RNA Fellows

RNA fellows are selected from the four participating departments based on outstanding performance. These RNA fellows form a cohesive cohort that take an RNA centric curriculum of courses and colloquia.

Read about Student Success Stories.

See the profiles of all our RNA Fellows below.

RNA Fellow Profiles

2025-2026

	Tia Swenty Nanoscale Science and Engineering Mentor: Scott Tenenbaum Project: Exploring the RNA Regulatory Code: Understanding mRNA and Its Trans-Interactions with RNA Binding Proteins and ncRNAs Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Reagan Conrad Biological Sciences Mentor: ChangHwan Lee Project: The novel role of LAG-3/MAML in germline stem cell regulation Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Hannah Talbot Biological Sciences Mentor: Arun Richard Chandrasekeran Project: Design, construction, and functionalization of nucleic acid nanostructures Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Sean Jones Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Pallavi Ghosh Project: Regulation and Possible Secondary Function of HelR in Mycobacterium abscessus Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Phillip Weeber Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Joe Wade Project: The Effect of Transcription and Translation Coupling on Rho Dependent Transcription Termination Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Joshua Thomas Chemistry Mentor: Li Niu Project: Characterization of mechanism of activation of heteromeric AMPA receptors complexed with auxiliary subunits and mechanism of regulation by RNA aptamers Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Sharon Shaughnessy Biological Sciences Mentor: Andy Berglund Project: Investigating DM1-Induced Dysregulated Immunity in a Mouse Model Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Lia Prager Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Jon Paczkowski Project: Deciphering Promoter Elements Governing RhlR-Dependent Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Naa Nuerki Adade Biological Sciences Mentors: Kalaak Reddy & Gabriele Fuchs Project: Unraveling the mechanisms of stress response to the misincorporation of ITP into mRNA Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Katherine McCown Chemistry Mentor: Jia Sheng Project: RNA Modifications in Neurodegenerative Disease: Investigating tRNA Modification Diversity in Spinocerebellar Ataxias Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Mahla Lashkar Chemistry Mentor: Mehmet Yigit Project: Toehold RNA switches for pathogen detection and beyond Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany

2024-2025

	Tia Swenty Nanoscale Science and Engineering Mentor: Scott Tenenbaum Project: Exploring the RNA Regulatory Code: Understanding mRNA and Its Trans-Interactions with RNA Binding Proteins and ncRNAs Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Reagan Conrad Biological Sciences Mentor: ChangHwan Lee Project: The novel role of LAG-3/MAML in germline stem cell regulation Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Hannah Theriault Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Alexander Ciota Project: TBD Graduated: 2025
	Sean Jones Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Pallavi Ghosh Project: Regulation and Possible Secondary Function of HelR in Mycobacterium abscessus Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Ebenezer Omojowolo Chemistry Mentor: Alexander Shekhtman Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Joshua Thomas Chemistry Mentor: Li Niu Project: Characterization of mechanism of activation of heteromeric AMPA receptors complexed with auxiliary subunits and mechanism of regulation by RNA aptamers Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Porama Zafreen Hoque Biological Sciences Mentor: Andy Berglund Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany

2023-2024

	Asmer Aliyeva Biological Sciences Mentor: Andy Berglund Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Riley Alpuche Chemistry Mentor: Igor Lednev Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Rico Amato Biological Sciences Mentor: Paolo Forni Project: Unveiling the Cell Composition of the Olfactory Migratory Mass: Perspectives on Terminal Nerve Formation, Olfactory Development, and Migration of the GnRH-1 Neurons Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at UAlbany
	Sawyer Hicks Biological Sciences Mentor: Andy Berglund Project: Advancing Small Molecule Therapies for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Current Role: Bioinformatics Scientist at Avidity Biosciences, Inc.
	Shu Jun Lin Biological Sciences Mentor: Gabriele Fuchs Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Haley MacNeil Biological Sciences Mentor: Gabriele Fuchs Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Chetna Mathur Biological Sciences Mentor: Thomas Begley Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Caleb Mallery Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Jon Paczkowski Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Ian McClain Chemistry Mentor: Maksim Royzen Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Andrew Munoz Gamba Biological Sciences Mentor: Cara Pager Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Humphrey Omeoga Biological Sciences Mentor: Thomas Begley Project: TBD Current Role: Postdoctoral Researcher at UAlbany
	Fernando Pesantez Nanobiosciences at SUNY Polytechnic Institute Mentor: Susan Sharfstein Project: TBD Current Role: Research and Development Manager at Applied BioPhysics, Inc.
	Esperanza Rosas Biological Sciences Mentor: Gabriele Fuchs Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	Joey Tavarez Biological Sciences Mentor: Melinda Larsen Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany

2022-2023

Emmanuel Adade

Biological Sciences

Mentor: Alex Valm

Project: From images to insights: Machine learning enhanced spectral imaging for dissecting microbiome spatial structure

Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at UAlbany

Michael Dolan

Nanobioscience

Mentor: Mike Fasullo

Project: Identification of Genes Conferring Resistance to 2-Amino-3-Methylimidazo [4,5-f] Quinoline Genotoxicity in Budding Yeast Using High-Throughput and Targeted Approaches

Current Role: Research Scientist at SxRNA Technologies, Inc.

