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 Associate 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 15-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 Associate 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 15-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.
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.
Julia Paoli
Julia is a graduate student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Harvard Medical School. She received a B.S. in marketing and a minor in integrative biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. During undergrad, she studied the mutualism between soybeans and rhizobia (a diverse group of bacteria that fix nitrogen within the roots of soybeans and other legumes). After graduation, she worked as a research assistant studying the role that protein quality control, specifically selective autophagy, has in neurodegenerative disease. Julia is passionate about literacy, animal welfare, regenerative biology, and molecular mechanisms of repair. She enjoys reading, baking, painting, and spending time with friends in her free time.
Celeste Wu (Sum Ying)
Celeste is currently a graduate student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Harvard Medical School. She completed her B.S. degrees in Bioengineering and EECS at the University of California, Berkeley. During her undergraduate years, she worked on gene characterization for Xenopus gastrulation in the Harland lab. Celeste is interested in studying key gene regulators of regeneration, performing cross-species comparisons, and optimising the generation of mutant lines. She is passionate about mentoring undergraduates, digital art, theater, and fusion food.
Eric Wynn
Eric is currently a postbaccalaureate student in the Research Scholar Initiatives program at Harvard. He is from North Carolina and graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He is currently working on creating a reporter cell line for a gene of interest, Kazald2. After Harvard, he plans to pursue a PhD in regenerative or developmental biology.
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. He is currently finalizing his Master's in Biotechnology at the Harvard Extension School while working full time in the Whited Lab. Outside of the lab, Hani’s interests include taking care of his houseplants, skiing, tennis, piano and music production.
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. He is currently finalizing his Master's in Biotechnology at the Harvard Extension School while working full time in the Whited Lab. Outside of the lab, Hani’s interests include taking care of his houseplants, skiing, tennis, piano and music production.
Kara Thornton
Kara is a full-time animal technician working in the zebrafish and axolotl facilities for the Whited and Fishman labs. She earned a BS in Biological Sciences from Florida State University. She likes to travel and spent 4 months studying abroad in Montpellier, France.
Julia Thulander
Julia is a full time animal technician in the axolotl facility. She has a B.S. in biology from Dickinson College and a M.S. in biology from Tennessee Tech University. During her masters degree she worked on defining the thermal tolerance of streamside salamanders (Ambystoma barbouri) and designed methods to raise the species in captivity. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, and crocheting.
Sebastian Böhm
Sebastian is an Austrian student at the University of Vienna. He received his Bachelor's degree in Biology-Anthropology and is currently studying for his Master's in Cognitive, Behavioral and Neurobiology, and Molecular Biology. In his free time, he enjoys climbing, reading, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Tim Froitzheim
Tim is a German student at Maastricht University, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on Regenerative Medicine. He is set to graduate and leave the lab by July 2025 and plans to pursue a PhD in Europe. In his free time, Tim enjoys exercising and playing chess.
Connor Powell
Connor is a PhD student at Northeastern University with a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering. At the Whited Lab, he began working on the optimization of Nanopore sequencing technology and RNA extractions. This work transitioned into an independent project in which Connor began studying pancreatic regeneration in axolotls. This project utilizes several techniques such as Nanopore sequencing, HCR FISH, and immunohistochemistry to analyze the pancreatic response to injury. Outside of the lab, he enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and playing music.
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.
Anna Luong
Anna is a class of 2025 undergraduate student at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. She is from Worcester, Massachusetts, and lives in Lowell House. Outside of lab she is an EMT through Harvard's CrimsonEMS and teaches English to English second language speakers through PBHA in Dorchester and Chelsea. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants in the Boston area, learning new languages, and spending time with her 3 younger sisters. After graduation, she sees herself attending medical school where she is particularly intrigued with exploring pediatric care and surgery.
Hayden Graham
Hayden is an undergraduate student (’26) at Harvard College studying Biomedical Engineering. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, he currently lives in Leverett House. A longtime aquatic animal enthusiast, he has kept saltwater aquariums for over ten years. At the Whited lab, Hayden develops neuroengineering strategies to study the axolotl brain during limb regeneration. Outside of the lab, he serves as the chair of the House Committees, organizing community events and traditions at the College.
Karly Chan
Karly is currently a senior at Harvard College double majoring in Neuroscience (Computational track) and Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a minor in Computer Science. Outside of the lab, she spends her time singing in the Radcliffe Pitches, teaching science lessons to kindergartners with PBHA Experimentors, and biking around the Charles!
