Jessica LaMae Whited, Ph.D.
Jessica holds a BA in Philosophy and a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri. She earned her PhD at MIT, where she studied neuronal architecture in Paul Garrity's lab. As a postdoc in Cliff Tabin's lab at Harvard Medical School, Jessica focused on developing tools to more thoroughly investigate axolotl limb regeneration, and she established a breeding colony of axolotls. These animals were the seeds of the Whited Lab's first home in Brigham and Women's Hospital. Now at Harvard University, Jessica is an Assistant Professor, a Principal Faculty member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute. She has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) as well as the NIH New Innovator and NSF CAREER awards. A native of Michigan, Jessica's interest in biology started with butterflies and time in the woods. Outside of lab, Jessica's usually hanging out with her twin 13-year-old boys.
Jessica holds a BA in Philosophy and a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri. She earned her PhD at MIT, where she studied neuronal architecture in Paul Garrity's lab. As a postdoc in Cliff Tabin's lab at Harvard Medical School, Jessica focused on developing tools to more thoroughly investigate axolotl limb regeneration, and she established a breeding colony of axolotls. These animals were the seeds of the Whited Lab's first home in Brigham and Women's Hospital. Now at Harvard University, Jessica is an Assistant Professor, a Principal Faculty member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute. She has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) as well as the NIH New Innovator and NSF CAREER awards. A native of Michigan, Jessica's interest in biology started with butterflies and time in the woods. Outside of lab, Jessica's usually hanging out with her twin 13-year-old boys.
Duygu Payzin-Dogru, Ph.D.
Duygu is currently a postdoctoral fellow in our lab. She earned her PhD here as well, as a student in the BBS program at Harvard Medical School. She earned her B.S. degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bilkent University, and holds an M.S. degree in Molecular Biology from Koc University. In her spare time, Duygu enjoys reading, doing yoga and traveling, and she is passionate about animal welfare.
Aaron Savage, Ph.D.
Aaron graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics from the University of Nottingham, UK, staying to complete a Masters in Developmental Biology, where he worked on haematopoietic stem cell development in zebrafish. He later moved to the University of Sheffield, UK, to complete his PhD where he studied vascular development in zebrafish, focussing on how calcium signalling regulates angiogenesis, and subsequently undertook a postdoc at the University of Nottingham, working on CRISPR knock-in strategies for gene therapy. Aaron joined the Whited lab in 2022 to study vascular remodelling during limb regeneration in axolotls. Aaron is broadly interested in both how blood and blood vessels evolved and how understanding postembryonic vascular remodelling can be used for therapeutic benefit. Outside of the lab, Aaron enjoys jogging, reading, watching soccer and brewing mead.
Benjamin Tajer, Ph.D.
Ben received his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania studying BMP signaling during dorsal-ventral patterning in the zebrafish embryo. He joined the Whited lab as a post doc in 2021. During his postdoc, he aims to identify the key genes required for blastema cell specification during axolotl limb regeneration. He is currently developing a live blastema cell reporter, which will allow him to isolate and profile blastema cells during the very first stages of blastema specification. He is also working towards a multiplex CRISPR screen to identify the key genes required for entry into the blastema cell state.
Sangwon Min, Ph.D.
Sangwon earned his B.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and obtained his Ph.D. degree in Oral Biology from the University at Buffalo. He investigated the role of transcription factor p63 in salivary gland stem/progenitor cell fate decision, lineage commitment, proliferation, and differentiation in Rose-Anne Romano Lab. Sangwon joined the lab in 2021 and is interested in understanding biological network and pathways associated with limb regeneration.
Steven Blair
Steven came to the Whited lab as a bioinformatics fellow while still a student at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell. He earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences, with a concentration in Bioinformatics before officially taking the role as the lab’s Bioinformaticist. Steven is passionate about axolotl transcriptomics and uses his computer science background to solve problems using bioinformatic tools in the challenging axolotl model. In his spare time he enjoys teaching ABE, mentoring STEM at the boys and girls club, and all kinds of fabrication like additive fabrication, tinkering, carpentry, and diesel engines.
Hani Singer
As lab manager, Hani is responsible for the coordination between the researchers, administration, and lab operations to facilitate the various projects of the Whited Lab. Hani received his BS in Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Outside of the lab, Hani’s interests include taking care of his houseplants, skiing, tennis, piano and music production.
