Ph.D | Research Support

Mary is an Atlanta native, and received both her BS in Biology and PhD in Biology from Georgia Tech. Mary's doctoral thesis research focused on investigating the role of cytoskeletal proteins in neural crest cell migration. She aspires to pursue a career in cancer metastasis research in academia. Her hobbies include reading, watching TV and movies, and trivia.

Ph.D Student

Cooper is an Illinois Wesleyan graduate who joined Nie lab in 2019 after earning a B.S. in Biology. She is currently investigating adhesion protein (i.e. cadherins) dynamics during epithelial-mesenchymal transition and how it affects collective cell migration.

Rotating Ph.D Student

Haowen received his B.S. degree with First Class honors in Molecular Biotechnology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2025. He is currently working on investigating the roles of ETS1 and related factors in congenital heart defects. In his free time, Haowen enjoys music and traveling.

Undergraduate Researcher

Fiona is a 4th-year undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience. She has been part of the Nie lab since August 2022 and primarily works with Cooper on examining the effects of adhesion protein dynamics on collective cell migration, specifically cardiomyocyte proliferation. Outside the lab, she enjoys roller derby and playing the violin.

Undergraduate Researcher

Wesley is a 3rd year undergraduate student majoring in biology. He has been researching with the Nie Lab since January of 2023 and primarily collaborates with Mary on exploring cytoskeletal elements’ roles in cell migration. In his free time, Wesley enjoys singing, lifting, and science fiction.

Undergraduate Researcher

Feranmi is a 3rd-year undergraduate in biomedical engineering who has been part of the Nie Lab since May 2023. She has been working primarily on the left heart project and focusing on cardiomyocyte proliferation. Outside the lab, she enjoys roller derby and playing the violin.

Undergraduate Researcher

Jayanna is a 2nd-year undergraduate in biological sciences who has been part of the Nie Lab since January 2026. She has started working on how neural crest cell adapt their migration when the physical properties of their environment change. Primarily using microfluidic devices to create controlled viscosity gradients and examine how cytoskeletal systems like actin, microtubules, and septins regulate that transition. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and hanging out with friends!