XU LABORATORY
INSTITUTE FOR CELL ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY | JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Jinchong Xu, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Director, Human iPS Cell Core for Neurodegenerative Disease Research
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
M.D. Neuropathology, Xiang-Ya (Hunan-Yale) School of Medicine
Ph.D. Neurobiology, Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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Dr. Xu graduated with honors, earning his M.D. from Xiang-Ya (Hunan-Yale) School of Medicine. He subsequently completed his internship and neuropathology residency at Xiangya Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, China. Later, he pursued a Ph.D. from the Medicine Faculty at the University of Hamburg, Germany. In 2010, Dr. Xu joined Johns Hopkins, where he completed a fellowship in neurology. By 2018, he became a faculty member in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Xu established his laboratory in July 2020.
Email: jxu31 at jhmi dot edu
Yuejia Huang, Ph.D.
Research Faculty
Research fellowship, Carnegie institution of Washington
Ph.D. Cell biology, University of science and technology of China
B.S., Biology, Anhui University
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My research focus on the epigenetic contribution to AD.
Email: yhuan105 at jhmi dot edu
Sueanne Chear, Ph.D.
Research Fellow
Research Assistant, Menzies Institute of Medical Research, Australia 2022
Ph.D., Stem Cell Biology, University of Tasmania, Australia. 2022
Master of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Tasmania, Australia. 2017
Bachelor of Pharmacy, University of Science Malaysia, Malaysia. 2008
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Email: schear1 at jh.edu
Kadia Lissit, M.Sc.
Current role: Research specialist
M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. The University of Chicago, B.A. in Biology and French
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I have experience working in a leukemia immunology lab at UChicago
I am interested in the role of epigenetics in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Email: klissit1 at jhu dot edu
Xiangyu Liao, M.Sc.
AE GR Graduate
Current role: Thesis student
M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S., B.A. Biomedical Engineering, University of California – Davis (2018-2022)
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“I am particularly interested in the epigenetic changes associated with neurodegenerative disorder. Currently, I am working on investigating the correlation between the COVID-19 infection with Alzheimer’s Disease pathology.”
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Email: xliao8 at jhu dot edu
Lai Wei
Current role: Trainee (learning human iPSCs, gene editing and Organoids for Dr. Genevieve Stein-O’Brien)
Anticipated role: PhD student @ Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins
PH GR Graduate, Johns Hopkins University
“My past research focused on optimization of prime editing method on human iPSCs to study heterotopia related pathways and transcriptomic features."
Email: lwei25 at jhmi dot edu
Shangqing Li, M.Sc.
PH GR Graduate
Current role: Rotation student
Future position: Planning thesis with us
M.Sc. Biochem & Mol Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Biological Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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“I research molecular techniques to develop novel approaches for modulating and treating chronic diseases. Currently, I am particularly interested in exploring the potential of utilizing exosomes for treating neurodegenerative disorders. My work also investigates the application of methods such as CRISPR and OptoDroplets.”
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Email: sli281 at jh dot edu
Will Zhang, M.Sc.
AP GR Graduate
Current role: Research specialist
M.Sc. Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Biology, University of Oregon
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My research is focued on differentiation of human iPSC cell into relevant neural cell type. Currently, I am particularly interested in the function of Prdm gene family in APOE production in glia cell type. This will help us to reveal influence of methylation for Alzheimer’s disease. My work also investigates about whole genome sequencing for the neuron cell which in Alzheimer patient.
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Email: yzhan531 at jhu dot edu
Rodney Eric Williams
Current role: Trainee (human iPSCs)
Neuroscience PhD Student @ Lab of Diane E. Griffin, MD, PhD (Molecular Microbiology & Immunology)
Solomon H. Snyder Fellow,
President-Elect | Graduate Student Association
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Email: rwill209 at jhmi dot edu
Naomi Crane
AE UG Freshman
Current role: Project student
Anticipated role: MD - PhD student
B.S. in Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University
“My past research focused on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative pathologies, with a particular emphasis on Multiple Sclerosis. I also have experience analyzing neural volumetrics in MRI models, applying principles in machine learning to help best predict data anomalies associated with degenerative progression.
My current research interests regard the regenerative potential of iPSC technology as a means to help combat (and reverse) progressive lesioning in the brain. I'm also interested in further exploring how internal auto-immune and external epigenetic changes inflict neurodegenerative pathogenesis, as observed in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.”
