The Truong lab is located in Manhattan in the new Bioengineering Institute, just blocks away from NYU School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, and the Alexandria Center for Life Sciences in NYC. We share an open space with the laboratories of Alesha Castillo, Irene De Lazaro, Mike Wosczyna, Andreas Hielscher, and Thorsten Kirsch.
Happy Hour July 2022
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 Students
Research Technicians
MS, Biotechnolgy 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 21' - May 22' MS student
Jun 22' - present Technician
Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoc
Prior Postdoc @Columbia University
PhD and BS, Biochemistry @Arizona State University
I’m originally from South Korea, but I call Arizona home. I explored various fields of science, from membrane protein biophysics (NMR) to CRISPR-transposon biochemistry and structural studies. I wanted to expand my scientific training to the application side of genome engineering, and I became interested in stem cell research and cell therapies.
Fun facts: I played the piano with the legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea on stage once. I am a passionate jazz fan, and I love cooking and baking.
Minjoo Kim, PhD
Dec 2021 - present
MS student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
BS, Biophysical Sciences @Regents University
Hello, I’m from Kenya and Raleigh, North Carolina. I’m currently a Graduate student pursuing my Masters in Biomedical Engineering at NYU Tandon. I did my undergraduate in Biophysical Sciences at Regent University, VA. My previous research was in Microbiome Resistance-mutation. I was initially introduced to Carcinogens, Mutation, and Genetic Engineering concepts involving CRISPR Cas9 and combined Immunology, Biochemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology concepts, and it resonated with me! I am interested in applying those concepts to Cancer Therapy through genetics to prevent further spread and improve health.
Fun Facts: I love Travelling, Music, Sports, Food, Learning new languages & cultures, and exploring the world with my family and friends!
Sheila Atieno
Jan 2022 - present
MS Students
Past Members
Sophomore, Biomolecular Sciences @NYU tandon
Hi! I am from Istanbul and lived there for 19 years before coming to NYC for college, so I’ve always been fond of living in a big city. I am a rising sophomore at NYU Tandon, studying Biomolecular Science with a minor in Computer Science. I worked in a tuberculosis molecular epidemiology lab last year. The possibilities of applying molecular biology to find solutions in the health field motivate me to pursue my studies, and I am very excited to be involved with research in genetic engineering and synthetic biology, which have significant implications in the future.
Fun Facts: I love exploring the tri-state area whenever I get the chance. I play the guitar, sing, and take photographs in my free time. Learning about different cultures always interests me, and New York is one of the best places to be exposed to all types of cuisines and people.
Ece Aydin
Jun 2022 - present
Summer student
Undergraduates
Eunice Chai
Jan - May 2022
MS student, Biotechnology @NYU Tandon
BS @University of Connecticut
Robby Moebius
Jan - May 2022
MS student, Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
BS, Biomedical Engineering @Texas A&M
After: Sales Rep, Stem Cell Technologies
Sophomore, Biomolecular Sciences @NYU tandon
Hello! I am originally from Albania, but I was born in Prishtina, Kosovo. I am a rising sophomore studying Biomolecular Science at Tandon. My passion for biology started at a young age, as it has always been my dream to engineer solutions that can help improve people’s lives. I am still exploring different fields of biology, however, genetics/genomics, stem cell, and cancer research have always piqued my interest. My hope is to pursue higher education in Bioengineering, and work towards developing therapeutics for different kinds of diseases.
Fun Facts: Traveling and working out are two of my favorite hobbies. I am also a huge MotoGP fan, and Valentino Rossi is my favorite rider.
Iris Bibolli
Jun 2022 - present
Summer student
MS student, Bioinformatics @NYU Tandon
BIGY7683 Course Assistant
BS, Journalism @Ohio University
Hello! I am originally from Ohio but I reside in Brooklyn, NY. Currently, I am in the second year of my master's degree in the Bioinformatics program at NYU. I received my undergraduate degree from Ohio University (I've been a bobcat twice now!) and have a background in data analytics and data science. I am interested in neurodegenerative disorders, genetics, and oncology.
Charlee Cobb
Aug 2022 - present
Research Team
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering @NYU Tandon
Associated Faculty, 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
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). I've explored research in many exciting ways, including entomology, diagnostics, MRI, and machine learning, before finally settling down with biotechnology. I love solving problems and hope to use stem cells to treat immune disorders.
Fun Facts: I don’t have any set-in-stone hobbies so I pick up whatever sounds fun. So if you ever want to talk about learning languages, making kombucha, playing D&D, or anything else, just let me know!
Sumanth Dara, MS
Sep 2022 - present
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
Senior, Biomolecular Sciences @NYU tandon
Hi! I’m from Montgomery, New Jersey which is a town right next to Princeton. I’m currently a senior at Tandon majoring in Biomolecular Science. My past research experience was focused in bioengineering and cell therapies and I am excited to learn more about how synthetic biology and genome engineering can be applied to develop therapies. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a career where I can contribute to the development of novel therapies and treatments for conditions like cancer.
Fun Facts: I love photography, exploring the city with my friends (especially new food places) and traveling!
Aarushi Varshney
Sep 2022 - present
Sruthi Metukuru
Jun - Dec 2022
MS student, Biotechnology @NYU Tandon
BE, Biotechnology @Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology,
Daniela Quijano
Sep - Dec 2022
MS student, Bioinformatics @NYU Tandon
BS, Biochemistry @Florida State University
After: Solutions Architect, Tempus Labs
MS student, Bioinformatics @NYU Tandon
BS, Biomedical laboratory diagnostics @Michigan State University
Peace, my name is Alasia and I was born and raised in New York City. I’m currently a graduate student pursuing my Masters in Bioinformatics at NYU Tandon. I earned my bachelor’s in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics from Michigan State University. A core aspiration of mine is to apply my technical and analytical skills in programming to my passion for health and wealthness. I am interested in biotechnology, immunology, and genetic engineering.
Fun facts: If I am not physically at one, I am internally luxuriating on a beach. Theatre, spicy food, traveling, and soulful music revitalize me!
