Lab Members
Keren Lasker
Assistant Professor
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Keren Lasker - Lab Head
Research interests: I love tackling complex challenges that require creative problem-solving, often involving unexpected connections between various pieces of the problem. For me, condensate biology represents the ultimate puzzle.
Education: I obtained a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science, followed by an M.Sc. in Computer Science, both from Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel. During my Ph.D., in Computer Science from TAU, I developed methods for integrative structure determination under the guidance of Andrej Sali (UCSF) and Haim Wolfson (TAU). For my postdoctoral training, I join Lucy Shapiro's lab at Stanford, where I studied biomolecular condensates in the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Embarking on imaginative adventures with my kids
Random fact: I played the piano from childhood and took a break when I turned 20. I performed a few recitals back in the day, and I still remember most of the tunes. I’m hoping to play Rachmaninov’s pieces again soon –he’s my favorite composer.
Anamika Avni
Postdoc associate
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Anamika Avni - Postdoc Fellow
Research interests: My work primarily focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of selective entry within PopZ condensate. I will also study various factors that can potentially influence the signaling reactions and pathways essential for DNA replication, chromosome segregation, and cell division in C. crescentus.
Education: I completed my Bachelor's (B.Sc.) and Master's (M.Sc. in Chemistry) from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, in 2015 and 2017, respectively. I earned my Ph.D. in 2023 from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India, and worked with Prof. Samrat Mukhopadhyay.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: I enjoy a cup of coffee/tea with a nice book or a show.
Random fact: I am a self-taught cook who loves to watch cookery shows and try new recipes.
Alex Stevens
Postdoc fellow
HHMI: Hanna Gray
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Alex Stevens - Postdoc Fellow
Research interests: : Leveraging designer biomolecular condensates as a platform for targeted protein degradation.
Education:
University of California San Diego , Biological Sciences, Ph.D., Samara Reck-Peterson
Washington and Jefferson College, Biology, B.A., Spanish, B.A.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Gardening, Hiking, Cooking, Hot Yoga, Traveling
Random fact: The best experience of my lifetime has been venturing deep into the Amazon rainforest to spend time with the Huaorani people. I learned lots of amazing things about the rainforest and one of them is that some ants taste like lime juice!
Andrea Colarusso
Staff scientist
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Andrea Colarusso
Research interests: My interests revolve around technology development for the characterization and exploitation of proteins and microorganisms in both basic and applied research.
Education:
2023: Postdoc at Laval University, Québec City, Canada. PI: Vincenzo Di Marzo
2019-2022: Postdoc at Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
2015-2019: PhD in Biotechnology at Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy. PI: Maria Luisa Tutino
2011-2013: MSc in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology at Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
2008-2011: BSc in Biomolecular and Industrial Biotechnology at Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Reading, watching films, visiting new places
Random fact: If I could reincarnate, I would like to be a dog
David Moses
Postdoc fellow
NSF PRFB
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
David Moses - Postdoc Fellow
Ashish Joshi
Postdoc associate
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Ashish Joshi - Postdoc Associate
Research interests: My research focuses on intrinsically disordered proteins, biomolecular condensation, and pathological protein aggregation. Currently, my work centers on designing and studying synthetic condensate-based systems to modulate selective autophagy in cells, with the aim of understanding and controlling protein quality control pathways.
Education: Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, India, and worked with Prof. Samrat Mukhopadhyay.
B.Tech. (Biotechnology) from the University School of Biotechnology (USBT), GGSIPU, Delhi, India.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Quality time with my family, playing badminton, engaging with new people, and going for bike rides.
Random fact: Coffee fuels my workdays, but “Chai” will always have my heart. With a cup of “Chai” in hand, I feel ready to take on anything.
Christina Liem
Postdoc associate
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Christina Liem - Postdoc associate
Research interests: Using structural techniques like Cryo-EM/ET to resolve the structure of molecular condensates in both bacteria and eukaryotes.
Education: University of California San Diego, Biological Sciences, Ph.D., Randy Hampton
University of California Santa Cruz, B.S.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Volleyball and Baking
Random fact: I have a pet bunny named Bao
Anthony Gurunian
Graduate student, joint with the Deniz lab - Year 4
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Anthony Gurunian - Graduate Student
Research interests: I am broadly interested in the biophysics of selective partitioning and permeability in the cell. In particular, I am currently studying the partitioning of molecules inside PopZ condensates using TurboID.
