People
Principal Investigator
Shirin Bahmanyar, PhD
Shirin Bahmanyar is an Associate Professor with Tenure in the MCDB Department at Yale University. Shirin majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UC Berkeley where she trained as an undergraduate researcher with Jeremy Thorner studying the cell biology of budding yeast septins in cytokinesis. Shirin received her PhD training with W. James Nelson at Stanford University studying the regulation of B-catenin by the Adenomatous polyposis coli protein in cell division. Shirin initiated her post-doctoral studies in the laboratory of Jack Dixon at UC San Diego where she became interested in lipid metabolism networks and, drawing from her cell biology background, began to study the role of lipid metabolism in the organization of the nuclear envelope domain within the endoplasmic reticulum. She was awarded a fellowship to continue her research interests using C. elegans in Karen Oegema’s lab at UC San Diego in close collaboration with Jack Dixon’s lab. She started her own lab at Yale in 2014, and her lab has since continued to study ER and nuclear envleope organization and dynamics both in relation to lipid metabolism and to more generally gain a mechanistic understanding of how the nuclear envelope establishes and maintains its unique lipid and protein identity. 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.
Post-Doctoral Associates
Sarah Barger, PhD
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.
Graduate students
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 (they/her) is a Ph.D. student. Originally from Arizona, they earned a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cellular Biology with a minor in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona. They are fascinated by the formation and regulation of the nuclear envelope, and its role in cellular regulation. They are deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students of all learning styles, and creating an inclusive and safe environment. Sofia’s interests outside of work include road trips, art, and spoiling her two cats (Bonbon and Bijoux).
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!)
Alumni
Shoken Lee, PhD, Post-doctoral scholar, July 2020- July 2025; Currently in Neufeldt lab at Emory University
Jake Carrasquíllo Rodriquez, PhD Graduate student 2018-2023; Current position: Quality Control Specialist, Amgen
Han Yang Post-graduate researcher 2021-2023; Current position: PhD student Yale University
Onyedikachi (Oby) Uche Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher 2020-2023; Current position: Medical student, Mount Sinai Medical School
Michael Mauro, PhD Graduate student 2016-2022; Post-doctoral Associate with Julie Canman, Columbia Universtiy; Current position: Assistant Professor, Susquehanna University
Holly Merta, PhD Graduate student 2016-2021; Post-doctoral Associate with Mike Henne, UT Southwestern; Current position: Instructor of Biology, WCJC
Gunta Celma Post-graduate researcher 2019-2021; Currently in the UK
Tevis Vitale Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher 2018-2021; Current position: PhD student at Harvard University
Lauren Penfield, PhD Graduate student 2015-2020; Current position: Post-doctoral Associate, Denise Montell lab, UC Santa Barbara
Razvan Azamfirei, MS,MD MS student 2017-2019; Medical Student, Johns Hopkins University; Resident, anesthesiology, University of Pennsylvania
Curtis Broberg Undergraduate and post-graduate researcher 2015-2018. Medical School, WashU School of Medicine
Spencer Munroe Undergraduate researcher 2016; Yale College 2018
Brian Wysolmerski Post-graduate reseracher 2014, 2016; PhD student at UC San Francisco; Current position: Scientist at Tectonic Therapeutic
Michael Martinez Post-graduate researcher 2014-2015; MD/PhD, Stony Brook University School of Medicine
Sophie Miller Undergraduate researcher 2014-2015; Medical School, Medical College of Wisconsin