The Team
Birgit Knoechel, M.D., Ph.D. - Principal Investigator
Birgit is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a Pediatric Oncologist at Dana-Farber / Boston Children's Cancer Care Program, and an Associate Member at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Her research focuses on understanding epigenetic dependencies in pediatric tumors and exploiting them for targeted therapies. As a physician-scientist and pediatric oncologist, she has a specific interest in translating basic science results into the clinical setting.
Birgit obtained her M.D. and Ph.D. degree from Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet in Freiburg, Germany. She was a research fellow with Dr. Abul Abbas at UCSF and completed a residency in Pediatrics at UCSF before moving to Boston and completing a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Dana-Farber / Boston Children's Hospital.
Birgit is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a Pediatric Oncologist at Dana-Farber / Boston Children's Cancer Care Program, and an Associate Member at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Her research focuses on understanding epigenetic dependencies in pediatric tumors and exploiting them for targeted therapies. As a physician-scientist and pediatric oncologist, she has a specific interest in translating basic science results into the clinical setting.
Birgit obtained her M.D. and Ph.D. degree from Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet in Freiburg, Germany. She was a research fellow with Dr. Abul Abbas at UCSF and completed a residency in Pediatrics at UCSF before moving to Boston and completing a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Dana-Farber / Boston Children's Hospital.
Valeriya Dimitrova, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow
Valeriya obtained her PhD from the University of Bern in Switzerland where she was investigating the oncogenic network of c-Myc in pediatric Medulloblastoma. She focuses on understanding and overcoming the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When she is not pipetting or pubmeding, she can often be found in the movie theater or exploring beautiful Boston.
Valeriya obtained her PhD from the University of Bern in Switzerland where she was investigating the oncogenic network of c-Myc in pediatric Medulloblastoma. She focuses on understanding and overcoming the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When she is not pipetting or pubmeding, she can often be found in the movie theater or exploring beautiful Boston.
Caroline Wiggers, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow
Caroline obtained her PhD from the Hubrecht Institute and University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands. She investigated epigenetic and transcriptomic regulation in relapsing acute myeloid leukemia. Currently, she studies the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In her free time, she enjoys running, exploring Boston and hanging out with friends.
Caroline obtained her PhD from the Hubrecht Institute and University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands. She investigated epigenetic and transcriptomic regulation in relapsing acute myeloid leukemia. Currently, she studies the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In her free time, she enjoys running, exploring Boston and hanging out with friends.
Burak Yuzuguldu, M.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow
Burak obtained his M.D. degree in Turkey from Ege University School of Medicine in 2021. He is studying the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He aspires to be a physician-scientist in the future in the pediatric hematology-oncology field. Outside of the lab. you can find him trying to avoid the cold weather of Boston while biking, taking photographs of nature and searching residency programs.
Burak obtained his M.D. degree in Turkey from Ege University School of Medicine in 2021. He is studying the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He aspires to be a physician-scientist in the future in the pediatric hematology-oncology field. Outside of the lab. you can find him trying to avoid the cold weather of Boston while biking, taking photographs of nature and searching residency programs.
Jianlin Liu, Ph.D - Postdoctoral Fellow
I obtained my PhD from Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau and Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology in Macau, where I investigated the intratumor and intertumor genetic heterogeneity, intrinsic driving forces for breast tumor evolution, progression, and metastasis using single-cell technologies, next-generation sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technologies. I am very excited to be here and have a chance to broaden my interests to cancer immunology, immunotherapy, and epigenetics, etc. When not in the lab, I enjoy playing basketball and badminton, cooking (Sichuan, Hunan, and Guilin cuisine), and exploring any new places.
I obtained my PhD from Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau and Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology in Macau, where I investigated the intratumor and intertumor genetic heterogeneity, intrinsic driving forces for breast tumor evolution, progression, and metastasis using single-cell technologies, next-generation sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technologies. I am very excited to be here and have a chance to broaden my interests to cancer immunology, immunotherapy, and epigenetics, etc. When not in the lab, I enjoy playing basketball and badminton, cooking (Sichuan, Hunan, and Guilin cuisine), and exploring any new places.
Eugene Cho, B.A. - Research Technician
Eugene graduated from Williams College in 2020 with a BA in Biology. In the Knoechel lab, Eugene is working on a project that characterizes the immunosuppressive environment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). When not in lab, he can be found running, watching movies, applying to medical schools, and getting frustrated at watching his favorite soccer team Arsenal lose on a regular basis.
