Uma Aryal
Principal Investigator
Oklahoma State University Proteomics and Genomics Core Facility Director
Dr. Aryal obtained his PhD from Kyushu University, Japan, where he studied biodegradation of aromatic pollutants by the white-rot fungus. During his postdoctoral research, Uma worked on developing analytical methods for MS-based proteomics, including the study of protein post-translational modifications, and the identification of protein complexes. His research goal is to obtain a mechanistic view of cellular pathways and processes using systems-level knowledge. Uma has published more than 120 peer reviewed research and review articles. Dr. Aryal continues working at the interface between biology and proteomics, and is interested in developing new MS-based tools to discover new protein complexes, and protein-protein interactions.
Pei Jia Ng
Pei Jia joined the Aryal lab in February 2026 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. Her research focuses on developing and refining HPLC and mass spectrometry methodologies for protein/peptide characterization and proteomic analysis, investigating the role of biomolecular condensates in aging, and engaging in collaborative research with academia and industry.
Punyatoya Panda
Punyatoya Panda joined the Aryal lab in January 2022. Her project focuses on elucidating the changes in protein and lipid composition, and spatial lipid distribution in response to aging and in Parkinson Disease models. Punya is uncovering the mechanisms behind the regulations in the cellular lipidome, and how they contribute to the senescence phenotype.
Graduate Students
Binayok Sharma
Binayok joined the Aryal lab in Fall 2025. He earned his M.S. in Animal Sciences from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. His research focuses on post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as acetylation in the context of cellular senescence and aging.
Anuj Sharma
Anuj joined the Aryal Lab as a Laboratory Research Associate in January 2026. He earned his M.S. in Food Science from Oklahoma State University. His current research focuses on targeted proteomics to characterize immuno-enriched compounds across different types of milk and dairy products.
Israt Jahan Mishu
Israt joined the Aryal Lab in Fall 2025. Her research interests center around biomolecular condensates, specifically nuclear bodies such as PML bodies and Cajal bodies, and their roles in cellular senescence, aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. For her project, she aims to characterize the molecular composition and regulation of these nuclear bodies, focusing on post-translational modifications (PTM) like phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, and SUMOylation. She is especially interested in how these modifications affect condensate formation, organization, and function in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Undergraduate Students
The Aryal Lab is seeking passionate undergraduate students.
Andie Hamill
Andie is a first-year student at OSU from Charleston, SC. She is majoring in Agribusiness and has started in Spring 2026 with Aryal lab training in research. Andie is working on acetylation of proteins in Parkinsons Disease mouse models.