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Humans of 5050 C2
5050 C2
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Research Interest(s)
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Hope Merens
Location
HarvardI can help with ...
Always happy to discuss RNA biology, 3rd generation sequencing techniques, and genomic data analysis
I'm interested in applying my research to study signaling in mammalian systems, including the nervous system and during embryonic development. Let's talk about the relationship between signaling and RNA processing, in vitro models to study neurons and embryos, and using genomics to decipher cell biology!
Research Project
My current research project aims to study interactions between transcription and splicing machinery in human cells. Specifically, I am interested in studying how Polymerase II's interactions with splicing factors affect their binding on nascent RNA, and conversely, how the same splicing factors are able to affect Pol II transcription dynamics.Hobbies
Outside of lab, I enjoy screenwriting, hiking, bouldering, and travel. This summer, I'd love to go hiking in CA (I've never been to Yosemite!). Other travel wish-list destinations include Greece, S. Korea, Argentina, and Australia.
Susanna Elledge
Location
MITI can help with ...
Bio-conjugation or antibody/protein engineering. Research Project
My current project aims to develop early detection diagnostics for high-grade serous ovarian cancer using synthetic biosensors.Hobbies
I like to be old-school and do black-and-white film photography. I develop and print my own pictures. One day I hope I can hang some of my pictures in a gallery!
Gabriel Filsinger
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
Camaraderie and emotional support for the difficulties faced in research. Open-minded brainstorming sessions. Basic molecular bio and genome editing method development.Research Project
We are trying to develop new viral vectors for gene therapy, optimizing for increased payload size, simplified cell-type specific targeting, and precise genome modification. We are looking beyond AAV, towards viruses with a larger genome that are not yet routinely used, but have the potential to be breakthrough platforms for future therapies.Hobbies
Regularly play tennis (intermediate/advanced), recently revived an interest in snowboarding (decent).
In a past life (undergrad) worked on a student group linking STEM and Arts education (STEAM). I don’t have time (read: haven’t made it a priority) to think about this in a long time, but the interest in the broad areas of science/innovation/aesthetic educational approaches is still there.
Kathrin Kajderowicz
Location
Whitehead-MITI can help with ...
Experience with community building, working in venture / fundraising, and working for early-stage startups! Research Project
Main focus: Improving and developing new genome-wide screening technologies and analysis pipelines
Main project: Identifying the genetic drivers of cold tolerance with the hopes of improving cryopreservation technologies or therapeutic human hypothermia treatments.
Secondary project: Finding druggable targets for dry age-related macular degeneration. Hobbies
Painting/sketching, hiking, HIIT classes (let's do Barry's together!!) 
Julia Bauman
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
Experimental technique sourcing: Because of the tech dev interest, I read a lot of methods papers (mostly genomics/cell bio-related), and would love to help you find the latest & greatest tech to answer your biological question! I geek out about clever ways of probing cellular phenotypes across space and time.
Want to promote your latest paper? Or altruistically share your science with the public? I’d love to collaborate on a video that **may** get put in front of thousands of people.Research Project
Creating new technologies to help us understand the function of regulatory elements through genetic editing screens. Currently working on single-cell methods for transcriptome + genotyping.Hobbies
When my back isn’t injured, I love taking my road bike out to the South Bay hills. And running (on flatter terrain 🙂)
Creating new drink recipes & testing them on my friends. You're all welcome to be a test subject at one of my cocktail parties.
Caitlyn Miller
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
Feel free to ask me questions about mouse tumor models, tumor/immune profiling, cell assays, making bioconjugates (antibodies, other proteins, peptides, oligos, small molecules)
Also interested in learning more about new platform technologies that enable high dimensional readouts (imaging, cytometry, sequencing, etc.)
Research Project
My research is focused on a unique, engineered integrin-binding peptide called “PIP” that enables targeted delivery to numerous types of solid tumors. Leveraging PIP’s versatile targeting properties, we developed a systemically-administered tumor-targeting immunostimulant “PIP-CpG” that promotes immune activation and infiltration in the tumor microenvironment to enable effective anti-tumor immunity.Hobbies
I have a dog named “Luna” who I adore, and I wish I could bring her everywhere (so if you want me to bring her somewhere, just ask 😄). She’s a mini-Aussie mix.
I love board games and dinner/wine nights.
Ian Anderson
Location
UC DavisI can help with ...
Genetic underpinnings for rapid climate adaptation and the general mechanisms for adaptation.Research Project
I am interested in understanding how plants evolve to use environmental information to influence their development. Understanding the mechanics of how this works, and how it evolves is key in combating climate change, and answering important questions that expand all aspects of biology/biotechnology. 
Aadit Shah
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
Happy to be a sounding board for an idea and use my naivete as an asset. Also always happy to chat about my prior experiences working in different operating and investing roles in biotech.
I've been exploring: a) paracrine death signaling b) higher-order combinatorics of gene perturbation >2 c) ag-specific immune tolerance.
Research Project
Using inducible signaling receptors for in vivo fate determination of hematopoietic stem cells to erythroid-specific lineages.Hobbies
Listening to Chicago rap, impressionist art, hiking <5 miles
Erik Aznauryan
Location
Wyss Institute, Harvard UniversityI can help with ...
Happy to brainstorm on gene and cell therapies, synthetic biology and tangent fields. Additionally, happy to connect with my science/entrepreneur network.
Would love to talk about tools that help bypass existing hurdles in gene and cell therapies: from safety, to efficiency, to manufacturing and beyond.Research Project
Developing novel genome engineering tools for safe and efficient insertion of large DNA cargo into desired genomic locations for gene and cell therapy applications. Potential clinical indications include hereditary disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, epidermolysis bullosa and alpha1 anti-trypsin deficiency, as well as cancer and neurodegenerative and aging-associated diseases.Hobbies
Free time is rare with two kids, but when I have it I enjoy playing piano, reading biographies and staring at Google Maps thinking of all future trips I want to do.
Emma Chory
Location
MITI can help with ...
Happy to chat about the faculty job search, transitioning from postdoc to faculty, how I'm learning to balance being an academic founder, and the conflicts of interest that surround it. Also on discussing the decision process between academia, entrepreneurship, or becoming a hybrid of both.
My expertise: Chemical biology, chromatin biology, automation, directed evolution, mammalian syn bio, high-throughput assay dev/screening, & a hint of embryology if you want to chat about mice. Research Project
My research combines directed evolution, epigenome engineering, and robotics to engineer new proteins, biological tools, and cellular therapies with both translational and basic science potential. Specifically, my group will be working on the engineering of protease-resistant biologic therapies, continuous evolution using human cell lines, and exploring the fitness landscapes of binding interactions ranging from antibodies to histone readers. Hobbies
I'm a walking cliche and spend most of my time doing yoga, drinking wine, playing pub trivia, and running a competitive bachelor bracket league.
I also do a fair amount of scientific graphic design, mainly as a way to relax.
Erin Huiting
Location
UCSFI can help with ...
Happy to lend my expertise in microbiology, immunology, and genome engineering (mainly of bacteria and phage genomes)
Would love to brainstorm microbiomes, climate change, data science, and AI – How can we use the natural superpowers of bacteria and phage to solve human and environmental health problems?Research Project
I study mechanisms of bacterial immunity and how phages (bacterial viruses) evolve anti-immune strategies. I apply a variety of genome engineering tools, like CRISPR-Cas, on bacteria and phages to establish native model systems. Hobbies
I love all things outdoors and sports! Skiing, hiking, and camping are my favorites, but I’m currently trying out indoor rock climbing if anyone in the Bay Area needs a new climbing partner. Coffee, reading, and dinner parties are also my jam.
Olivia Teter
Location
UCSF-BerkeleyI can help with ...
How microglia, the immune cells that live in your brain, change their behavior in neurological disorders.
Research Project
Developing CRISPR screens to identify disease-associated genes that modulate microglial synaptic pruning. Illuminating key pathways that facilitate this behavior to ultimately tune pruning with small molecules. Hobbies
Brainstorming, scientific writing, baked goods and science fiction!
Karan Kathuria
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
Hyping you up to pursue your risky/exciting ideas, thinking through pitfalls in methods development (esp. in immunology), human immune organoid applications.