Dylan Ehrbar

Biological Sciences

Mentor: Thomas Begley

Project: TBD

Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany

Sawyer Hicks

Biological Sciences

Mentor: Andy Berglund

Project: Advancing Small Molecule Therapies for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Current Role: Bioinformatics Scientist at Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

Shu Jun Lin

Biological Sciences

Mentor: Gabriele Fuchs

Project: TBD

Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany

Rachel Lange

Biomedical Sciences

Mentor: Alexander Ciota

Project: TBD

Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany

Ian McClain

Chemistry

Mentor: Maksim Royzen

Project: TBD

Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany

Charity McManaman

Biomedical Sciences

Mentor: Pallavi Ghosh

Project: Determining The Roles Of Whib-Like Transcription Factors In Mycobacterium Abscessus

Current Role: Research Scientist 1 at Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH

Zohreh (Rose) Nowzari

Chemistry

Mentor: Alan Chen

Project: Exploring RNA Dynamics: Insights into Structural Modifications, Splicing Regulation, and Biological Function

Current Role: Postdoctoral Researcher at UAlbany

Jacob Schroader

Biological Sciences

Mentor: Kaalak Reddy

Project: Fatal typos in RNA: the functional consequences of inosine misincorporation in severe ITPase deficiency

Current Role: Postdoctoral Researcher at UAlbany

Joey Tavarez

Biological Sciences

Mentor: Melinda Larsen

Project: TBD

Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany

Ryan Treen

Biomedical Sciences

Mentor: Anil Ojha

Project: Ribosome Hibernation in Mycobacterium abscessus and Its Effect on Antibiotic Resistance

Current Role: Graduate Research Fellow at Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH

Michelle Urman

Biological Sciences

Mentor: ChangHwan Lee

Project: TBD

Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany

2021-2022

	Rachel Lange Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Alexander Ciota Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate student at UAlbany
	Jacob Schroader Biological Sciences Mentor: Kaalak Reddy Project: Fatal typos in RNA: the functional consequences of inosine misincorporation in severe ITPase deficiency Current Role: Postdoctoral Researcher at UAlbany
	Michelle Urman Biological Sciences Mentor: Changhwan Lee Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany
	William Mudd Nanobioscience Mentor: Benoit Boivin Project: A Study of Electron Tunnelling in PTP1B Current Role: Process Engineer II at Tokyo Electron US
	Rachel Fay Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Alexander Ciota Project: Characterizing the role of temperature on West Nile virus evolution and vector-virus interactions Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University
	Ryan Treen Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Anil Ojha Project: Ribosome Hibernation in Mycobacterium abscessus and Its Effect on Antibiotic Resistance Current Role: Graduate Research Fellow at Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH
	Chris Smith Chemistry Mentor: Mehmet Yegit Project: Modified CRISPR technology for and beyond DNA and RNA detection Current Role: Biology/Biomedical Mid-Level Scientist - Scientific, Engineering, and Technology Advisor (SETA)
	Emmanuel Adade Biological Sciences Mentor: Alex Valm Project: From images to insights: Machine learning enhanced spectral imaging for dissecting microbiome spatial structure Current Role: Postdoctoral Researcher at UAlbany
	Kavya Chegireddy Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Joseph Wade Project: Modulation of Rho termination : expectation vs reality Current Role: Data Analyst II at AbbView
	Raghu Katreddi Biological Sciences Mentor: Paolo Forni Project: Mechanisms underlying pre and postnatal development of the mouse vomeronasal organ Current Role: Postdoctoral research fellow at AbbVie
	Sawyer Hicks Biology Mentor: Andy Berglund Project: Advancing Small Molecule Therapies for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Current Role: Bioinformatics Scientist at Avidity Biosciences, Inc.
	Gregory John Chemistry Mentor: Alan Chen Project: TBD Current Role: Graduate Student at UAlbany

