Principal Investigator

Despina Siolas, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
M.D. Stony Brook School of Medicine
Ph.D. Stony Brook University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
B.S. St. John's University
Email: des2025@med.cornell.edu

Huanhuan Sun, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Researcher
Dr. Sun earned her PhD in Biology from Hunter College and holds a master's degree from Northwest A&F University in China. Her research journey has spanned across a variety of biological systems, including plants, fission yeast, and mammalian cells. Huanhuan continues to explore new frontiers in her field.
Chistina Bogdani
Medical School Volunteer
Christina Bogdani received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Stony Brook University with magna cum laude honors. She is currently a third year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and is also pursuing a Masters in Academic Medicine. She has spent her time volunteering as a research technician for the Siolas Laboratory in Weill Cornell Medicine, while writing a paper on future pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor treatments. Christina is interested in pursuing emergency medicine and oncology in the future.
Mayar Abdelalim
Undergraduate Volunteer

Mayar Abdelalim is an undergraduate at Hunter College, majoring in biological sciences with a minor in business studies. Her goals are to pursue a graduate degree and a career in clinical research. She is working as a research volunteer for the Siolas Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Andrew Wenger
Research Technician
Andrew Wenger is a research technician for the Siolas Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is interested in pursuing a graduate degree and career in clinical research, focusing on genomics and computational biology.
Katherine Bacchi
Research Technician
Katherine Bacchi received her bachelor’s degree with a major in Chemistry-Biochemistry and was an active member of Fairfield University’s chemistry research department. By working as a research technician at Weill Cornell Medicine, she aims to deepen her understanding of mutational variation during tumor development and its impact on drug therapy.
Nora Rahimian
Undergraduate Volunteer
Nora Rahimian is an undergraduate at Hunter College, pursuing a degree in Bioinformatics with a minor in Political Science and Chemistry. During her time at Hunter, she has earned the prestigious titles of Yalow Scholar, Thomas Hunter Scholar, and McNulty Scholar. Currently, she is volunteering at the Siolas Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine. Nora is passionate about pursuing a career in medicine and is dedicated to continuing her work in clinical research.