Cell-cell communication, immune regulation, T cell therapy, malaria vaccines.Research Project
In biology, we know a lot about individual cell phenotypes and are beginning to learn about spatial organization in tissues. I like thinking about the intermediate resolution: 2 cells talking. My research is about capturing transcriptional changes during contact-dependent cell-cell interactions.Hobbies
Love books about the history of biology and SciFi!
I got into skiing recently and want to do more of that! Also trying to write more (currently failing).
Let’s run together!
Ashley Abel
Location
YaleI can help with ...
I am happy to chat/collaborate on anything relating to human stem cell-based embryo modeling! My expertise is in 3D modeling of early post-implantation stages of development. I'm really passionate about women's health and consult for a start-up biotech in Manhattan in this space.Research Project
I am leveraging human stem cells for 3D embryonic modeling as a method to investigate critical processes driving early development around stages of significant early pregnancy loss.Hobbies
I work at a hot vinyasa yoga studio outside of grad school and am currently in training to get my yoga teacher certification!
I love being active, whether it's hiking, rollerblading, rock climbing, pilates, etc.
I'm a huge animal lover! Show me pictures of your pets!
Michaël Moret
Location
HarvardI can help with ...
I could probably help you determine if machine learning can—or cannot—help you with your project(s). I've been applying it to various biology-related problems since my undergrad. It's not always the right tool, but it can be a game-changer!Research Project
I work on a diverse set of problems involving protein engineering with machine learning and non-standard amino acids (new amino acids that are not proteinogenic and that can confer new functions and properties to proteins).Hobbies
I'm trying to learn to play tennis, I love to ride my bike and go hiking in the mountains!
If you like to eat melted cheese (like fondue), I'm your guy 🇨🇭🧀
Becca Carlson
Location
Harvard-MITI can help with ...
I enjoy weightlifting and, while not an expert, would be happy to teach you the basics, write you a program, or just lift together sometime.
Microscopy, screening, and image analysis.Research Project
I'm using optical pooled screening, a technology I helped develop that enables image-based CRISPR screening using in situ sequencing, to study host-pathogen interactions and innate immune responses to infection. I've studied a couple of RNA viruses, including Sendai virus and Ebola, and am also interested in responses to foreign DNA.Hobbies
Love trying new sports and would be down to try whatever your favorite physical activity is!!
I love women's artistic gymnastics and powerlifting!
Avadhoot Sandeep Jadhav
Location
Boston's Children's HospitalI can help with ...
I have a decent experience in computational drug design, fusion protein engineering, custom Ab designing, computational binding studies and basic wet-bench experience in molecular biology.
I co-founded a start-up named Curem Biotech which works on portable, rapid and accessible diagnostic technology. I'm interested in harnessing the immune system in novel ways using protein and genetic engineering approaches. Perhaps, developing a universal immunotherapy!
Research Project
I am currently working on developing a nanobody-based immunotherapy for COVID19.
Specifically, I am designing a strategy to engineer nanobody fusions that can selectively target and destroy virus-infected cells. The goal is to provide a platform technology for rapidly designing therapeutics with broad target specificity for emerging virus variants.Hobbies
I play a lot of sports - including Badminton, Cricket, Handball, Basketball, Soccer, Frisbee, Tennis, Chess, Volleyball etc.
I enjoy writing with different communities at cafes (like Writer's Cafe). Feel free to lemme know if anyone is interested in joining the Writer's Cafe.
Zoreh Izadifar
Location
Wyss Institute, Harvard I can help with ...
I have a multidisciplinary background covering areas in engineering, data driven modeling, biofabrication, imaging, stem cell regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, Organ Chip models, sensors, and women’s reproductive health. Research Project
My current project in on development and application of Organ Chip in vitro model of human Cervix Chip for understanding and preclinical analysis of mucosal host-microbiome contributions to vaginal health. I am also developing multiple sensor integrated organ chip models for non-invasive real-time monitoring of physiological functions in Organ Chip in vitro models. Hobbies
I like traveling and exploring nature (currently collecting national park stamps on my NP passport) and outdoor activities (wouldn’t mind a kick of adrenaline! 😉)
Max Foisey
Location
UCSFI can help with ...
I have lots of experience in pre-clinical research and building out INDs.
In-vivo work, most of my immunotherapy/immunology work has been in mice with various tumor models. I geek out on immunology, cell therapy, regeneration, and syn bio.
Research Project
Building and broadening the applications for synthetic receptors on immune cells and developing targeted cell therapies in cancer. Hobbies
I love being active and outside, I enjoy a good workout or a nice hike.
I grew up skiing and snowboarding and am super stoked to now live so close to some of the best snow in the country! 
Daniel Mokhtari
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
I really enjoy thinking about kinetics/thermodynamics of molecular systems and building up quantitative models. Also have a few insights from my medical pre-clinical/clinical training that might be useful.
Have a soft spot for synthetic chemistry, so would love to brainstorm about that stuff too!Research Project
Protein enzymes are Nature's most prodigious catalysts, enabling the chemistry of life and holding vast potential to be engineered for green chemistry and targeted for next-generation pharmaceuticals. However, quantitative study of enzymes needed to realize this potential is dominated by legacy approaches that are cost and labor intensive and thus limited in scalability. I have co-developed a microfluidic enzyme assay platform capable of integrated generation and quantitative assays of enzyme variants at 100-fold improvement in scale and with 100-fold reduction in time and materials use compared with traditional techniques, with the potential to help realize next-generation engineered enzymes and new potent therapeutics.Hobbies
Love a chill hike in the foothills around Stanford
Kate Cavanaugh
Location
UCSFI can help with ...
I specialize in biophysics, optogenetics, and cell mechanics.
I want to see how we can use synthetic and biophysical tools to engineer cell fate choices, quantify embryo implantation mechanics, and how we can rescue implantation failures associated with maternal aging.Research Project
Applying synthetic biophysical approaches to study mechanical defects from reproductive aging. Hobbies
I love exploring the San Francisco hills with my new puppy!
Michael Montgomery
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
I spend most of my time using different types of gene editing techniques (especially prime editing) and making them high throughput or "hacking" them in some way.
I can help with CRISPR experimental design, cloning, scaling of throughput and am willing to take any other problems or ideas you may have to the whiteboard!Research Project
The human genome encodes instructions that guide development and function of the hundreds of cell types comprising the human body. To understand how the genome is repurposed by each cell type to achieve a unique gene expression program, I am developing high throughout tools to re-engineer DNA sequence in native genomic context.Hobbies
I have been skateboarding for most of my life.
I love to read, so please share your favorite books with me (especially memoirs).
Grayson Rodriguez
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
I'd love to chat with anyone about proteins, intracellular signaling, cell therapies, and cardiovascular immunology.Research Project
We engineer proteins to create novel receptor complexes, thereby inducing non-natural signaling within immune cells. These proteins produce desirable cell phenotypes in a targeted manner.Hobbies
I have a tortoiseshell cat named Kitty, and I formerly maintained a large aquarium of many fish and snails as my quarantine hobby.
When I'm not in lab, I'm usually practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Mackenzie Strehle
Location
CaltechI can help with ...
I’m mostly a wet-bench biologist with experience in molecular and cell biology.
I’m generally interested in all things noncoding RNA and would also love to talk about genome structure and transcriptional regulation!
Research Project
My current work focuses on investigating how the non-coding RNA Xist interacts with a variety of protein effectors to mediate X chromosome inactivation in female mammals. I use molecular biology, cell biology, and genomics approaches to interrogate how these RNA-protein interactions lead to stable, chromosome-wide silencing. More generally, I study X chromosome inactivation to better understand how other RNA-mediated biological processes may occur.Hobbies
I would also consider myself a hobbyist wildlife and evolutionary biologist, and would love to talk animals with other people (coolest animal experiences you’ve had, where to see cool animals in CA, human evolutionary psychology, anything really!)
Jacob Steenwyk
Location
BerkeleyI can help with ...
If anyone is doing comparative/evolutionary 'omics, I would love to talk experimental design and execution. Research Project
1) Some fungi benefit human welfare (e.g., they produce cheese or wine), whereas others are dangerous human pathogens - why are some beneficial to human welfare, but others are killers?