2020-2021

	Amir Agharezaee Chemistry Mentor: Maxim Royzen Project: Bio-orthogonal chemistry-based method for fluorescent labelling of ribosomal RNA Current Role: QLS Analytical Shemist at Accupac
	Luis Perez Almodovar Chemistry Mentor: Igor Lednev Project: Epitranscriptomic Discovery Using Atomic Force Microscopy - Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (AFM-TERS) Current Role: Senior Scientist: Imaging and Measurements, SH Translational Science at Kenvue
	Pheonah Badu Biological Sciences Mentor: Cara Pager Project: Transcriptional regulation of antiviral response during Zika virus infection Current Role: Postdoctoral fellow at Regeneron
	Sara Evke Nanobiosciences Mentors: Juan Andres Melendez / Thomas Begley Project: The epitranscriptomic writer ALKBH8 modulates the response to pharmaceuticals Current Role: Scientist II - In Vivo Pharmacology at hC Bioscience, Inc.
	Rachel Fay Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Alexander Ciota Project: Characterizing the role of temperature on flavivirus evolution and vector virus interactions Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University
	William Gasperi Biological Sciences Mentor: Thomas Begley Project: Epitranscriptomic effects of mitochondrial toxicants Current Role: Research Associate at Yale University
	Tristen Head Nanobiosciences Mentor: Nathaniel Cady Project: Microfluidic Platform for Integrated Reagent Delivery and In Vivo Imaging Current Role: Biofluid Sensor Systems at NASA Ames Research Center
	Mahera Kachwala Chemistry Mentor: Mehmet Yigit Project: DNA/RNA Detection using CRISPR-Cas Systems and Hybridization Chain Reaction for Disease Diagnostics Current Role: Project Scientist at Giner, Inc.
	Raghu Katreddi Biological Sciences Mentor: Paolo Forni Project: P63 transcription factor identifies multipotent resident basal stem cells in the Vomeronasal organ Current Role: Postdoctoral research fellow at AbbVie
	Noor Kobt Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Prashanth Rangan Project: Zfrp8, the homolog of a human tumor suppressor is required for germ cell to oocyte transition Current Role: Epigenetics account manager, Northeast, Life Sciences at Hologic Diagenode
	Avinash Londhe Nanobiosciences Mentor: Ben Boivin Project: Characterization of regulators of PTP1B oxidation in cells Current Role: Postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University
	Christopher Smith Chemistry Mentor: Mehmet Yigit Project: Modified CRISPR technology for and beyond DNA and RNA detection Current Role: Biology/Biomedical Mid-Level Scientist - Scientific, Engineering, and Technology Advisor (SETA)
	Ed Zandro Taroc Biological Sciences Mentor: Paolo Forni Project: Islet-1 lineage of the developing nasal area Current Role: Postdoc research fellow at National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
	Ryan Treen Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Anil Ojha Project: Ribosome hibernation in Mycobacterium abscessus Current Role: Graduate Research Fellow at Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH
	Dana Woodstock Biological Sciences Mentor: Morgan Sammons Project: The Other Master Regulator: Specification of Epithelial Cell Identity by p63 Graduated: 2025

2019-2020

	Pheonah Badu Biological Sciences Mentor: Cara Pager Project: RNA-Binding Proteins Regulating Zika Virus Gene Expression Current Role: Postdoctoral fellow at Regeneron
	Zhixue Bai Chemistry Mentor: Alan Chen Project: Recognition Mechanism in FMN Aptamer via Computer Simulation Current Role: Postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University
	Rachel Fay Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Alexander Ciota Project: The Impact of Tempature on Viral Evolution Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University
	Jesus Frias Biological Sciences Mentor: Andrew Berglund Project: Investigating Small Molecules as a Therapeutic for Myotonic Dystrophy Current Role: Postdoctoral fellow at Baylor College of Medicine
	Tristen Head Nanobiosciences Mentor: Nathaniel Cady Project: Microfluidic Platform for Integrated Reagent Delivery and In Vivo Imaging Current Role: Biofluid Sensor Systems at NASA Ames Research Center
	May Yue Lee Nanobiosciences Mentor: J. Andres Melendez Project: Epitranscriptome Control of Cellular Senescence and Mitochondrial Reprogramming Graduated: 2024
	Nicole Ralbovsky Chemistry Mentor: Igor Lednev Project: Single-Molecule Detection Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Biomedical Diagnostics Current Role: Associate Principal Scientist at Merck
	Ali Ropri Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Jason Herschkowitz Project: Global Analysis of Super Enhancers in MCF10A Breast Cancer Progression Series Current Role: Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at Harvard Medical School
	Anwesha Sarkar Biological Sciences Mentor: Tom Begley Project: Deciphering Arsenic Induced Epitranscriptomic Changes in HepG2 Cells Current Role: Regulatory & Research Compliance Analyst, Office of Regulatory and Research Compliance, UAlbany
	Kahini Sarkar Biological Sciences Mentor: Prashanth Rangan Project: Activation and Repression of Meiotic Program During Drosophila Oogenesis Current Role: Epigenetics Account Manager at Hologic Diagenode
	Priyanka Sehta Biological Sciences Mentor: Gabriele Fuchs Project: IRES-Mediated Translation in Mammalian Cells Current Role: Quality Assurance Consultant
	Ya Ying Zheng Chemistry Mentor: Jia Sheng Project: RNA Modification Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at UAlbany

