Postdoctoral Researchers
Long-Fei Wu, Ph.D., Bio-organic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, 2021-2024, Chemistry and mechanism bridging the prebiotic building blocks to functional polymers in the origin of life, Assistant Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Victor Lelyveld, Polymerase mechanisms and alternative genetic polymers
Marco Todisco, Ph.D., Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 2021-2024, Biomolecular Interactions, Postdoctoral Fellow at Whitehead Institute
Saurja DasGupta, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2019-2023, Evolution of catalytic function in RNA, Assistant professor, University of Notre Dame
Lijun Zhou, Ph.D., Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 2015-2022, Origin of life, Assistant professor, The Penn Institute for RNA Innovation
Shriyaa Mittal, Ph.D., Biophysics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020-2022, Molecular mechanisms in the origin of life using computational simulations, Scientific Editor, Newton
Seohyun (Chris) Kim, Ph.D., Chemistry, Harvard University, 2019-2021, Non-enzymatic RNA primer extension, Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University
Tom Wright, Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, University of Oxford, 2018-2021, Chemical and synthetic biology, Origins of life,
Li Li, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012-2020, RNA chemical biology and in vitro selection, Assistant Professor, RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Medical School
Wen Zhang, Ph.D., Georgia State University, 2014-2019, RNA molecular evolution, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine
Derek O’Flaherty, Ph.D., Concordia University, Canada, 2016-2019, Origin of Life, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph
Lin Jin, Ph.D., Boston University, 2013-2018, Protocells, RNA replication, Senior Scientist, Moderna Therapeutics
Anna Wang, Ph.D., Harvard University, 2016-2018, Membranes, vesicles, Faculty, School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney
Chun Pong (James) Tam, Ph.D., Harvard University, 2012-2018, Synthesis of non-natural nucleotides; Non-enzymatic RNA primer extension, Senior Scientist, Beam Therapeutics
Ayan Pal, Ph.D., Boston College, 2012-2018, Origins of Life, Manager, External Research Collaboration, Novartis Institutes for Biomed.Research, Inc. (NIBR)
Tivoli Olsen, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 2012-2017, Origins of Life, Scientist, Rubius Therapeutics
Albert Fahrenbach, Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Northwestern University, Chicago, 2012-2017, Origins of Life, Senior Lecturer, School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales
Enver Cagri Izgu, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 2012-2017, Systems Chemistry, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University
Neha Kamat, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2014-2016, Membranes, Protocells, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University
Seung Soo Oh, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2014-2016, Ribozyme selections, Assistant Professor, Pohang University of Science and Technology
