People

Principal Investigator

Photo credit: Mary Schwalm / AP Images for HHMI

María Angélica Bravo Núñez, PhD

B.Sc in Genomic Sciences | National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

PhD in Biology | Zanders Lab at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

Postdoctoral Fellow | Murray Lab at Harvard University

I strive to establish a lab known for its intellectual rigor and creativity in unraveling fundamental biological processes. My goal is to do high quality research in a welcoming lab environment where everyone feels empowered.

email: mb2799 [at] cornell.edu

pronouns: she/her

office: room 449, Biotechnology Building

Postdocs

Vandana Raghavan, PhD

B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences | Acharya Narendra Dev College, Delhi University, India

M.Sc. in Biological Sciences | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India

PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology | Cornell University

I studied DNA repair and recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during my PhD, and now focus on parameiosis—a unique recombination pathway in Candida albicans that may drive genomic instability and adaptive fitness. Between these roles, I worked at a canine DNA testing company identifying genetic variants linked to disease and traits.

Adam Taheraly, PhD

B.Sc. in Life and Earth Sciences | University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France

M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Genetics of RNA | Sorbonne University, France

PhD in Microbiology | Janbon Lab at the Pasteur Institute, France

During my PhD, I studied extracellular vesicle RNAs and intercellular communication in the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. Currently, my research focuses on the contribution of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to chromosome segregation, as well as the relationship between variations in post-transcriptional RNA modifications in aneuploid cells and the emergence of adaptive fitness traits—such as drug resistance—in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In my free time, I enjoy reading Lovecraftian stories, playing video games, and lamenting the lack of good cheese.

email: at2237 [at] cornell.edu

PhD students

Xinmin Chang

B.Sc in Pharmacy | Chongqing Medical University

M.Sc in Pharmaceutical Science | University of Southern California

My master thesis focused on the discovery inhibitors for tau aggregation. Now, my focus is to engineer non-meiosis ploidy reduction mechanisms in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Technicians

Jimena Luque

BA in Biology and Art History | Harvard University

My research focuses on investigating the mechanisms of aneuploidy tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates.

Undergraduates

Ángel Escamilla

BA in Biological Sciences | Class of 2027

My research is focused on identifying genetic factors that contribute to aneuploidy tolerance and drive genetic instability in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Irene Miao

BS in Human Biology, Health and Society | Class of 2029

My research focuses on identifying non-coding RNAs involved in homologous chromosome pairing during meiosis in yeasts.

Elena Hernández Cornelio

BA in Biology and Society | Class of 2027

My research focuses on investigating the role of meiotic factors in ploidy reduction in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

Interested in joining the lab?

For motivated undergraduates, please reach out to María directly via email (mb2799 [at] cornell.edu). We strongly encourage undergraduate students to take BIOMG2800 or BIOMG3800 before reaching out.

Prospective graduate students interested in conducting their PhD thesis in the lab should apply through the GGD or BMCB PhD programs at Cornell. If you are already at Cornell and want to do a rotation, please reach out to discuss opportunities.

Prospective postdocs: reach out to María directly via email (mb2799 [at] cornell.edu). To apply, please submit your current CV, a brief overview of your PhD research, and a paragraph outlining your key research interests and what excites you about joining our lab.

Page updated

Report abuse