2) There is more data than we can analyze. How do we make sense of the data deluge? I think evolutionary genomics - unraveling organismal histories - can help shed biological insights into data, inform our past, and even predict our future.Hobbies
I love cycling, climbing, running, and swimming.
Anna Romanov
Location
MITI can help with ...
If you need any immunology help, I'm your gal. In undergrad, I spent 3.5 years engineering T cells for cancer immunotherapy, and now I have pivoted to studying B cell biology, as well as innate immune pathways in infectious disease.
I'd love to brainstorm about tissue-targeted delivery - this is a huge hurdle for nanomedicine and nucleic acid therapeutics.Research Project
I am studying nanoscale design rules for next generation vaccines. Using engineered DNA origami nanoparticles to scaffold bioactive molecules like immunogens and therapeutic nucleic acids, I hope to understand how parameters such as antigen spacing or co-stimulation can be used in to enhance immune responses induced by vaccination. Hobbies
Baking, gardening, and outdoor activities are all things I enjoy outside of lab!
I have also spent years working on outreach efforts to help women in STEM. Always happy to chat about this!
Gita Abhiraman
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
If you're interested into getting into running, I enjoy writing training plans for people or going on runs together... especially for those who think they hate running.
Always happy to chat about immunology or protein engineering.
Research Project
I use tools from structural biology and protein engineering to study the molecular signals that help orchestrate the human immune response. Some of my work focuses on the structure and function of cytokines. Other parts of my work have involved engineering molecules that redirect the immune response to cancer or autoimmune disease.Hobbies
I love to run on road and trail, and recently finished my first marathon
I'm also a big fan of music, drawing/watercolor, and dancing.. I'm often first and last on the dance floor.
Ali Lashkaripour
Location
StanfordI can help with ...
My background is mainly in mechanical engineering, specifically fluid dynamics. I have worked on designing droplet-based microfluidic systems for many years now. I have experience with a couple of different fabrication methods (Photolithography, 3D printing, Micromilling)
I'm interested in learning how high-throughput screening assays could help speed up the discovery process in life sciences, especially, in cancer immunotherapies.Research Project
Machine learning based design automation of high-throughput droplet based microfluidic devices.
Leveraging high throughput droplet based microfluidic screening to study T cell receptor and antigen presenting cell interactions to identify novel TCR-APC targets. Hobbies
I've become super interested in (ancient) History. I really like learning more about Wildlife and Nature, but would also love to get out there.
I bike while listening to my favorite history podcasts as a way to relax on the weekends. I do love a nice hike (not too extreme). 
Nicholas Sarai
Location
CaltechI can help with ...
My expertise is mostly in enzymology, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, and renewables.
Looking forward to chatting about the intersection of climate and bio.
Research Project
The multitude of chemical compounds that we produce enable innumerable applications, yet also pose risks to ecosystem and human health. Under certain conditions, microorganisms are able to harness enzyme promiscuity and evolve enzymes that can degrade these compounds. I am using modern enzyme engineering tools, including directed evolution, to engineer enzymes capable of degrading anthropogenic pollutants that are not known to be biodegraded in nature. Hobbies
I love exploring the mountains via a few modes of travel. I’m absolutely obsessed with skiing and ski touring. I also enjoy climbing and trail running.
I can often be found enjoying a good nonfiction book (probably about nature or energy) accompanied by a cup of aero press coffee. 
Gabriele Corso
Location
MITI can help with ...
My expertise lies in the theory and applications of machine learning models, in the past I’ve had a lot of experience with models over graph data (e.g. molecules, knowledge graphs, interaction networks) and geometric data (e.g. protein and molecular 3D structures, hyperbolic spaces). My research has focused on generative models, in particular, diffusion models.
Pretty excited about most (non-trivial 🙂 ) applications of ML to bio. Research Project
We obtained significant improvements in molecular docking over previous methods by modeling the binding poses of protein and small molecules with carefully-designed diffusion generative models. Now we are extending our framework to model more complex interactions and predict their free energy.Hobbies
I’m not into extreme sports (I mostly play basketball and run), but a couple of days ago I was on a hot air balloon.
Linlin Chen
Location
Caltech I can help with ...
Nanobodies! Protein engineering!
Happy to brainstorm other types of methods development or methods you think still need to be developed to understand biology better.
Research Project
I am developing a method for high throughput screening of protein affinity reagents. This technique will enable high throughput proteomic studies of novel, less accessible proteins and their associated biological systems. Hobbies
I’m obsessed with fantasy novels (and some sci-fi).
Will talk at lengths with you about my two cats.
Hikes occasionally for trees and good views.
Sudarshan Pinglay
Location
New York University School of MedicineI can help with ...
New ideas on any topic. I have a fairly inter-disciplinary background with expertise in development, synthetic biology, genome engineering and genomics. Research Project
I am a synthetic biologist with research interests spanning development, genomics and cellular engineering. During my PhD, we developed tools for the “re-writing” of mammalian genomes through the synthesis of large DNA constructs and their targeted integration into cells. I am applying these tools to: 1) understand how genes are turned on and off; and 2) endow cells with sophisticated behaviors not found in nature. Hobbies
I enjoy soccer, live music (heavy metal, jazz) and am recently starting to get into sailing!
Alex Plesa
Location
HarvardI can help with ...
Planning/troubleshooting experiments related to synthetic biology, high-throughput screening, aging biology.
Happy to brainstorm ideas about the mechanisms of aging and how we can tackle them.Research Project
Testing novel genetic perturbations for age reversal in vivo through regeneration assays. Performing high throughput screens for discovering cell type specific cellular rejuvenation interventions.Hobbies
Outside of lab I enjoy hiking, bouldering, and working out.
Katsuya Colon
Location
CaltechI can help with ...
Spatial genomic methods, single-cell technologies, and chemical biology tools. I have been doing method development research for many years.Research Project
Currently, I am working towards the development of novel amplification based spatial genomic technologies. This method will allow us to profile various small RNA species, overcome background noise in tissues, and profile nearly the entire transcriptome in situ.Hobbies
I enjoy playing chess and poker. I also like to go on hikes and do some astrophotography from time to time. I love trying various coffee shops, trying various teas, going to cocktail bars, and wine tasting (I swear I'm not a snob).
George Lampe
Location
ColumbiaI can help with ...
SynBio and wacky biological circuits are side topics that I seem to spend too much time reading about.
I’m really curious about new developments to deliver DNA/RNA/RNP mixtures to specific cell populations and not just carpet bomb the liver. Regardless of what new tools are developed delivery is still such a huge hurdle to overcome.
Research Project
Engineering CRISPR Associated Transposons (CASTs) to be a tool for large-scale genome engineering in human cellsHobbies
24 hours before the Boston meet up I was in Santiago Chile returning from backpacking in Patagonia.
In college I snapped my collarbone mountain biking.
Rock climbing and skiing are some of my favorite things.
Bingxu Liu
Location
MIT/Broad Institute/Koch InstituteI can help with ...
Understanding immune system sensors, effectors, and regulation. Engineering synthetic immune systems to outcompete natural ones.Research Project
We engineer proteins to specifically and sensitively recognize tumor-specific antigens.
Grant Knappe
Location
MITI can help with ...
Will always be happy to help troubleshoot any bioconjugation or delivery issues. Specifically, our lab is developing nanoparticles structured from nucleic acids to tackle the delivery problem.
I think I know a good amount about scientific communication and design, so happy to help in those directions as well.Research Project
I am currently working on harnessing DNA as a building material to fabricate nanoparticles that deliver nucleic acid therapeutics for biomedical applications. My focus is on the manufacturability of these materials, developing capabilities to attach payloads and targeting ligands at scale. Additionally, I am conducting basic foundational studies to understand how these new materials interact with biological systems such as the immune system. Hobbies
House music!
The 100 years preceding the end of the Roman republic; photographing people on the street; daydreaming about DJing; how to optimize the scientific enterprise that is already operating at some (near) equilibrium
I used to run a breakfast sandwich delivery service with my roommates out of our kitchen. I was the chef! (and apparently the dishwasher...)
Ali Kight
Location
StanfordResearch Project
I’m working at the intersection of medicine and mechanical design. My research focuses on the development of highly durable, bio-inspired soft electronics for cardiac disease detection and remote patient monitoring. 
