PRISM Mentors

How do we learn to communicate using language? I study children's language learning and how it interacts with their developing understanding of the social world. I am interested in bringing larger datasets to bear on these questions and use a wide variety of methods including eye-tracking, tablet experiments, and computational models. Recent work in my lab has focused on data-oriented approaches to development, including the creation of large datasets like Wordbank and MetaLab. I also have a strong interest in replication, reproducibility, and open science; some of our research addresses these topics.

http://web.stanford.edu/~mcfrank

The Stanford Screenomics Lab is a multidisciplinary group that uses newly available data streams to understand what people actually do on their smartphones, and how the content of their screen experiences relate to health and well-being. We use a variety of computer vision and text analysis tools to extract information from long sequences of screenshots, develop new descriptors of smartphone behavior and smartphone content, and examine how those behavior and content are related to users' emotions, sleep, and mental health. Our lab is committed to global diversity and fostering minority representation in social science, and we collaborate widely with schools and departments across Stanford and other universities.

We analyze multiple types of health data (EHR, Claims, Wearables, Weblogs, and Patient blogs), to answer clinical questions, generate insights, and build predictive models for the learning health system. Our group runs the country's only bedside consult service to enable better medical decisions using aggregate EHR and Claims data at the point of care. Our team leads the Stanford Medicine Program for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, which makes predictions that allow taking mitigating actions, and studies the ethical implications of using machine learning in clinical care. We have built models for predicting future increases in cost, identifying slow healing wounds, missed diagnoses of depression and for improving palliative care.

We analyze multiple types of health data (EHR, Claims, Wearables, Weblogs, and Patient blogs), to answer clinical questions, generate insights, and build predictive models for the learning health system. Our group runs the country's only bedside consult service to enable better medical decisions using aggregate EHR and Claims data at the point of care. Our team leads the Stanford Medicine Program for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, which makes predictions that allow taking mitigating actions, and studies the ethical implications of using machine learning in clinical care. We have built models for predicting future increases in cost, identifying slow healing wounds, missed diagnoses of depression and for improving palliative care.

Our research interests broadly encompass the molecular mechanisms regulating development, regeneration and repair with a focus on the epigenome. We are exploring epigenetic regulation in health and disease especially understanding (a) the dynamics of DNA methylation and demethylation and (b) the 3D chromatin organization. Another focus is stem cell biology and reprogramming approaches especially utilizing embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells towards musculoskeletal regeneration and for age-associated diseases like Osteoarthritis. 

We are looking for highly creative and motivated postdoctoral fellows with a broad interest in Stem cell biology and Regenerative medicine. The specific research projects are focused on studying epigenetic regulation of skeletal diseases (cartilage and bone) and for understanding stem cell function in skeletal growth and regeneration. Another focus area is tissue engineering and generation of biomimetic 3D tissue models that reflect the endogenous complexity. Applicants must be PhD (cell, molecular or stem cell biology or bioengineering).

The Martinez lab studies RNA regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression. We focus on mRNA processing, RNA modifications and their roles in development and disease.

The Martinez lab studies RNA regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression. We focus on mRNA processing, RNA modifications and their roles in development and disease.

Dr. Huang's laboratory aims to understand the chemical and mechanical interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and pluripotent stem cells that regulate vascular and myogenic function. The fundamental insights of cell-matrix interactions are applied towards stem cell-based therapies with respect to improving cell survival and regenerative capacity, as well as engineered vascularized tissues for therapeutic transplantation. Current projects focus on various aspects of mechanical and physical factors on tissue regeneration. Examples include:

1) Cellular Biomechanics for in High Through Chemical Screening: To develop new technology for high-throughput quantitative assessment of vascular endothelial cell biomechanics for cardiovascular drug screening. We hypothesize that cellular biomechanics can be a predictive biomarker of endothelial health.

2) Engineered Matrix Microarrays to Enhance the Regenerative Potential of iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells: We propose to develop a combinatorial family of engineered ECMs (eECMs) with independently tunable biochemical and biomechanical cues, including stiffness and stress relaxation rate for high-throughput, matrix array studies of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cell (iPSC-EC) survival and angiogenic potential. The optimally designed eECMs will then be coinjected with iPSC-EC for treatment of peripheral arterial disease in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia (Sponsor: NIH).

