Sarah Levovitz becomes Dr. Levovitz!
Sarah Levovitz becomes Dr. Levovitz!
Research Team
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor (core), Dept. of Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
Assistant Professor (associated), Dept. of Pathology @NYU School of Medicine
Member, Translational Immunology Center and Perlmutter Cancer Center
Program Director, MS in Bioinformatics @NYU Tandon Online
Postdoc @NYU Langone |PhD @UT Austin |BS @UC San Diego
My research interests have spanned the entirety of biology, from development, genetics, to biotechnology. The commonality though has been editing the genome. I am continually fascinated by the mysteries within genomes, how and why they're arranged, and the possibilities of writing them anew. I'm originally from Southern California, and spent many years in Austin, TX. Before joining the faculty at NYU, I was employee #3 at a recently acquired biotech startup called Neochromosome Inc (now a subsidiary of Opentrons Robotics).
Fun Facts: Long ago I was a swing dancer, frontman/guitarist in a band, and did musical theater. Now you'll find me kayaking, hiking, and enjoying the city.
David Truong, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoc
PhD, Biomedicine @CRG Barcelona
BS/MS, Medical Biotechnology @University of Naples
My hometown is Naples, in the South of Italy. I obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in medical biotechnology at the University of Naples, where I acquired my background in cell biology, with an emphasis on the cell secretory pathway and protein folding. Before joining NYU, I completed my PhD in biomedicine at the CRG in Barcelona, where I had the opportunity to study and work in the field of stem cell biology. My goal is to deepen my knowledge of synthetic biology and apply it to stem cells for cutting-edge cancer and regenerative medicine therapies.
Fun facts: I do love reading. I’m also really passionate about art in general. And I like to travel and get to know different customs and cultures.
Serena Generoso, PhD
Sep 2022 - present
PhD Students
PhD student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
MS and BS, Biomedical Engineering @Stony Brook University
I am originally from Queens, so I’ve been in NYC my whole life. I have a bachelor’s and master’s in biomedical engineering from Stony Brook University. My research background is in synthetic biology, and my goal for my PhD is to use synthetic biology to design and create new disease treatments. My research interests include genetic engineering, immunology, and stem cell biology.
Fun Facts: I did a minor in studio art in college, I play piano and guitar, and I have a pet bird.
Sarah Levovitz, MS
Sep 2021 - present
PhD student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
MS and BS, Bioengineering @University of California, Riverside
Hiya! I moved around a lot before settling in Bakersfield, CA (fun fact: it was recently named the worst city in America to grow up in). My path through research has been similarly all over the place. I’ve worked in entomology, neurology, MRI, and machine learning before finding my way to biotechnology. Now, I work on engineering myeloid cell survival and designing receptors for cell therapies. I love solving problems and ultimately hope to use stem cells to develop new treatments for immune disorders.
Fun Facts: I’m a serial hobbyist and tend to pick up whatever sounds fun at the time. So if you ever want to talk about learning languages, making kombucha, playing D&D, making watches, or whatever else I’ve gotten into lately, just let me know!
Sumanth Dara, MS
Sep 2022 - present
PhD student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
MS, Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship @NYU Tandon
BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering @University of Pennsylvania
Hello! I’m from the small town of Cranford, NJ, which is not so far from the city. I’m currently a second year master’s student in the biotechnology and entrepreneurship program at NYU Tandon. Before coming to NYU, I got my bachelor’s in chemical and bimolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, so if you need a good cheesesteak recommendation for a visit to Philadelphia, let me know! I’m very interested in oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, genetics, and the biotech industry.
Fun Facts: I am a professional theatre director and stage manager here in the city. I do photography and graphic design, and I’m very interested in activism.
Susanna Jaramillo
Sep 23' - present
Jun 22' - Aug 23' Technician
Sep 21' - May 22' MS student
PhD student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
MS Thesis, Biology (Bioinformatics) @NYU GSAS
BS, Biology/Physiology, @University of Washington, Seattle
I am originally from Las Vegas but I currently call Seattle my home after studying and then working there. I was originally premed and before I switched to research I had taken the MCAT and was a full time medical scribe. After switching I worked at a late series B synthetic biology startup as an associate scientist for a year where I was engineering strains of bacteria and yeast for the production of designer enzymes. I also worked in the company’s LIMS team and business development teams where I developed my interest in bioinformatics and further explored my interest in the business side of biotech. I am very excited to be here at NYU where I can once again be a student, broaden and deepen my knowledge base in MCD bio, and conduct medical research that is more aligned with the interests I developed during my premed era alongside my new interest in bioinformatics.
