Ph.D. Students

Zhengda An

Ph.D. Student

Sauka-Spengler Lab

Joined: 2024

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Current Project: Neural crest (NC) cells are a vertebrate-specific multipotent cell population whose evolutionary origins remain incompletely understood. Although non-vertebrate chordates possess cell populations with partial neural crest–like properties, the cis-regulatory mechanisms underlying the emergence of neural crest identity remain unclear. In this project, we combine deep learning–based chromatin accessibility models within silico evolution to investigate how neural crest enhancers may evolve across chordates. Using convolutional neural network (CNN) models trained on chicken cranial NC ATAC-seq data, we evolved synthetic enhancers from random DNA sequences. In vivo assays in chick embryos demonstrated that active neural crest enhancers can emerge after 15 rounds of evolution. Large-scale evolution of random genomic sequences showed that in silico evolution is strongly influenced by the starting sequence. We are currently using this property to identify evolvable regions in the genomes of zebrafish and non-vertebrate chordates and investigate the motif features in the evolvable regions.

Sergio Barroso Bordon

Ph.D. Student

Sankari Lab

Joined: 2024

Portrait of Maria Jose "Majo" Blanco Salazar

María José (Majo) Blanco Salazar

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Basic Biomedical Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico

Joined: 2021

Bazzini Lab

Samuel Campbell

Predoctoral Researcher

The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

B.S., Biochemistry, University of Kansas

Joined: 2023

Zeitlinger Lab

Carlos Barradas Chacon

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biology, Autonomous University of Queretaro and National Polytechnic University of Mexico
M.S., Integrative Biology, Autonomous University of Queretaro and National Polytechnic University of Mexico

Joined: 2020

Sánchez Alvarado Lab

Adam Cogan

Ph.D. Student

Si Lab

Joined: 2024

Si Lab

Catalina Diaz Ramirez

Ph.D. Student

Zanders Lab

Joined: 2025

Michay Diez

Ph.D. Student

Gerton Lab

B.S., Engineering, National University of St. Martin, Argentina

Joined: 2022

Zixuan Ding

Ph.D. Student

Sauka-Spengler Lab

Joined: 2025

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We study how P-E interactions contribute to cell-type-specific gene regulation during zebrafish gastrulation. Using high-temporal-resolution scMultiome and computational methods like SCENIC+ and RegVelo, we infer TF–enhancer–effector gene regulatory modules and their role in cell fate decisions. We use Micro-Capture-C to dissect how enhancers/repressors/other elements interact with the promoter in those modules. Ongoing efforts include functional perturbation of TFs/CREs and using additional modalities to explain the mechanism.

Jenny Duong

Ph.D. Student

Pillai Lab

Joined: 2025

Pillai Lab

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My main interest in research is to understand how proteins with a common ancestry diverge in structure or function. I am utilizing an orphan protein in mammals as a model to understand this process. Outside of the lab, I enjoy learning various historical topics and cuddling with my cats.

Michael Epp

Ph.D. Student

Özel Lab

Joined: 2024

Özel Lab

Brandon Fagen

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Molecular Biology, Harding University

Joined: 2023

Roberta Fiorino

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

M.S., Applied and Experimental Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

Joined: 2022

Anna Galligos

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biology, Rockhurst University

Joined: 2021

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Matthew Gilley

Ph.D. Student

Pillai

Joined: 2025

Pillai Lab

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My broad focus in the lab is how evolution produces functional proteins from scratch. I study this in viruses, whose high mutation rates and compact genomes make them excellent models for watching new genes emerge—cases where a stretch of noncoding sequence starts getting translated into a working protein. When I'm not in the lab, you can find me doing something outside—usually running or playing tennis!

Francisco (Paco) Guerra Garcia

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biotechnology, Pablo de Olavide University, Spain

Joined: 2023

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Current work: establishing gene engineering tools in soil bacteria and studying host peptides in legumes-bacteria symbiosis

Hobbies: I enjoy both doing sports and spending time at home listening to music, playing videogames or watching shows and movies

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Minling Hu

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Life Science and Technology, LanZhou University
M.S., Translational Medicine, Beijing Normal University

Joined: 2020

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Yuri Iwamura

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biology, Nara Women’s University, Japan
M.S., Biology, Kyoto University, Japan

Joined: 2023

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Neural crest (NC) cells are multipotent progenitors that give rise to a remarkable diversity of cell types, including neurons, mesenchymal derivatives, and pigment cells. This developmental versatility makes them an ideal model for understanding how tissue-specific gene regulatory networks (GRNs) control cell fate decisions. While key regulators and GRNs governing mesenchymal NC development have been extensively characterized, those underlying neuronal NC specification remain poorly understood. My research aims to identify the key regulators of cranial neuronal NC specification and reconstruct the GRNs underlying this process in zebrafish embryos by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, chromatin accessibility profiling, and spatial transcriptomics. This work will provide new insights into how cranial neuronal NC identity is established during vertebrate development.