Alina Arzamassky
Location
UCSFResearch Project
I design, implement and validate the scoring function of molecular docking by adding corrections to the calculation of van der Waals forces and entropic effect. The new scoring function in molecular docking will help to predict the binding affinity between the protein and ligand.
Chris Frangieh
Location
MIT & Broad Institute and HarvardResearch Project
I work on characterizing and reprogramming transposons for targeted integration in human cells.
Helena De Puig
Location
Wyss institute, Harvard and MITResearch Project
We make instant immunoassays for wash-free microscopy. To do that, we genetically encode special nonstandard amino-acids into the sensor proteins that light up when they detect their target protein.
Jessica Stark
Location
StanfordResearch Project
Tumors use sugars, or glycans, to evade the immune system. I am developing antibody-lectin (AbLec) chimeras as a modular and programmable approach to target glycans for cancer immunotherapy. AbLecs represent a new class of checkpoint blockade immunotherapies with the potential to increase the fraction of patients who benefit from treatment.
Lee Schnaider
Location
UCSFResearch Project
Proteins are amazing molecular machines that carry out the essential process of life and have tremendous translational potential. While traditional protein engineering utilizes naturally occurring building blocks, de novo protein design enables us to build proteins completely from scratch, custom designed to carry out predetermined functionalities. Utilizing in-house developed algorithms together with new AI and ML techniques, I design bespoke proteins for biomedical and other translational purposes. Hobbies
I love to travel and my happy place is in definitely in the mountains 
Lucy S Chong
Location
CaltechResearch Project
“Diseases often arise when proteins interact with each other in abnormal ways.” A core challenge for current therapeutics is selectively targeting cells based on the activities of proteins within cellular pathways that define their pathogenic states. Our technology leverages aberrant protein pathways to turn on our therapies specifically in diseased cells. We have developed synthetic protein circuits that can directly sense key cellular pathways, process that information to classify cellular states, and respond by conditionally triggering cell death or other beneficial responses. Designable “smart” therapeutics with these targeting abilities promise solutions to several currently intractable diseases.
Máté Borsos
Location
CaltechResearch Project
My long term goal is to develop healthier, personalized contraceptives and provide new solutions to extend women’s fertility. Currently, I engineer molecular tools and perform in vivo high throughput screens to identify and understand the mechanisms regulating female reproduction. 
Mohamed El-Brolosy
Location
Harvard - WhiteheadResearch Project
I study genetic robustness. In particular, I focus on the phenomenon of transcriptional adaptation where mutations can elicit compensatory upregulation of functionally-related gene (e.g., paralogs) in a manner dependent on mutant mRNA decay.
Nikita Khlystov
Location
StanfordResearch Project
I'm leading a team that's training biology to recycle plastic and circularize the textile industry. We’ve built a high-throughput screening platform to efficiently engineer enzymes with improved plastic-degrading activity and are working to apply them in a plastics biorecycling process. As our first target, we are using our enzymes to break down synthetic fibers in blended textile waste, yielding higher-quality recycled materials for making new clothes. 
Nitan Shalon
Location
MITResearch Project
We are developing T-cell binding models which operate in a low-data regime. We are deploying AI models in pre-clinical mouse models of malignancy as a proof-of-concept for an early cancer screening method.
Raphael Ferreira
Location
HarvardResearch Project
Developing CRISPR technologies for exploring metabolic vulnerabilities in brain metastasis and large-scale genome editing
Sophia Liu
Location
HarvardResearch Project
I am currently building methods to characterize cell-cell interactions involving adaptive immune cells in contexts ranging from cancer to immunosenescence. Areas of focus include spatial transcriptomics methods reporting T and B cell receptors, as well as strategies for tracing dynamic interactions in vivo. Hobbies
Outside of research, I enjoy skiing, running, and pottery.
Table view of Humans of Fifty 2
Full Name
Image
Location
I can help with ...
Research Interest(s)
Research Project
Hobbies
Current Research Stage
PI Advisor
Research Areas Outside of your field that you'd like to explore
Fun Fact
Aadit Shah
Stanford
Happy to be a sounding board for an idea and use my naivete as an asset. Also always happy to chat about my prior experiences working in different operating and investing roles in biotech.
I've been exploring: a) paracrine death signaling b) higher-order combinatorics of gene perturbation >2 c) ag-specific immune tolerance.
My (relative) strengths are autoimmunity, oncology, gene/cell therapy.
synthetic biology, immunology, gene editing
Using inducible signaling receptors for in vivo fate determination of hematopoietic stem cells to erythroid-specific lineages.
Listening to Chicago rap, impressionist art, hiking <5 miles
MD student
Matthew Porteus
I was born on Pi Day
Alex Plesa
Harvard
Planning/troubleshooting experiments related to synthetic biology, high-throughput screening, aging biology.
Happy to brainstorm ideas about the mechanisms of aging and how we can tackle them.
Age reversal, Genetic screens, Machine learning, Gene therapy
Testing novel genetic perturbations for age reversal in vivo through regeneration assays. Performing high throughput screens for discovering cell type specific cellular rejuvenation interventions.
Outside of lab I enjoy hiking, bouldering, and working out.
Postdoc
George Church
Stem cell biology, reprogramming, systems biology
I’m an amateur DJ
Ali Kight
Stanford
Soft sensors, biomechanics, human health monitoring, mechanical design, rapid prototyping
I’m working at the intersection of medicine and mechanical design. My research focuses on the development of highly durable, bio-inspired soft electronics for cardiac disease detection and remote patient monitoring.
PhD year 4+
Mark Cutkosky
AI/ML, security, diagnostics
I played two college sports!
Ali Lashkaripour
Stanford
My background is mainly in mechanical engineering, specifically fluid dynamics. I have worked on designing droplet-based microfluidic systems for many years now. I have experience with a couple of different fabrication methods (Photolithography, 3D printing, Micromilling)
I'm interested in learning how high-throughput screening assays could help speed up the discovery process in life sciences, especially, in cancer immunotherapies.
Microfluidics, Machine learning, immunology, immunotherapy, cancer
Machine learning based design automation of high-throughput droplet based microfluidic devices.
Leveraging high throughput droplet based microfluidic screening to study T cell receptor and antigen presenting cell interactions to identify novel TCR-APC targets.
I've become super interested in (ancient) History. I really like learning more about Wildlife and Nature, but would also love to get out there.
I bike while listening to my favorite history podcasts as a way to relax on the weekends. I do love a nice hike (not too extreme).
Postdoc
Polly Fordyce
Cancer immunotherapy
Immunology
Love cars; terrified of bears!
Alina Arzamassky
UCSF
computational biology, biophysics, GPCR, docking, molecular dynamics, machine learning
I design, implement and validate the scoring function of molecular docking by adding corrections to the calculation of van der Waals forces and entropic effect. The new scoring function in molecular docking will help to predict the binding affinity between the protein and ligand.
PhD year 3
Brian K. Shoichet
Quantum computing, AI, cancer biology, nutrition studies
Used to have a mattress in my lab so I could stay overnight
Anna Romanov
MIT
If you need any immunology help, I'm your gal. In undergrad, I spent 3.5 years engineering T cells for cancer immunotherapy, and now I have pivoted to studying B cell biology, as well as innate immune pathways in infectious disease.
I'd love to brainstorm about tissue-targeted delivery - this is a huge hurdle for nanomedicine and nucleic acid therapeutics.
DNA nanotechnology, immunoengineering
I am studying nanoscale design rules for next generation vaccines. Using engineered DNA origami nanoparticles to scaffold bioactive molecules like immunogens and therapeutic nucleic acids, I hope to understand how parameters such as antigen spacing or co-stimulation can be used in to enhance immune responses induced by vaccination.
Baking, gardening, and outdoor activities are all things I enjoy outside of lab!
I have also spent years working on outreach efforts to help women in STEM. Always happy to chat about this!
PhD year 3
Mark Bathe, Darrell Irvine
spatial omics, glycoengineering
In college, I rescued a 12 year old poodle from a puppy mill. He was blind, deaf and had no teeth, but he brought me loads of joy during COVID. Turns out you can teach on old dog new tricks
Ashley Abel
Yale
I am happy to chat/collaborate on anything relating to human stem cell-based embryo modeling! My expertise is in 3D modeling of early post-implantation stages of development. I'm really passionate about women's health and consult for a start-up biotech in Manhattan in this space.
embryology, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, human development, stem cell modeling, synthetic embryology, synthetic development, female reproductive health
I am leveraging human stem cells for 3D embryonic modeling as a method to investigate critical processes driving early development around stages of significant early pregnancy loss.
