Lab Members
Alan D. D’Andrea, M.D.
Director: Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers
Director: Center for DNA Damage and Repair
The Fuller-American Cancer Society Professor
Harvard Medical School
Department of Radiation Oncology
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Alexandra Feinstein
Program Manager
Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers
Assistant to Dr. Alan D'Andrea
Sirisha Mukkavalli, Ph.D.
Lab Manager
Postdoctoral Fellows
Ramya Ravindranathan, Ph.D.
- Research Focus: My goal has been to understand how DNA damage response pathway is regulated and how it can be exploited to develop effective targeted therapeutic measures. Specifically, my work focusses on development of novel biomarkers of DDR inhibitor response and to understand their mechanism of action.
- Fun Fact/Hobby: Outside lab, I enjoy dancing and teaching dance.
Shuhei Asada, M.D., Ph.D.
- Research Focus: I would like to develop novel therapeutic strategies for cancer and Fanconi anemia by targeting DNA repair pathways
- Fun Fact/Hobby: I enjoy watching baseball games.
Martha Velazquez Avila, Ph.D.
- Research Focus: My research is focused on two main aspects: 1) understanding DNA damage response in Fanconi Anemia (FA) cells and 2) exploring new therapies for FA patients that can improve bone marrow failure
- Fun Fact/Hobby: I love salsa dancing
Amira Elbakry, Ph.D.
- Research Focus: I am interested in understanding how HR factors influence drug response in ovarian cancer cells in order to identify biomarkers tailored to maximize benefit of specific cancer treatments.
- Fun Fact/Hobby: On a quest to find the best pizza place in Boston.
Clinical Fellows
Jeffrey Patterson-Fortin, M.D.,Ph.D.
- Research Focus: I study microhomology-mediated end-joining DSB repair, with particular emphasis on polymerase theta, and pancreatic cancer.
- Fun Fact/Hobby: Outside of lab, I enjoy being active in the outdoors.
Instructors
Divya Iyer, Ph.D.
- Research Focus: I am exploring how DNA repair regulation impacts the therapeutic responses to PARP inhibitors and platinum-based drugs. My work is supported by post-doctoral fellowship award from the Foundation of Women’s Cancer funded by TESARO
- Fun Fact/Hobby: I love Hiking, cooking, word games, watching standup comedy shows. I am also a Potterhead.
Feng Li, PhD.
- Research Focus: My research is mainly focused on understanding of the mechanisms of genome instability during cancer development and aging. I am particularly interested in DNA damage repair, DNA replication, cell cycle regulation and telomere biology.
- Fun Fact/Hobby: I enjoy photography.
Staff Scientists
Huy Nguyen, A.L.M., M.S.
Computational Biologist, Center for DNA Damage and Repair
Research Focus: I perform various bioinformatics and computational analyses for scientists in D’Andrea laboratory and Center for DNA Damage and Repair.
Fun Fact/Hobby: I enjoy playing tennis with my colleagues and family.
Kalindi Parmar, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist, Center for DNA Damage and Repair
-
Ozge S. Somuncu, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist and Organoid Center Director
Research Focus: Responsible for the production of patient specific organoid models for cancers.
Fun Fact/Hobby: I am a former musician and a current marathon runner.
Technicians
Lige (Regal) Jiang B.S. (Lab Safety Officer)
- Research Focus: I perform invitro experiments and assist postdocs on various aspects of Fanconi Anemia Research. I also play a key role in maintaining daily laboratory operations.
- Fun Fact/Hobby: I like keeping busy.
The Comprehensive Center for Fanconi Anemia
Lisa Moreau, M.S.
Senior Research Scientist and Director of Cytogenetics
Lucas O'Donnell Cytogenetics Technician
Sarah Tillson Cytogenetics Technician II
Zoe Maguire Cytogentics Technician