Trainee Alumni
Siavash Moghadami
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Tan/Bertozzi LabFunding Period: September 2023 – August 2025
The overarching theme of my research is harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in biology, particularly within the field of chemical biology. I am developing in vivo, spatially-resolved techniques to perturb neuropsychiatric risk genes and glycan-related genes within living organisms. By precisely targeting these genes in specific neural regions, I can observe the direct effects on neuronal function and behavior. Building upon these findings, I aim to develop the world's first AI-powered Artificial Cell (AIAC) to study neural systems by simulating and analyzing these perturbations at molecular, cellular, and system levels. This innovative approach is designed to provide deeper insights into complex neural processes. Through this multidisciplinary strategy, I seek to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying brain processes as well as neuropsychiatric disorders, potentially leading to the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
Leyna Duong
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Gray LabFunding Period: September 2023 – August 2025
In the Gray Lab, we develop chemical probes to gain new biological insights into cellular processes that drive diseases and to validate potential clinically relevant targets pharmacologically. We integrate approaches from medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and molecular and cell biology. My main project focuses on studying a protein's enzymatic mechanism and structure using small molecule inhibitors, x-ray crystallography, and biochemical assays to understand its role in immuno-oncology. My other projects involve molecular glue library target exploration and targetting protein condensates as a way to activate useful pathways. Remi Dado
Ryan Golden
Department of Chemistry | Gray LabFunding Period: September 2023 – July 2025
In the Gray Lab, I am synthesizing heterobifunctional small molecules such as PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) and TCIPs (Transcriptional Chemical Inducers of Proximity), which could lead to proximity-based therapeutics for cancer. I have made progress exploring how to use molecular proximity to reprogram the fusion oncoprotein EWS-FLI in Ewings Sarcoma, which I have been pursuing in collaboration with Kimberly Stegmaier’s laboratory at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I am also initiating a new project targeting the retinoid acid receptor with chemically induced proximity.
Riley Togashi
Department of Chemistry | Chen/Gray LabFunding Period: September 2023 – August 2025
With the Chen Lab, I am developing small molecules that target homeodomain interacting protein kinase 4 (HIPK4) through either allosteric inhibition or PROTAC-based degradation. We previously demonstrated that HIPK4-deficient male mice are infertile but otherwise developmentally and physiologically normal and uncovered a role for HIPK4 in spermatid differentiation. HIPK4-targeting compounds would be useful probes for studying HIPK4 functions in spermiogenesis and candidates for non-hormonal male contraceptives. I am also working on identifying HIPK4 substrates and binding proteins to elucidate the mechanisms through which HIPK4 promotes sperm development. Ryan Golden
Nina Fatuzzo
Department of Chemistry | Khosla LabFunding Period: September 2022 – August 2024
I recently began a new project studying the role of LRP1 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD patients develop protein aggregates, including tau tangles, which eventually lead to massive neuronal death. LRP1 is the main receptor for tau and results in endocytosis of this protein. Interestingly, although tau tangle spread correlate well with cognitive decline, tau is not the main genetic risk factor for AD. Rather, ApoE is the main genetic risk. ApoE is a small lipoprotein that helps traffic cholesterol and other lipids between cells. LRP1 is also the main receptor for ApoE. Given the connection between ApoE, tau, and LRP1, I hypothesize that there is an ApoE isoform-dependent interaction with LRP1 that affects tau uptake and degradation. I have established several models of microglial cells, which express high amounts of LRP1 and are known to be highly phagocytic brain cells. In these models, which include a primary cell model, I have shown that LRP1 is the main receptor for tau in microglia and am now beginning to address the role of ApoE in this uptake pathway.
Jada Lauren Garzon
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Cimprich LabFunding Period: September 2022 – August 2024
In the Cimprich lab, we are interested in understanding DNA damage and how cells maintain genome stability. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the mechanism of how damage leads to immune activation. Further insight into this mechanism can have major implications for diseases relating to autoimmunity, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Upon starting at Stanford, I participated in the Stanford ADVANCE Summer Institute as an ADVANCE Scholar. Aside from science, I am passionate about creating an inclusive community in academia, and have participated in organizations and helped launch programs geared towards DEI efforts.
Becca Rodell
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Martinez LabFunding Period: September 2022 – August 2024
In the Martinez lab, we study how RNA modifications affect RNA processing. Previous work discovered that pseudouridine affects alternative splicing and 3' end processing, yet the exact mechanism remains unknown. My project focuses on a pseudouridine synthase, PUS7, that is known to affect RNA processing. Specifically, I am interested in how the protein-protein interactions of PUS7 affect its target site selection and activity.
Basel Karim
Department of Chemistry | Gray LabFunding Period: September 2022 – August 2024
I am synthesizing heterobifunctional small molecules that activate gene transcription by recruiting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to gene loci controlled by protein repressors. I am currently evaluating which kinases best induce gene activation and the disease context for which this therapeutic modality will be most effective. I recently published a paper in Science that focused on the discovery and characterization of Cdk9 targeting transcriptional inducers of proximity (TCIPs). I am now working towards a publication on ULK1 kinase degraders and am also independently writting a proposal to target a transcription factor that is important in anemia. As I continue to progress toward my Ph.D. degree, I am transitioning from doing primarily synthetic chemistry to conducting biochemical experiments.