3) iPSC-Derived Smooth Muscle Progenitors for Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: We propose to deliver human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived smooth muscle progenitors to the site of abdominal aortic aneurysm will replenish smooth muscle cells, enhance elastin production, and abrogate wall dilatation in a murine model (Sponsor: CIRM).

4) Vascularized Cardiac Patch with Physiological Orientation for Myocardial Repair: The aims are to engineer a vascularized aligned iPSC-derived CM (cardiomyocyte) patch and elucidating the molecular mechanisms of ECM-mediated nitric oxide signaling in enhancing iPSC-CM survival and phenotype; and to determine the therapeutic effect of a vascularized aligned iPSC-derived CM patch for treatment of myocardial infarction (Sponsor: Dept of Veteran Affairs).

5) Other ongoing research areas: mRNA-based therapeutics, exosome biologics, microgravity effects on tissue regeneration and dysfunction, 3D bioprinting of engineered skeletal muscle, viscoelasticity effects on endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, electro-osmosis for treatment of lymphedema, tissue chips for stem cell manufacturing

Dr. Huang's laboratory research is funded by the National Institues of Health, Department of Defense, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, National Science Foundation, and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

The STAAR Lab is a dynamic new neuroscience lab in Stanford’s Psychiatry Department, led by Neir Eshel, MD, PhD. We are looking to hire curious and ambitious postdocs to join our team. Lab projects focus on the neural circuitry of aggressive and compulsive behaviors, using optogenetics, in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, and sophisticated machine learning/artificial intelligence analyses of animal behavior. There are ample opportunities for career development and clinical exposure based on candidate interest. Compensation and benefits are highly competitive. The ideal postdoctoral candidate has an MD and/or PhD in neuroscience or related field and extensive experience with rodent neuroscience. Excellent analytical skills, e.g., Python & Matlab, are strongly preferred. An expert data analyst may be considered even without animal experience. We are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion.

The STAAR Lab is a dynamic new neuroscience lab in Stanford’s Psychiatry Department, led by Neir Eshel, MD, PhD. We are looking to hire curious and ambitious postdocs to join our team. Lab projects focus on the neural circuitry of aggressive and compulsive behaviors, using optogenetics, in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, and sophisticated machine learning/artificial intelligence analyses of animal behavior. There are ample opportunities for career development and clinical exposure based on candidate interest. Compensation and benefits are highly competitive. The ideal postdoctoral candidate has an MD and/or PhD in neuroscience or related field and extensive experience with rodent neuroscience. Excellent analytical skills, e.g., Python & Matlab, are strongly preferred. An expert data analyst may be considered even without animal experience. We are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion.

Our laboratory has been focusing on the mechanisms of fibrosis  elucidating the links between activation of redox pathways, cell death, stellate cell activation and transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts. We have been interested in the role of NADPH oxidases and their cell-specific roles in liver injury and repair.   We are  investigating  how changes in the mechanical properties  of the extracellular matrix and architecture  elicit changes in cellular behavior, and how these predispose to cancer invasion.   While matrix stiffness in advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis and its effects on cancer progression have been extensively studied, we demonstrated how changes in viscoelasticity, independent of stiffness, impact hepatocellular carcinoma growth. This is clinically very relevant as increasing viscoelasticity could be a new risk factor foretelling more invasive features of cancer in diabetic patients.

With the  type 2 diabetes and steatotic liver disease epidemics, the ultimate goal is to translate our findings and develop novel therapeutic approaches that  improve patient outcomes.

The main focus of Dr. Gomez-Ospina’s lab is to develop therapies for patients with genetic neurodgenerative diseases. The lab uses genome editing and stem cells to produce definitive treatments for childhood neurodegenerative diseases, many of which are lysosomal storage disorders.

Current projects in the lab include developing autologous transplantation of genome-edited hematopoietic stem cells for Mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Gaucher, Krabbe disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Friedreich's ataxia.

Although there is a strong translational focus to the lab, we are also pursuing basic science questions to understand and enhance our therapies including: 1) increasing the efficiency of genome editing tools, 2) understanding microglia turnover in response to conditioning before hematopoietic stem transplant, and 3) stablishing brain-specific conditioning regimens to neurometabolic diseases.

