We are always sad to see people go, but we love following where they end up and their achievements down the road!
Mercedes Barzi
Medical Instructor
Education
B.S. and M.S. in Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona
Postdoctoral Associate, Stem Cell And Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 2011 - 2018/h6>
Research
Mercedes joined the lab in 2011 where she developed a novel human chimeric mouse model to study human drug metabolism. During her time in the lab she also focused on treating metabolic disorders such as Glutaric Aciduria using innovative therapies such as CRISPR/Cas9 engineering and AAV delivery.
Where they are now
Mercedes is now working as a clinical trial liason at Icon
Collin Johnson
Ph.D Student
Education
B.S Human Biology, University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
Research
Collin developed genetic animal models through CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering for the study of lethal metabolic liver disorders.
Where they are now
Collin is now a Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant at ZS
Nika Furey
Ph.D Student
Education
B.S Biotechnology, Missouri Baptist University
Ph.D Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
Research
Nika's primary focus was developing gene therapy options for metabolic diseases in human liver chimeric mice.
Where they are now
Nika is now working as a Medical Science Liaison for Sanofi
Xavier Legras
Lab Analyst Researcher I
Education
M.S. Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Evry, France
M.S. Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University
Research
Aside from being the lab manager and helping everyone on their projects, Xavier worked mainly on drug metabolism and looking at cytochrome SNPs.
Where they are now
Frank Pankowicz
Ph.D. Student, 2012-2017
Postdoc, 2017
Education
Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
Research
Frank worked on several different projects, including metabolic pathway reprogramming of hereditary tyrosinemia type I and developing a somatic liver knockout technique
Where they are now
Frank finished his Ph.D and Postdoc in the Bissig lab and moved on to Spark Therapeutics as a Research Scientist.
Celeste Santos
Research Associate
Education
M.D. Universidad Central de Venezuela, Venezuela
ResearchWhere they are now
Celeste is now working as a Pathology Resident at Cleveland Clinic
Franklin Wu
Undergraduate Student
Computer Science, Duke University
About Me
Franklin joined the Bissig Lab in September of 2021, and his research interests include computational biology, bioinformatics, and CRISPR gene therapy. In his free time, he likes to play basketball, solve crosswords, and work on coding projects. Franklin has since graduated and is now working at Palantir
Anna Demelo
Undergraduate Student
Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
About Me
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering with research interests in molecular biology. In my free time, I like to read, draw, and play tennis.
Kyle Ge
Undergraduate Student
Biology and Statistics, Duke University
About Me
Isabella Lafferty
Undergraduate Student
Biology and German, Duke University
About Me
I am a undergraduate majoring in Biology and German on a pre-med track. I am interested in the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to treat genetic diseases. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new coffee shops, practicing my German, and making charcuterie boards.