Eugene graduated from Williams College in 2020 with a BA in Biology. In the Knoechel lab, Eugene is working on a project that characterizes the immunosuppressive environment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). When not in lab, he can be found running, watching movies, applying to medical schools, and getting frustrated at watching his favorite soccer team Arsenal lose on a regular basis.
Claire Havig, B.A. - Research Technician
Claire graduated from Bowdoin College in May 2021 with a B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. In her undergraduate research, she studied the role of Hedgehog cell signaling during tooth development in zebrafish, and in the Knoechel Lab, she works on a project involving CAR-T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies. Outside of the lab, Claire enjoys sailing, spending time outside, and exploring Boston.
Claire graduated from Bowdoin College in May 2021 with a B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. In her undergraduate research, she studied the role of Hedgehog cell signaling during tooth development in zebrafish, and in the Knoechel Lab, she works on a project involving CAR-T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies. Outside of the lab, Claire enjoys sailing, spending time outside, and exploring Boston.
Lab Alumni
Nouroddin Sotoudeh Chafi, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow (2020-2022)
I have graduated from Petroleum University of Technology-Ahwaz- Iran with a M.S. in Chemical Engineering. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I worked on the construction and validation of GPR18 in silico model: using site-directed mutagenesis and quantitative structure-activity relationships. In my last research as a Postdoctoral associate in Dr. Auerbach’s lab, University at Buffalo, I developed a model for muscarinic receptors and performed simulations against electrophysiology experimental data. I am currently, using computational approaches to help advance understanding of precision Cancer medicine, drug resistance, and immunotherapy.
I have graduated from Petroleum University of Technology-Ahwaz- Iran with a M.S. in Chemical Engineering. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I worked on the construction and validation of GPR18 in silico model: using site-directed mutagenesis and quantitative structure-activity relationships. In my last research as a Postdoctoral associate in Dr. Auerbach’s lab, University at Buffalo, I developed a model for muscarinic receptors and performed simulations against electrophysiology experimental data. I am currently, using computational approaches to help advance understanding of precision Cancer medicine, drug resistance, and immunotherapy.
Megha Wal, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-2021)
Megha obtained her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University studying mechanisms of Nucleosome Positioning in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. Her primary focus in the lab is to elucidate epigenetic mechanisms as critical modulators of T-cell exhaustion in T-ALL. Outside of lab her active toddler keeps her life busy.
Megha obtained her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University studying mechanisms of Nucleosome Positioning in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. Her primary focus in the lab is to elucidate epigenetic mechanisms as critical modulators of T-cell exhaustion in T-ALL. Outside of lab her active toddler keeps her life busy.
Amy Guillaumet-Adkins, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2021)
Amy obtained her PhD from the University Autonoma de Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain where she worked on epigenetic deregulation of WT1 and AWT1 in hematological malignancies. After that, she went on working with NGS and single-cell technologies at CNAG-CRG where she is currently applying them to study and better understand the mechanisms of resistance in T-ALL. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys exploring New England with her family and her pet Lola. Amy is currently working as a Senior Research Scientist at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA.
Amy obtained her PhD from the University Autonoma de Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain where she worked on epigenetic deregulation of WT1 and AWT1 in hematological malignancies. After that, she went on working with NGS and single-cell technologies at CNAG-CRG where she is currently applying them to study and better understand the mechanisms of resistance in T-ALL. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys exploring New England with her family and her pet Lola. Amy is currently working as a Senior Research Scientist at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA.
Anna Montanaro, M.S. - Ph.D. Candidate (2020-2021)
Anna received her Master Degree in Biology and Biomedical Applications from the University of Parma discussing a thesis on the impact of cytogenetic alteration/clonal heterogeneity role in the prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. From October 2018 she enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the “Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics” laboratory focusing on “unbiased” chemogenomic approaches to identify a new target and treatment strategies in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Here, Anna is supported by an international abroad fellowship and her main goal is determine the role of epigenetic heterogeneity as the basis for drug resistance and the identification of key-mechanisms that can improve the therapeutic approaches for the leukemia patients in T-ALL. After the fellowship, she will complete her Ph.D at the University of Parma and she would like apply for a post-doctoral position to establish herself as an independent scientist. During her free time, she likes painting, travelling, watching movies and cooking.
Anna received her Master Degree in Biology and Biomedical Applications from the University of Parma discussing a thesis on the impact of cytogenetic alteration/clonal heterogeneity role in the prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. From October 2018 she enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the “Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics” laboratory focusing on “unbiased” chemogenomic approaches to identify a new target and treatment strategies in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Here, Anna is supported by an international abroad fellowship and her main goal is determine the role of epigenetic heterogeneity as the basis for drug resistance and the identification of key-mechanisms that can improve the therapeutic approaches for the leukemia patients in T-ALL. After the fellowship, she will complete her Ph.D at the University of Parma and she would like apply for a post-doctoral position to establish herself as an independent scientist. During her free time, she likes painting, travelling, watching movies and cooking.
