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*

Maya Stella 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*

Merlin Zhuoran Zhou

MSc CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
BSc, University of Rochester,
Merlin is an M.S. student in Biology at Columbia University. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Rochester, where he studied strategies to block cancer cells from using glutathione as a metabolic fuel, thereby reducing tumor growth. Fun fact: Merlin chose his own English name. He has a cat named Yumi and is passionate about music and singing. *Email: zz3441@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*

Eric Zhang

MSc CANDIDATE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
BSc, UC Santa Barabara, USA
Eric is currently pursuing a master’s in statistical genetics from Columbia Biostatistics. He earned his B.S. in Pharmacology at UC Santa Barbara, where he investigated how the Cer9 E3 ligase regulates the ABI4 transcription factor to control plant stress responses. His research interests center on cancer genetics and protein homeostasis, and he is excited to apply statistical genetics approaches to understanding pancreatic cancer in the Chio Lab. In his free time, he likes to explore nature with friends. Fun fact: Eric is collecting Starbucks destination coffee mugs. Email: *xz3312@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*

Darya Petina

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Darya grew up in Kazakhstan and is currently studying Biological Sciences at Columbia University. She previously worked as a research assistant at Nazarbayev University, where she participated in a lab focused on the synthesis of organosilica nanoparticles and investigated the anticancer properties of local Kazakhstani plants. She also studied keratin gene expression under sleep deprivation, with her work accepted for publication in Curieux Academic Journal. Fun fact: Darya trained both in aerial gymnastics and boxing, and she is obsessed with salted caramel coffee. Email: *dp3380@columbia.edu*

Abesera Tessema

WORK STUDY 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*

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*

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

Graduate Students

Michael Mendelsohn: MSc graduate(2019-2020). Current: Bioresearch Field Applications Scientist at Molecular Devices.

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).

VISTING SCHOLARS

Juan Camacho: Visiting PhD student (2025). Current Position, PhD candidate, Copenhagen University.

Immacolata Maietta, Visiting PhD student (2022). Current: PhD candidate, University of Vigo, Spain

HIghschool volunteers

Andy Zhang (Summer 2022), Sarah Lin (Summer 2023, 2024), Shi Lang (Summer 2024), Leo Li (Summer 2025)