Ashley Juarez
Ashley is a class of 2026 undergraduate at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. She is from Clifton, New Jersey, and currently lives in Kirkland House. Outside of lab and academics, Ashley likes to go shopping with her friends, try out new restaurants, and go to the movies.
Miranda Thai
Miranda is an undergraduate at Harvard College studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and East Asian Studies. She is also working towards a Language Citation in Japanese. Outside of the lab, she plays violin with the Harvard Pops Orchestra and teaches kids culinary and violin skills. In her free time, she enjoys watching shows and trying new cafes with friends.
Erica Chen
Erica is an undergraduate student at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Linguistics on the Mind, Brain, Behavior track. She is from New Jersey, and currently lives in Leverett House. Outside of the lab, she works with children on the ASD and Down Syndrome spectrum, tutors, and offers translation services for those in need. In her spare time, she enjoys music, exploring, and spending time with friends.
Elane Kim
Elane is an undergraduate student at Harvard College from California who is interested in both science and the humanities. In addition to axolotls, she enjoys creative writing, baguettes, and being by the water.
Noora Harake
Noora is an undergraduate at Wellesley College studying Biology and History. She has a background in cancer immunology research at the Koch Institute at MIT, but after developing an interest in regenerative medicine, she has decided to join the Whited Lab. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running, cooking, and cruising on her Vespa along the beach on weekends. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in stem cell or regenerative Biology.
Noora is an undergraduate at Wellesley College studying Biology and History. She has a background in cancer immunology research at the Koch Institute at MIT, but after developing an interest in regenerative medicine, she has decided to join the Whited Lab. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running, cooking, and cruising on her Vespa along the beach on weekends. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in stem cell or regenerative Biology.
Tia Patel
Tia is an undergraduate student at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental Regenerative Biology and Global Health, Health Policy. She is from Waltham, Massachusetts and axolotls have always been her favorite animal! Outside of lab, she teaches health fluency workshops to individuals learning English and is an advocate for medical policy reform. She also is involved with dance groups on campus and loves all things music.
Tia is an undergraduate student at Harvard College, studying Human Developmental Regenerative Biology and Global Health, Health Policy. She is from Waltham, Massachusetts and axolotls have always been her favorite animal! Outside of lab, she teaches health fluency workshops to individuals learning English and is an advocate for medical policy reform. She also is involved with dance groups on campus and loves all things music.
Laurel Shugart
Laurel is an undergraduate at Harvard College studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Computer Science with a language citation in Tagalog. Outside of the lab, they enjoy writing for The Harvard Crimson and mentoring high school robotics. In their free time, they enjoy journaling and trying new food around Boston!
Parnitha Bandla
Parnitha is a first-year at Harvard College from Illinois and is planning on studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. Outside of lab, she is a part of the Harvard Undergraduate Science Olympiad. In her free time, she likes to build legos, embroider, and listen to music.
Anthony Striker
Anthony Striker is a first-year Harvard College undergrad from Berlin, Germany, planning to concentrate in molecular and cellular biology. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing soccer, spending time with friends and (when in warmer climates than New England or Berlin) surfing.
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellows:
Benjamin Tajer, PhD (postdoc)
Sangwon Min, PhD (postdoc; currently postdoc)
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:
Paul Gilbert (visiting researcher; currently masters student)
Antoine Decaux (visiting researcher)
Donald Bryant, PhD (Harvard BBS program, HHMI Gilliam fellow; defended July, 2017; currently Executive Search and Assessment Professional at Russell Reynolds Associates)
Sarah Jay (visiting researcher; currently masters student at Ecole Normale Supérieure)
Victor Cat (visiting researcher; currently masters student at Ecole Normale Supérieure)
Rachelle Mariano (Harvard BBS program, awarded master's degree; currently programmer in industry)
Staff:
Kelly Dooling (RA; currently PhD student at University of Münster)
Steven Blair (Bioinformatician)
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)
Shifa Hossain (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2023; now MD student at Cornell)
Alexandra Wagner (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2024)
Maddy Kidd (undergrad researcher, Harvard, class of 2024)
Glory Kalu (undergrad researcher, Northeastern class of 2025)
Alparslan Karabacak (undergrad researcher, Northeastern class of 2025)
Rachna Chilambi (undergrad researcher)