The UAB Department of Neurosurgery welcomes Alex Varghese (left) and Jeffrey Grimes, Ph.D., (right).

Varghese, a recent UAB alumnus, joins the department as a researcher III in the lab of Associate Professor Nicole Bentley, M.D. Varghese graduated with degrees in neurosciences and biomedical sciences, which contribute to his interest in neurodegenerative diseases and their impact on cognition and motor control. His interests also span into artificial intelligence and its potential role in cognitive neuroscience. In his free time, Varghese enjoys going on evening runs around Birmingham and playing soccer on the weekend.

Grimes, who graduated from UAB with his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in microbiology, joins the department as a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Associate Professor Jianmei Leavenworth, M.D., Ph.D. While working towards his Ph.D., Grimes’s research focused on how oncolytic viral therapy reshapes the CD4 T cells response in glioblastoma. Following the completion of his degree, Grimes decided to continue his research in the Leavenworth lab. His research interests include understanding the interplay between immunotherapy, T cells and tumors, and how this interplay reshapes the T cell response and the tumor micro-environment.