LAB MEMBERS
POSTDOCS / FELLOWS
Vinny Negi, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate
Vinny recently graduated from Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi, India with a doctorate degree. In free time, Vinny likes listening to music, dancing and watching movies.
negiv@pitt.edu | 412-383-1276
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Miranda Culley
Graduate Student
Miranda is a dual-degree student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Angiopathy Training Program with a particular interest in pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
When not in lab, Miranda enjoys spending time with her family and friends, drinking a good cup of coffee, going to the gym, yoga, and visiting Frick Park and the Strip District.
Culley.Miranda@medstudent.pitt.edu | 412-383-1270
Lloyd Harvey
Graduate Student
Lloyd is an M.D. and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Scientist Training Program. Having completed the preclinical medical school curriculum, he is now working on his graduate studies in the Molecular Pharmacology Training Program.
When not in the laboratory, Lloyd enjoys spending his free time hanging out in coffee shops, reading autobiographies, and staying up to date on international and domestic affairs via the The Economist, NYTimes, and WaPo.
Harvey.Lloyd@medstudent.pitt.edu
Anna Ramos
Medical Student
Anna is a first year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is interested in the response of circulating miRNAs to aerobic exercise.
If not in the lab (or studying for medical school), she is probably rehearsing with the University of Pittsburgh School of Health Sciences a cappella group PalPITTations, training for another half-marathon, or searching for the best dessert in the city.
Ramos.Anna@medstudent.pitt.edu | 412-383-1270
RESEARCH STAFF
Leonard Estephan
Research Technician
Leonard recently graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. He is continuing his undergraduate work with the Chan Lab by working as a technician, and plans on attending medical school and becoming a physician. In his free time his favorite things to do are listen to music, play sports, explore Pittsburgh, and watch movies with his friends.
lee22@pitt.edu | 412-648-2094
Miranda Tai, MS
Laboratory Technician
Miranda recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a master degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is interested in the roles and functions of microRNA and long-noncoding-RNA in pulmonary hypertension.
In her spare time, Miranda enjoys art, music, playing badminton, kayaking, and exploring new places as well as trying out new (yummy) food!
taiy@upmc.edu | 412-383-1270
Ying Tang
Research Specialist IV, Senior Lab Manager
Ying has extensive experience in the development of viral vectors and the application of stem cells for gene and cell therapy, especially for musculoskeletal disease and injury. She has played a major role in the following projects: 1) recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); 2) bone regeneration including the use of gene-enhance human mesenchymal stem cell with biomaterial scaffolds; 3) the development of techniques in small animal experiments and imaging.
Her research is focused on the field of gene transfer and stem cell modification utilizing AAV, lentivirus and retrovirus. She is currently investigating: 1) the response of pulmonary and peripheral blood vessels to hypoxic and ischemic injury; 2) strategies for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH).
In these projects, small animals, such as transgenic and double-knock out mice, are bred, genotyped and treated for pulmonary and peripheral blood vessel related diseases. Imaging techniques frequently used in these animal experiments include micro-CT for bone imaging. Imaging techniques employed in cell-based experiments include dot blot, western blot and other immunostaining procedures.
yit3@pitt.edu | 412-648-2094
Annie Watson, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator
Annie spent many years doing bench work in genetic laboratories and later completed an MPH at the University of Pittsburgh. Afterwards, she became a clinical research coordinator. She is interested in expanding the pulmonary hypertension biorepository to facilitate future studies. She is elated to be part of the Chan lab, as it provides an opportunity for her to learn more about the clinical trial process and the development of novel therapies. In her free time, Annie likes kayaking, running, watching movies and attending Pittsburgh cultural events.
watsonam3@upmc.edu | 412-647-4964
Jingsi Zhao, MS
Laboratory Technician
Jingsi graduated from Nanjing University in China with a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences, and then gained the M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. As a research lab technician, Jingsi is working to be responsible for maintaining the laboratory animal colony and performing multiple rodent manipulation experiments which are involved in several projects in the lab. She is excited to work here because she wants to apply her biological knowledge and laboratory skills to studying the function and regulation of microRNA in pulmonary hypertension, and also gain more research experience. When not doing science, Jingsi enjoys watching movies and listening to music.
zhaoj5@upmc.edu | 412-648-2094
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Julia Kooser
Undergraduate Researcher
Julia Kooser is a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh who plans on majoring in molecule biology and psychology. After college, Julia plans on attending Medical School. In her free time, Julia likes to run, go to yoga classes, and explore different neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.
Dror Perk
Undergraduate Researcher
Dror Perk is a Junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Chemistry with a focus in biology. After college, he plans on attending Medical School. In his free time he enjoys swimming, reading, and playing guitar.
dror.perk@pitt.edu | 412-648-2094
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Diane Margaria
Administrative Assistant
Diane has been employed at Pitt since 2000 and graduated from Pitt in 2011 with a BA. Diane enjoys spending time with her family, riding motorcycles, playing/watching sports and watching movies.
margariad@upmc.edu | 412-383-6030