Fun Facts: I once took my leaking inflatable paddle board out on a lake 80 miles from the nearest city. I had to pump it up on the water to stay afloat but that little bit of danger was not enough to stop me from making that trip xD. I also enjoy photography, archery, and Magic: the gathering.
Shean Fu Phen
Sep 2025 - present
Sep 2023 - Aug 2025, MS
PhD Student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
BS, Chemical Engineering @Villanova University
TBD
Fun Facts: TBD
Aaron Sykes
Jun 2026 - present
Research Technicians
BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering @NYU Tandon
I am originally from the small village Sukil’ in the Carpathian Mountains part of Ukraine, but Phoenix, AZ has been my home for the past eight years. I’ve done machine learning, protein engineering, bio-circuits, and computational biophysics research in the past. My life goal is to see the world where all diseases and disorders have been eliminated. I am interested in immunoengineering along with most other fields of synthetic biology, as well as microfluidics and machine learning.
Fun Facts: I have a symbol of the race of bioengineers from Star Wars tattooed on my arm, I love long distance running in the scorching heat, I love philosophy, and the MET is my favorite spot in NYC.
Denys Vasyutyn
Jun 2026 - present
Sep 2025 - May 2026
MS Students
MS student, Bioinformatics @NYU Tandon
BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering @ Johns Hopkins University
I currently live in Seattle. I got my bachelors in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and decided to move back to my home in Seattle to work in the biotech industry for a few years before getting my masters. I currently work for a stem cell editing company called Universal Cells, while working toward my MS in Bioinformatics as a part time student. I am excited to learn as much as I can in the Truong Lab and am grateful for the opportunity to do so. I am interested in immunology, cell and gene therapies, bioinformatics, and stem cell research.
Fun Facts: I like mike n’ ikes, floating in bodies of water, and pepperoni pizza hot pockets
Brian Yi
Jan 2025 - present
MS student, Biotechnology @NYU Tandon
BS, Biology @William & Mary
Hello! I am a new MS Biotechnology Student at NYU Tandon so I just moved to NYC and am incredibly excited to be in the lab and the city the next two years! I went to William & Mary for undergrad and graduated with a biology major and studio art minor. During my 4 years of undergrad I worked in Dr. Diane Shakes' C. elegans lab specializing in spermatogenesis. From my biology major and work in Dr. Shakes' lab I found that I am most passionate about developmental/stem cell biology and its applications in healthcare. Now I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to work in Dr. Truong's lab and take biotechnology courses at Tandon!
Fun Facts: I LOVE art and lucky for me the Metropolitan Museum of Art here in NYC is my favorite art museum (I have been to a lot). I love to draw/paint from life and am looking forward to sketching in the city! I also enjoy running, swimming and spending lots of quality time with my friends (new and old).
Emily Larsen
Sep 2025 - present
MS student, Computer Science @NYU Tandon
BS, Biochemistry @Columbia University
I'm originally from Glastonbury, Connecticut (famous for its many farms and the Apple Harvest Festival). After finishing my B.A. in Biochemistry at Columbia University, I spent several years in Boston (let's go Celtics!) working at biotech startups before starting my M.S. in Computer Science at NYU Tandon. My research background is in genome engineering and synthetic biology, and I'm currently excited to apply computational biology tools to streamline cellular programming.
Fun facts: I was on a competitive pool/billiards team for a year. I'm a classically trained Kathak dancer and travel regularly for performances. Time permitting, I always opt to walk over any other mode of transit.
