Hi, I'm Lana! 

Lana Giha was born in Boston, MA, and grew up in Malden, MA. She earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Bryn Mawr College in May 2024.

At Bryn Mawr, Lana conducted research in Dr. Tamara Davis's lab, where she investigated the role of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) in maintaining DNA methylation. She then completed a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Boston University in Dr. John A. Porco Jr.'s lab, optimizing an alkyne cycloisomerization reaction toward the synthesis of a natural product intermediate. Upon returning to Bryn Mawr, she joined Dr. Bill Malachowski's lab, where she worked on diversifying quaternary centers generated by Birch reduction through decarboxylative cross-coupling.

After graduating, Lana spent a year at GSK as a medicinal chemistry co-op researcher. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry and ultimately become a professor.

Outside of the lab, Lana enjoys hiking, kayaking, running, and baking.

Publications

• Regmi, S.;  Giha, L.; Ali, A.; Siebels-Lindquist, C.; Davis, T. L. "Methylation Is Maintained Specifically at Imprinting Control Regions but Not Other DMRs Associated with Imprinted Genes in Mice Bearing a Mutation in the Dnmt1 Intrinsically Disordered Domain." Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2023, 11, 1192789.

Selected Awards

• Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award (2024)

•  Posse Foundation Full-Tuition STEM Leadership Scholarship (2020–2024)

•  Bryn Mawr College Community Honor Roll (2024)

Favorite Reaction(s)

• Birch Reduction