Benjamin Deneen, PhD, Principal Investigator
I received my B.S. in Genetics from the University of California Davis, where I studied fly meiosis in Dr. Scott Hawley’s laboratory. I completed my Ph.D. at UCLA working in the laboratory of Dr. Chris Denny, where I studied the EWS/FLI1 translocation, an aberrant transcription factor that drives Ewing’s Sarcoma. For my post-doctoral studies, I shifted my focus to developmental neurobiology and worked in Dr. David Anderson’s laboratory at Cal-Tech. During my post-doc I identified key transcriptional regulators that control developmental gliogenesis. In January 2009 I started my laboratory at the Baylor College of Medicine, in the Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Neuroscience. I am interested in all things related to glial biology and have assembled an amazing team of students, post-docs, and technicians who share my passion for all things glial!
Kwanha Yu, PhD, Assistant Professor
I received my B.S. in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. I completed my Ph.D. at UMDNJ-Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ in Cell and Developmental Biology in the lab of Dr. Michael Matise, where I studied Sonic Hedgehog signaling in spinal cord development. I joined Dr. Deneen’s lab in 2013 as a post-doc to study the molecular biology driving gliomagenesis. My primary efforts have focused on functional genomics and cancer neuroscience, looking at molecular factors that affect glioma growth, the glioma-synapse microenvironment, and resulting network hyperexcitability. Beginning 2020, I continued in Dr. Deneen’s lab as Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, and Center for Cancer Neuroscience. My research interests focus on collaborative efforts to better understand gliomas behavior, in the hope of identifying actionable targets. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time studying theology, spending time with family, and working around the house.
Junsung Woo, PhD, Instructor
I received my B.S. in Kyungpook National University, South Korea. I completed my Ph.D. from University of Science and Technology, South Korea, where I identified the molecular mechanism and function of astrocytic volume regulation and tonic inhibition in the brain in Dr. C. Justin Lee’s laboratory at Korea Institute of Science & Technology. In Feb 2018, I joined the Deneen lab as a postdoctoral researcher. I am interested in distinctive brain functions upon astrocyte subpopulations across brain regions.
Dongjoo Choi, PhD, Instructor
I received my B.S. in Hanyang University, South Korea. I completed my Ph.D. from Ajou University Medical School, where I identified dysfunction of astrocytes in Parkinson’s disease and Brain repair in Dr. Eun-Hye Joe’s lab. I joined the Deneen lab as a postdoctoral researcher in July, 2019. I am interested in glioma tumorigenesis and brain repair by Sox9 and NFIA.
Debosmita Sardar, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
I received my PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from University of Utah, College of Pharmacy in Dr. Eric Schmidt's Laboratory, where I studied posttranslational enzymes from diverse niches like the marine environment. My graduate research defined the chemistry of these enzymes, leading to building an enzyme toolbox for peptide engineering. With my background in chemistry, I wanted to further explore the biological aspect of posttranslational chemistry in the brain, leading me to join the Deneen Lab. This transition introduced me to the fascinating world of astrocytes. My work has shown how glial epigenetics are critical drivers of brain function in two different aspects: sensory processing of olfaction in the healthy brain, and in diseased states of brain tumors. When I am not thinking of astrocytes, I try to amuse my chemist soul by experimenting with cooking.
Ukbong Kwon, PhD. Postdoctoral Associate
I received my B.S. in Biology from the School of Life Science at Kyungpook National University, South Korea. I completed my Ph.D. in Life Science at the laboratory of Jaewoong Ryoo from Kyungpook National University, South Korea, studying neurodevelopmental biology and working with various types of genetic rodent disease models. To extend and improve my experience in molecular biology, I worked in the Department of Biotechnology at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), South Korea. From Aug of 2021, I joined the Deneen lab as a postdoctoral researcher to study how the normal CNS function can be regulated by regional specific astrocytic transcriptional factors. I’m more than excited to explore the universe of glial biology with these brilliant and passionate people here.
Michael Williamson, PhD. Postdoctoral Fellow
I received my BSc in 2016 from the University of Alberta where I worked in Fred Colbourne's lab studying the pathophysiology of brain hemorrhage. I then completed my PhD in 2022 at the University of Texas at Austin, working with Theresa Jones and Michael Drew on understanding mechanisms of repair after stroke. I joined the Deneen lab as a postdoc in 2022 to study astrocyte reactivity and diversity.