Aaron Engelhart, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-2016, Self-assembly, nucleic acid polymerization, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Christian Hentrich, Ph.D., EMBL and University of Heidelberg, 2010-2015, Protocells, self-organization and microscopy, Senior Scientist, R&D Bio-Rad Laboratories
Aaron Larsen, Ph.D., McGill University, 2012-2015, RNA catalysis and thermodynamics, Associate Director, Beam Therapeutics
Anders Björkbom, Ph. D., Åbo Akademi University, 2012-2015, Lipids and mass spectrometry, Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca
Shenglong Zhang, Ph.D., Columbia, 2008-2014, RNA sequencing, Associate Professor, The RNA Institute, SUNY Albany
Ben Heuberger, Ph.D., U.C. Riverside, 2008-2014, Nucleoside chemistry, Patent Agent – K&L Gates LLP
Jia Sheng, Ph.D., Georgia State University, 2012-2013, RNA crystallography, Assistant Professor, SUNY Albany
Yollete V. Guillen Schlippe, Ph.D., Brandeis University, 2005-2012, Peptide Selections, P.I., Charite, Berlin, Germany
Na Zhang, Ph.D., Cornell U. Medical School, 2007-2012, NMR, Associate Professor at High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei, AnHui, China
Matthew Powner, Ph.D., University of Manchester, 2009-2011, Predisposed chemistry, Professor of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, UCL
A. Ricardo, Ph.D., Florida, 2006-2010, Nucleoside chemistry, Ra Pharmaceuticals
C.-W. Lin, Ph.D., MIT, 2006-2010, Peptide selection, Bristol-Myers Squibb
M. Krishnamurthy, Ph.D., U. of Tennessee, 2006-2009, Nucleoside chemistry, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Fitchburg State University
A. Bell, Ph.D., New York University , 2005-2009, Peptide Selection, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
J. Chen, Ph.D., MIT, 2006-2009, GNA, Millennium Pharmaceuticals
J. Iwasa, Ph.D., UCSF, 2006-2008, 3D molecular visualizations, Asst. Prof., University of Utah
B. Seelig, Ph.D., Freie University Berlin, 2000-2008, Peptide selection, Asst. Prof, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
M. Sam, Ph.D., UCLA, 2005-2008, Phosphoramidate DNA, Postdoc, UCLA
L. Sun, Ph.D., UMass, 2003-2008, Isothermal DNA replication, Applied Biosystems
C. Tsai, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon, 2002-2008, TNA/Protein engineering, GSK
F. Seebeck, Ph.D., ETH-Zurich, 2005-2008, Selection of peptides, Prof, University of Basel
A. Patel, Ph.D., M.D., Yale University, 2006-2008, RNA aptamer selections, Asst. Prof., Yale School of Medicine
S. Mansy, Ph.D., Ohio State, 2004-2007, Model Protocell Membranes, Professor of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Canada
A. Luptak, Ph.D., Yale, 2002-2007, Replicase, Prof., U.C. Irvine
J. Ong, Ph.D., Univ of Cambridge, 2004-2006, Membrane fusion catalysis, New England Biolabs
M. Hartman, Ph.D., U. Michigan, 2003-2006, Peptide Selection, Asst. Prof., Virginia Commonwealth Univ.
K. Josephson, Ph.D., U. Alabama, 2002-2006, Protein Selection, Senior Scientist, Serono
P. Sazani, Ph.D., UNC Chapel Hill, 2002-2005, Polymerase Ribozymes, Research Assoc., UNC Chapel Hill
P.A. Monnard, Ph.D., ETH, 2002-2005, Eutectic RNA polymerization, Associate Prof., Univ. of Southern Denmark
