• Nora Herzog 🧚🏼

    I am a PhD candidate studying how HSV-1 infection affects the biophysical properties of the nucleus, using a novel micro-rheological technology called GEMs. I started college at University of Wisconsin—Madison, as part of the 9th cohort of the First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts program, where I began doing research in Dr. Bill Sugden’s lab working on Epstein-Barr virus. I graduated from Rutgers University in 2019, with a B.A. in Cell Biology & Neuroscience, and certificates in Comparative Literature and Russian language. Some fun facts about me are: I am from Alaska, I am from Alaska, and I am from Alaska!

  • Maaz Khurram 🤯

    I’m a PhD candidate interested in the mechanisms governing mRNA translation in HCMV infected cells. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Molecular & Cell Biology in 2017. Before beginning graduate school, I researched mechanisms underlying stem cell pluripotency at the Gladstone Institutes. Outside of lab, I enjoy trying local restaurants, watching motorsports, and admiring horological innovations.

  • Shirley Braspenning, Ph.D. 🐙

    I’m a postdoc and interested in virus-host interactions at the molecular level. I’ll be studying the impact of RNA modifications on viral latency and reactivation. My major fascinations aside from science are languages and pretty shoes.

  • Becca Plessel 🦦

    I’m a PhD candidate, studying the role of the m6a modification’s writers, readers, and erasers. Before grad school, I graduated from Pennsylvania State University for my BS. There, I used Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection to analyze cannabinoids and other volatile molecules from cannabis, with the ultimate goal of improving current analysis methods for that drug. Now in NYC, I’m a huge Broadway fan, foodie, city explorer, and I enjoy riding the Citi bikes around town.

  • Denise Ohnezeit, Ph.D. 🌻

    I am a postdoc in the Mohr and Wilson labs, studying how RNA modifications impact transcriptional regulation during herpesvirus infections. I have always been fascinated by persistent viruses, and have previously worked with polyomaviruses. Outside of the lab, I enjoy music in any kind of way (dancing, singing, playing the guitar). I love being by the sea and a perfect stay at the beach should always include some surfing sessions.

  • Adam Silhavy 🍁

    I am a PhD student studying how HCMV infection impacts the biophysical properties of various cellular locales using GEM nanoparticles. Before attending graduate school I conducted research with Dr. Alistair Lees at Binghamton University studying photochemical anion sensors and Dr. Ann Stock working on bacterial chemotaxis at Rutgers. I graduated from Binghamton University in 2023 with a BS in Biochemistry and BA in Mathematical Sciences. Outside of the lab I love spending time hiking, running, baking, and visiting museums!

  • Jeffry Guerrero 🤠

    I am a Research Technician in the Mohr/Wilson Lab. Ultimately, I want to understand neuronal epigenetic changes and m6A modification in RNA to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind HSV-1 reactivation and its timing. I graduated from CUNY Hunter College studying Biochemistry. During undergrad, I investigated incorporating graphene into 3D-printed β-TCP scaffolds at the Department of Biomaterials/Lukasz Witek lab. I also investigated B and T cell age-related immune decline by flow cytometry in a chimerism project with mice models in the Park lab at NYU. Outside of lab, I love running, reading, trying new foods, and being a couch potato. I'm also a huge Swifite.

  • Chia-Ching Lin, Ph.D. 😜

    I’m a postdoc in the Mohr lab, focusing on RNA modifications that manipulate overall antiviral immunity. I will focus on how viral proteins impact host immunity via RNA modifications. Outside of the lab, I enjoy knowing astrology, including Eastern and Western, as well as learning about the universe. I believe there are many me's in different dimensions who also contribute their effort to science.

Former Lab Members

  • Rebecca Grande, Ph.D.

    Rebecca, former graduate student, is now a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Eric Freed's lab at the NIH.

  • Ebube Emesom

    Ebube, former research technician, is now an M.D. student at Hofstra University.

  • Olivia Degulis

    Olivia, former research technician, is now a Ph.D. student in the neuroscience program at New York University.

  • Hannah Burgess, PhD.

    Hannah, former postdoc and senior research scientist, is a Lecturer and Principal Investigator at the University of Surrey in London, UK.

  • Elizabeth Vink, PhD.

    Liz, former postdoc, is now a Scientist at Replay Holdings, LLC.

  • Letitia Thomspon, PhD.

    Letitia, former graduate student, is now a Scientist at GSK.

  • Christopher Bianco, PhD.

    Chris, former grad student, is now a Postdoctoral Associate at Rockefeller University.

  • Daniel Depledge, PhD.

    Dan, former postdoc and assistant research professor, is now an Associate Professor at the Hannover Medical School in Germany.

  • Rosa Rubio Robles, PhD.

    Rosa, former postdoc, is now a Scientist at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán in México.

  • Riikka Matilla, PhD.

    Rikka, former postdoc, is now a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Oulu in Finland.

  • Jessica (Linderman) Allen, PhD.

    Jessica, former postdoc, is now an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Roosevelt.

  • Heidi Karttunen, PhD.

    Heidi, former postdoc, is now an Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein School of Medicine.

  • Lora Shiflett, PhD.

    Laura, former postdoc, is now a Scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim.

  • Caleb McKinney, PhD.

    Caleb, former graduate student, is now the Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Training & Development and Associate Professor at Georgetown University.

  • Uyanga Chuluunbaatar, PhD.

    Uya, former graduate student, is now Partner at Avoro Ventures.

  • Mariko Kobayashi, PhD.

    Mariko, former graduate student, is now Senior Medical Science Liaison and Associate Director at Avadel Pharmaceuticals.

  • Shoko Wanatabe, VMD

    Shoko, former postdoc, is now a Veterinarian at VCA Animal Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

  • Vladimir Camarena, MD, PhD.

    Vladimir, former graduate student, is now a Scientist at John P. Hussman Institute For Human Genomics at the University of Miami.

  • Carolina Arias, PhD.

    Carolina, former graduate student, is now Assistant Professor at the University of California - Santa Barbara and Group Leader of Infectious Diseases at CZ Biohub.

  • Cesar Perez, PhD.

    Cesar, former graduate student, is now Branch Chief at the FDA.

  • Derek Walsh, PhD.

    Derek, former postdoc, is now a Professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

  • Louisa Benboudjema, PhD.

    Louisa , former postdoc, is now Staff Scientist at Institut Curie in Paris, France.

  • Matthew Mulvey, PhD.

    Matthew, former graduate student, is now CTO at Replay Therapeutics.

  • Jeremy Poppers, MD, PhD.

    Jeremy, former graduate student, is now Associate Professor at Stony Brook University.