I work at a hot vinyasa yoga studio outside of grad school and am currently in training to get my yoga teacher certification!
I love being active, whether it's hiking, rollerblading, rock climbing, pilates, etc.
I'm a huge animal lover! Show me pictures of your pets!
PhD year 3
Dr. Berna Sozen
I have jumped from the highest bungee jump point in the world!
Avadhoot Sandeep Jadhav
Boston's Children's Hospital
I have a decent experience in computational drug design, fusion protein engineering, custom Ab designing, computational binding studies and basic wet-bench experience in molecular biology.
I co-founded a start-up named Curem Biotech which works on portable, rapid and accessible diagnostic technology. I'm interested in harnessing the immune system in novel ways using protein and genetic engineering approaches. Perhaps, developing a universal immunotherapy!
Synthetic Immunology, Protein Engineering, Computational Drug Design
I am currently working on developing a nanobody-based immunotherapy for COVID19.
Specifically, I am designing a strategy to engineer nanobody fusions that can selectively target and destroy virus-infected cells. The goal is to provide a platform technology for rapidly designing therapeutics with broad target specificity for emerging virus variants.
I play a lot of sports - including Badminton, Cricket, Handball, Basketball, Soccer, Frisbee, Tennis, Chess, Volleyball etc.
I enjoy writing with different communities at cafes (like Writer's Cafe). Feel free to lemme know if anyone is interested in joining the Writer's Cafe.
PhD year 1-2
Dr Hidde Pleogh
Cell engineering, Gene therapies, Regenerative Medicine
Bingxu Liu
MIT/Broad Institute/Koch Institute
Understanding immune system sensors, effectors, and regulation. Engineering synthetic immune systems to outcompete natural ones.
Immuno-engineering
We engineer proteins to specifically and sensitively recognize tumor-specific antigens.
PhD year 4+
Nir Hacohen/Darrell Irvine
Protein Design
I knocked down a national champion twice in a taekwondo competition as a rookie.
Caitlyn Miller
Stanford
Feel free to ask me questions about mouse tumor models, tumor/immune profiling, cell assays, making bioconjugates (antibodies, other proteins, peptides, oligos, small molecules)
Also interested in learning more about new platform technologies that enable high dimensional readouts (imaging, cytometry, sequencing, etc.)
Cancer immunotherapy, targeted drug delivery, bioconjugation
My research is focused on a unique, engineered integrin-binding peptide called “PIP” that enables targeted delivery to numerous types of solid tumors. Leveraging PIP’s versatile targeting properties, we developed a systemically-administered tumor-targeting immunostimulant “PIP-CpG” that promotes immune activation and infiltration in the tumor microenvironment to enable effective anti-tumor immunity.
I have a dog named “Luna” who I adore, and I wish I could bring her everywhere (so if you want me to bring her somewhere, just ask 😄). She’s a mini-Aussie mix.
I love board games and dinner/wine nights.
Postdoc
Carolyn Bertozzi and Jennifer Cochran
My main focus is cancer immunotherapy, but I’m also interested in other types of cancer therapies and other immunology research areas (infectious diseases, autoimmune, allergies). Also interested in new platform technologies that enable high dimensional readouts (imaging, cytometry, sequencing, etc.).
I have 10 siblings
Chris Frangieh
MIT & Broad Institute and Harvard
Genome engineering
I work on characterizing and reprogramming transposons for targeted integration in human cells.
PhD year 4+
Feng Zhang
Machine learning
I played the bassoon in high school
Daniel Mokhtari
Stanford
I really enjoy thinking about kinetics/thermodynamics of molecular systems and building up quantitative models. Also have a few insights from my medical pre-clinical/clinical training that might be useful.
Have a soft spot for synthetic chemistry, so would love to brainstorm about that stuff too!
Microfluidics, enzyme mechanism, protein engineering
Protein enzymes are Nature's most prodigious catalysts, enabling the chemistry of life and holding vast potential to be engineered for green chemistry and targeted for next-generation pharmaceuticals. However, quantitative study of enzymes needed to realize this potential is dominated by legacy approaches that are cost and labor intensive and thus limited in scalability. I have co-developed a microfluidic enzyme assay platform capable of integrated generation and quantitative assays of enzyme variants at 100-fold improvement in scale and with 100-fold reduction in time and materials use compared with traditional techniques, with the potential to help realize next-generation engineered enzymes and new potent therapeutics.
Love a chill hike in the foothills around Stanford
MD Student—year 4
Polly Fordyce and Dan Herschlag
next gen battery technology, clean power generation, green synthesis
Aspiring otamatone player
Emma Chory
MIT
Happy to chat about the faculty job search, transitioning from postdoc to faculty, how I'm learning to balance being an academic founder, and the conflicts of interest that surround it. Also on discussing the decision process between academia, entrepreneurship, or becoming a hybrid of both.
My expertise: Chemical biology, chromatin biology, automation, directed evolution, mammalian syn bio, high-throughput assay dev/screening, & a hint of embryology if you want to chat about mice.
Directed evolution, chromatin biology, high-throughput biology, automation, drug discovery
My research combines directed evolution, epigenome engineering, and robotics to engineer new proteins, biological tools, and cellular therapies with both translational and basic science potential. Specifically, my group will be working on the engineering of protease-resistant biologic therapies, continuous evolution using human cell lines, and exploring the fitness landscapes of binding interactions ranging from antibodies to histone readers.
I'm a walking cliche and spend most of my time doing yoga, drinking wine, playing pub trivia, and running a competitive bachelor bracket league.
I also do a fair amount of scientific graphic design, mainly as a way to relax.
Incoming Assistant Professor
Kevin Esvelt & Jim Collins
Antibody engineering, de novo protein design, immunology
During the pandemic, I took up graffiti-knitting (aka knit-bombing, guerilla-knitting), and graffiti-crochetted the "Make Way For Duckings" statues in the Boston Public Garden for Pride, BLM, Ukraine awareness, and the 2020 election (and sometimes just make them sweaters bc they look cold).
Erik Aznauryan
Wyss Institute, Harvard University
Happy to brainstorm on gene and cell therapies, synthetic biology and tangent fields. Additionally, happy to connect with my science/entrepreneur network.
Would love to talk about tools that help bypass existing hurdles in gene and cell therapies: from safety, to efficiency, to manufacturing and beyond.
Genome engineering
Developing novel genome engineering tools for safe and efficient insertion of large DNA cargo into desired genomic locations for gene and cell therapy applications. Potential clinical indications include hereditary disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, epidermolysis bullosa and alpha1 anti-trypsin deficiency, as well as cancer and neurodegenerative and aging-associated diseases.
Free time is rare with two kids, but when I have it I enjoy playing piano, reading biographies and staring at Google Maps thinking of all future trips I want to do.
Postdoc
George Church
Aging, neuroscience, stem cell biology
Broke both of my arms playing soccer in high school, which saved me from a piano exam that year.
Erin Huiting
UCSF
Happy to lend my expertise in microbiology, immunology, and genome engineering (mainly of bacteria and phage genomes)
Would love to brainstorm microbiomes, climate change, data science, and AI – How can we use the natural superpowers of bacteria and phage to solve human and environmental health problems?
Microbiology, immunology, genome engineering
I study mechanisms of bacterial immunity and how phages (bacterial viruses) evolve anti-immune strategies. I apply a variety of genome engineering tools, like CRISPR-Cas, on bacteria and phages to establish native model systems.
I love all things outdoors and sports! Skiing, hiking, and camping are my favorites, but I’m currently trying out indoor rock climbing if anyone in the Bay Area needs a new climbing partner. Coffee, reading, and dinner parties are also my jam.
PhD year 4+
Joe Bondy-Denomy
Microbial communities and microbiome; environmental science and climate change; data science and artificial intelligence
Hiked 20 miles to climb up Half Dome (without a harness; twice because I was too nervous the first time).
