Jesse Raab – Principal Investigator

Jesse got his PhD at The University of California, Santa Cruz in Rohinton Kamakaka’s lab where he studied the role of human tRNA genes as genome organizing elements called insulators. He did his postdoctoral work in Terry Magnuson’s lab at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he focused on how the assembly and function of chromatin regulating complexes is regulated.

Margarita Dzama – Postdoctoral Scholar

Margarita received her PhD degree at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany in Michael Kühn’s lab, where she worked on deciphering the epigenetic regulation of various subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia and used this knowledge to propose a brand-new therapy for treating these leukemias . Outside the lab, Margarita can be found hiking, traveling, painting and dancing ballroom dances.

Lindsey Hernandez – Graduate Student (Pharmacology)

Lindsey received their bachelor’s in Genetics from Rutgers University in 2019 where they studied osteoporosis in the lab of Dr. Melissa Rogers. They came to UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 and worked in the lab of Dr. Mauro Calabrese studying the role of lncRNAs in the regulation of gene expression. Outside of lab, they enjoy doing martial arts and spending time with friends and family.

Deena Scoville – Research Technician

Deena received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2020, where she did research in a reproductive and endocrinology lab with Patricia Johnson studying the effects of FSH and IGF-1 on AMH expression in granulosa cellos small follicles in the laying hen. Outside the lab, Deena can be found playing rugby, hiking, and traveling.

Emma Bucklan – Research Technician

Emma received their bachelor’s degree in Biology from Duke University in 2021, where they also spent several years in the lab of Gustavo M. Silva studying the role of ubiquitination in the cellular response to oxidative stress. Outside of the lab, Emma can be found writing piano music, creating films, playing video games, or making science jokes.

Alumni

Carl Manner – Research Technician

Carl has a Master’s Degree from UNC Greensboro where he worked on Wnt signaling. He went on to a Research Technician position at Houston Methodist working on liver transplant biology and outcomes. He is currently a graduate student at Duke University