Leili Niu, M.S. - Research Technician (2020-2021)
Leili has graduated from Centre College with a B.S in Biochemistry in 2017. She obtained her M.S. in Medical Science at Boston University in 2019. She has been involved in many basic scientific researches since college, including lignin degradation, and salamander phylogenetic relationships. In her master thesis project, she worked intensely in a renal cancer lab mainly focusing on Jade-1 protein, where she became familiar with tissue culture and protein techniques. Besides, she volunteered and shadowed in Boston Medical Center and Beth Israel Hospital to prepare for her future medical career. In free time, Leili enjoys playing with her cat (Spider) and sketching random things.
Leili has graduated from Centre College with a B.S in Biochemistry in 2017. She obtained her M.S. in Medical Science at Boston University in 2019. She has been involved in many basic scientific researches since college, including lignin degradation, and salamander phylogenetic relationships. In her master thesis project, she worked intensely in a renal cancer lab mainly focusing on Jade-1 protein, where she became familiar with tissue culture and protein techniques. Besides, she volunteered and shadowed in Boston Medical Center and Beth Israel Hospital to prepare for her future medical career. In free time, Leili enjoys playing with her cat (Spider) and sketching random things.
Nam Gyu Im - Visiting Medical Student (2019-2020)
Nam Gyu is a medical student at the University of Cologne, Germany and a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. He is interested in studying mechanisms of resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and gained clinical experience during electives at the Pediatric Oncology Department of the University Hospital Cologne - he aspires to be a physician scientist in the future. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to podcasts, exercising and exploring Boston
Nam Gyu is a medical student at the University of Cologne, Germany and a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. He is interested in studying mechanisms of resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and gained clinical experience during electives at the Pediatric Oncology Department of the University Hospital Cologne - he aspires to be a physician scientist in the future. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to podcasts, exercising and exploring Boston
Praveen Anand, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2020)
Praveen obtained his PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He worked on developing tools for large-scale computational analysis of protein-ligand interactions during his PhD. He subsequently ventured into analysis of RNA-protein interactions using HT-Seq technology at National Center for Biological Sciences (Das Lab, inStem), Bangalore. He secured a B4 fellowship through which he continued to collaboratively work on developing neural network based approaches to identify RNA-binding motifs in Eddy lab at Harvard University. He currently works on developing computational tools and pipeline for analysis of high-throughput datasets on circulating tumor cells (CTCs). He usually spends most of his time playing rapid chess when not in lab.
Praveen obtained his PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He worked on developing tools for large-scale computational analysis of protein-ligand interactions during his PhD. He subsequently ventured into analysis of RNA-protein interactions using HT-Seq technology at National Center for Biological Sciences (Das Lab, inStem), Bangalore. He secured a B4 fellowship through which he continued to collaboratively work on developing neural network based approaches to identify RNA-binding motifs in Eddy lab at Harvard University. He currently works on developing computational tools and pipeline for analysis of high-throughput datasets on circulating tumor cells (CTCs). He usually spends most of his time playing rapid chess when not in lab.
Josue Canales, B.S. - Research Technician (2019)
Josue has graduated from Bard college with an A.A. in the Liberal Arts in 2015 and from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering while on the Pre-Med track and with an Environmental Concentration in 2019. He has conducted previous research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease - Kass Lab, in which he focused on exploratory efforts to better understand the cell signaling relationships between CXCL6 and TGF-Beta within idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung cells in an attempt to discover the etiology of IPF. Josue is an aspiring physician-scientist and therefore plans on attending medical school in the future. On his free time, Josue enjoys listening to music, stepping, watching movies, and (of course) studying for the MCAT.
Josue has graduated from Bard college with an A.A. in the Liberal Arts in 2015 and from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering while on the Pre-Med track and with an Environmental Concentration in 2019. He has conducted previous research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease - Kass Lab, in which he focused on exploratory efforts to better understand the cell signaling relationships between CXCL6 and TGF-Beta within idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung cells in an attempt to discover the etiology of IPF. Josue is an aspiring physician-scientist and therefore plans on attending medical school in the future. On his free time, Josue enjoys listening to music, stepping, watching movies, and (of course) studying for the MCAT.