Gabriel Filsinger
Stanford
Camaraderie and emotional support for the difficulties faced in research. Open-minded brainstorming sessions. Basic molecular bio and genome editing method development.
Genome editing, Cell and Gene Therapy, DNA repair and recombination, Viral vector engineering.
We are trying to develop new viral vectors for gene therapy, optimizing for increased payload size, simplified cell-type specific targeting, and precise genome modification. We are looking beyond AAV, towards viruses with a larger genome that are not yet routinely used, but have the potential to be breakthrough platforms for future therapies.
Regularly play tennis (intermediate/advanced), recently revived an interest in snowboarding (decent).
In a past life (undergrad) worked on a student group linking STEM and Arts education (STEAM). I don’t have time (read: haven’t made it a priority) to think about this in a long time, but the interest in the broad areas of science/innovation/aesthetic educational approaches is still there.
Postdoc
Michael Fischbach
Machine learning theory (developing new models), protein discovery and protein engineering, immunology, infectious disease, regenerative medicine.
I keep my shoes until the bottom wears out
Gabriele Corso
MIT
My expertise lies in the theory and applications of machine learning models, in the past I’ve had a lot of experience with models over graph data (e.g. molecules, knowledge graphs, interaction networks) and geometric data (e.g. protein and molecular 3D structures, hyperbolic spaces). My research has focused on generative models, in particular, diffusion models.
Pretty excited about most (non-trivial 🙂 ) applications of ML to bio.
Machine learning, structural biology, drug discovery, generative models, molecular dynamics
We obtained significant improvements in molecular docking over previous methods by modeling the binding poses of protein and small molecules with carefully-designed diffusion generative models. Now we are extending our framework to model more complex interactions and predict their free energy.
I’m not into extreme sports (I mostly play basketball and run), but a couple of days ago I was on a hot air balloon.
PhD year 1-2
Tommi Jaakkola and Regina Barzilay
Molecular dynamics, immunology, metabolics
George Lampe
Columbia
SynBio and wacky biological circuits are side topics that I seem to spend too much time reading about.
I’m really curious about new developments to deliver DNA/RNA/RNP mixtures to specific cell populations and not just carpet bomb the liver. Regardless of what new tools are developed delivery is still such a huge hurdle to overcome.
Genome engineering
Engineering CRISPR Associated Transposons (CASTs) to be a tool for large-scale genome engineering in human cells
24 hours before the Boston meet up I was in Santiago Chile returning from backpacking in Patagonia.
In college I snapped my collarbone mountain biking.
Rock climbing and skiing are some of my favorite things.
PhD year 3
Samuel Sternberg
Synthetic Biology
I'm still genuinely sad that someone already made an instagram account of dogs in bags.
Gita Abhiraman
Stanford
If you're interested into getting into running, I enjoy writing training plans for people or going on runs together... especially for those who think they hate running.
Always happy to chat about immunology or protein engineering.
Protein engineering, immunology, structural biology
I use tools from structural biology and protein engineering to study the molecular signals that help orchestrate the human immune response. Some of my work focuses on the structure and function of cytokines. Other parts of my work have involved engineering molecules that redirect the immune response to cancer or autoimmune disease.
I love to run on road and trail, and recently finished my first marathon
I'm also a big fan of music, drawing/watercolor, and dancing.. I'm often first and last on the dance floor.
PhD year 3
Chris Garcia
Cell engineering, microfluidics
I live in a co-op where we cooked over 500 consecutive meals together during the height of Covid lockdowns!
Grant Knappe
MIT
Will always be happy to help troubleshoot any bioconjugation or delivery issues. Specifically, our lab is developing nanoparticles structured from nucleic acids to tackle the delivery problem.
I think I know a good amount about scientific communication and design, so happy to help in those directions as well.
Bioconjugations; materials libraries; structural DNA nanotechnology; therapeutic delivery; self-assembly
I am currently working on harnessing DNA as a building material to fabricate nanoparticles that deliver nucleic acid therapeutics for biomedical applications. My focus is on the manufacturability of these materials, developing capabilities to attach payloads and targeting ligands at scale. Additionally, I am conducting basic foundational studies to understand how these new materials interact with biological systems such as the immune system.
House music!
The 100 years preceding the end of the Roman republic; photographing people on the street; daydreaming about DJing; how to optimize the scientific enterprise that is already operating at some (near) equilibrium
I used to run a breakfast sandwich delivery service with my roommates out of our kitchen. I was the chef! (and apparently the dishwasher...)
PhD year 4+
Mark Bathe
Origins of life; the science of creativity; the science of productivity; cell-free synthesis; DNA writing
I self-published a street photography book.
Grayson Rodriguez
Stanford
I'd love to chat with anyone about proteins, intracellular signaling, cell therapies, and cardiovascular immunology.
protein engineering, cytokine engineering, cell therapy, immuno-oncology, intracellular signaling, structural biology
We engineer proteins to create novel receptor complexes, thereby inducing non-natural signaling within immune cells. These proteins produce desirable cell phenotypes in a targeted manner.
I have a tortoiseshell cat named Kitty, and I formerly maintained a large aquarium of many fish and snails as my quarantine hobby.
When I'm not in lab, I'm usually practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
PhD Student—year 4+
Chris Garcia
Cardiac/cardiovascular immunology, gene editing
Helena De Puig
Wyss institute, Harvard and MIT
Diagnostics infectious diseases
We make instant immunoassays for wash-free microscopy. To do that, we genetically encode special nonstandard amino-acids into the sensor proteins that light up when they detect their target protein.
Postdoc
James J Collins
Neuro
I competed in horseback riding sports. I was 2nd of Spain nonpro in reining.
Hope Merens
Harvard
Always happy to discuss RNA biology, 3rd generation sequencing techniques, and genomic data analysis
I'm interested in applying my research to study signaling in mammalian systems, including the nervous system and during embryonic development. Let's talk about the relationship between signaling and RNA processing, in vitro models to study neurons and embryos, and using genomics to decipher cell biology!
Transcription machinery, splicing machinery, cotranscriptional RNA processing, genomics, long-read direct RNA sequencing
My current research project aims to study interactions between transcription and splicing machinery in human cells. Specifically, I am interested in studying how Polymerase II's interactions with splicing factors affect their binding on nascent RNA, and conversely, how the same splicing factors are able to affect Pol II transcription dynamics.
Outside of lab, I enjoy screenwriting, hiking, bouldering, and travel. This summer, I'd love to go hiking in CA (I've never been to Yosemite!). Other travel wish-list destinations include Greece, S. Korea, Argentina, and Australia.
PhD year 4+
Stirling Churchman
Developmental biology/embryogenesis, neurobiology/mRNA transport in neurons, neurobiology of pain
I can tell you where you can (objectively) find the best ice cream in the US :)
Ian Anderson
UC Davis
Genetic underpinnings for rapid climate adaptation and the general mechanisms for adaptation.
Epigenetics, Genotype by Environment interactions, protein/protein interactions
I am interested in understanding how plants evolve to use environmental information to influence their development. Understanding the mechanics of how this works, and how it evolves is key in combating climate change, and answering important questions that expand all aspects of biology/biotechnology.
PhD year 1-2
Grey Monroe
AI/ML, enzyme development, oligo chemistry
Jacob Steenwyk
Berkeley
If anyone is doing comparative/evolutionary 'omics, I would love to talk experimental design and execution.
Comparative Genomics, Genome Evolution, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Software Development, Phylogenomics
1) Some fungi benefit human welfare (e.g., they produce cheese or wine), whereas others are dangerous human pathogens - why are some beneficial to human welfare, but others are killers?
2) There is more data than we can analyze. How do we make sense of the data deluge? I think evolutionary genomics - unraveling organismal histories - can help shed biological insights into data, inform our past, and even predict our future.
I love cycling, climbing, running, and swimming.
Postdoc
Nicole King
Human genomics; human medicine; complex disease; science business; microbial pathogens; fermentation science
Jessica Stark
Stanford
Synthetic biology, immunotherapy, glycoscience
Tumors use sugars, or glycans, to evade the immune system. I am developing antibody-lectin (AbLec) chimeras as a modular and programmable approach to target glycans for cancer immunotherapy. AbLecs represent a new class of checkpoint blockade immunotherapies with the potential to increase the fraction of patients who benefit from treatment.