Education: University of Rochester, Biomedical Engineering, class of 2021.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Playing piano, chess and tennis.
Random fact:I visited 3 of Franz Liszt’s house-museums.
Adam Hunt
Graduate student, joint with Wiseman lab - Year 3
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Adam Hunt - Graduate Student
Research interests: I'm interested in the interface of chemistry and biology and understanding how mammalian cells use biophysics. I aspire to explore how these mechanisms can be repurposed and designed to find new therapeutics to improve human health.
Education: I received my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona in 2015. In 2018 I completed my Master of Science in Biochemistry also from Arizona State University.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Outside of the lab you can catch me trying out new recipes in the kitchen or reading up on philosophy.
Random fact: I'm an animal lover that has cared for dogs, cats, fish, chickens, rats, and even a pet cockroach.
Aaron Vilchez
Graduate Student - Year 3
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Aaron Vilchez - Graduate Student
Research interests: The PopTag condensate has extraordinary potential for engineering subcellular processes. I am interested in characterizing the capabilities of PopTag and resolving challenges with in cellulo expression.
Education: I earned my Bachelor's in chemical engineering at UC Berkeley in 2023. Most of my undergrad research was in metabolic engineering with Pseudomonas putida.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: I love open water swimming. I find it peaceful to float among the swells.
Random fact: Caffeine is necessary and sufficient for my function and sleep.
Haley Lorey
Summer 2026 SURF Intern
Scripps Research SURF Program
Haley Lorey - Summer 2026 SURF Intern
Research Project: My project focused on optimizing PopZ condensates in different mammalian cell media. Additionally, I investigated how mRNA interacts with condensates.
Education: B.S. in Biology, Indiana State University - May 2027B.S. in Science Education, Indiana State University - May 2027
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: In my free time I enjoy listening to live music, cats, and thrifting with friends.
Random Fact: I collect rocks from memorable places I've visited!
Former lab members
Ishan Taneja
Graduate Student
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Ishan Taneja - Graduate student
Research interests: Understanding the molecular recognition modes of PopZ to its numerous partners using molecular dynamics simulations
Education: B.S in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Listening to music
Random fact: I have the flexibility of a tree trunk
Jordan Barrows
Postdoc associate
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Jordan Barrows - Postdoc Fellow
Research interests: I am interested in bacterial cellular organization and developing non-traditional organisms as model systems.
Education: Johns Hopkins University, PhD in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (2023) with Dr. Erin Goley
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Graphic design, 3D printing, playing board games, playing volleyball/racquetball/frisbee
Random fact: I don't like potatoes. 🙂
Asma Khan
Postdoc associate
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Asma Khan - Postdoc Fellow
Research interests: I'm excited about researching biomolecular condensation patterns in extremophilic bacteria that thrive at high and low temperatures and how they can be harnessed to design novel therapeutics.
Education: I completed my Bachelor's (B.Sc.) and Master's (M.Sc. in Zoology) from the Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India, in 2008 and 2010 respectively. I earned my Ph.D. in 2021 from the Oakland University, Rochester, MI under the mentorship of Dr. Sara E. Blumer-Schuette.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: I enjoy cooking desi food, working out and binge-watching crime thriller shows.
Random fact: I can't swim but I want to learn. Every summer I look up swimming classes, call in and get all the information but never enroll. Still waiting for the summer when I'll make it to the pool!
Daniel Scholl
Postdoc associate, joint with the Deniz lab
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology
Daniel Scholl - Postdoc Fellow
Research interests: : I’m fascinated by the mechanisms nature comes up with to make organisms thrive and evolve, especially linked to regulation and fine-tuning. My main interests are protein conformational dynamics, allostery, intrinsic disorder, and entropy.
Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, 2020, PI : Cédric Govaerts.
Favorite Activities Outside of the Lab: Folding clothes with people inside (jiu-jitsu), surfing, gulping beers, reading, telling people that hikes are overrated.
Random fact: I repeated the last year of kindergarten because I liked to play too much (no regrets).