The PI
- Carlos A. Castañeda
PhD, Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
BA, Chemistry and Mathematics, La Salle University (Philadelphia, PA)
Research staff
- Thuy Dao
PhD, Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) - Amber Rusnock
MSc, Biology, Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Undergraduates
- Julianna Paladino ’22 (Biotechnology)
- Mariah Schwambach ’24 (Chemistry)
- Bridget Varner ’24 (Biochemistry)
Alumni



Alum | Years in Lab | Level | Current Position |
---|---|---|---|
Emily Morton | REU 2015 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry) | Research Technician at Peloton Therapeutics |
Alexandria Remillard | 2014-2016 | Graduate (Chemistry Masters) | Pfizer |
Zachary Lanzar | 2016-2017 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry) | PhD Graduate Student in Immunology, University of Pennsylvania (started Fall 2020) |
Ismael Gonzalez | 2015-2018 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry, Neuroscience) | Trainee, Johns Hopkins University Doctoral Diversity Program |
Esther Park | 2016-2018 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry) | PhD Graduate Student in the Johns Hopkins Molecular Biophysics Program (PMB) (started Fall 2019) |
Maria Pons | REU 2017 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry) | Research Technician @ University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) |
Yongna Lei | 2016-2019 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry) | MD/PhD program @ Yale in Fall 2021 |
Christine Habjan | 2017-2019 | Undergraduate (Biotechnology) | Associate Study Manager, Invicro |
Brian Martyniak | 2016 -2018 | Graduate (Chemistry Masters) | QA/QC Supervisor, Acreage Holdings |
Julia Riley | 2016-2020 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry and Neuroscience) | PhD Graduate Student in the University of Pennsylvania Neuroscience program (started Fall 2020) |
Holly Jones | 2018-2020 | Graduate (Biology MSc) | Catalent Pharma Solutions |
Barrington Bucknor | 2017-2021 | Undergraduate (Biochemistry and Neuroscience) | Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program at University of Pennsylvania (starting Fall 2021) |
Savanna Macchio | 2019-2021 | Undergraduate (Medicinal Chemistry) | Medical School Preparation |
Tongyin Zheng | 2015-2021 | Graduate (Chemistry PhD) | Postdoctoral Fellow, Fawzi lab, Brown University |
Yiran Yang | 2016-2021 | Graduate (Chemistry PhD) | Scientist, Surrozen |
Honorary Lab Members
Luke (born November 2015), Ava (born February 2018), Leo (born June 2019)