Email: ncrane6 at jh dot edu
Karthik Polpaya
AP GR Graduate
Current role: Rotation student
VIT Vellore
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“One of my main research interests includes stem cells and particularly in neural stem cells, wherein your lab studies the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease as well as the translational mechanisms and the fate of neurons.
I am also interested in the use of iPSC's to treat the mutated neurons using a donor somatic cells or genetic correction of the patient's mutated iPSC's."
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Email: kpolpay1 at jh dot edu
Yun Bai, Ph.D.
Sr. Research specialist
Research fellowship, Carnegie institution of Washington
Ph.D. Developmental biology, Zhejiang University
B.S., School of Life Science, Yunnan University
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Email: ybai19 at jh.edu
Alumni
Year of 2022
Gio Dumont, BA
Visiting Undergraduate
B.A. Chemistry and Biology, St. Olaf College
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I am broadly interested in how molecular and cellular characteristics translate into higher-level pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancers. Understanding the details and functions of complex biological systems such as neural networks is essential for developing effective treatments and preventative measures to protect against these diseases.
Email: gdumont1 at jhu dot edu
Yongxing Gao, M.Sc
Current: Scientist II, Molecular and Cellular Biology at Abbvie
Jaechan Lee, BS
AE UG Junior
Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
I have worked to differentiate human iPSCs into neuronal progenitor cells to explore morphological changes following gene editing with CRISPR. Additionally, I have studied how specific genes affect AD and neurodegenerative disease pathologies. Currently, I'm particularly interested in utilizing iPSCs and iPSC-derived structures as in vitro models for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease.
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Email: jlee737 at jhu dot edu
Year of 2023
Yijia Chen, M.Sc.
Was: Research specialist
Current: PhD student at Rutgers University
M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Arizona State University
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Biomedical Sciences and Global Health, MSE in Biomedical Engineering
Email: ychen489 at jhu dot edu
Juliana Marina Condoleo, B.S.
Was: Thesis student -> Research specialist
Current: MD - PhD student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
B.S. Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University
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I am particularly interested in investigating the calcium signaling pathway and epigenetic changes that may be occurring due to COVID-19 infection in contributing to Alzheimer's Disease pathology.
Email: jcondol1 at jhu dot edu
Sasha George, M.Sc.
Was: Research specialist
Current: FDA staff
M.Sc. Individualized Genomics and Health, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Virginia Commonwealth University
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I am interested in Epigenetics, and the role it plays in neurodegenerative diseases.
Email: sgeorg49 at jhu dot edu
Haosong Chen, M.Sc.
AE GR Graduate
M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S., Pennsylvania State University
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“I am participating in research about epigenetic mechanisms of NOGAR1 in regulating microglia neuropathogenesis. Currently, I am particularly interested in epigenetic mechanisms, genetic therapy and regenerative medicine. My work also investigates stem cell culturing and analyzing.”
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Email: hchen184 at jhu dot edu
Shizhen Li, M.Sc.
AE GR Graduate
MS in Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. University of California, Berkeley; Genetic and Plant Biology
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“I am learning basic neural stem cell culturing techniques and the molecular mechanisms that regulate neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Currently, I am interested in neurodegenerative disease, and also exploring the therapeutic potential of neural stem cells in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.”
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Email: sli226 at jhu dot edu
Year of 2024
Haohui (Terry) Fang, M.Sc.
Current role: Research specialist
Current: PhD student at Columbia University
M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Biological Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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I have broad interest in the general biological research including the fundamental mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and basic cellular events as well as the therapeutic potential of stem cell derived extracellular vesicles. Currently, I am particularly interested in the implication of gut brain axis in neurodegenrative disease and stem cell derived exosomes. I expect to exploit the idea of synthetic biology and systems biology tools to characterize neurodegenerative disease and advance therapies with translational potential. My present work also includes the potential effect of COVID-19 on the brain.
Email: fhaohui1 at jhu dot edu
Kejun (coco), M.Sc.
Was: Thesis student
Current: Duke University PhD student, with the option to transition to an MD-PhD program
M.Sc. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Master Program, Bloomberg School of Public Health
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster
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“My past researches study and design small molecule inhibitors of the Gingipain enzymes to help understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and Mur G protein inhibitor study for new antibiotic design. Specifically, I am particularly interested in protein structural analysis and chemical docking in vitro. Therefore, my work also investigates the protein-ligand interactions and contributes majorly to the basic understandings in the field.”
