Team
Who We Are
Lu Chen
Position/Role: PI
B.S. 2006, Wuhan University
PhD. 2013, University of Kansas Medical Center/Stowers Institute
2018, Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) fellowship in cancer research
2023, NIGMS-MIRA (Maximizing Investigators' Research Award)
Favorite Quotes:
Evolution is the clinical trial of the nature.
Don't waste your clean thoughts on dirty enzymes.

Grigory "Grisha" Matveev
Position/Role: Graduate Student (MIPT)
2022-, MSc, MIPT, integrated Structural Biology and Genetics Program
2022, BS, MIPT, Applied Mathematics & Physics

Aldana Vistarop
Position/Role: Postdoctoral Associate, 2023-10 -
Ph.D. 2019 in Parmacy and Biochemistry,
University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ashley Park
Student Research Fellow, 09/2022-
2022, Junior, Wissahickon High School
2023, IN VINO VITA Summer Scholar

Emily Gerstein
Position/Role: High School Volunteer, 06/19/2023-
Central Buck School-West

Abby Fowler
Position/Role: Undergrad Fellow, 06/12/2023-
University of Delaware
FCCC-UD Summer Research Fellow 2023
UD
Rachana Thang
Position/Role: Undergrad Volunteer, 04/19/2023-
Biology, Temple University

Mengmeng Li
Position/Role: Senior Data Analyst / Friend of the lab
MBBS 2008, Nanjing Medical University
MSPH 2017, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
2020-, Senior Data Analyst and PhD Candidate,
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Research focuses:
understand and assess maternal, fetal, perinatal, child, and adolescent health through a life course perspective.

Lab Alumni

Soon-keat Ooi
Position/Role: Postdoctoral Fellow
B.S. 2009, National University of Malaysia (UKM)
PhD 2021, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Dr. Soon-keat Ooi joined the lab in Sept 2021 with his newly minted PhD thesis with Joan and Ronald Conaway at Stowers Institute. Soon-keat dedicated his efforts in the setting up of the young lab, and contributed intellectually during lab/floor meetings and various seminars. Outside of the lab, Soon-keat enjoys playing competitive badminton, watching soap operas, and dining with friends.
Next Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania.

Victoria (Tori) Gillespie
Position/Role: Sci Tech I/Lab Manager
B.S. 2021, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tori contributed to the set up of the lab from ground zero. Tori successfully deleted chromosomal regions from isogenic clone cells using CRISPR/Cas9. Tori also emerged as an expert in lentiviral packaging and transduction.
Next Position: MCAT exams, (hopefully) a MSTP position.
Kevin Ethridge
Undergrad Volunteer, 07/05/2022-08/05/2022
Wistar Institute - Biomedical Technician Training Program (BTT)
Next Position: finishing undergraduate degree.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Urbanowicz
Position/Role: Undergrad Volunteer, 02/10/2023-
Biology, Temple University
Clinical Shaddow: with Dr. Efrat Dotan, 04/17/2023-