The main focus of Dr. Gomez-Ospina’s lab is to develop therapies for patients with genetic neurodgenerative diseases. The lab uses genome editing and stem cells to produce definitive treatments for childhood neurodegenerative diseases, many of which are lysosomal storage disorders.

Current projects in the lab include developing autologous transplantation of genome-edited hematopoietic stem cells for Mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Gaucher, Krabbe disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Friedreich's ataxia.

Although there is a strong translational focus to the lab, we are also pursuing basic science questions to understand and enhance our therapies including: 1) increasing the efficiency of genome editing tools, 2) understanding microglia turnover in response to conditioning before hematopoietic stem transplant, and 3) stablishing brain-specific conditioning regimens to neurometabolic diseases.

Proteins embedded in the cell envelope of bacteria perform multiple important functions, including signaling, nutrient acquisition, and export of virulence factors. Understanding the structure and functions of these proteins is critical for the development of new anti-bacterial therapies. Currently, the lab focuses on both ABC transporters and lipoproteins of Gram-negative bacteria. The ultimate goal of the research to translate basic lipoprotein research into novel therapuetics.

My goal as a mentor is to contribute to my mentees’ scientific and professional development by leveraging their strengths and providing them with the tools and resources they need to pursue their desired careers. My mentoring philosophy relies on (1) maintaining honest and open communication, (2) providing feedback and guidance, (3) setting clear expectations, and (4) creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

We are interested in identifying novel pathways that enable cellular and organismal adaptation to metabolic stress and changes in environmental conditions. We also study how these pathways go awry in human diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration and metabolic syndrome, in order to engineer new therapeutic modalities.

To address these questions, our lab uses a multidisciplinary approach to study the biochemical functions of the lysosome in vitro and in vivo. Lysosomes are membrane-bound compartments that degrade macromolecules and clear damaged organelles to enable cellular adaptation to various metabolic states. Lysosomal function is critical for organismal homeostasis—mutations in genes encoding lysosomal proteins cause severe human disorders known as lysosomal storage diseases, and lysosome dysfunction is implicated in age-associated diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration and metabolic syndrome.

By developing novel tools and harnessing the power of metabolomics, proteomics and functional genomics, our lab will define 1) how the lysosome communicates with other cellular compartments to fulfill the metabolic demands of the cell under various metabolic states, 2) and how its dysfunction leads to rare and common human diseases. Using insights from our research, we will engineer novel therapies to modulate the pathways that govern human disease.

The @wormsenseLab at Stanford University seeks postdoctoral scholars with an interest in the genetics, biophysics, and cell biology of sensation.  In appointing postdocs, we look for curiosity, excellence in the practice of reproducible research, and the ability to lead and work in teams — learning from and teaching others. You may launch research into the molecular and physical events responsible for touch and its degradation by persistent mechanical stress and chemotherapeutics.  You may also propose to join NeuroPlant, an interdisciplinary, team-based discovery platform for discovering novel ligand-receptor pairs that modulate nervous system function and for deciphering the neural codes responsible for chemical attraction and repulsion. As a NeuroPlant postdoc, you will be encouraged to select a co-advisor from the project faculty team. The @wormsenseLab believes that interdisciplinary scientists are needed in diverse careers and have helped to launch former postdocs into tenure-track academic positions, research and business development in industry, start-ups, and venture capital firms. You can learn more about our researchers from this 2019 Life in a Lab profile.

The @wormsenseLab at Stanford University seeks postdoctoral scholars with an interest in the genetics, biophysics, and cell biology of sensation. Experience with in vivo and in vitro live imaging as well as gene-editing techniques in a genetic model organism such as C. elegans is preferred, but not essential. In appointing postdocs, we look for curiosity, excellence in the practice of reproducible research, and the ability to lead and work in teams — learning from and teaching others. You may launch research into the molecular and physical events responsible for touch and its degradation by persistent mechanical stress and chemotherapeutics. The latter project involves a collaboration with Katie Wilkinson (Prof. Biology, SJSU), an expert in rodent proprioception. You may also propose to join NeuroPlant, an interdisciplinary, team-based discovery platform for discovering novel ligand-receptor pairs that modulate nervous system function and for deciphering the neural codes responsible for chemical attraction and repulsion. As a NeuroPlant postdoc, you will be encouraged to select a co-advisor from the project faculty team. The @wormsenseLab believes that interdisciplinary scientists are needed in diverse careers and have helped to launch former postdocs into tenure-track academic positions, research and business development in industry, start-ups, and venture capital firms.