Christine Song, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
I received my PhD in Oral Biology from the University at Buffalo, NY in the lab of Dr. Rose-Anne Romano, studying the role of various transcription factors in mouse epithelial salivary glands. During my graduate studies, I studied star-shaped myoepithelial cells and became interested in star-shaped astrocytes, which play an important role in the brain. I joined the Deneen lab as a postdoc in 2023 and am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying experience-dependent astrocyte plasticity.
Rachel Curry, Graduate Student
I received my B.A. from the University of Chicago with High Honors in Biological Sciences, and Specializations in Neuroscience and Immunology. I studied medicine at University of Illinois Chicago Medical School before returning to basic science to pursue my passion in biomedical research. Prior to arriving in Houston, I worked at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York in the Department of Neurosurgery exploring mechanisms of invasiveness in malignant pediatric brain tumors. I began my Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine in July of 2017 and have joined the Deneen Lab in hopes of continuing my research in brain cancer. Specifically, my research goals aim to identify developmental pathways that are exploited by brain tumors for proliferation and invasiveness.
Hsiao-Chi Eileen Chen, MS, Graduate Student
I received my B.S. and M.S. from National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. My M.S. thesis studied the role of a mitochondria protein in the cell growth of human gastric cancer cells. Before moving to Houston, I worked at Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, where I studied the regulation of necroptosis in macrophages. These works motivate me to explore the cross-talk between tumor and normal cells in tumor microenvironment. I began my Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine in July 2018, and joined Dr. Deneen’s lab in early 2019. Since CNS system has its unique environment, my research goals aim to clarify the influence of tumor-host interactions and the developmental process on brain tumor tumorigenesis.
Sanjana Murali, MS, Graduate Student
I received my Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from India. My interest in research began when I did a summer internship at Tel Aviv University in Israel studying the role of E3 ligase in neurodegeneration. I moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University. Following graduation, I worked at Hopkins studying the role of various transcription factors in epithelial development and tumorigenesis. I joined BCM in Fall 2020 and subsequently the lab of Dr. Deneen to study the transcriptional control of astrocyte structure and function.
Yeunjung Ko, MS, Graduate Student
I received my B.S in Pharmacy from Sungkyunkwan University. I got interested in Immunology since the regulation of our immune system is closely linked to the progression and treatment of many diseases, including cancer. I studied B cell immunology during my master’s degree in medicine from Sungkyunkwan University. Now I am specifically interested in neuroimmunology as the development of treatments for neurological diseases is lagging behind other disorders, and I believe if we get more knowledge of our CNS immune system, we can figure out the new therapeutic targets for them. This academic desire led me to join the Immunology and Microbiology program in BCM and subsequently, Dr. Deneen’s lab to study the neuron-glial-immune network.
Brittney Lozzi, Graduate Student
I received my B.S. in Biological Sciences from Salisbury University in Maryland. At Salisbury I worked with Les & Patti Erickson studying ubiquitin signaling in stress response mechanisms. After graduating I joined the Deneen lab as a technician where I studied the transcription factor codes that specify astrocyte heterogeneity, and worked to establish the labs sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines. In 2020 I started graduate school at BCM in the Genetics & Genomics program. I am interested in studying the epigenetic modifications that drive tumor development and progression in glioma.
Peihao He, Graduate Student
I received B.S. in Pharmacology from Zhejiang University, China, where I focused on constructing high-throughput small-molecule screen systems for potential cancer inhibitors in Dr. Ji Cao’s lab. I became interested in brain tumor research during an internship at Dr. Nathanson’s lab at UCLA, where I studied the BCl-2 family’s role in GBM’s resistance to standard treatment. GBM is the most aggressive cancer that begins in the brain and there are still lots of stuff unknown about GBM’s initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. All these challenges motivate me to study brain tumors. I started at Baylor College of Medicine in the Cancer and Cell Biology program in 2021 and joined Dr. Deneen’s lab in early 2022. With lab’s exciting techniques and mouse models, I want to figure out the environmental and internal processes that brain tumors employ to initiate and progress.
Zhung-Fu Lee, MS, Graduate Student
I received my Bachelor of Pharmacy from Taipei Medical University. Due to my interest in neuroscience, I focused on altered pain sensation in Alzheimer's Disease during my Master's study at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. With my background in pharmacy and neuroscience, I desire to answer intriguing questions about neurological disorders. To achieve my goal, I enrolled in the Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program at Baylor College of Medicine in 2021. I joined Dr. Deneen's lab to decipher the intersection between neuroscience and glioma biology. Through my effort, I hope that my research could benefit the treatment of notorious cancer one day. When I am not thinking of science, I enjoy my time playing badminton.
