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
Okkeun Jung, Ph.D.
Chistina Bogdani
Student Doctor
Christina Bogdani earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating magna cum laude from Stony Brook University. She is currently a fourth-year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she has also completed a Master’s degree in Academic Medicine. Christina has contributed to oncology research at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Siolas Laboratory, focusing on emerging treatment strategies for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. She is currently applying to internal medicine residency programs, with the long-term goal of pursuing a fellowship in hematology and oncology.
Rexhina Karaj
Undergraduate Volunteer
Rexhina Karaj is an undergraduate at Hunter College pursuing a degree in Human Biology and a minor in Chemistry. During her time at Hunter, she has earned the prestigious title of McNulty Scholar. Currently, she is an undergraduate volunteer in the Siolas Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine. As a McNulty Scholar, Rexhina is passionate about the connection between scientific research and patient care. She is dedicated to pursuing a career in both medicine and research.
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.
Andrew Li
Undergraduate volunteer 
Andrew Li is an undergraduate student at New York University on the Prehealth track majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Chemistry. He received the Violet Internship & Research Award in his sophomore year. Andrew is currently an undergraduate volunteer for the Siolas Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is committed to a career in medicine and aspires to utilize his analytical background to advance cancer research.