The Maduke laboratory at Stanford University is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to study the molecular mechanisms of chloride-selective channels and transporters. Chloride channels and transporters are expressed ubiquitously, with defects giving rise to human diseases of kidney and bone, disorders of blood-pressure regulation, and epilepsy.  Projects in the lab seek to understand the molecular basis for these functions using a combination of electrophysiology, biochemistry, and a variety of structural and spectroscopic techniques, tightly integrated with results from computational collaborations. Experience in electrophysiology, structural biology, or membrane protein biochemistry is helpful but is not necessary.  More important is a strong personal motivation and willingness to learn.



Relevant publications include:



• Khantwal, C.M., et al. (2016) Revealing an outward-facing open conformational state in a CLC Cl-/H+ exchange transporter. Elife Jan 22;5. pii: e11189. doi: 10.7554/eLife.11189.


• Abraham, S.J., Cheng, R.C., Chew, T.A., Khantwal, C.M., Liu, C.W., Gong, S. Nakamoto, R.K., and Maduke, M. (2015). 13C NMR detects conformational change in the 100-kD membrane transporter ClC-ec1. J Biomol NMR, 61(3-4), 209-26.


• Han, W., Cheng, R.C., Maduke, M.* and Tajkhorshid, E.* (2014). Water Access Points and Hydration Pathways in ClC H+/Cl− Transporters. PNAS, 111: 1819–1824. PMCID: PMC3918786

The PIMed Laboratory has a multi-disciplinary direction and focuses on developing analytic methods for biomedical data integration, with a particular interest in radiology-pathology fusion to facilitate radiology image labeling . The radiology-pathology fusion allows the creation of detailed spatial labels, that later on can be used as input for advanced machine learning, such as deep learning. The recent focus of the lab has been on applying deep learning methods to detect and differentiate aggressive from indolent prostate cancers on MRI using the pathology information (both labels and the image content). Other applications include breast cancer and brain samples. 

Dr. Mirabela Rusu directs the Laboratory for Integrative Personalized Medicine (PIMed), which is part of the School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Division of Integrative Biomedical Imaging Informatics. PIMed focuses on developing deep learning methods for radiology-pathology integration and to characterize the appearance of diseases on radiology images using the pathology information.  Such integrative methods may be applied to create comprehensive multi-scale representations of biomedical processes and pathological conditions, thus enabling their in-depth characterization and the identification of imaging signatures of pathologic conditions.  Our team extensively studies the appearance of prostate cancer on MRI, but also works on breast cancers as well as non-oncologic applications.

My lab focuses on translating advanced MRI into clinical practice. In Alzheimer’s disease, we are investigating the nature of iron deposition to understand how iron interacts with inflammation, amyloid, and tau in the progression of AD. We bring to this disease the full arsenal of imaging: ultra-high resolution MRI of human AD specimens coupled with novel histological methods including x-ray microscopy and electron microscopy. We bring this armamentarium full circle to living human imaging with 7.0T MR and multi-tracer PET-MR. In mild traumatic brain injury, we are studying the imaging signatures of brain insult that occur in high-contact sports using advanced MRI combined with mouthguard accelerometer measurements of impacts. In chronic fatigue syndrome, we are identifying microstructural changes that accompany fatigue and correlate with systemic circulating cytokines that together may form a biomarker for this disorder.

The PIMed Laboratory has a multi-disciplinary direction and focuses on developing analytic methods for biomedical data integration, with a particular interest in radiology-pathology fusion to facilitate radiology image labeling . The radiology-pathology fusion allows the creation of detailed spatial labels, that later on can be used as input for advanced machine learning, such as deep learning. The recent focus of the lab has been on applying deep learning methods to detect and differentiate aggressive from indolent prostate cancers on MRI using the pathology information (both labels and the image content). Other applications include breast cancer and brain samples. 

