“Do or do not. There is no try.”
James Jungseung Nam
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, PhD
Ilsan National University of Science and Technology, South Korea
JungSeung earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from UNIST under Prof. Tae-Hyuk Kwon, developing photoactivatable tools to enhance reactive oxygen species (ROS). He explored peptide modulation and created a method to characterize oxidative post-translational modifications (oxPTM) in proteins. JungSeung approaches biomedical research from a chemistry perspective. Fun fact: he completed a marathon and enjoys food and piano, especially Chopin, despite not looking like a musician. Good food and music keep him grounded! Email:jn2837@cumc.columbia.edu
Maya Dixon
PhD CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
HBSc, Queen’s University, Canada
Maya researched genes linked to floral phenology in purple loosestrife under Dr. Robert Colautti during her undergraduate studies. Afterward, she worked as a research assistant at Performance Plants Inc. to develop drought and heat-tolerant crops. Fun fact: Maya grew up practicing ballet and various dance styles such as tap, jazz, and acrobatics, while actively playing ice hockey. Email: msd2216@cumc.columbia.edu
Claire Sung Shin Ahn
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, PhD
Konkuk University, South Korea
Sung Shin earned her Ph.D. in biological sciences from Konkuk University, focusing on gene transcription regulation in cancer and skin diseases through mouse experiments. She developed techniques to confirm protein complex recruitment to gene promoters in inflammation. Sung aims to understand genetic factors in pancreatic tumorigenesis and metastasis. Fun facts: She relieves stress through exercise, practicing yoga for over four years and recently going to the gym. She also enjoys cute things, especially FuBao, the panda. Email: sa4395@cumc.columbia.edu
Justin Powers
PhD CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
HBSc, Eastern Michigan University
As an undergraduate, Justin worked in Dr. Cory Emal’s lab on thrombosis inhibitors and synthesized platinum complexes for cancer treatment under Dr. James Hoeschele. He later joined Dr. Nouri Neamati's lab to develop small-molecule drugs for ovarian cancer. Fun facts: Justin has been wrestling since age eight and practices judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts. Initially a graphics design major, he took Intro to Biology for STEM majors on a dare, struggled at first, but eventually excelled and found a passion for science. Email: jap2301@columbia.edu
Can Selahattin Ozcan
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, PhD
Uludag University, Turkey
Çan earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry at Uludag University under Prof. Abdullah Yalcin, focusing on PFKFB enzymes in PDAC tumorigenesis and metastasis. He then did postdoctoral research with Prof. Ceyda Acilan at Koc University on centrosome amplification and aneuploidy in cancer, gaining experience in proximity labeling proteomics and CRISPR screens. His current research focuses on PDAC metabolism and metastasis, with an interest in hematopoiesis. Fun fact: Çan enjoys cooking, baking, and playing the piano, and he has five pets. He also loves classical music and snooker. Email: so2716@cumc.columbia.edu
Geena Kim
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Geena is a prospective biology major at Columbia University. She is originally from Seoul, Korea, and graduated high school in the US. She previously worked in Dr. Ho Yun Lee’s lab at Samsung Medical Center, investigating lung adenocarcinoma. Fun fact: Geena is an extremely talented ballet dancer! Email: gk2584@columbia.edu
Liam Nguyen Stiles
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Liam, a biochemistry student at Columbia University and native New Yorker, interned at Vitara Biomedical, which is creating an artificial womb biosystem to address preterm birth complications by studying electrolyte serum concentrations. Fun fact: he trained in jiu-jitsu and wrestled competitively, loves photography, and is on the Columbia multimedia team. Email: lns2147@columbia.edu.
Alex Chen
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Alex is a prospective biochemistry student at Columbia. In high school, he researched reactive oxygen species and Alzheimer's using nematodes and studied the microbiome's impact on lifespan at NYU Langone Health. He is eager to investigate how reactive oxygen species influence cancer. Fun fact: Alex has trained in kung fu and tai chi and is a member of the Columbia Wushu team, which helps him stay active and socialize. He is also exploring poetry and video-making as new hobbies. Email: ac5294@columbia.edu
Jack O’Sullivan
RESEARCH ASSISTANT, BA
Jack is a research assistant at Chio Lab and studies Biological Sciences at Columbia University. Born in Washington, D.C., he earned a B.A. in Japanese from the University of Maryland and worked as a translator and paralegal in Los Angeles. His interest in cancer biology was reignited by Siddhartha Mukherjee's book, stemming from personal experiences with illness. Fun fact: In his free time, Jack enjoys reading, knitting, climbing, running, hiking, and camping. Email: jo2652@columbia.edu
Christine Chio
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, PhD
University of Toronto, Canada
Dr. Christine Chio is an Assistant Professor of Genetics at the Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center. She earned her PhD at the University of Toronto, studying the connection between innate immunity and cancer under Dr. Tak Wah Mak. She completed postdoctoral training in Dr. David Tuveson's Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory lab. Her research focuses on cellular redox regulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Fun fact: Christine grew up on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and she can’t swim. Email: ic2445@cumc.columbia.edu
Pardis Ahmadi
RESEARCH ASSISTANT, PharmD
Pardis received her PharmD under the supervision of Dr. Jaleh Varshosaz. During her thesis studies, she focused on drug delivery to pancreatic cancer cells via exosomes. Fun fact: Pardis enjoys water coloring during her free time. Email: pa2719@cumc.columbia.edu
Alice Yeon Kyeong Tellier
LAB MANAGER, BSc
UC Berkeley, California
Alice grew up in South Korea and studied Chemical Biology at UC Berkeley. She shifted from food industry analytical chemistry to cancer research after losing her grandfather and aunt. Alice worked as a research associate on the I-SPY 2 breast cancer clinical trial in the van 't Veer lab at UCSF. Fun fact: she sang in a band and choir during school, and listening or singing helps her relieve stress. A foodie, she enjoys cooking and baking, with two bookshelves of cookbooks for trying new recipes. Email: ykt2107@cumc.columbia.edu
Daniel the lab tree
Meet Daniel, our Yucca Elephantipes: Born on Christine's desk at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, he endured 5 years of Long Island postdoc drama, braved the I495 to Columbia University in NYC, and now stands a towering 10 feet tall. Through every challenge and triumph, he's been our lab’s steadfast leafy witness.
ALUMNI
Dana Kapellar-Liberman: Technician (2018-2019). Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo (2019-2023). Current: Neurosurgery resident, Emory University School of Medicine.
Karina Chan: Technician (2018-2020). Current: Medical Student, California North State University College of Medicine. (Class of 2026).
Michael Mendelsohn: Master’s student (2019-2020). Current: Bioresearch Field Applications Scientist at Molecular Devices.
Belen Sundberg: Technician (2019-2021). Current: Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University.
Charles Laurore: Technician (2021-2022). Current: Medical Student at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai (Class of 2027).
Aster Yang: Technician (2021-2023). Current Position: Ph.D. Candidate, Rutgers University.
Marina Perera: Postdoctoral fellow (2018-2023). Current Position: Staff Scientist, CRUK.
Jordan Jacquelin Lu: Columbia undergraduate student (2019-2023). Current: Clinical Scientist at Icahn School of Medicine, Mt Sinai.
Sean Bae: Technician (2023-2024). Current Position: Medical Student at Georgetown University Medical School. (Class of 2028).
Huijin Feng: Technician (2021-2024). Current Position: Sales representative, Genscript.
Lela Devine: Barnard undergraduate student (2023-2024).
Shu Ichimiya: Postdoctoral fellow (2021-2024). Current Position: Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Fukuoka, Japan