial cell lines to support SOX9-based stratification of distinct epithelial cell states.

Cell cultureSOX9Intestinal epithelium
MARSHALL LABORATORY2023—2024

Neurodegeneration & neuroprotection

Studied ethanol-induced neurodegeneration and etifoxine-mediated neuroprotection in Alzheimer's-model mice using quantitative fluorescence microscopy.

Amyloid-βMicrogliaMicroscopy
CLINGEN2024—PRESENT

Gene–disease validity

Curating GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B variant literature for gene–disease validity assessment and clinical interpretation.

GeneticsLiterature curationClinical interpretation
03

Research dissemination

Slide presentation. Etifoxine Neuroprotection and Impact on Microglial Activation in Alzheimer's-Model Mice. NCCU SRSP Research Day.

Slide presentation. Ethanol-Induced Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's-Model Mice. NCCU SRSP Research Day.

04

Beyond the bench

My work outside the laboratory keeps recovery grounded in the people experiencing it—from cancer rehabilitation and hospital navigation to postoperative care, clinical intake, mentorship, and team leadership.

CANCER REHABILITATION

Get REAL & HEEL

I work directly with individuals recovering from cancer treatment, helping guide individualized, low-intensity exercise sessions focused on rebuilding mobility and strength. Working with recurring participants has given me a longitudinal view of recovery beyond a single clinical encounter.

UNC HEALTH CANCER HOSPITAL

Patient & family support

I support patients and families through hospital navigation and the Patient and Family Resource Center. As a patient guide, I help patients reach appointments and navigate an unfamiliar care environment; through the resource center, I help support programs for patients and families navigating cancer care.

UNC REX HOSPITAL

Post-anesthesia care

In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, I supported postoperative workflow by transporting patients and assisting with safe transitions through the recovery environment, gaining exposure to the coordination required during immediate recovery after surgery.

PARK PRIMARY & URGENT CARE

Clinical care

I participated in patient intake by documenting vital signs and presenting concerns and communicating that information for physician handoff, providing early experience with patient-facing workflows and concise clinical documentation.

MENTORSHIP & LEADERSHIP

Teaching and team leadership

In the laboratory, I have trained students in swiss rolling, immunofluorescence, cryosectioning, and other basic techniques. At UNC Campus Recreation, I supervise Operations Ambassadors and help coordinate a large recreation facility, building experience in teaching procedures, coordinating teams, and maintaining safe, consistent operations.

05

Methods & technical experience

Organoid & primary cell culture

Experience with intestinal crypt isolation and organoid culture, including Matrigel-based plating, preparation of WENR/ENR culture conditions, growth-factor supplementation, and clonogenic organoid assays. Applied isolated intestinal stem-cell and Paneth-cell populations to questions of epithelial regeneration and cellular plasticity.

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting

Experience isolating intestinal epithelial populations using Sox9EGFP and cell identity, with sorted populations used in downstream clonogenic culture experiments examining stem-cell behavior and Paneth-cell dedifferentiation.

Immunofluorescence & tissue imaging

Design and execution of intestinal-tissue immunofluorescence experiments, including cryosectioning, antigen retrieval, antibody staining, fluorescence microscopy, and quantitative image analysis. Worked with lineage markers including CHGA, MUC2, DCAMKL1, and lysozyme.

HCR RNA-FISH

Experience using HCR fluorescence in situ hybridization to visualize RNA expression in intestinal epithelial tissue and cell models, supporting spatial characterization of epithelial cell states.

Mouse intestinal tissue processing

Experience with intestinal dissection, tissue preparation, cryosectioning, and histological analysis in genetically engineered mouse models used to study intestinal stem-cell injury and regeneration.

Quantitative microscopy & analysis

Quantified fluorescence-based phenotypes across intestinal and neural tissue, including cell abundance, spatial distribution, marker expression, amyloid-β accumulation, and microglial responses.

Experimental design & data analysis

Experience organizing replicate-level datasets, performing statistical comparisons, interpreting biological phenotypes, and connecting quantitative results to mechanistic questions.

Genetic evidence curation

Literature-based curation of GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B variants for gene–disease validity assessment and clinical interpretation through ClinGen annotation research.

OrganoidsPrimary Cell CultureHCR FISHImmunofluorescenceFACSDissectionFluorescence MicroscopyCryosectioningLiterature Curation

EDUCATION

Neuroscience B.S.
UNC–Chapel Hill

Minors in Medical Anthropology and Chemistry · Dean's List ×3 · Expected May 2028.