• Karl-Dimiter Bissig

    Chen Family Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

    Email: karldimiter.bissig@duke.edu
    Education

    MD, School of Medicine, University of Bern, 01/1996

    PhD, School of Medicine, University of Bern, 01/2000

    Clinical Fellowship, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University Hospital Bern, 01/2005

    Postdoctoral Fellowship, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 02/2011

    About Me
    My fascination with the liver first began during my medical training, influenced by interdisciplinary hepatology research going on at University of Bern. After completing my medical education, I pursued a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry working on Wilson's Disease and moved to the US as a postdoc in cancer biology and gene therapy after completing my PhD and internal medicine fellowship. During my education, I have kept the vision of doing interdisciplinary research to improve human health in mind. It is something I have carried over through my time at the Salk Institute and Baylor College of Medicine, where I started my own lab. I am excited to continue pursuing that vision at Duke University and expand therapeutic alternatives to children with inborn error of metabolism.
    Outside the lab, I am interested in exploring other countries and cultures, kite surfing and snowboarding or just having a good time with my family and friends
  • Beatrice Bissig-Choisat

    Assistant Professor

    Email: beatrice.bissigchoisat@duke.edu
    Education
    D.V.M, University of Bern, Switzerland
    About Me
    I am a veterinarian-scientist with expertise in human liver chimeric mice. I developed different model for metabolic liver disease. My research interest focus is in liver metabolism, particularly NAFLD.
    Outside of research, I am an avid reader and love to hike, swim and kitesurf. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes for the family and friends.
  • Sabrina Collias

    Lab Manager

    Email: sabrina.collias@duke.edu
    Education
    B.S. Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    About Me
    I am a Research Technician in the Bissig Lab. I am experienced with mouse colony management, sample collection, processing, and analysis. I graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Outside the lab, you can find me listening to audible books and painting.
  • Tong Chen

    Ph.D. Candidate

    Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University
    Email: tong.chen8@duke.edu
    Education
    M.D. Wenzhou Medical University, China
    M.S. Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, China
    About Me
    I am interested in genome engineering in the liver and developing novel therapeutic strategies to cure chronic HBV infection. In my spare time I like to bake, draw, and take photos.
  • Madeline Hemmingsen

    Ph.D. Candidate

    Genetics and Genomics, Duke University
    Email: madeline.hemmingsen@duke.edu
    Education
    B.S. Genetics, Clemson University
    About Me
    I am a Ph.D. student working on treating inborn errors of metabolism in the liver using novel murine models, CRISPR/Cas9 and AAV technology. I was drawn to the Bissig lab by the interdisciplinary and translational approach our lab takes, in addition to the cutting edge research. When I'm not in the lab, you can find me horseback riding, working on DIY projects, learning Russian, gaming, or hanging out with my two cats.
  • Alex Ma

    Ph.D. Candidate

    Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
    Email: yunhan.ma@duke.edu
    Education
    B.S. Bioengineering, University of California San Diego
    About Me
    I am a PhD student interested in engineering novel genetic engineering and viral tools in understanding and treating liver diseases. In my free time I enjoy watercolor painting, reading, and baking.
  • Maiya Fujiwara

    PhD Student

    Email:
    Education
    About Me
  • Xinning Li

    Masters Student

    Email: xinning.li@duke.edu
    Education
    About Me
  • Gordon He

    Undergraduate Student

    Biology and Computer Science, Duke University
    About Me
    I am an undergraduate student majoring in Biology and Computer Science. I am drawn towards medicinal research, particularly translational medicine. I am also interested in the technological aspects of research, namely bioinformatics. In my free time, I like to read, swim, and spend time with my friends and family.
  • Yuxi "Jaden" Long

    Undergraduate Student

    Biology and Computer Science, Duke University
    About Me
    I am an undergraduate student in the class of 2024 studying biology and computer science. I am interested in computational biology, and am currently working on a project that segments microscopy data and analyze cell dynamics under a microscope. I am exploring further computational biology technologies like protein design. In his spare time, I enjoy playing the classical guitar, the harpsichord, listening to obscure music, and playing frisbee.
  • Siddharth Naidu

    Undergraduate Student

    Computer Science, Duke University
    About Me
    I am a senior undergrad at Duke University pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. I'm passionate about exploring the intersection of biological research and computer science
  • Natasha Murugan

    Undergraduate Student

    Biology, Duke University
    About Me
    I am a undergraduate student majoring in Biology. I am interested in exploring gene editing, bioinformatics, and cellular biology. In my free time, I enjoy painting, dancing, and reading.
  • Athena Yeung

    Undergraduate Student

    Biology and Economics, Duke University
    About Me
    I am an undergraduate in the class of 2026 studying biology and economics. I am interested in the intersection of healthcare and business and have previous experience as a research intern at The Foundry, a medical technology incubator. I am passionate about advancing life-science innovations to help address unmet clinical needs. In my free time, I enjoy running, cooking, traveling, and going to the beach.