Anu Mathur
Jan 2026 - present
Undergraduate Students
Senior BS, Biomolecular Sciences @NYU Tandon
Hi! I’m originally from China and am currently a senior studying Biomolecular Science at NYU Tandon. My research interests include synthetic biology, neuroscience, oncology, and stem cell biology, particularly their applications in treating human disease. In Truong Lab, I’ve been working on engineering stem cell-based systems and developing genetic circuits for inducible neurotrophic factor secretion in a human brain-in-a-dish model. I’m especially interested in combining molecular biology and engineering to develop more precise cellular therapies, and I hope to continue exploring biotechnology through graduate research.
Fun Facts: I played guard on my school’s women’s basketball team for six years growing up. I’m a big fan of bands and live music. Outside of school, I enjoy exploring vintage stores and finding unique pieces around the city!
Jing Hu
Sep 2025 - present
Senior BS, Biomolecular Sciences @NYU Tandon
Hello, I’m originally from Sacramento and my first time stepping foot in NYC was my move in week freshman year. I am a rising senior studying Biomolecular Science with a minor in mathematics at NYU Tandon. Over the past two summers I worked in QC/R&D at Nivagen Pharmaceuticals where I gained experience with chemistry based research, using tools such as HPLC and TOC. I am currently also working as a lab assistant for the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department as well as co-leading the Gibson assembly and plasmid design subteam at NYU iGEM. I have a deep interest in the biological sciences as a whole, but especially virology, cancer, genetics, stem cells, and epigenetics. My lifelong goal is to have done research that pushes the boundaries of clinical medicine.
Fun Facts: I love soccer! I was a four year varsity starter in high school, and won the section championship in my junior year. I also enjoy active strategy games, I previously competed in 10 seasons of World of Tanks Blitz pro-league esports.
David Kedem
Jun 2026 - present
Senior BS, Biomolecular Sciences @NYU Tandon
TBD
Fun Facts: TBD
Cayden Auyeung
Jun 2026 - present
Past Members
Eunice Chai
Jan - May 2022
MS student, Biotechnology
Alasia Miller
Jan - May 23'
MS student, Bioinformatics
Robby Moebius
Jan - May 2022
MS student, BME
After: Sales Rep, Stem Cell Technologies
Sheila Atieno
Jan 22' - May 23'
MS student, BME
After: GMP tech, Duke
Sruthi Metukuru
Jun - Dec 2022
MS student, Biotechnology
After: Research Technician, Mount Sinai
Aarushi Varshney
Sep 22' - May 23'
BS student, BMS
After: Johnson and Johnson, PhD student UVA
Jonah Ayala
Jun 24' - Aug 24'
BS student, BME
@UT El Paso
UGSRP Summer student
After: MS, Cornell
Minjoo Kim, PhD
Dec 21' - Nov 24'
Postdoctoral Scholar
after: Staff Scientist at UCSF
Federico Jimenez
Feb 24' - Dec 24'
MS thesis, BME
Daniela Quijano
Sep - Dec 2022
MS student, Bioinformatics
After: Solutions Architect, Tempus Labs
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Kacie Carrier
Jun 23' - Aug 23'
BS student, CBE
UGSRP Summer student
After: Eli Lily internship; PhD student Carnegie Mellon
Shaun Chua
Dec 24' - Feb 25'
MS, Biology
Charlee Cobb
Sep 22' - May 23'
MS student, Bioinformatics
BIGY7683 Course Assistant
After: Data Analysit, Pfizer
Iris Biboli
Jun 22' - Aug 23'
BS student, BMS
UGSRP Summer student
After: Research Technician, Weill-Cornell Medicine
Brianna Williams
Jun 23' - May 25'
BS student, BMS
MS student, BME
after: Astra-Zeneca intern; Researcher Weill-Cornell Medicine
Riya Patel
Jun 24' - May 25'
BS student, BMS
after: intern Novanta Inc
Darin Kim
Jun 25' - Aug 25'
BS student, Brown U
Sabina Phanova
Jun 25' - Aug 25'
BS student, BMS
Tomoki Yanagi, MD PhD
Apr 23' - Nov 25'
Postdoctoral Fellow
after: Physician, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Heesung Tae
Sep 25' - Dec 25'
BS student, BioE, NYU AbuDhabi
Ece Aydin
Jun 22' - May 26'
BS, BMS; MS, BME
after: technician Mount Sinai