Malcolm McDonald, Graduate Student
I received my B.S. in Neuroscience from Duke University. After graduation, I worked at MD Anderson in the lab of Frederick Lang engineering exosomes for anti-glioma microRNA delivery. In 2019, I joined the Baylor M.D./Ph.D. program and after two years of medical school, I joined the Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics graduate program. In 2022, I joined the Deneen lab and the Rao lab. I am most interested in understanding the interactions between gliomas, neurons, and the immune system in the context of human and mouse tumors and am clinically interested in neurosurgery.
Chenyu Mao, Graduate Student
I received my B.S. from Southern University of Science and Technology in China, where I focused on Wnt signaling pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Then I went to University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Master of Biotechnology, during which I studied on the role of brain extracellular matrix in breast brain metastasis. I enrolled in the Cancer and Cell Biology graduate program at BCM in July 2023 and joined Dr. Deneen’s lab in March 2024. I am interested in the crosstalk between central nervous system and brain cancer tumorigenesis.
Ehson Maleki, Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a freshman undergraduate student at the University of Houston, Honors College. I am majoring in Honors Biochemistry on the pre-medical pathway and hope to also obtain a minor in Spanish. In the Summer of 2021, I was able to do a wonderful research internship under Navish Bosquez studying the survival rate of different glial cells in the deletion of Nkx6.1 from astrocytes within the lumbar spinal cord. I am super interested in studying the transcription factor Nkx6.1 and am now a volunteer in the lab. I look forward to learning much about research and glial cells from this team of talented individuals.
Priyanka Patel, Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate student at Rice University, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Global Health Technologies and Biochemistry. I am currently assisting Sanjana Murali on her research focused on elucidating the role of the transcription factor NFIX in astrocyte function in the adult brain. I am excited to delve into neuroscience research and work with this team of talented individuals!
Kavitha Rajendran, MS, Lab Manager
I received my Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia PA. In 2018, I joined this enthusiastic group of scientists and provide management and research support.
Kaitlyn Sanchez, BSA, Research Technician
I received my B.S.A in Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. In 2023, I joined the Deneen lab and work to support the talented researchers in their studies within the lab.
Lab Alumni
Former Postdoctoral Fellows
Teng-Wei “Peter” Huang, PhD - Assistant Professor at Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taiwan
Chia-Ching John Lin, PhD - Associate Principal Scientist at Stoke Therapeutics, Bedford, MA
Stacey Glasgow, PhD - Assistant Professor at Section of Neurobiology Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA
Kathleen Kong, PhD - Clinical Trial Coordinator at ICON plc, Houston, TX
Hyun Kyoung Lee, PhD - Associate Professor at Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston TX
Peng Kang, MD, PhD - Doctor of Neurosurgery at Beijing TianTan Hospital
Bartley Mitchell, MD (Neurosurgery fellow) - Private Practice in Dallas, TX
Former Graduate Students
Navish Bosquez Huerta, PhD - Technical Advisor, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Emmet Huang-Hobbs, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow at Charles Sawyers’ lab, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Yi-Ting Cheng, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow at Sarkis Mazmanian’s lab, Caltech
Ekin Su Akdemir, PhD - Strategic Leadership Program Fellow, AbbVie Pharma, Chicago
Yu-Szu “Anna” Huang, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow at Dr. Baljit S. Khakh’s lab, UCLA
Jeffrey Carlson, PhD - President and CEO, RioRaiz
Dylan Laug, PhD - Sr. Commercialization and Technology Management Associate at Baylor Licensing Group, Baylor College of Medicine
Lesley Chaboub, PhD - Postdoctoral Researcher at SHELLEY L. BERGER's lab, UPenn Perelman School of Medicine
Wenyi Zhu, PhD - Consultant at McKinsey & Company in San Francisco, CA
Former Lab Managers and Research Assistants
Estefania Luna Figueroa - PhD student at Columbia University
Alexis Cervantes - Medical Technologist, Texas Children’s Hospital
Amanda Reyes- Research Technician at UT Southwestern Dallas, TX
Cristina Garcia - PA Student at UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX
Saritha Krishna, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow at Shawn Hervey-Jumper’s Lab, UCSF
Yolanda Juarez- Supervisor of Toxicology in Still Meadow, Inc
Jeanne Manalo, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow at Houston Methodist
Vivek Bhika Beechar, MD - Resident at UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX