“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
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
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
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
Pardis Ahmadi
PhD CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
PharmD, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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
Justin Chak Ting Cheung
PhD CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
HBSc, CUHK, Hong Kong
Justin is a PhD candidate. He completed his BSc in Biomedical Sciences at the CUHK, where he studied liquid biopsy for leukemia using nanopore sequencing, and went on to pursue an MPhil in Surgery, focusing on alternatively spliced variants in GI cancers. Outside the lab, Justin has a strong interest in basketball and badminton, often participating in local games and keeping active. He was also trained in classical piano, a pursuit he has maintained since childhood and continues to practice. Email: cjc2326@columbia.edu
Sabrina Barrera
MSc CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
HBsc, New York University, USA
Sabrina is pursuing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology with a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual, and Reproductive Health at Columbia University. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, she studied Psychology with a minor in Public Health at New York University. Her interests include exploring the relationship between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the nervous system. Beyond her studies, Sabrina is actively involved in volunteering with the Achilles organization and the local food pantry. Fun fact: Sabrina enjoys playing the violin, billiards, and holds a motorcycle license. This year, she is training to run the New York City Marathon. Email: smb2387@cumc.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
Jessica Madison Lee
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Jessica is a prospective neuroscience major at Columbia University. She is from New York City. She previously worked in Dr. Wang’s lab at the William Black Building, studying embryonic stem cells and genetic knockouts. Fun fact: Jessica went on an archaeological dig in Bulgaria two summers ago! She is also a huge Swiftie! Email: jl7027@columbia.edu
Abesera Tessema
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Abbey is a prospective biochemistry major at Columbia University. She previously conducted research in the Read Lab at Emory University investigating Vestibular Schwannoma and the effects of YAP/TAZ-TEAD inhibition on the tumor microenvironment. Fun Fact: Abbey loves the arts especially listening to jazz, singing, and musicals. She has been playing the saxophone for 8 years and is a current member of the Columbia Gospel Choir. Email: amt2325@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.
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
Christine Chio
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, PhD
University of Toronto, Canada
Christine earned her PhD at the University of Toronto, where she studied the interplay between innate immunity and cancer. She completed her postdoctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, focusing on pancreatic cancer biology. Her research now centers on cellular redox regulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, with the goal of understanding how oxidative processes shape tumor progression and systemic metabolism. Fun fact: Christine grew up on a Pacific island but never learned how to swim. Email: ic2445@cumc.columbia.edu
ALUMNI
Graduate Students
Michael Mendelsohn: MSc graduate(2019-2020). Current: Bioresearch Field Applications Scientist at Molecular Devices.
Juan Camacho: Visiting PhD student (2025). Current Position, PhD candidate, Copenhagen University.
Justin Powers: PhD graduate (2020-2025). Current Position: MBA student at University of Virginia.
Hanhe Fang: MSc graduate (2025).
Postdoctoral Fellows
Marina Perera (2018-2023). Current Position: Staff Scientist, CRUK.
Shu Ichimiya (2021-2024). Current Position: Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Fukuoka, Japan
Technicians
Dana Kapellar-Liberman (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 (2018-2020). Current: Medical Student, California North State University College of Medicine. (Class of 2026).
Belen Sundberg (2019-2021). Current: Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University.
Charles Laurore (2021-2022). Current: Medical Student at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai (Class of 2027).
Aster Yang (2021-2023). Current Position: Ph.D. Candidate, Rutgers University.
Sean Bae (2023-2024). Current Position: Medical Student at Georgetown University Medical School. (Class of 2028).
Huijin Feng (2021-2024). Current Position: Sales representative, Genscript.
Undergraduate Students
Jordan Jacquelin Lu: Columbia undergraduate student (2019-2023). Current: Clinical Scientist at Icahn School of Medicine, Mt Sinai.
Lela Devine: Barnard undergraduate student (2023-2024).
Geena Kim: Columbia undergraduate student (2023-2025).
Jack O’Sullivan: Columbia undergraduate student (2024-2025).