Kelly Dooling
Kelly is a Research Assistant whose main role is to manage the Whited Lab axolotl facility. She earned a BA in Environmental Studies from New York University and a MS in Marine Biology from Northeastern University, where she studied shark behavior. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, doing yoga, and scuba diving (when weather allows).
Paul Gilbert
Paul is a French student from Polytech Nice-Sophia, where he studied Biological Engineering. After studying human cell pluripotency at Exeter University, he has come to the Whited Lab at Harvard to study regeneration in the axolotl salamander. After Harvard, he plans to do a PhD in the field of regenerative medicine.
Noah Lopez
Noah is a graduate student in the BBS program at Harvard Medical School. He received his B.S degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at UCLA. Outside of lab, he likes to cook, hang out with friends, and find new hobbies to try out.
Shifa Hossain
Shifa Hossain is a an undergraduate student in Harvard college. She was born and raised in LA and has had a passion in research since high school. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching informational videos during her spare time, such as Ted-Ed and Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.
Anika Allen
Anika is a Harvard College undergraduate studying Neuroscience with a secondary in African American Studies. She is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and currently lives in Adams House. In her free time, Anika enjoys playing and watching soccer, reading, and doing anything outdoors. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an MD and eventually becoming a neurosurgeon.
Maddy Kidd
Maddy is an undergraduate at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. She grew up in Virginia and now calls Kirkland House home. She is on the board of the Harvard Science Review and mentors local elementary school students with Science Club for Girls, both in efforts to make STEM fields more accessible and diverse. In the future, she plans on attending medical school and has an interest in oncology. Outside of academics and extracurriculars, Maddy loves reading, baking, and spending time with her or Kirkland’s house dogs.
Alexandra Wagner
Alexandra Wagner is a class of 2024 undergraduate at Harvard College studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. She is from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and currently lives in Adams House. Outside of research, Alexandra is the Co-Director for Strong Women, Strong Girls, a female mentorship organization, and the Co-Philanthropy Chair for Adams House. She additionally enjoys reading, painting, running, and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, Alexandra plans to attend medical school, where she wants to specialize in surgery.
Ryan Kim
Ryan is an undergraduate student at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology, and Global Health and Health Policy. He is from New York, and he became especially interested in biology while working at the Central Park Zoo. Outside of the lab, Ryan provides legal assistance to individuals who have been denied health coverage by their insurance. In his free time, he enjoys making digital art, playing tennis, and playing piano.
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellows:
Burcu Erdogan, PhD (postdoc; currently postdoc, Boston University)
Konstantinos "Kostas" Sousounis, PhD (postdoc; currently Asst. Professor, University of New Hampshire)
Nicholas Leigh, PhD (postdoc; currently Asst. Professor, Lund University, Sweden)
Fallon Durant, PhD (postdoc; currently embryologist)
Kimberly Johnson, PhD (postdoc; currently scientist, Foundation Medicine)
Tzu-Hsing (April) Kuo, PhD (postdoc; currently Senior Scientist, Acceleron Pharma, Cambridge, MA)
Tia DiTommaso, PhD (postdoc; currently Senior Director, Clinical Pharmacology, Arbor Biotechnologies, Cambridge, MA)
Tae Lee, PhD (postdoc; currently scientist at GlaxoSmithKline)
Graduate Students:
Victor Cat (visiting researcher; currently masters student at Ecole Normale Supérieure)
Donald Bryant, PhD (Harvard BBS program, HHMI Gilliam fellow; defended July, 2017; currently Executive Search and Assessment Professional at Russell Reynolds Associates)
Rachelle Mariano (Harvard BBS program, awarded master's degree; currently programmer in industry)
Staff:
Sarah Wilson (RA; currently PhD student at Stanford University)
Juan Carlos Velazquez Matos (post-bacc student; currently PhD student in the Harvard BBS program)
Madison Hurley (RA, currently PhD student at U. New Hampshire)
Anna Guzikowski (technician; currently PhD candidate at UCSD)
Greg Gundberg (RA)
Janine Kopeski (aquatics technician; currently head coach/aquatics director for a swim team)
Nicole Mejia (undergrad technician)
Students:
Colleen Carmody (student assistant, Simmons College; currently student researcher in Dr. Matt Harris's lab, HMS)
Samantha Furgason (student assistant, Simmons College; currently a registered nurse)
Neng Thao (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2015; currently Youth Development and Employment Coordinator, Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle)
Mandi Nyambi (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2015; currently MPH student, Columbia U.)