Stanford Training Program in Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research

• Co-Principal Investigators and Program Co-Directors:  Mildred Cho, PhD, Holly Tabor, PhD
• Funding source: NIH National Human Genome Research Institute
• Appointment:  One year, renewable for up to three years
• Qualifications: The NIH requires that candidates must have a PhD or MD (JD or Master’s degree only not accepted) prior to starting the fellowship, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for funding.  We are seeking candidates with a background in social science, ethics, philosophy, history, health services research, public policy or other related disciplines.

Job description: 

The postdoctoral fellow will conduct independent research on ethical, legal and social considerations arising from genetics and genomics.  The fellow will be part of an interdisciplinary community including faculty and fellows from this program and other affiliated programs. Fellows are expected to gain practical experience in professional activities through programs such as the Stanford Benchside Ethics Consultation Service, a research ethics consultation program to assist life sciences researchers in the resolution of ethical concerns in their research, one of the Stanford-affiliated clinical ethics consultation services, and/or teaching.

In addition to participating in SCBE and CIRGE activities, fellows will have access to a full range of courses at Stanford University, which includes genetics, social science, humanities and law courses.  It is expected that the fellow may need formal coursework in genetics, ethics, or ELSI research methods.  Mentors will assist the fellow in formulating an individualized curriculum and career strategies.  All trainees will be expected to present their research in scholarly venues.  Fellowship support includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Funds will be provided by the fellowship for each fellow to travel to one meeting per year.

For more information, please see our website. 

Michelle Odden, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health (E&PH) in the Stanford School of Medicine and a Research Scientist in the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) in the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Her research aims to improve our understanding of the optimal preventive strategies for chronic disease in older adults, particularly those who have been underrepresented in research including the very old, frail, and racial/ethnic minorities. Her work has focused on prevention of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes, as well as preservation of physical and cognitive function in older adults. Additionally, she has new projects in mitochondrial genetics and the proteomic signature of aging.  Dr. Odden’s methodologic focus in in causal inference and methods to reduce biases in observational studies. She also serves as the Chair of the E&PH Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. 

Dr. Lin's active NIH-funded research portfolio includes developing a novel patient-reported outcome measure for emergency asthma care; evaluating post-acute transitions and outcomes for high-risk populations; and enhancing gender equity in the health professions workforce. Her prior funded projects have evaluated the impact of value-based care on emergency care delivery and payment; drivers of ED admission rates; and changes in the intensity of emergency care.

We are an interdisciplinary research laboratory that focuses on model-based analysis, design, and control of biological function at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels to optimize therapeutic intervention.

Near-future research directions

• Design and implementation targeted synthetic microbe therapies
• Interorgan communication in health and disease
• Synthetic pattern formation in growing microbial populations

The Mayalu Lab is seeking bright, talented, and motivated graduate students and postdocs to fill several positions.

These are great opportunities to work on control theoretic and experimental aspects of model-based design of synthetic biological and biomedical systems. 

Postdocs with additional training in synthetic microbiology, genetic recombination technology, bioengineering or related fields are encouraged to apply to help launch the experimental research program.

Dr. Michael Zeineh received a B.S. in Biology at Caltech in 1995 and obtained his M.D.-Ph.D. from UCLA in 2003. After internship also at UCLA, he went on to radiology residency and neuroradiology fellowship both at Stanford. He has been faculty in Stanford Neuroradiology since 2010. He spearheads many initiatives in advanced clinical imaging at Stanford, including clinical fMRI and DTI. Simultaneously, he runs a lab with the goal of discovering new imaging abnormalities in neurodegenerative disorders, with a focus on detailed microcircuitry in regions such as the hippocampal formation using advanced, multi-modal in vivo and ex vivo methods, with applications to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and mild traumatic brain injury.

Specific projects:

Ex vivo MRI of iron in Alzheimer’s disease MR-histopathology correlation (both traditional histology and clearing methods) MR-PET of AD 7T MR in AD Analysis of iron-changes in exosomes from AD Multi-modal MRI (DTI, ASL, QSM, rsfMRI) in mild traumatic brain injury 7T MR in Epilepsy Ultra-high resolution 7T MRI X-ray imaging of iron X-ray imaging of myelin and myelin orientation Scattered light imaging Hippocampal microanatomy