M. Hancyzc, Ph.D., Yale, 1999-2005, Selection by Encapsulation, Associate Prof., Univ. of Trento
K. Salehi-Ashtiani, Ph.D., Northwestern, 1994-2005, Ribozymes, Associate Prof., NYU Abu Dhabi
H. J. Lee, Ph.D., Univ of Oxford, 2001-2005, mRNA Display, SeraCare Life Sciences
J. Chaput, Ph.D., U.C. Riverside, 2000-2004, DNA Self-Assembly, Prof., University of California, Irvine
G. Short, Ph.D., U. Virginia, 1999-2002, Protein Evolution, Dir. Microarray Analysis, MGH
R. Liu, Ph.D., UCSD, 1997-2001, Protein Selection, Professor, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry
C.-H. Kim, Ph.D., Caltech, 1998-2001, NA Replicase, Res. Fellow, NIH
J. Davis, Ph.D., UCSF, 1996-2001, Aptamer NMR, Res. Scientist, Lexigen
A. Keefe, Ph.D., Birmingham, 1997- 2001, Protein Selection, Group Leader, Archemix
G. Zimmermann, Ph.D., U.C. Boulder, 1997-2001, RNP Selction, Res. Scientist, Combinatorex
D. Wilson, Ph.D., Rockefeller, 1996-2000, DNA recognition, Research Scientist, Zyomyx
T. Heuer, Ph.D., Stanford, 1998-2000, Integrase, Exelixis Pharmaceuticals
Z. Huang, Ph.D., ETH, 1994-1998, Aptamers, Prof., Georgia State
R. Roberts, Ph.D., Yale, 1993-1997, Protein Selection, Prof., University of Southern California
H. Suga, Ph.D., MIT, 1994-1997, Ribozymes, Prof., University of Tokyo
C. Lauhon, Ph.D., Berkeley, 1992-1996, Redox Aptamers, Associate Prof., University of Wisconsin-Madison
P. Lohse, Ph.D., ETH, 1993-1995, New ribozymes, Director of Chemistry, Phylos, Inc.
B. Cuenod, Ph.D., Yale, 1993-1995, Catalysis by DNA, Res. Scientist, Novalis
K. Chapman, Ph.D., Hopkins, 1992-1994, Ribozymes, Res. Scientist, Geron Corp.
L. Landweber, Ph.D., Harvard, 1993-1994, Editing Ribozymes, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Biological Sciences
C. Wilson, Ph.D., UCSF, 1991-1994, New Ribozymes, Vice President Technology, Archemix
S. Whoriskey, Ph.D., UCLA , 1988-1993, Ribozymes, Principal, Whoriskey Associates & MIT E-Center
M. Sassanfar, Ph.D., Cornell U., 1990-1993, Aptamers, Instructor, HHMI undergraduate
A. Ellington, Ph.D., Harvard, 1988-1991, Aptamers, Prof., U. Texas, Austin
M. Famulok, Ph.D., U. Marburg, 1990-1991, RNA Aptamers, Prof., U. Bonn
U. Pace, Ph.D., Weizman Inst, 1987-1989, Ribozymes, Res. Scientist, Innovir Inc.
D. Dawson, Ph.D., U. Utah, 1983-1987, Yeast Meiosis, Professor, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
A. Nicholas, Ph.D., U. Paris-Sud, 1984-1987, Recombination, Prof., Inst. Curie
V. Lundblad, Ph.D., Harvard, 1983-1987, Telomeres, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Salk Institute
D. Treco, Ph.D., SUNY, 1985-1988, Recombination, CEO, Ra Pharma
M. Whiteway, Ph.D., U. Alberta, 1983-1985, Cell Cycle, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Microbial Genomics, Biology
A. Reynolds, Ph.D., Tufts U., 1982-1985, Yeast plasmids, Staff Scientist, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Graduate Student
Aleksandar Radakovic, 2019-2024, Primordial roles for aminoacylated RNA, Postdoctoral fellow at University of Chicago, Department of Ecology and Evolution
Dian Ding, 2019-2023, Nonenzymatic RNA replication, Research Scientist at Arena BioWorks
Stephanie J. Zhang, 2018–2022, Non-enzymatic RNA replication and model protocell, Postdoctoral Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School/Wyss Institute
Lydia Pazienza, 2017-2022, Non-enzymatic RNA primer extension, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gonzaga University
Constantin Giurgiu, 2016-2021, Non-enzymatic RNA primer extension, Research Scientist I, Evozyne
Seohyun (Chris) Kim, 2017-2019, Non-enzymatic RNA replication, Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University
Travis Walton, 2014-2019, Non-enzymatic RNA replication, Assistant Professor at Van Andel Institute
Weicheng (Michael) Zhang, 2013-2018, Chemistry, Principal Scientist, CATUG
Lin Jin, 2013-2018, Protocells, RNA replication, Co-founder and President, CATUG Biotechnology