Alan Tung
Cancer Biology Program | Long LabFunding Period: September 2021 – August 2023
Alan received his Ph.D. in 2025.
Nicolas Robalin
Department of Chemistry | Wender LabFunding Period: September 2021 – August 2023
My interest is working towards the development of novel nucleic acid delivery systems. Recently, the Wender and Waymouth Groups introduced a new delivery system called Charge Altering Releasable Transporters (CARTs) which have shown tremendous utility as vehicles for nucleic acid delivery and CRISPR/Cas-editing systems. CARTs operate uniquely by rearranging upon cell entry to a neutral system, thereby releasing their polyanionic gene cargo and avoiding the toxicity of persistent polycationic carriers. Current CART systems have been oligomer-based systems comprised of mixtures of differing polymer lengths. A single molecule (discrete) CART, as opposed to an oligomer mixture, would eliminate problems with mixture variability, allow for precise control over composition and thus better understanding of specific factors that influence the unprecedented cell uptake and selectivity. I aim to make and study the first-ever discrete CART system that would avoid batch-to-batch mixture variations and allow for greater control over structure and composition, thereby enabling an understanding of factors that determine the unprecedented cell and organ selectivity of CARTs and thus their broader use in research and medicine.
Owen McAteer
Department of Chemistry | Wender LabFunding Period: September 2021 – August 2023
My research focuses on using synthetic organic chemistry to design and build molecules efficiently to address unmet clinical needs. Specifically, I work on the synthesis and characterization of PKC modulators for applications in many different disease areas; enhancing CAR T cell therapy, eradicating HIV/AIDS, and treating Alzheimer's. More specifically, my project is focused on exploring modified tiglianes, based on Phorbol. Using our chemistry, we can access novel analogs that could display unique PKC isoform selectivity, giving rise to new drugs.
Benjamin Kraemer
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Mochly-Rosen LabFunding Period: September 2021 – August 2023
Benjamin received his Ph.D. in 2025 and is currently a Translational Science Liaison at SPARK NS.
Lisha Ou
Department of Chemistry | Dassama LabFunding Period: September 2021 – August 2022
Rebecca Chan
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Li LabFunding Period: September 2021 – August 2022
Rebecca received her Ph.D. in 2025 and is currently a Scientist at Amgen.
The following trainee alumni received funding from the Molecular Pharmacology Training Grant (T32 GM113854), directed by Professor Daria Mochly-Rosen from 2015 to 2020; while this grant is unrelated to current T32 funding, it represents the success of the ongoing training we provide in Chemical and Systems Biology (CSB).
Kaustabh Basu
Department of Chemistry | Glenn LabFunding Period: September 2016 – August 2018
Kaustabh is currently a Collaborations Manager at Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative.
Katie Ferrick
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Meyer LabFunding Period: September 2017 – August 2018
Katie is currently a visiting scholar at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
Adriana Garcia
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Mochly-Rosen LabFunding Period: September 2017 – August 2018
Adriana is currently an Education Manager at SPARK NS.
Zachary Harvey
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Jarosz Lab LabFunding Period: September 2015 – August 2017
Zachary is currently a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the Gregor Mendel Institute.
Marlene Heberling
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Co-advised by Dr. Tom Wandless and Dr. Josh EliasFunding Period: September 2017 – August 2019
Marlene is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Genentech.
Marisa Hom
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Chen LabFunding period: September 2015 – August 2017
Marisa is currently an Application Specialist at Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Christina Jensen
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Wysocka LabFunding Period: September 2018 – August 2019
Christina received her Ph.D. from Stanford in Fall 2024.
Laura Keller
Department of Chemical & Systems Biology | Bogyo LabFunding Period: September 2018 – August 2019
Laura is currently a Scientist III at Genentech.
Jacob Moon Hyung Kim
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Skotheim LabFunding Period: September 2019 – August 2020
Jacob continues to work towards his Ph.D. in the Skotheim Lab.
Veronica Li
Department of Chemistry | Long LabFunding Period: September 2019 – August 2020
Veronica is a scientist in Professor Jonathan Long's lab at Stanford Pathology and ChEM-H institute where she works on metabolic disease.
Hannah Moeller
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Annes LabFunding Period: September 2016 – August 2017
Hannah currently does Pipeline and Program Management at Genentech.
Luis Rios
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Mochly-Rosen LabFunding Period: September 2018 – August 2020
Luis Rios is Founding Scientist and COO of Stealth AI Startup and Principal Investigator at Fission Pharma.
Lucero Rogel
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology | Goodman LabFunding Period: September 2019 – August 2020
Lucero will be continuing as a postdoc in Professor Goodman’s lab after she graduates in Fall 2024.
Owen Smith
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Straight LabFunding Period: September 2016 – August 2017
Owen is a Research Scientist at Twist Bioscience.
Opher Kornfeld
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Mochly-Rosen LabFunding Period: September 2015 – August 2016
Opher is the Director of Translational R&D at SPARK NS.
Joydeb Sinha
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Bintu LabFunding Period: September 2018 – August 2019
Joydeb is currently a Scientist I in Epigenetic Editing Technologies at Mammoth Biosciences.
Alexandria Van Elgort
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Jarosz LabFunding Period: September 2019 – May 2020
Alex continues working towards her Ph.D. in the Jarosz Lab.