Specificity and efficacy in intracellular signal transduction can be conferred by the anchoring and co-localization of key enzymes and their upstream activators and substrate effectors by scaffold proteins. The Kapiloff lab investigates “signalosomes” formed by scaffold proteins, asking fundamental questions such as: 1) how are signalosomes constituted; 2) how are upstream signals integrated by signalosomes to regulate in a concerted manner downstream effectors; 3) what is the physiologic relevance of these signalosomes; and 4) can signalosomes be targeted in a clinically relevant manner so as to constitute new therapeutic strategies. In particular, the Kapiloff lab studies signaling within the myocardium and retina. Using a comprehensive approach that includes biochemistry, cell biology, and in vivo physiology, ongoing projects address the regulation of pathological cardiac remodeling and the effects of disease on retinal neurons.

Specificity and efficacy in intracellular signal transduction can be conferred by the anchoring and co-localization of key enzymes and their upstream activators and substrate effectors by scaffold proteins. The Kapiloff lab investigates “signalosomes” formed by scaffold proteins, asking fundamental questions such as: 1) how are signalosomes constituted; 2) how are upstream signals integrated by signalosomes to regulate in a concerted manner downstream effectors; 3) what is the physiologic relevance of these signalosomes; and 4) can signalosomes be targeted in a clinically relevant manner so as to constitute new therapeutic strategies. In particular, the Kapiloff lab studies signaling within the myocardium and retina. Using a comprehensive approach that includes biochemistry, cell biology, and in vivo physiology, ongoing projects address the regulation of pathological cardiac remodeling and the effects of disease on retinal neurons.

We develop data-driven, multiplexed methods to elucidate fundamental principles about how the living world works. We use the knowledge from these insights to develop cell-free biotechnologies for decentralized biomanufacturing, portable diagnostics, and educational kits to serve human needs. A key feature of our work is an emphasis on advancing and applying our capacity to partner with biology to make what is needed, where and when it is needed, on a sustainable and renewable basis. Our work holds promise to transform bioengineering applications in health, manufacturing, sustainability, and education, anywhere on earth and even beyond.

Our lab is broadly interested in how intestinal microbes shape our immune system to promote both health and disease. Recently we discovered that a type of intestinal epithelial cell, called tuft cells, act as sentinels stationed along the lining of the gut. Tuft cells respond to microbes, including parasites, to initiate type 2 immunity, remodel the epithelium, and alter gut physiology. Surprisingly, these changes to the intestine rely on the same chemosensory pathway found in oral taste cells. Currently, we aim to 1) elucidate the role of specific tuft cell receptors in microbial detection. 2) To understand how protozoa and bacteria within the microbiota impact host immunity. 3) Discover how tuft cells modulate surrounding cells and tissue.

Our lab is broadly interested in how intestinal microbes shape our immune system to promote both health and disease. Recently we discovered that a type of intestinal epithelial cell, called tuft cells, act as sentinels stationed along the lining of the gut. Tuft cells respond to microbes, including parasites, to initiate type 2 immunity, remodel the epithelium, and alter gut physiology. Surprisingly, these changes to the intestine rely on the same chemosensory pathway found in oral taste cells. Currently, we aim to 1) elucidate the role of specific tuft cell receptors in microbial detection. 2) To understand how protozoa and bacteria within the microbiota impact host immunity. 3) Discover how tuft cells modulate surrounding cells and tissue.

I design, build, and study social computing systems: the computational systems that mediate our social interactions with one another. My research sits in an area known as human-computer interaction (HCI).

Our lab focuses on the biology of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in order to improve the efficacy and safety of this therapy (1) by investigating donor and third-party CAR T cells in an immunocompetent mouse model of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) and (2) by assessing the impact of the intestinal microbiome on CAR T cell response. We will seek to enhance the development, administration, and mechanistic understanding of how to safely administer donor and third-party CAR T cells with the aim to potentially translate our work to the clinic. We will investigate the regulatory mechanism of the impact of bacterial taxa and the metabolites that they produce on CAR T cell outcomes.

We seek greater understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and disease progression in malignant brain tumors. We currently study the capacity of cellular and cell-free nucleic acids to inform treatment choices in patients with brain tumors, mechanisms of brain tumor cell migration, and identify potentially targetable genes and pathways. Our laboratory space lies at the heart of the Stanford campus between the core campus and the medical facilities, emblematic of the translational aspects of our work.