May Barakat (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2016; currently MD/PhD student at University of Illinois-Chicago)
Frankie Davis (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2016; currently Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps)
Emily Pate (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2016; currently enlisted in the U.S. Navy)
Joel Bateman (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2017)
Cameron Waites (HMS MD student, Pursuing Interests in Medicine researcher)
Nathaniel Dale (high school student; currently undergraduate at Emmanuel College)
Anna Saltman (MS student from BU; currently MD student at U. Cincinnati)
Aaron Sandoval (summer undergrad researcher 2x, U. Florida; currently Marshall Scholar in UK)
Rachel Oshiro (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2019; now tech at Broad Institute/Feng Zhang lab)
Alan Wong (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2019; now MD/PhD student at Harvard)
Jose Martinez Fernandez (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2020; currently PhD student at UC Berkeley in Chemistry and NSF GRFP Fellow)
Nina Uzoigwe (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2021; now MD/PhD student at NYU)
Michael Del Mundo (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2022; now RA, Brigham & Women's Hospital)
Postdoctoral Fellows:
Burcu Erdogan, PhD (postdoc; currently postdoc, Boston University)
Konstantinos "Kostas" Sousounis, PhD (postdoc; currently Asst. Professor, University of New Hampshire)
Nicholas Leigh, PhD (postdoc; currently Asst. Professor, Lund University, Sweden)
Fallon Durant, PhD (postdoc; currently embryologist)
Kimberly Johnson, PhD (postdoc; currently scientist, Foundation Medicine)
Tzu-Hsing (April) Kuo, PhD (postdoc; currently Senior Scientist, Acceleron Pharma, Cambridge, MA)
Tia DiTommaso, PhD (postdoc; currently Senior Director, Clinical Pharmacology, Arbor Biotechnologies, Cambridge, MA)
Tae Lee, PhD (postdoc; currently scientist at GlaxoSmithKline)
Graduate Students:
Victor Cat (visiting researcher; currently masters student at Ecole Normale Supérieure)
Donald Bryant, PhD (Harvard BBS program, HHMI Gilliam fellow; defended July, 2017; currently Executive Search and Assessment Professional at Russell Reynolds Associates)
Rachelle Mariano (Harvard BBS program, awarded master's degree; currently programmer in industry)
Staff:
Sarah Wilson (RA; currently PhD student at Stanford University)
Juan Carlos Velazquez Matos (post-bacc student; currently PhD student in the Harvard BBS program)
Madison Hurley (RA, currently PhD student at U. New Hampshire)
Anna Guzikowski (technician; currently PhD candidate at UCSD)
Greg Gundberg (RA)
Janine Kopeski (aquatics technician; currently head coach/aquatics director for a swim team)
Nicole Mejia (undergrad technician)
Students:
Colleen Carmody (student assistant, Simmons College; currently student researcher in Dr. Matt Harris's lab, HMS)
Samantha Furgason (student assistant, Simmons College; currently a registered nurse)
Neng Thao (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2015; currently Youth Development and Employment Coordinator, Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle)
Mandi Nyambi (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2015; currently MPH student, Columbia U.)
May Barakat (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2016; currently MD/PhD student at University of Illinois-Chicago)
Frankie Davis (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2016; currently Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps)
Emily Pate (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2016; currently enlisted in the U.S. Navy)
Joel Bateman (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2017)
Cameron Waites (HMS MD student, Pursuing Interests in Medicine researcher)
Nathaniel Dale (high school student; currently undergraduate at Emmanuel College)
Anna Saltman (MS student from BU; currently MD student at U. Cincinnati)
Aaron Sandoval (summer undergrad researcher 2x, U. Florida; currently Marshall Scholar in UK)
Rachel Oshiro (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2019; now tech at Broad Institute/Feng Zhang lab)
Alan Wong (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2019; now MD/PhD student at Harvard)
Jose Martinez Fernandez (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2020; currently PhD student at UC Berkeley in Chemistry and NSF GRFP Fellow)
Nina Uzoigwe (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2021; now MD/PhD student at NYU)
Michael Del Mundo (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2022; now RA, Brigham & Women's Hospital)