Members | Frankieheywardlab

top of page

Dr. Frankie Heyward, PhD

ChatGPT Image Apr 1, 2025, 12_07_20 AM.png

frankie.heyward@utsouthwestern.edu

Principal Investigator - Assistant Professor, UTSW

Dr. Heyward is an Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine, with a secondary appointment in Neuroscience, housed in the Center for Hypothalamic Research; he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in September of 2023. Dr. Heyward completed his postdoctoral research fellowship, and became an Instructor in Medicine, at Harvard Medical School and the Endocrinology division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), while working in the lab of Dr. Evan Rosen. During his postdoc he studied the transcriptional regulation of appetite during periods of hunger and leptin-mediated hunger-suppression. Dr. Heyward earned his PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham while working with Dr. David Sweatt while investigating the epigenetic basis of obesity-induced cognitive impairment.

Dr. Hye-Jeong Cho, PhD

Hye-Jeong Cho.png

Hye Jeong.png

Senior Research Associate

Dr. Cho earned her Ph.D. in Virology from Korea University in 2011. After receiving her doctorate, she worked at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute, where she identified novel functions of various viral genes and discovered new mechanisms for potential antiviral drug development. She also conducted research at a cancer research center in Korea, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic diseases and contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies. After joining UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2021, she conducted research to identify new immunotherapeutic targets for leukemia and various cancers. She joined Dr. Heyward’s laboratory in October 2024 and is currently working as a Research Scientist. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her cat and relaxing through reading and watching movies.

Dr. David Ehichioya, PhD

David Echchioya Best.jpg

David Echchioya 2 ChatGPT Image Oct 8, 2025, 08_51_01 AM.png

Postdoc

Dr. Ehichioya earned his Bachelor of Science in Physiology from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Lagos, where he studied the neurobiological effects of sleep deprivation and stress. In 2021, he joined UT Southwestern as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Yamazaki’s lab, focusing on extra-SCN circadian pacemakers. He is now a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Heyward’s lab, where his focus has now shifted to how circadian rhythms influence the response to metabolic insults and promote epigenetic and neuroprotective pathways that protect against obesity and cognitive decline. Beyond the lab, David enjoys time with his family and is an avid soccer fan.

Dr. Xueyan Wei, PhD

Xueyan Wei.png

ChatGPT Image Mar 31, 2025, 11_42_15 PM.png

Postdoc

Dr. Wei earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at Baylor University, where he studied how circadian and epigenetic mechanisms regulate diapause in mosquitoes. His work aimed to better understand insect development and its implications for vector-borne disease control. Over the course of his graduate training, Ryan became particularly interested in the ways epigenetic regulation might influence energy metabolism and aging. When he's not in the lab, he enjoys watching horror movies and experimenting with cooking exotic cuisines.

Jacob Moore.png

Jacob Moore, BS

Research Assistant

Jacob earned his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin, where he developed a strong interest in the cellular and molecular biology of the brain. He joined the Heyward Lab in 2025 to gain research experience and lab mentorship as he prepares for his graduate studies in neuroscience. Outside the lab, Jacob enjoys reading obscure epic fantasy novels, training jiu-jitsu, and cooking Michelin-starred worthy cuisine.

Mahek Mumbaz ChatGPT Image Oct 8, 2025, 08_56_34 AM.png

Mahek Mumtaz, BS

Research Assistant

Mahek is a current master’s student in the biotechnology program at UT Dallas. She joined Dr. Heyward’s lab in September 2025 and is passionate about integrating neuroscience into her study of biotechnology. She aims to deepen her understanding of molecular neuroscience as she prepares for the next steps in her career.

Samuel Joseph

Undergraduate Volunteer

Samuel Joseph is a current Neuroscience and Philosophy major at UT Dallas. His previous experience involved the nociceptive lateralization effect between the left and right amygdala. His current focus is on transcriptional control of hypothalamic AgRP neurons. Outside the lab, Samuel enjoys writing sci-fi novels that gives Descartes’s meditations a run for his money.

Past lab members:
Aaron (Aykut) Uner, PhD

feyi ChatGPT Image May 29, 2025, 10_07_06 AM.png

Feyi Ogunlari

Summer Student

Feyi is a current Neuroscience major at the University of Pennsylvania. Her background in neuroscience has sparked a deep interest in the brain’s versatility and its impact on decision-making. Outside the lab, she is a member of the women’s varsity volleyball team at Penn and enjoys exploring different recipes in her free time.

bottom of page