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Principal Investigator
Dr. Sofia B. Lizarraga is originally from Peru. She received her PhD from Johns Hopkins University studying the assembly of the mitotic spindle with Dr. Yixian Zheng. She became fascinated with the role of the cytoskeleton in neuronal development and did her postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School with Dr. Christopher A. Walsh. She continued her work in neurodevelopmental disorders with a focus on autism at Brown University as an investigator with Dr. Eric M. Morrow. She started her independent research group at University of South Carolina where she developed their research program on chromatin regulatory mechanisms in human brain development. Early in 2023 she moved her laboratory to Brown University. In 2025, she was promoted with tenure to Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry. Her laboratory is located at the Center for Translational Neuroscience. Besides science she enjoys art, the ocean, & foreign films. Instructor
Dr. Elisa York is originally from Canada. She received her PhD from the University of British Columbia, where she worked with Dr. Brian MacVicar on the role of cellular metabolism in regulating microglial immune activation. She then joined the lab of Dr. Gary Yellen at Harvard Medical School as a postdoctoral fellow, and in collaboration with Dr. Nathalie Agar at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, she studied how neurons regulate their metabolic demands during neuronal activation. As an Instructor with Dr. Lizarraga, she is studying the interplay of epigenetics and alternative splicing in neurodevelopment, with a particular focus on how genetic mutations associated with profound ASD might alter this process. In addition to science, she loves spending time outside and reading. Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Megha Jhanji is a postdoctoral fellow from India. She graduated from Panjab University in 2013 and went on to pursue post-graduate studies in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 2015. Driven by her academic pursuits, she earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Science from University of South Carolina in 2022. Her current research in the lab centers around investigating the significance of DNA damage response and metabolic dysfunctions in ASDs (Autism Spectrum Disorders). Beyond her scientific endeavours, she finds joy in baking and cherishing nature's wonders. Lab Manager
Colleen Krall is originally from Minnesota. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston University in 2013. After serving in the U.S. Army as a human intelligence collector and Korean linguist, she pursued and received two Masters of Science degrees, one in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and one in Biological and Forensic Anthropology from Mercyhurst University. Her main research interests lie broadly in developmental neuropsychology as well as epigenetic mechanisms' impact on neurodevelopment and related disorders, particularly effects on the development of neuronal connectivity. Colleen manages the lab and conducts cell culture and biochemical experiments for multiple projects. Outside the lab she enjoys biking, reading, and spending time with her husband, their two dogs, and their cat. PhD Candidate - Neuroscience Graduate Program (NSGP)
Krishna Amin earned a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2017. Post-graduation, she taught Biology and Biomedical Science at the secondary level and worked as a research technician at the Stowers Institute. Her research interests in developmental and cellular neuroscience brought her to the Lizarraga lab, where she aims to understand ASH1L’s role in modulating chromatin environments and its mechanistic contributions to neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of research, Krishna enjoys spending time with family and friends, learning new things via podcasts and books, and being in nature. MD-PhD Student - Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Graduate Program (MCBGP)
Jacob Kaiserman is an MD-PhD student originally from New York. He graduated from Brown University in 2023 with an ScB in Chemical Biology. As an undergraduate, he worked in the lab of Dr. Walter Atwood and discovered novel antiviral drugs against JC Polyomavirus, the causative agent of a fatal demyelinating disease. As a graduate student with Dr. Lizarraga, he studies how the chromatin environment regulates the response to neuroinflammation in neurons and microglia. Outside of the lab, Jacob enjoys reading, running, and ranking Providence’s many coffee shops. Research Technician
Steven Defreitas is originally from Warwick, Rhode Island. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2023 focused in tissue engineering and design. He is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering at Brown University and plans to pursue a career in regenerative medicine after graduation. In the lab, he assists in lab maintenance alongside working with the team on their research projects. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as finding new creative outlets. Research Technician
Andrew McClure is a Rhode Island native who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and Biotechnology from Montana State University in 2023. His research interests include computational neuroscience, the impact of genetic variation on protein activity and disease susceptibility, and the convergence of alternative splicing and epigenetics in gene regulation. In the lab, he assists with lab maintenance as well as supporting senior lab members on their research projects. He plans to apply to graduate school in the future. Outside the lab he enjoys snowboarding, playing piano, and lifting weights. Research Technician
Kai Vestergaard is originally from Glastonbury, CT. He recently graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and plans to apply to medical school in the future. He enjoys molecular biology as well as understanding the pathology of psychiatric illnesses. Outside the lab he enjoys weightlifting, making cards, and collecting coffee gear. Undergraduate Research Assistant
Faith Chen is originally from Sacramento, CA. She is a third-year student at Brown University concentrating in Neuroscience and plans on pursuing a career in medicine in the future. She is currently the team manager of the Brown Women’s Rugby team, and in her free time she enjoys serving at her local church, guitar, and reading biographies or historical fiction. Undergraduate Research Assistant
Daniel Zhao is originally from Ontario, Canada. He is studying neuroscience and expects to graduate from Brown University in 2027. In the lab, he is working on understanding the mechanisms associated with NSD1 dysfunction. He hopes to become a physician. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing table tennis, basketball, poker, and the piano. |