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
Erin Sullivan
Research Associate
B.S. in Immunology & Infectious Disease – Penn State University
Through my prior research with the Kovac Lab at Penn State, I studied the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and genotypes of the foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy cooking, baking, watching movies, listening to music, taking care of my plants, and photography.
MBTI: ENFJ
Email: erinsulliva@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
Sophia Peng
Undergraduate Student
Major – Biological Sciences
I’ve done previous research on the hHv1 channel at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, DNA fiber-FISH at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and type 3 innate lymphoid cells at Columbia University, and am planning to pursue a doctoral degree in immunology. In my free time I enjoy listening to music (Taylor Swift), watching Netflix, and playing violin!
MBTI: ISTJ
Email: stpeng@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
Coffee
Lab Manager
Minnie, Ph.D.
Research Associate