Postdoc
Carolyn Bertozzi
Climate and sustainability
If I weren't a scientist I might be a ballerina - I danced for 16 years and still occasionally take classes with San Francisco Ballet!
Julia Bauman
Stanford
Experimental technique sourcing: Because of the tech dev interest, I read a lot of methods papers (mostly genomics/cell bio-related), and would love to help you find the latest & greatest tech to answer your biological question! I geek out about clever ways of probing cellular phenotypes across space and time.
Want to promote your latest paper? Or altruistically share your science with the public? I’d love to collaborate on a video that **may** get put in front of thousands of people.
Genomics technology development, regulatory genomics
Creating new technologies to help us understand the function of regulatory elements through genetic editing screens. Currently working on single-cell methods for transcriptome + genotyping.
When my back isn’t injured, I love taking my road bike out to the South Bay hills. And running (on flatter terrain 🙂)
Creating new drink recipes & testing them on my friends. You're all welcome to be a test subject at one of my cocktail parties.
PhD year 1-2
Lars Steinmetz
I am a (D-list) science TikTok influencer
Kate Cavanaugh
UCSF
I specialize in biophysics, optogenetics, and cell mechanics.
I want to see how we can use synthetic and biophysical tools to engineer cell fate choices, quantify embryo implantation mechanics, and how we can rescue implantation failures associated with maternal aging.
Embryology, Reproductive Aging, Biophysics
Applying synthetic biophysical approaches to study mechanical defects from reproductive aging.
I love exploring the San Francisco hills with my new puppy!
Postdoc
Orion Weiner
Cell and developmental biology
Kathrin Kajderowicz
Whitehead-MIT
Experience with community building, working in venture / fundraising, and working for early-stage startups!
Cell stasis, cryonics, CRISPR screening, ORFeome screening
Main focus: Improving and developing new genome-wide screening technologies and analysis pipelines
Main project: Identifying the genetic drivers of cold tolerance with the hopes of improving cryopreservation technologies or therapeutic human hypothermia treatments.
Secondary project: Finding druggable targets for dry age-related macular degeneration.
Painting/sketching, hiking, HIIT classes (let's do Barry's together!!)
PhD year 1-2
Harvard/Weissman
Longevity, aging, and cell-type specific delivery
I have abstract internal imagery -- when I close my eyes and think about objects or people, I make abstract representations that are never the same (always changing). I am also a huge birder!
Katsuya Colon
Caltech
Spatial genomic methods, single-cell technologies, and chemical biology tools. I have been doing method development research for many years.
Spatial Genomics, Single Cell Genomics, Microscopy, Chemical Biology
Currently, I am working towards the development of novel amplification based spatial genomic technologies. This method will allow us to profile various small RNA species, overcome background noise in tissues, and profile nearly the entire transcriptome in situ.
I enjoy playing chess and poker. I also like to go on hikes and do some astrophotography from time to time. I love trying various coffee shops, trying various teas, going to cocktail bars, and wine tasting (I swear I'm not a snob).
PhD year 4+
Long Cai
I will like to further explore methods in single cell proteomics and profiling post-translational modifications at the single cell level. I am also interested in exploring deep learning methods and its application towards image and single cell analysis.
I dabble in astrophotography, and I am an adrenaline junkie.
Lee Schnaider
UCSF
De novo protein design, protein engineering, protein-protein interface design, protein-small-molecule interface design, AI and ML for structural biology, materials science and engineering
Proteins are amazing molecular machines that carry out the essential process of life and have tremendous translational potential. While traditional protein engineering utilizes naturally occurring building blocks, de novo protein design enables us to build proteins completely from scratch, custom designed to carry out predetermined functionalities. Utilizing in-house developed algorithms together with new AI and ML techniques, I design bespoke proteins for biomedical and other translational purposes.
I love to travel and my happy place is in definitely in the mountains
Postdoc
William DeGrado
Anticancer drug development, drug resistance, microbiome engineering
Linlin Chen
Caltech
Nanobodies! Protein engineering!
Happy to brainstorm other types of methods development or methods you think still need to be developed to understand biology better.
High throughput protein screening, protein engineering, methods development
I am developing a method for high throughput screening of protein affinity reagents. This technique will enable high throughput proteomic studies of novel, less accessible proteins and their associated biological systems.
I’m obsessed with fantasy novels (and some sci-fi).
Will talk at lengths with you about my two cats.
Hikes occasionally for trees and good views.
PhD year 4+
Mitch Guttman
RNA aptamers, machine learning, drug discovery, neuroscience
I can lick my elbow
Lucy S Chong
Caltech
Synthetic Biology
“Diseases often arise when proteins interact with each other in abnormal ways.” A core challenge for current therapeutics is selectively targeting cells based on the activities of proteins within cellular pathways that define their pathogenic states. Our technology leverages aberrant protein pathways to turn on our therapies specifically in diseased cells. We have developed synthetic protein circuits that can directly sense key cellular pathways, process that information to classify cellular states, and respond by conditionally triggering cell death or other beneficial responses. Designable “smart” therapeutics with these targeting abilities promise solutions to several currently intractable diseases.
Research Scientist
Michael Elowitz
Synthetic biology applications in agtech and climate tech
Did a solo road trip in Norway without knowing how to drive.
Mackenzie Strehle
Caltech
I’m mostly a wet-bench biologist with experience in molecular and cell biology.
I’m generally interested in all things noncoding RNA and would also love to talk about genome structure and transcriptional regulation!
RNA, spatial genomics, small molecule discovery
My current work focuses on investigating how the non-coding RNA Xist interacts with a variety of protein effectors to mediate X chromosome inactivation in female mammals. I use molecular biology, cell biology, and genomics approaches to interrogate how these RNA-protein interactions lead to stable, chromosome-wide silencing. More generally, I study X chromosome inactivation to better understand how other RNA-mediated biological processes may occur.
I would also consider myself a hobbyist wildlife and evolutionary biologist, and would love to talk animals with other people (coolest animal experiences you’ve had, where to see cool animals in CA, human evolutionary psychology, anything really!)
PhD year 4+
Mitch Guttman
gene therapy, nanorobotics, agtech, femtech
While on a hike with my boyfriend in 2020, he was bitten by a rattlesnake! Luckily he ended up being alright, and a year later we were interviewed to tell our story on a National Geographic television show
Máté Borsos
Caltech
Women's reproductive health, ovarian aging, epigenetics, gene therapy
My long term goal is to develop healthier, personalized contraceptives and provide new solutions to extend women’s fertility. Currently, I engineer molecular tools and perform in vivo high throughput screens to identify and understand the mechanisms regulating female reproduction.
Postdoc
Viviana Gradinaru
Horseback archery is my vice.
Max Foisey
UCSF
I have lots of experience in pre-clinical research and building out INDs.
In-vivo work, most of my immunotherapy/immunology work has been in mice with various tumor models. I geek out on immunology, cell therapy, regeneration, and syn bio.
Synthetic Biology, cell therapy, bioengineering, immunology
Building and broadening the applications for synthetic receptors on immune cells and developing targeted cell therapies in cancer.
I love being active and outside, I enjoy a good workout or a nice hike.
I grew up skiing and snowboarding and am super stoked to now live so close to some of the best snow in the country!
PhD year 1-2
Kole Roybal
Genetics/genome engineering, metabolomics, spatial biology
Michael Montgomery
Stanford
I spend most of my time using different types of gene editing techniques (especially prime editing) and making them high throughput or "hacking" them in some way.
I can help with CRISPR experimental design, cloning, scaling of throughput and am willing to take any other problems or ideas you may have to the whiteboard!
High throughput functional genomics, CRISPR, gene regulation, heart disease
The human genome encodes instructions that guide development and function of the hundreds of cell types comprising the human body. To understand how the genome is repurposed by each cell type to achieve a unique gene expression program, I am developing high throughout tools to re-engineer DNA sequence in native genomic context.
I have been skateboarding for most of my life.
I love to read, so please share your favorite books with me (especially memoirs).
PhD year 3
Jesse Engreitz
Synthetic biology, machine learning tools for biological systems
I was sponsored for skateboarding when I was a teenager.
