Trainee Alumni
Nina Fatuzzo
Department of Chemistry | Khosla LabI 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 LabIn 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 LabIn 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 LabI 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
Department of IDP's - Cancer Biology | Long LabI am passionate about metabolism, signaling, and cancer biology. In the Long Lab, I am specifically interested in decoding the benefit of exercise by studying exercise-inducible circulating factors and their functions. Previously, we have discovered one such factor, N-lactoyl-phenylalanine, which can mediate the benefit of exercise by suppressing food intake and inducing weight loss. I am currently looking for additional roles of Lac-Phe and how Lac-Phe level is being regulated. In addition, I am investigating other exercise-inducible factors and their functions.
Nicolas Robalin
Department of Chemistry | Wender LabMy 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 LabMy 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 LabIn the Mochly-Rosen lab, we are interested in the role of aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes and how they contribute to disease. My project aims to investigate one member of this protein family, ALDH4A1, which is involved in proline metabolism. Deficiencies of this enzyme are associated with several neurological disorders, including Hyperprolinemia Type II. By developing a small molecule therapeutic to correct enzyme deficiency, we aim to develop a treatment to correct ALDH4A1 deficiency by increasing the catalytic activity of the protein to decrease the accumulation of toxic aldehyde species in the cell.
Lisha Ou
Department of Chemistry | Dassama Lab
Rebecca Chan
Department of Chemical and Systems Biology | Li LabOne of the most important sensors of cytosolic DNA is the cGAS-STING, which triggers protective responses that are important in the context of infection or cancer, although excessive activation of this pathway can be harmful and contribute to inflammatory responses. While unique signaling events are important for STING activation, it is still unclear exactly how these essential events mechanistically lead to STING activity and what their importance is under different activation contexts. My work in the Li Lab is to develop and in-depth understanding of the regulation mechanisms of the STING pathway to not only elucidate how it balances between defense and tolerance, but also to open up new avenues for therapeutic targeting of the pathway to treat autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases.
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.