Current Members

Chamindi Seneviratne, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Chamindi Seneviratne is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UMSOM, and an NIH-funded principal investigator studying alcohol and other substance use disorders. Dr. Seneviratne received her MD from Riga Stradins University, Latvia. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neurobiochemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio under the mentorship of Dr. Martin A. Javors and a four-year research fellowship in molecular genetics in addiction with Drs. Ming D. Li and Bankole A. Johnson at the University of Virginia. Dr. Seneviratne was on faculty at University of Virginia until 2014, before she joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) in Baltimore. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is a long-time student of competitive ballroom dancing, enjoys trying out fitness and wellness programs and occasional baking. (Faculty profile: Seneviratne, Chamindi | University of Maryland School of Medicine (umaryland.edu) )
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Jessica Cornell, BS
Laboratory Research Assistant
Jessica Cornell joined Dr. Seneviratne’s lab in 2018 after obtaining a B.S. in Biotechnology from James Madison University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree part-time in Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science at University of Maryland, Baltimore. Jessica uses the knowledge she’s gained from her studies and experience working in the lab towards her current research projects which focuses on the underlying genetic causes of addictions, specifically alcohol use disorder. She hopes to find novel biomarkers for better treatment and research for those suffering with addictions. Outside the lab, Jessica enjoys spending her time hip hop dancing, reading, cooking, and trying new foods.
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John Sivinski
Laboratory Research Assistant
John Sivinski joined Dr. Seneviratne’s lab in November 2019. He is currently attending University of Maryland, pursuing a B.S. in biotechnology. He is currently investigating the genetic biomarkers of addiction and their response to novel drug therapies. In the future, he hopes to continue investigating and develop therapies in the treatment of drug addiction. Outside of the lab, John enjoys reading, hiking, and fishing.
Past Team Members
Angela Verma, PhD – Post-Doctoral Fellow (2020-2022)
Andrew Conchas, BS (2017-2019)
Saqlain Amin, BS (2016-2017)
Trinh Hoang, BS (2016-2017)
Jamal Badaoui (2014-2016)
Student Interns/Volunteers
All positions listed are from the time of internship/volunteer
Diana Wasson (2021; 2022)
Undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park
Danny Herrera (2019-2020)
Medical student at University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
Cassie Wicken (2019-2020)
Medical student at University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
Michelle Shen (2019)
High School Student at Grier School, Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Nicole Giglio (2019)
Undergraduate at Hood College, Frederick, Maryland
Arsh Sheth (2018)
Undergraduate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Joshua Blanchard (2017)
Undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park
Alicia Whye (2017)
High School Student at Park School
Cianna Bisant (2017)
High School Student at Atholton High School
Gallery
IGS Holiday Party 2019 IGS Holiday Party 2019 In the lab 2021 SIPS Conference Volunteers 2021 SIPS Conference Planning Committee Angela, Jessica, Chamindi GCRC 2019