En Cai, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor – Department of Biological Sciences, CMU
Postdoctoral Appointment – University of California, San Francisco
Ph.D. – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
MBTI: INTJ
Email: encai@andrew.cmu.edu
Suzi Kim
Ph.D. Candidate – Department of Biological Sciences
M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Seoul National University
B.S. in Chemistry – University of Washington
In my previous lab during my master’s program, I developed novel fluorophores and investigated unique photophysical properties for biosensor and photosensitizer candidates. When I am not doing lab work, I like to play with my dog, bake anything sweet, and watch movies or shows.
MBTI: ISTJ
Email: suzik@andrew.cmu.edu
Elianna Lai
Ph.D Candidate – Department of Biological Sciences
B.S. in Biochemistry – Case Western Reserve University
Prior research includes understanding small molecule-facilitated induced pluripotent stem cell generation (UNC-Chapel Hill, Hathaway lab), studying IgG glycan modifications (CWRU, Cobb lab), and characterizing a novel protein using computational and molecular dynamic simulations (CWRU, Arvidson lab). In my free time I enjoy baking, pilates, and watching sports and reality TV.
MBTI: ESFJ
Email: eliannal@andrew.cmu.edu
Hamidreza Akhbariyoon
Ph.D Candidate – Department of Biological Sciences
M.S. in Biochemistry – Tarbiat Modares University
B.S. in Genetics – University of Isfahan
In my previous research, I delved into the study of various potential drug proteins, such as Pegloticase, as well as Bispecific diabody targeting programmed death ligand 1 (PDL-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Beyond my academic pursuits, I enjoy a diverse range of hobbies, including playing volleyball, watching movies, socializing with friends, and cooking
MBTI: ENTJ
Email: hakhbari@andrew.cmu.edu
Yue Zhang, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Postdoctoral Appointment – University of Pittsburgh
Postdoctoral Appointment – University of Miami
Ph.D. in Pharmacology – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
I worked with many different labs and my research interests wildly ranging from neuroscience, animal behavior, gut microbiota to cancer-immunology. In my personal time, I enjoy reading novels and playing video games, especially RPGs. I also like cooking and playing the accordion.
MBTI: INFJ
Email: yuezhan7@andrew.cmu.edu
Aniket Naik
Research Associate
M.S. in Quantitative Biology & Bioinformatics – Carnegie Mellon University
B.Tech. in Biotechnology – Manipal Institute of Technology
I did research at the Zhao Lab where my role was mainly preprocessing the training data, which included cropping tissue stores from H&E-stained tissue cell images. I like to read, play soccer, and listen to music in my free time.
MBTI: ENTP
Email: asnaik@andrew.cmu.edu
Riley Santiago
Undergraduate Student
Major – Biological Sciences
Through prior research at CMU, I have studied the effects of mutations within ribosomal production factor genes on ribosomal assembly in S. cerevisiae. I am planning to pursue an MD/PhD in hematology and immuno-oncology after my undergraduate career. Outside of the lab, I enjoy tutoring, engaging in volunteer work, hiking, and practicing meditation.
MBTI: ENFJ
Email: rasantia@andrew.cmu.edu
Joanna Lumanas
Undergraduate Student
Major – Neurobiology
I’m currently taking a Genetics Lab course where I’m inducing lysogens infected with the lambda bacteriophage into the lytic cycle and ultimately causing cell lysis! I am really interested in both neuroscience and immunology, but in my free time I like watching anime, reading historical fiction or romance books, playing Switch games, and eating sweet treats!
MBTI: ISFJ
Email: jlumanas@andrew.cmu.edu
Ronnie Zhang
Undergraduate Student
Major – Biological Sciences
I previously researched the effects of different amino acids in inducing and sustaining cancer stem cells in the tumor microenvironment. Academically, I’m currently interested in targeted therapeutics and cellular aging. In my free time, I like to fence, travel, visit museums, and play poker.
MBTI: ISTP
Email: rongruiz@andrew.cmu.edu
Coffee
Lab Manager
Minnie, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Former Members:
Erin Sullivan (Research Associate) – Lab Prep Coordinator at University of Pittsburgh
Sophia Peng (Undergraduate Student) – Immunobiology PhD Student at Yale University
Anna-Maria Baptiste (Masters Student) – Graduate Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University