He/him/his

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor

UVA Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology

Previous positions:

2021 - 2024 - Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Colorado Boulder Dept. of Biochemistry

2014 - 2020 - PhD - Microbiology

University of Alabama Birmingham

2007 - 2011 - BS Biochemistry - Stony Brook University

Email: uday@virginia.edu

She/her/hers

Postdoctoral Scholar

I grew up in Mumbai, India, and my academic journey took me across the country before I completed my PhD at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. My research began with studying how bacteria—particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis—go on the offense inside the host. Now, at Tak Lab, I explore how these microscopic warriors defend themselves against their greatest foes—bacteriophages. My current focus is on the cGAS-STING pathway, an ancient immune defense conserved from bacteria to humans. When I’m not in the lab, you’ll likely find me swimming, binge-watching movies, experimenting with Chinese food recipes, or wandering the city in search of the next great meal!

She/her/hers

Graduate Student

Hello! My name is Maddie Bendele. I graduated from James Madison University in 2025 with my Master's degree, where I developed a computational approach to studying Actinobacteriophage genomic synteny and mosaicism in the lab of  Dr. Steven Cresawn. I've been fascinated by phages since my undergraduate years and firmly believe in microbiologist Roger Hendrix's assertion that "All the world's a phage” which is why I'm thrilled to continue exploring this world in the Tak lab. Outside the lab, you can find me backpacking in the Shenandoah mountains, at the gym, a local trivia night, reading, or spending time with friends and family.

She/her/hers

Research Technician

Hello, my name is Emily Kairalla! I graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a B.S in Microbiology and Cell Science, and since obtaining my degree, I have worked in both academic research and biotech startup environments. In the Tak Lab I will be designing, expressing, and purifying chimeric proteins - and will hopefully be making some exciting discoveries about the structure and function of bacterial immune components! When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy knitting, going to the movie theater, baking, playing video games with my friends and challenging myself to try new things.

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Research Technician

Hello! My name is Nate Blackwell. I am a Lab Specialist in the Uday Tak Lab, and I have a B.A in Biochemistry with university honors from Southern Virginia University. I currently specialize in bacterial and bacteriophage genetics, including designing plasmids and phage defense assays. In my free time I enjoy swimming, reading, playing video games, Listening to science podcasts, and D&D.

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Undergraduate Researcher

My name is Saketh Alluri and I am current first-year at UVA. I plan on double majoring in Biology and Cognitive Science with a possible minor in Spanish. Aside from learning in class and in the Tak lab, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing video games, and reading books!

He/him/his

Undergraduate Researcher

Hi! I’m Nitish, a first-year student at the UVA, planning to major in Biology and Math. I’m from Northern Virginia—specifically, Loudoun County. Fun fact: I have an ongoing bucket list of random challenges, like solving a Rubik’s cube in under 30 seconds.

She/her/hers

Undergraduate Researcher

Grace is a first-year undergraduate intending on majoring in biochemistry. She enjoys spot plating and looks forward to making new progress and experimentations in the Tak lab. In her free time, she loves playing pickleball, ultimate frisbee, and eating.

She/her/hers

Undergraduate Researcher

About me: I am an incoming First Year at UVA from Northern Virginia. Making scientific discoveries has always been something that I'm passionate about, and I look forward to learning more about bacterial defense mechanisms in the lab! In my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing the piano, and spending time with friends and family.

He/him/his

Undergraduate Researcher

Hi, I’m Samuel Fidler, a Biology major at UVA class of 2027. I’m from Baltimore, and I love to read, rock climb, cook, play tennis or, reluctantly, pickleball. In my free time I’m a part of the Dr. Tak lab exploring the CBASS defense mechanisms in bacteria.