Michaël Moret
Harvard
I could probably help you determine if machine learning can—or cannot—help you with your project(s). I've been applying it to various biology-related problems since my undergrad. It's not always the right tool, but it can be a game-changer!
Protein engineering, machine learning, de novo drug design
I work on a diverse set of problems involving protein engineering with machine learning and non-standard amino acids (new amino acids that are not proteinogenic and that can confer new functions and properties to proteins).
I'm trying to learn to play tennis, I love to ride my bike and go hiking in the mountains!
If you like to eat melted cheese (like fondue), I'm your guy 🇨🇭🧀
Postdoc
George Church
Artificial intelligence, gene therapy, gene delivery, aging reversal, incentive design
I grew up in a village where there were almost as many cows as people.
Mohamed El-Brolosy
Harvard - Whitehead
Genetic Robustness, Gene activation
I study genetic robustness. In particular, I focus on the phenomenon of transcriptional adaptation where mutations can elicit compensatory upregulation of functionally-related gene (e.g., paralogs) in a manner dependent on mutant mRNA decay.
Junior Fellow
Jonathan Weissman
Evolutionary biology
I have a black belt in Karate, and have won several national and international tournaments in Egypt, Germany and the US.
Nicholas Sarai
Caltech
My expertise is mostly in enzymology, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, and renewables.
Looking forward to chatting about the intersection of climate and bio.
Enzyme engineering, enzymology, bioremediation, human impacts
The multitude of chemical compounds that we produce enable innumerable applications, yet also pose risks to ecosystem and human health. Under certain conditions, microorganisms are able to harness enzyme promiscuity and evolve enzymes that can degrade these compounds. I am using modern enzyme engineering tools, including directed evolution, to engineer enzymes capable of degrading anthropogenic pollutants that are not known to be biodegraded in nature.
I love exploring the mountains via a few modes of travel. I’m absolutely obsessed with skiing and ski touring. I also enjoy climbing and trail running.
I can often be found enjoying a good nonfiction book (probably about nature or energy) accompanied by a cup of aero press coffee.
PhD year 4+
Frances Arnold
New opportunities for synthetic biology to move the needle on sustainability and climate. Some examples are bio mining, and CO2 and CH4 removal and valorization.
Nikita Khlystov
Stanford
Training biology to recycle plastic in textiles
I'm leading a team that's training biology to recycle plastic and circularize the textile industry. We’ve built a high-throughput screening platform to efficiently engineer enzymes with improved plastic-degrading activity and are working to apply them in a plastics biorecycling process. As our first target, we are using our enzymes to break down synthetic fibers in blended textile waste, yielding higher-quality recycled materials for making new clothes.
Postdoc
Jennifer Cochran
Machine learning meets protein engineering
I camped and biked through Death Valley one summer when it was 120 F there.
Nitan Shalon
MIT
AI, immunology
We are developing T-cell binding models which operate in a low-data regime. We are deploying AI models in pre-clinical mouse models of malignancy as a proof-of-concept for an early cancer screening method.
PhD year 1-2
Barzilay
CRSISPR, phage technology
I'm a twin born on leap day!
Olivia Teter
UCSF-Berkeley
How microglia, the immune cells that live in your brain, change their behavior in neurological disorders.
Neuroimmunology, CRISPRi/a
Developing CRISPR screens to identify disease-associated genes that modulate microglial synaptic pruning. Illuminating key pathways that facilitate this behavior to ultimately tune pruning with small molecules.
Brainstorming, scientific writing, baked goods and science fiction!
PhD year 4+
Martin Kampmann
Metabolomics, gut-brain axis, epidemiology
I am a twin!
Raphael Ferreira
Harvard
CRISPR, Prime Editing; Metastasis; Brain Cancer
Developing CRISPR technologies for exploring metabolic vulnerabilities in brain metastasis and large-scale genome editing
Postdoc
George Church
Plant engineering
Becca Carlson
Harvard-MIT
I enjoy weightlifting and, while not an expert, would be happy to teach you the basics, write you a program, or just lift together sometime.
Microscopy, screening, and image analysis.
Functional genomics, image-based screening, innate immunity, host-pathogen interactions
I'm using optical pooled screening, a technology I helped develop that enables image-based CRISPR screening using in situ sequencing, to study host-pathogen interactions and innate immune responses to infection. I've studied a couple of RNA viruses, including Sendai virus and Ebola, and am also interested in responses to foreign DNA.
Love trying new sports and would be down to try whatever your favorite physical activity is!!
I love women's artistic gymnastics and powerlifting!
PhD year 4+
Paul Blainey and Nir Hacohen
Synbio, sustainability, protein engineering and design
Sophia Liu
Harvard
Immunology, cell interactions, spatial transcriptomics, technology development
I am currently building methods to characterize cell-cell interactions involving adaptive immune cells in contexts ranging from cancer to immunosenescence. Areas of focus include spatial transcriptomics methods reporting T and B cell receptors, as well as strategies for tracing dynamic interactions in vivo.
Outside of research, I enjoy skiing, running, and pottery.
PhD year 4+
Fei Chen
Protein design, cell therapies, and reproductive biology
I got my driver's license on the first day of graduate school and then drove a U-Haul the next day to move in.
Sudarshan Pinglay
New York University School of Medicine
New ideas on any topic. I have a fairly inter-disciplinary background with expertise in development, synthetic biology, genome engineering and genomics.
Synthetic biology, genome engineering, stem cell biology
I am a synthetic biologist with research interests spanning development, genomics and cellular engineering. During my PhD, we developed tools for the “re-writing” of mammalian genomes through the synthesis of large DNA constructs and their targeted integration into cells. I am applying these tools to: 1) understand how genes are turned on and off; and 2) endow cells with sophisticated behaviors not found in nature.
I enjoy soccer, live music (heavy metal, jazz) and am recently starting to get into sailing!
Postdoc
Jef Boeke, Jay Shendure
Gene/cell therapy, de novo protein design
My first ever paid gig was being a poker tournament reporter on a boat casino
Susanna Elledge
MIT
Bio-conjugation or antibody/protein engineering.
Protein engineering, bio-conjugation, viral diagnostics, drug delivery, enzyme sensing
My current project aims to develop early detection diagnostics for high-grade serous ovarian cancer using synthetic biosensors.
I like to be old-school and do black-and-white film photography. I develop and print my own pictures. One day I hope I can hang some of my pictures in a gallery!
Postdoc
Sangeeta Bhatia
Immunotherapy, machine learning, vaccines, protein design
I have been playing a special kind of drums (called Taiko) for the last 8 years!
Zoreh Izadifar
Wyss Institute, Harvard
I have a multidisciplinary background covering areas in engineering, data driven modeling, biofabrication, imaging, stem cell regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, Organ Chip models, sensors, and women’s reproductive health.
Tissue Engineering, Women's health, Regenerative medicine, 3D Bioprinting, Organ-on-Chip
My current project in on development and application of Organ Chip in vitro model of human Cervix Chip for understanding and preclinical analysis of mucosal host-microbiome contributions to vaginal health. I am also developing multiple sensor integrated organ chip models for non-invasive real-time monitoring of physiological functions in Organ Chip in vitro models.
I like traveling and exploring nature (currently collecting national park stamps on my NP passport) and outdoor activities (wouldn’t mind a kick of adrenaline! 😉)
Postdoc
Donald Ingber
Diagnostics for women's health, Biomarker discovery, Entrepreneurship, technology translation
I love (risky!) adventures
Karan Kathuria
Stanford
Hyping you up to pursue your risky/exciting ideas, thinking through pitfalls in methods development (esp. in immunology), human immune organoid applications.
Cell-cell communication, immune regulation, T cell therapy, malaria vaccines.
Cell-cell communication, immune regulation, T cell therapy, malaria vaccines
In biology, we know a lot about individual cell phenotypes and are beginning to learn about spatial organization in tissues. I like thinking about the intermediate resolution: 2 cells talking. My research is about capturing transcriptional changes during contact-dependent cell-cell interactions.
Love books about the history of biology and SciFi!
I got into skiing recently and want to do more of that! Also trying to write more (currently failing).
Let’s run together!
MD/PhD
Mark Davis
Gaps in higher education at state schools, Chemex vs. Moka pot coffee, cars
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