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Da Huo, M.Sc.
PH GR Graduate
Current role: Thesis student
Current: PhD student at Duke University
M.Sc. Biochem & Mol Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Neuroscience, Boston University
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I study the correlation between the development of Alzheimer's Disease and chronic inflammation. Currently, I am particularly interested in the consequence of the inflammation-triggered signals present in the brain. My work also investigates the potential therapy of AD through human iPSC.
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Email: dhuo1 at jhmi dot edu
Ruoyan Pu, M.Sc.
AE GR Graduate
Current role: Thesis student
Current: PhD student
Undergraduate degree: B.S. Neuroscience, Simmons University
Graduate institution: M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
"I am interested in the role of epigenetics in neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Currently, I am working on how COVID-19 infection affects the pathology of Alzheimer’s Diseases"
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Email: rpu2 at jhu dot edu
Yongqi Lin, M.Sc.
AE GR Graduate
Current role: Project student
Current: Industry sector
M.Sc. Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Biological Science, University of California-Irvine
“I'm deeply passionate about understanding disease mechanisms and drug development through genetic and genomic approaches, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and chronic inflammation. Currently, I'm exploring the consequences of inflammation-triggered signals in the brain and investigating potential AD therapies using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). I'm also intrigued by the gut-brain axis's role in neurodegenerative diseases and the therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles. My interests extend to the impact of COVID-19 on the brain..”
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Email: ylin164 at jhu dot edu
Johns Saji, M.Sc.
AE GR Graduate
Current role: Project student
Current: Industry sector
Ms Biotechnology with concentration in stem cell and regenerative technologies, Johns Hopkins University
Ms Molecular Biology and biotechnology, Queen's University Belfast
“I am currently conducting research on gene regulation in AD. I am particularly interested in understanding how gene regulation varies across different stages of the disease. Additionally, I would like to investigate the metabolic activities in individuals affected by Parkinson's disease and the role of miRNA in gene regulation. This research has the potential to pave the way for future treatments for Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, I am also exploring the transfer of miRNA from plants to humans and its potential implications in treatments for this condition.”
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Email: jsaji2 at jhu dot edu
Shailvi Tewari
PH GR Graduate
Current role: Thesis student with Dr. Jason Chua @ JHMI
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
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“I have worked on behavioral and developmental toxicity caused by Acrylamide in Drosophila melanogaster. I have also worked on 'Understanding the toxicological effects of small molecules on zebrafish brain, liver and also on zebrafish caudal fin regeneration: A Transcriptomic and Proteomic approach,
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My current research interests regard the regenerative potential of iPSC technology and I am interested in the role of epigenetics in neurodegenerative diseases.”
Email: stewari5 at jh dot edu
Noveda Chen, M.Sc.
Current role: Thesis student
Current: PhD student
M.Sc. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Master Program
B.S. University of Washington, Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
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“I am interested in studying disease mechanism and drug development with genetic and genomic approach. Particularly interested in neurodegenerative disease.”
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Email: zchen175 at jhmi dot edu
Zhengkai Zhu
PH GR Graduate
Current role: Rotation student
Bucknell University
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“I found your research focuses on neurodegenerative disease. I hold great interest in this kind of research and am seeking an opportunity of learning more about the neural activity pathways in early pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease."
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Email: zzhu79 at jh dot edu
Xiaoli Rong, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow (ends 6/30/2024)
Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Email: xrong5 at jhmi dot edu
We were proundly working together with ...
Stephen Eacker, Ph.D.
Current: Vice President of Research and Development at Phase Genomics
An extremely thoughtful and careful scientist doing exciting science and business!
Adam Behensky, Ph.D.
Current: Scientist | Lecturer | Consultant
Peter Rhee, M.Sc.
Current: Sr. Research Specialist, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Juehua Zhu, M.D., Ph.D.
Current: Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Soochow University
Suzhou Yang
Current: PhD student, Yale School of Medicine
Matthew Ye
Current: Cornell University
Abby Liu,
AE Junior at Johns Hopkins University
Thalia Liu,
AE Junior at Johns Hopkins University
Li Chen, B.S.
Current: Research Specialist, NIH at Bayview
Thao Dinh
Current: PhD student
Ivan Guan
Current: Medical Student, Weill Cornell Medical College
Do-hyun Kim
Current: Case Management Associate, Mercy Medical Center