Anna Rogers, B.A. - Research Technician (2017-2019)
Anna received a bachelor's in biology from Smith College in 2017. At Smith, she studied nuclear architecture and epigenetically driven genome rearrangements in ciliates. Here, Anna works on mechanisms of resistance in leukemia. She is specifically interested in epigenetics and genome organization and plans to pursue a PhD in genetics. When not in the lab, she enjoys rock climbing, bicycling, playing board games, and learning the guitar. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics at University of California, Berkeley.
Anna received a bachelor's in biology from Smith College in 2017. At Smith, she studied nuclear architecture and epigenetically driven genome rearrangements in ciliates. Here, Anna works on mechanisms of resistance in leukemia. She is specifically interested in epigenetics and genome organization and plans to pursue a PhD in genetics. When not in the lab, she enjoys rock climbing, bicycling, playing board games, and learning the guitar. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics at University of California, Berkeley.
Sayalee Potdar, M.S. - Research Technician (2017-2019)
Sayalee has a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Pune, India and a M.S. in Pharmacology from Northeastern University, Boston. During her time at Northeastern, she focused on the cell dynamics and cytotoxic effects of Natural Killer cells against lymphoma cells using the microfluidics platform as an immunoassay. She is interested in the interplay of immunology, genomics and epigenetics to develop better therapeutic approaches in cancer. Outside of the lab, she enjoys music, traveling and photography, exercising, exploring the food in Boston, making terrible (great) puns and dreams about getting a dog. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology at Emory University.
Sayalee has a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Pune, India and a M.S. in Pharmacology from Northeastern University, Boston. During her time at Northeastern, she focused on the cell dynamics and cytotoxic effects of Natural Killer cells against lymphoma cells using the microfluidics platform as an immunoassay. She is interested in the interplay of immunology, genomics and epigenetics to develop better therapeutic approaches in cancer. Outside of the lab, she enjoys music, traveling and photography, exercising, exploring the food in Boston, making terrible (great) puns and dreams about getting a dog. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology at Emory University.
Huiyoung Yun, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow (2015-2018)
"Jimmy" has had previous education in Bioinformatics, Life-science and Cancer Biology, and earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology studying deciphering the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying anti-apoptotic signaling in castration resistant prostate cancer at University of Texas Health Science Center. His primary project in the lab is to elucidate epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Outside the lab, he enjoys sports (tennis, basketball, soccer, or any ball games), music, and reading books with a drink. He currently works as a Senior Researcher at Macrogen. Inc in Seoul.
"Jimmy" has had previous education in Bioinformatics, Life-science and Cancer Biology, and earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology studying deciphering the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying anti-apoptotic signaling in castration resistant prostate cancer at University of Texas Health Science Center. His primary project in the lab is to elucidate epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Outside the lab, he enjoys sports (tennis, basketball, soccer, or any ball games), music, and reading books with a drink. He currently works as a Senior Researcher at Macrogen. Inc in Seoul.
Guangwu Guo, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow (2015-2018)
Guangwu used computational approaches to decode the epigenetic dependencies in leukemia. He is currently a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at WuXi NextCODE in Boston.
Guangwu used computational approaches to decode the epigenetic dependencies in leukemia. He is currently a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at WuXi NextCODE in Boston.
Randi Isenhart, B.A. - Research Technician (2015-2017)
Randi received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2015. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, boxing, traveling, and exploring Boston. She is currently pursuing a PhD in gene regulation at University of Pennsylvania.
Randi received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2015. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, boxing, traveling, and exploring Boston. She is currently pursuing a PhD in gene regulation at University of Pennsylvania.
Jordan Voisine, B.A. - Research Technician (2015-2017)
Jordan Voisine graduated from Bowdoin College with a BA in Biology. At Bowdoin, he characterized the self-association of mRNA-binding protein, She3, in the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. He is interested in immune responses to disease and understanding the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance of T-ALL. In his free time he enjoys playing rugby, reading a good science fiction novel, and watching the Boston Bruins. Jordan is currently pursuing a PhD in immunology at the University of Chicago.
Jordan Voisine graduated from Bowdoin College with a BA in Biology. At Bowdoin, he characterized the self-association of mRNA-binding protein, She3, in the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. He is interested in immune responses to disease and understanding the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance of T-ALL. In his free time he enjoys playing rugby, reading a good science fiction novel, and watching the Boston Bruins. Jordan is currently pursuing a PhD in immunology at the University of Chicago.
Summer Students
Francesca Masoni 2017
Scarlett Se Yun Cheon 2017
Scarlett Se Yun Cheon 2017