Our team

Shirin Bahmanyar, PhD

Shirin Bahmanyar is an Associate Professor with Tenure in the MCDB Department at Yale University.  She started her lab at Yale in 2014 invesigating the organization and dynamics of membranes, with an emphasis of the ER and nuclear envleope which comprise a single membrane with distinct identities and functions. Her lab has made significant insights into the role of lipids in this unique organization and is now exploring more broadly mechanisms that control the biogenesis, identity, and structure of the nuclear envelope and ER both in health and disease contexts employing cutting edge microscopy techniques and genomic analyses of cancer models.  Shirin received the Women In Cell Biology (WICB) Junior Award in Research Excellence, Poorvu Award for Academic Innovation, and was selected as a Keith R. Porter Fellow. Outside of lab Shirin enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and jogging. 

Marc Goudge, PhD

Marc grew up in Toronto, Canada and went to college at the University of Toronto. Marc then completed his PhD at Cornell University working for Dr. Matthew Paszek, where he studied the biophysical consequences of Mucin-1 expression in cancer. An engineer by training, Marc was drawn towards the world of modern cell biology and its seeing is believing based approach, which represented an ideal field for creative problem solving. In the lab, Marc is interested in using imaging-based approaches to explore the dynamics of the molecular constituents of the nuclear membrane. Outside of the lab, Marc enjoys exploring the New Haven area with his wife and dog, doing all the New York Times puzzles, and catching up with friends over board games.

Victória Puccini

Victória (she/her/hers) is a PhD student from São Paulo, Brazil. She originally studied Veterinary Medicine in her country but moved to the U.S. to finish her undergraduate degree and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Northeastern Illinois University, in Chicago. Outside of lab, Vic enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and attempting to learn Dutch.  

Frances Moore

Frances is a Ph.D. student from Washingtonville, New York. Prior to coming to Yale, she received her B.S in Biology with a specialization in developmental genetics from Stony Brook University. Upon graduating, she was awarded an NIH Diversity Supplement which allowed her to pursue Post-Baccalaureate Research in the Dave Matus Lab. During her two years in the Matus lab, she studied cell cycle regulation in C. elegans. Once at Yale, she became enthralled by the dynamic process of nuclear envelope break down and reformation. Outside of lab Frances is a Women in STEM mentor and enjoys volunteering with the Yale Biological Diversity Initiative Committee. 

Sofia Sepúlveda

Sofia Sepúlveda (she/they) is a Ph.D. student originally from Arizona, where they earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona. Their research investigates nuclear membrane reformation across mitosis, with a focus on visualizing the complex 3D membrane structures that emerge from cell division. Sofia is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, encouraging students to discover their own unique scientific voice; just as they have through combining science and art to visualize research in novel ways! Outside of the lab, they engage in exploratory thrift store excursions as a mechanism for dopamine-mediated reward acquisition.

Bridget Tokiwa

Bridget (she/her) is a PhD student originally from Pennsylvania. She attended the University of Rochester where she received her bachelor’s in biochemistry with a minor in studio art, which led to her pursuing a year-long program in scientific illustration. Now she is excited to investigate the intricacies of nuclear envelope reformation and repair. Beyond lab, Bridget likes to spend time with her friends and partner while dabbling in different art mediums (right now she is attempting pottery!)