Chun Pong (James) Tam, 2013-2018, Synthesis of non-natural nucleotides; Non-enzymatic RNA primer extension, Principal Scientist, Beam Therapeutics
Noam Prywes, 2011-2016, Nonenzymatic RNA polymerization, Postdoc, Innovative Genomics Institute at UC Berkeley
Tony Z. Jia, 2012-2016, Peptide-Assisted Nonenzymatic RNA Replication in Coacervate Droplets, Specially appointed Asst. Prof., Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
J. Craig Blain, 2008-2013, Synthesis of non-natural nucleic acids, Senior Director, RNA Biochemistry at Arrakis Therapeutic
K. Adamala, 2008-2013, Prebiotic synthesis of lipid and nucleotide derivatives, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Itay Budin, 2007-2012, Evolutionary Biophysics, Assistant Professor at University of California San Diego
S. Trevino, 2006-2010, Mosaic nucleic acids, Senior Scientist, Genocea
S. Tobé, 2005-2010, Non-enzymatic polymerization, Biotech Investment at Omega Funds
T. Zhu, 2005-2010, Protocell division, Faculty, Tsinghua University, China
J. Schrum, 2005-2010, Non-enzymatic polymerization, Director, Translation Sciences at Seagen
M. Elenko, 2004-2010, Single aptamer molecules
R. Bruckner, 2005-2009, Membrane Behavior, Scientist II, Arrakis Therapeutics
J. Ichida, 2000-2007, TNA synthesis, Asst. Prof. at University of Southern California
J. Carothers, 1999-2005, RNA Replicase, Postdoc, LBNL / Berkeley
I. Chen, 1999-2005, Membrane Interactions, Associate Professor at University of California
G. Cho, 1996-2004, mRNA display, Chemistry, MGH
S. Oestreich, 2000-2004, Aptamer affinity and specificity, V.P. at Mnemo Therapeutics
S. Fujikawa, 1999-2003, Vesicle division, Law student
A. Das, 1993-2000, Ribozyme Evolution
J. Pollard, 1994-2000, Aptamer Evolution, 3rd Millenium
J. Urbach, 1995-2000, Ribozyme Evolution, Senior Data Scientist at Ragon Institute
A. Hager, 1991-1997, RNA Replicase, Patent Preparer
D. Huizenga, 1992-1997, Deoxyribozymes, Law Student
J. Lorsch, 1991-1995, Selecting New Ribozymes, Senior PI, NICHD; Director, NIGMS
C.-W. Lin, 1989-1994, Ribozyme mechanisms, Resident, U. Chicago
D. Bartel, 1988-1993, Ribozyme selctions, Prof., MIT/HHMI
R. Green, 1987-1992, Ribozymes, Prof., Johns Hopkins/HHMI
H. Sun, 1986-1991, Recombination, Nevada Cancer Institute
M. Hanna, 1985-1990, Ribozymes, Postdoc, McGill
N. Schultes, 1985-1990, Recombination, Res. Scientist, USDA
J. Doudna, 1984-1989, Ribozymes, Prof., U.C. Berkeley/HHMI
B. Dunn, 1982-1988, Telomeres, Res. Scientist
N Sugawara, 1980-1988, Telomeres, Postdoc, Brandeis
S. Ruby, 1980-1985, DNA Repair, Prof., UNM
A. Murray, 1980-1985, Chromosone Structure, Prof., Harvard
T. Orr-Weaver, 1979-1983, Recombination, Prof., MIT
Visiting Scientist
C. Bonfio, Ph.D., Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy, 2016, Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
N. Vaish, Ph.D., IIT Kanpur, India, 1999-2001, Associate Director, MDRNA Inc.
Satoru Horiya, Ph.D., The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 2010-2012, Postdoc, Brandeis
Staff
Anjali Mirmira, B.A. Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2023-2024, Prebiotic Chemistry in Protocells, Graduate student at California Institute of Technology
Undergraduate Students
Eyob Tewelde, S.B. Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2022-2024, Graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis
Ben Hunt, S.B. Chemistry, University of Chicago 2023-2024, Analyst at ClearView Healthcare Partners
Jamie Zhao, A.B. Biological Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology Specialization, University of Chicago, 2022-2024, Lab tech at Szostak Lab
Anjali Mirmira, A.B. Chemistry, University of Chicago 2023-2024, Graduate student at California Institute of Technology
Becca Avrutin, B.E. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (Expected 2025), 2024, Student at Johns Hopkins University