Haining Jiang

Predoctoral Researcher

The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

B.S., Biomedical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Joined: 2020

Zeitlinger Lab

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Haining joined the Zeitlinger lab from Qinghai, China (the wild west of China) in September 2021. He received his bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and developed a passion to further his knowledge in science. Currently, he is working on understanding enhancer activity and accessibility with Deep Learning approaches. When Haining is not in the lab, you can find him having fun playing soccer, riding his bike on the trails or just having fun in the with sports in the great outdoors.

Fahad Kamulegeya

Predoctoral Researcher

The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

B.S., Physics, Makerere University, Uganda

Joined: 2023

Özel Lab

Zeitlinger Lab

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Makerere University

Olivia Kim

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biology, John Brown University

Joined: 2021

Si Lab

Hannah Kimbrough

Ph.D. Student

B.S., Biology, Truman State University

Joined: 2023

Halfmann Lab

Paxton Kostos

Ph.D. Student

Gerton Lab

B.S., Biochemistry and Philosophy, University of Missouri

Joined: 2022

Siddharth Kurne

Ph.D. Student

Sauka-Spengler Lab, Sanchez Alvarado Lab

B.S./M.S., Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, India

Joined: 2023

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Nothobranchius furzeri (African annual killifish), found in ephemeral ponds in eastern and south-eastern Africa live through harsh conditions during which the ponds that they live in dry up. These harsh conditions have led them to evolve a very peculiar embryonic cycle in which they are capable of undergoing diapause at 3 different stages of embryonic development [1]. One of these diapause (diapause 2) corresponds with neural crest (NC) development when the neural crest cells (NCCs) are migrating throughout the embryo to give rise to different tissues in the developing embryo. Furthermore, NC development is much slower in the annual killifish compared to other teleost model organism commonly used to study NC processes, like zebrafish. Understanding how these migrating NCCs retain the memory of migration even after months in diapause 2 and end up reaching their destination is very intriguing. Furthermore, no one has ever looked at NC development in the killifish and therefore understanding how these processes are regulated is crucial. My long-term goal is to dissect the gene regulatory network of neural crest cells during induction, migration and differentiation in killifish understanding how they maintain the NC development program intact during diapause 2.

Ultimately, we hope to clarify why specific melanocyte populations are particularly vulnerable in defined disease states and guide future strategies for targeted therapeutic intervention and regenerative medicine.

Kaili Li

Ph.D. Student

Si Lab

B.S., Bioengineering, Henan Agricultural University

M.S., Cell Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University.

Joined: 2020

Si Lab

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Erica Lin

Ph.D. Student

Stern Lab

Joined: 2025

Stern Lab

Grace McKown

Predoctoral Researcher

Kostova Lab

Joined: 2024

Grishma Mehta

Ph.D. Student

Sauka-Spengler Lab

Joined: 2025

Madison Mitchell

Ph.D. Student

Zanders Lab

Joined: 2025

Graciela Monfort Anez

Predoctoral Researcher

B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University

Joined: 2023

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Pennsylvania State University

Shao-Fu Nien

Predoctoral Researcher

Kostova / Sánchez Alvarado Lab

Joined: 2024

Sánchez Alvarado Lab

Yamile Paredes Chiquini

Ph.D. Student

Li Lab

Joined: 2025

Li Lab

Pritam Pathak

Ph.D. Student

Kostova Lab

Joined: 2025

Erika Pinto

Ph.D. Student

Sankari Lab

B.S., Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ecuador
M.S., Laboratory Technology, Technical Particular University of Loja, Ecuador

Joined: 2023

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In my undergrad and master’s degree I studied cell regeneration and toxicology in Ecuador, where I am from. Currently I am passionate about understanding fundamental biology and how it can be used for clinical and industrial applications. I have a particular interest in exploring how the symbiotic relationship between alfalfa and bacteria may parallel the interactions between pathogenic bacteria and their human hosts. In my free time I enjoy training different dance styles and learning new languages. View CV

Logan Sabin

Predoctoral Researcher

B.S., Biology, B.A., Chemistry, University of Missouri - Kansas City

Joined: 2023

Piotrowski Lab

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University of Missouri – Kansas City

Dilan Sakinci

Predoctoral Researcher

Zanders Lab

Joined: 2024

Laura Sancho Salazar

Ph.D. Student

Kostova Lab

Joined: 2025

Shrutika Sansaria

Predoctoral Researcher

Halfmann Lab

Joined: 2024

Halfmann Lab

Kelsey Scott

Predoctoral Researcher

B.S., Biochemistry, University of California – Santa Barbara

Joined: 2023

Piotrowski Lab

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University of California – Santa Barbara

Siddharth Shivanandan

Predoctoral Researcher

B.S., Biological Sciences, Indian Institution of Science Education and Research, India

Joined: 2022

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Wenhao Song

Predoctoral Researcher

B.S., Biology, Tsinghua University

Joined: 2023

Halfmann Lab

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Tsinghua University

Ritvee Talele

Ph.D. Student

Sankari Lab

Joined: 2024