Lab Members
Qianna Wilson
Lab Manager
Ph.D. Columbia University, B.S. UT Tyler
She develops new yeast biosensors for infectious diseases.
In her free time, she enjoys oil painting.
Davida Rios
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Rer. Nat. University of Tuebingen (Germany), M.Sc. University of Pavia (Italy)
She develops yeast biosensors with a focus on environmental applications.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city and traveling to new places.
Adriana Di Nanni
Postdoctoral Researcher
B.S., M.S. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Ph.D. University of Alabama at Birmingham
He is focused on developing yeast biosensors for environmental sensing.
In his free time, he enjoys adventure, hiking, and creative writing.
Parmanand Ahirwar
Postdoctoral Researcher
M.A. M.Phil. Columbia University, B.Sc. Nankai University & Scripps Research
He is focused on developing an oral yeast vaccine platform.
In his free time, he enjoys biking, singing and playing multiple instruments.
Brian (Jiaming) Qi
6th Year Graduate Student
M.D./Ph.D. Columbia University (in progress), M.S. UCSF, M.S. UC Berkeley, B.A. UC Berkeley
He is applying protein engineering techniques for the development of novel therapeutics.
In his free time, he enjoys biking, hiking, and reading.
Kiavash Garakani
4th Year Graduate Student
B.S. Tsinghua University
She is focused on directed evolution.
In her free time, she enjoys reading and skiing.
Yiwen Wang
1st Year Graduate Student
Msci. Glasgow University (Current 4th year undergraduate) with placement at Columbia University,
Focused on developing yeast biosensors for environmental sensing
In his free time he enjoys playing guitar, cooking, and hiking
Gabriel Sandu Valencia
Visiting Student Intern
Ph.D. Columbia University (In progress), B.A. Skidmore College
He is working on metabolism-targeting therapeutics development and asymmetric catalysis.
In his free time, he enjoys hiking and music.
Thomas Tao
Rotation Student
Matthew Dennen
Rotation Student
Aryaman Saksena
Rotation Student
Alexander Yuen
Undergraduate Student
Christopher Seizmore
Undergraduate Student
Harshini Sadanala
Undergraduate Student
Irene Ghobriel
Undergraduate Student
B.A. Columbia University
He is focused on Genetic Code Expansion in E. coli.
In his free time, he enjoys martial arts, video games, and the outdoors.
Evan Jones
Undergraduate Student
Ingrid Wu
Undergraduate Student
Rohan Raghavan
Undergraduate Student
B.A. Candidate at Columbia University
She is investigating yeast biosensors sensitive to environmental factors.
In her spare time, she enjoys drawing in writing.
Teresa Xiao
Undergraduate Student
B.A. Candidate at Columbia University
He is interested in the intersection of protein engineering and data science.
He is also a guitarist who enjoys jazz and classical music.
Maurice Chakour
Undergraduate Student
B.A Candidate at Columbia University
She is interested in utilizing yeast engineering techniques to develop affordable vaccines, hence improving global health.
In her free time, she enjoys orchestra, art and photography.
Lucky Kituyi
Undergraduate Student
Feride Cosar
Undergraduate Student
Daniela Alvarez
Undergraduate Student
B.A Biochemistry Candidate at Columbia University
He is interested in applying synthetic biology to develop low-cost, programmable therapeutics.
In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, baseball, and playing multiple instruments
Enrique Salazar
Undergraduate Student
Theresa Yu
Undergraduate Student
Raelee D. Hollier
Undergraduate Student
Ahmed Hamdan
Undergraduate Student