2018-2019

	Waqas Awan Chemistry Mentor: Alan Chen Project: Exploring the Sugar Conformations of 2'-5' Linked RNA via Computer Simulation Current Role: ITS Research Analyst/ Senior Programmer at UAlbany
	Deniece Brown Biological Sciences Mentor: Cara T. Pager Project: The Role of RNA Decay Pathways in Zika Virus Infection Current Role: CEO at AuraEats/ CEO at Craft, Meditate & Flow (Self-employed)
	Haley Caldwell Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Alexander Ciota Project: Characterizing the Role and Mechanism of the Flavivirus Replication Complex in Virus-host Interactions Current Role: Postdoc research associate/spine scholar at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
	Serene Durham Biological Sciences Mentor: Morgan Sammons Project: Evolution of DNA Damage-dependent RNA Regulatory Networks Current Role: Sr. Technical Account Manager II, Key Accounts Management (KAM) at GenScript
	Samantha Ingenito Chemistry Mentor: TBA Project: Development of RNA Aptamers for Kainate Receptors Current Role: Postdoctoral Researcher at UC Davis Health

2017-2018

	Amber Altrieth Biological Sciences Mentor: Mindy Larsen Project: Endothelial cell signaling in salivary gland regeneration Current Role: Postdoctoral research associate at UAlbany
	Shane Breznak Biological Sciences Mentor: Prash Rangan Project: RNA Regulation Durning Germline Stem Cell Differentiation Current Role: Senior Quality Control Scientist at Regeneron
	Jamie Corro Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Anil Ojha Project: Functional analysis of alternative ribosomes in mycobacteria Current Role: Postdoctoral research fellow at Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH
	Alyssa Hoy Chemistry Mentor: Maksim Royzen Project: Synthesis of RNA phosphoramidites incorporating trans-cyclooctene Current Role: Scientist 1 at Novo Nordisk

2016-2017

	Marissa Louis Biological Sciences Mentor: Cara Pager Project: Characterizing Zika virus subversion of cellular RNA granules Current Role: Senior Analytical Scientist at Regeneron
	Botros Toro Biological Sciences Mentor: Pan Li Project: Examinaton of the physical basis of nucleic acid interactons Current Role: Co-founder and CTO at Vironix Health, CTO Advisor at Total Life
	Justin Waldern Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Marlene Belfort Project: Mobility of group II introns in their native hosts Current Role: Postdoctoral researcher at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
	Ryan McDowell Biological Sciences Mentor: Kathleen McDonough Project: Non-canonical roles for M. tuberculosis phospodiesterase, Rv0805 Current Role: HRI Scientist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
	Casey Warszycki Biological Sciences Mentor: Kathleen McDonough Project: 5'-UTR regulation of dormancy-associated genes in M. tuberculosis Current Role: Senior Epidemiologist at GlobalData

2015-2016

	Rachel Cary Biological Sciences Mentor: Cara Pager Project: Identification and role of post-transitional modification on a cellular DEAD-box RNA helicase. Graduated: 2021
	Alicia McCarthy Biological Sciences Mentor: Prash Rangan Project: Project: An investigation into the effects of non-coding RNA on the Drosophila melanogaster oocyte epigenome. Current Role: Senior Product Transfer Scientist at 10x Genomics
	Patrick Blatt Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Prash Rangan Project: Identifying RNA-RNA interactions of, and trans-acting factors that bind to the pgc 3' UTR of Drosophila melanogaster. Current Role: Quality Control Scientist at Regeneron
	Rebecca D'Esposito Chemistry Mentor: Alan Chen Project: Using computational methods to support ion mobility spectrometry for large RNA assemblies. Current Role: Senior Scientist at Waters Corporation
	Marissa Louis Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Cara Prager Project: Mechanisms by which components of the cellular mRNA decapping complex modulate Dengue virus gene expression. Current Role: Senior Analytical Scientist at Regeneron
	Neil Robertson Chemistry Mentor: Mehmet Yigit Project: Using graphene and iron oxide based miRNA detection, nanotools for breast and prostate cancer diagnosis. Current Role: Principal Scientist at TransCode Therapeutics, Inc.
	Lauren Cooper Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Joe Wade Project: Using CRISPR to identify the functions of RNAs resulting from pervasive transcription in Escherichia coli. Current Role: Clinical Lab Director at MiraVista Diagnostics
	Rachel Nelson Biomedical Sciences Mentor: Jon Paczkowski Project: Structural basis for initiation of DNA synthesis from RNA primers. Graduated: 2021