Principal Investigator
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Assistant Director
CHRISTOPHER A. MAHER, PHD
christophermaher at wustl.edu
My primary research interests focus on translating genome-based discoveries into the clinic. This can be exemplified by the development of novel software tools that have enabled the discovery of novel recurrent RNA chimeras and non-coding alterations in solid tumors using high-throughput sequencing. Further, the lab is dedicated to the discovery and characterization of novel non-coding RNAs, elucidating their functionality, and assessing their clinical applicability. I received my PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and completed my postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan.
Faculty and Staff
nmmaher at wustl.edu
NICOLE M. WHITE, PHD
Assistant Professor
The goal of my research is to understand how long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to the progression of lung cancer. Specifically, to understand the biology, we prioritized evolutionarily conserved lncRNAs according to sequence homology and synteny from humans to zebrafish. We hypothesized that the 450-million-year evolutionary distance between these species provided stringent criteria to identify the most essential lncRNAs. One of the few lncRNAs meeting this criterion is onco-lncRNA-17, which we have shown is co-regulated with FOXA2 expression, its neighboring protein-coding gene. FOXA2 is a winged-helix transcription factor that plays an important role in the formation of the endoderm and is critical in tissues such as lung, liver, and pancreas. Deregulation of FOXA2 is implicated in diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Ongoing studies are aimed at understanding how onco-lncRNA-17 is regulating FOXA2. I received my PhD in Pharmacology from Case Western Reserve University.
erozycki at wustl.edu
EMILY B. ROZYCKI, BS
Research Lab Supervisor
I am the research lab supervisor in charge of the general daily lab operations. I am also involved in all of the research projects in the lab. I am currently starting our translational projects to look at lncRNAs in blood, urine, and stool as potential biomarkers. Over the years we have carefully characterized these lncRNAs to determine their expression pattern in solid tumors. I am working with our collaborators to collect human samples, and I am responsible for processing them to prepare for sequencing. I received my Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology from Southeast Missouri State University.
awilliam at wustl.edu
Senior Research Technician
AMY LY, BA
I will be leveraging my extensive experience in research and development to bring new technologies to the Maher lab. My goal is to optimize new methods and streamline lab procedures, thereby allowing me to contribute to several different projects. My current projects include high throughput assays to identify under-represented classes of noncoding RNAs and dissect their epigenetic functions. Additionally, I am focused on translating biomarkers recently discovered in the Maher lab as non-invasive assays for improving patient care. I received my BA from Cornell College.
devana at wustl.edu
Research Technician
DE'VANA CRUTCHER, BS
I graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, emphasis in Medical Sciences, with minors in Forensic Science and Chemistry. I am a Research Technician II working with Dr. Maher and Dr. White. I am assisting on projects studying possible diagnostic biomarkers in both gastrointestinal and breast cancer. Currently, our research is being further studied in early stages of a clinical trial. I also help maintain the lab.
netra at wustl.edu
Bioinformatics Research Analyst
NETRA NAVADKAR, MTECH
I received my M-Tech degree from IIIT Hyderabad, India and received a Dean's list award for academic excellence. I have four years of experience as a Sr. Bioinformatics Engineer in the NGS domain. I've led a team of 3 and have been exposed to varieties of NGS data analysis which include RNA-seq, WGS, WES, TCR, and Single-cell (10X) with a combination of genomes. Additionally, I gained experience in analyzing clinical samples (somatic, germ-line, and liquid biopsy), and I also worked on creating an analysis pipeline using the Make framework, Python, and Perl. I've joined the Maher lab as a Bioinformatics Research Analyst; I will be working on the cancer data to understand bone metastasis in breast cancer and develop a non-invasive assay using 5hmC in colon cancer patients. I love to play video games for leisure.
