Our Team.

 

Josh Dunaief, MD PhD

Adele Niessen Professor of Ophthalmology/Iron Man (please don’t sue us Marvel)

Josh is an author of more than 100 publications, mentor to more than 70 students, and shameless promoter for his two sons’ film and music careers.

Contact: jdunaief[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu


Alaina Wojciechowski

PhD student.

The newest graduate student in the lab, Alaina is a Pharmacology PhD student investigating retinal ferroptosis. Outside of the lab, she loves to hike, make recipes from her science cookbook (yes that’s a thing!), and read. Just be careful not to ask about her dog, because then she might never stop showing you pictures of her.

Contact: alaina.wojciechowski[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu


Rohini Nair, PhD

Postdoctoral researcher.

Rohini is a Postdoc investigating the mechanisms behind AMD pathogenesis using cell based and transgenic mice models. But when she drops her lab coat, you'll find her in a different kind of chase—swiftly lacing up her running shoes, whether it's along the river trail or chasing after her unstoppable bundle of toddler energy!

Contact: rohini.nair[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu


Kevin Zhang, MD PhD

Postdoctoral researcher.

Kevin completed his PhD in the Dunaief lab and now dives deeper into retinal lipid metabolism as a postdoc and medical resident. In addition to his scientific pursuits, he’s the lab’s resident carnivorous plant expert and is often seen sharing specimens from his greenhouse.

Contact: kevin.zhang3[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu


Ying Song, MD

Lab manager.

Ying is the keeper of lab secrets. The greatest testament to her work is the sheer chaos that ensues whenever she takes a vacation.


Brent Bell

Research Project Manager/Director of Animal Imaging.

Brent is our resident in vivo ocular imaging and retina functional testing aficionado. He has a biomedical/laser electro-optics background and has been involved with academic research for 30 years. When not inundated with mice to process, he enjoys helping others, mentoring students on the trials and tribulations of in vivo small animal experimentation, repairing lab equipment, creating useful widgets to 3D print, and working towards improving lab workflow productivity and efficiency. In his spare time, he enjoys globetrotting with family and taking part in occasional fishing trips to catch up with old friends and getting to know new ones.


Joe Vithayathil, MD PhD

Clinician scientist.

Joe is a pediatric neurology resident on top of his research in the Dunaief lab. He studies how dysregulation to iron homeostasis in the brain following perinatal hypoxic brain injury contributes to long-term injury. In his spare time, he hangs out with his 2 kids generally making a mess in their house and annoying their mother.  

Contact: vithayathj[at]chop.edu


Brandon Anderson, PhD

Kirby Center Project Manager.

With a PhD in Pharmacology, Brandon now works for the department helping to increase inter-lab collaboration and enhance experimental techniques. In the lab you can find him creating python programs, fixing equipment, or optimizing lab protocols. When not in the lab, you can catch him playing disc golf, practicing the organ, or trying out a new ice cream recipe.

Contact: brandon.anderson[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu


Sierra Foshe

PhD student.

As a Neuroscience student, Sierra has decided to study the brain of the eye: the retina. When she's not baking banana bread or losing at online chess, she is working to understand the role of iron in ocular bacterial infection and inflammation.

Contact: sfoshe[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu


Xumeng Zhang

Master’s student.

Xumeng is a master’s student in Biotechnology whose research focuses on understanding and mitigating oxidative stress in RPE cells. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing video games, and floating around in the pool.

Contact: xumengz[at]seas.upenn.edu


Sarah Lee

Undergraduate student.

Sarah is an undergraduate in the Life Sciences and Management program, planning on majoring in Neuroscience and Management on the pre-med track. Outside of the lab, she enjoys trying out new recipes (emphasis on trying) and spending time with friends and family.


We collaborate closely with the Cui lab! Check out what they are doing at their website.