Postdoctoral Scholars
gothoum at wustl.edu
GHOFRAN OTHOUM, PHD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
My overall research interest is to utilize computational and mathematical methods towards the study of biological systems. My PhD is in Biological Engineering from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Previously, I have focused on reconstructing and modeling microbial systems, leveraging whole-genome sequencing data and metabolomics. In my current postdoctoral research, I am applying similar systems biology methods to multi-omics datasets of various cancer types. Specifically, I am interested in interrogating the effects of variants in non-coding regions, such as somatic copy-number alterations and mutations, on the expression of cancer genes. Mostly, I am focusing on variants leading to rearrangement of cis-regulatory elements by integrating copy-number variation data, gene expression data and supporting datasets with focus on chromatin interactions.
yesol at wustl.edu
YESOL KIM, PHD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
My research interest is to identify and understand non-coding RNA related to cancer progression. I obtained my PhD in molecular biology at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Korea. My previous research focused on epigenetic molecular mechanisms in breast cancer through genome-wide screening. Specifically, I studied dysregulated miRNAs and methylated genes that led to tumor progression and resistance to anti-cancer drugs in triple-negative breast cancer. In addition, I investigated novel long non-coding RNAs for early detection of relapse in triple-negative breast cancer. Currently, I am interested in finding novel non-coding RNAs to understand cancer progression mechanisms using various next generation sequencing data analyses.
hebbar at wustl.edu
SHILPA HEBBAR, PHD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
As an RNA biologist, I’m interested in exploring the roles of less studied non-coding RNAs in development and in diseases. I received my PhD from Kansas State University, where I studied regulatory mechanisms underlying miRNA mediated developmental processes in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the Maher lab, I’m working on identifying novel mechanisms through which lncRNAs drive colorectal cancer progression and developing means to therapeutically target them. In addition to unravelling RNAs, I’m interested in exploring creative ways to disseminate science to a broad range of audiences. My hobbies also include making to-do lists and testing new ways to procrastinate effectively.
Graduate Students
coonrod.e at wustl.edu
PhD Student
Human and Statistical Genetics
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
EMILY M. COONROD, BS
My research focuses on the discovery and characterization of small functional peptides encoded by lncRNA. Emphasis is placed on peptides that could have implications in colon and prostate cancer development and outcomes. This involves computational analysis and experimental validation. Broadly, I am interested in increasing understanding of human genetics to improve disease treatment. I am in the Human and Statistical Genetics graduate program, received my undergraduate degree from Mizzou, and am from St. Louis, Missouri.
sidizhao at wustl.edu
SIDI ZHAO, BS
PhD Student
Computational and Systems Biology
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
I am from Xiamen, a beautiful island city on the coastline of China. I attained my Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am focusing my graduate research on personalizing treatment for cancer types that still lack promising targeted therapies. My thesis project focuses on the discovery of circular RNAs in metastatic colorectal cancer with potential as metastasis progression indicators and/or stable noninvasive biomarkers. In my free time, I enjoy distance running and hanging out with my two pet bunnies Berg and Shroom.
jace.webster at wustl.edu
PhD Student
Human and Statistical Genetics
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
JACE WEBSTER, BS
I am from Arizona and received my undergraduate training at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where I majored in both Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics. I am now a graduate student in the Human and Statistical Genetics program in St. Louis and am broadly interested in how computational approaches can improve our understanding of genetics and disease. As a graduate student in the Maher Lab, I am broadly interested in the identification of biomarkers that can provide additional diagnostic and prognostic information relevant to colorectal cancer.
gjeffers at wustl.edu
PhD Student
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
GEJAE JEFFERS, BS
I graduated with a Bachelors of Science from University of the Virgin Islands where I studied Computer Science with a focus on Biology and Mathematics. Following a post baccalaureate research experience in the Maher lab, I joined the Molecular Genetics and Genomics program at Washington University to pursue a doctorate.
saha.d at wustl.edu
MSTP Student
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
DEBANJAN SAHA, BS
I am from the New York metropolitan area and received my undergraduate training at Rutgers University. Currently, I am a MSTP student interested in the application of cancer biology and computational genomics to medicine. In my research, I am analyzing the regulomes of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer to better understand the regulatory landscape of this disease and elucidate potential biomarkers of treatment resistance.
h.mai at wustl.edu
PhD Student
Cancer Biology
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
HUNG MAI, PHARMD
My overall research interest is studying genetic aberrants in cancers and translating these understandings into novel clinical strategies. I received my PharmD from the University of Debrecen, Hungary and Master of Biotechnology from the University of Pennsylvania. My previous works focused on understanding the tumor suppressor roles of p53 in different contexts of lung tumors. I was also involved in a few bioinformatics projects to elucidate the transcriptome profiles in brain and kidney. Currently, I’m interested in investigating the roles of circular RNAs in the formation and progression of colorectal cancers. I’m planning to combine molecular and computational approaches to answer my research question. I enjoy cooking in my free time, and I can cook good Vietnamese foods.
l.muheng at wustl.edu
Research Assistant/MS Student
Master of Science in Biostatistics and Data Science
Division of Biostatistics
MUHENG LIAO, MENG
I am from China and finished my undergraduate learning at Tianjin University, where I majored in Material Science and Engineering. I also received a masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from South China University of Technology with a focus on biomaterials for bone regeneration that were illustrated by gene regulation. This sparked my interest in genomics analysis and prompted me to join MSBDS program at WashU. As a research assistant in Maher lab, currently, I am working in the role of BCAR4 gene in the treatment of various breast cancer subtypes. Beyond the courses and research, hiking, FPS video games, and sci-fi movies are my favorites.
Undergraduate Students
dqpham at wustl.edu
DUY PHAM
Undergraduate Student
I'm a rising junior at Washington University, majoring in Mathematics and Anthropology with a minor in Bioinformatics. Using bioinformatics tools, I'm taking a pan-cancer approach to the analysis of cancer patients. With genetic information from patients of different cancer types, I'm attempting to identify genetic regions, or hot spots, where structural variants are consistently found across cancer cohorts.
rscharf at wustl.edu
RUSSELL SCHARF
Undergraduate Student
I’m a sophomore at Washington University from Rye Brook, New York, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Bioinformatics. By combining these two fields of study I hope to find novel ways to identify, perceive, and fight against cancer. Using genetic information, I am seeking to understand the role of small noncoding RNAs in cancer. Outside of classes and research, I enjoy tutoring inmates at a correctional facility in St. Louis and being an active member of Greek life on campus.
a.a.agarwal at wustl.edu
ASHNA AGARWAL
Undergraduate Student
I’m a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in Genomics and Computational Biology with a minor in Global Health and Environment. I am interested in finding novel cancer therapeutics by using computational approaches to more clearly understand the role of genetics in the progression of the disease. In the Maher Lab, I am working in the identification and analysis of m6A modification in circular RNA for colorectal cancer.
Alumni
Instructor
HA X. DANG
Now: Principle Scientist, Bristol Myers Squibb
Postdocs
JESSICA SILVA-FISHER
Now: Instructor in Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine
ABDALLAH ETELEEB
Now: Senior Scientist, Dr. Oscar Harari Lab, Washington University School of Medicine
ANDREW NICKLESS
Now: Senior Scientist, MilliporeSigma
JIN ZHANG
Now: Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology, Division of Cancer Biology, Washington University School of Medicine
CHRISTOPHER CABANSKI
Now: Senior Biostatistician, The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
Postbacs
CYNTHIA TANG
Now: MD/PhD Student, University of Missouri School of Medicine
SANDRA MCFADDEN
Now: Chemist, MilliporeSigma
Undergrads
BROOKE FELSHEIM
Now: PhD Student, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
BEN DUGGAN
Now: Undergraduate Student, Indiana University Bloomington
CORRINE RAUCK
Now: Resident Physician, OhioHealth
DANIELLA CICKA
Now: MD/PhD Student, Emory University
TENG (BRETT) GAO
Now: PhD Student in Bioinformatics & Integrative Genomics program at Harvard Medical School