Karen Forti
Grants Administrator
Damir Khabibullin, MS
Research Scientist
Phone: 857-307-0788
Education / Training:
- Kazan State University, Russia (BA- English Translation)
- Kazan State University, Russia (MS- Molecular Biology)
Research Interests:
Damir is currently working to identify the role and functions of folliculin, as it relates to the pathogenesis of Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) Syndrome. He is also developing animal models of FLCN inactivation.
Hobbies / Interests:
- Computers, computer games
- Archery
Heng-Jia (Tina) Liu, PhD
Instructor in Medicine
Phone: 857-307-0792
Education / Training:
- Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand (BBiomediSc (Hons), Biomedical Sciences with First Class Honors)
- Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Australia (PhD, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
Research Interests:
Tina received her PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Monash University. Her PhD thesis focused on the characterization of inositol polyphosphates 4-phosphatases, regulators of the PI3-Kinase signaling in breast cancer biology. Her current research focuses on role of the immune microenvironment in the pathogenesis and therapy of and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).
Hobbies / Interests:
- Music
- Ancient history
- Travel
- Bike riding
- Cats
Yan Tang, PhD
Instructor in Medicine
John C. Kennedy, MD
Instructor in Medicine
Phone: 857-307-0792
Education / Training:
- Salisbury University, Salisbury MD (BS, Biology)
- Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD (BA, Psychology)
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin (MS, molecular Medicine)
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (MD, Medicine)
- University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (Resident, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital/ Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (Postdoctoral Fellow, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (NIH training grant, Pulmonology Division T32 training)
- The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA (Affiliated Scientist)
Research Interests:
I am interested in cystic interstitial lung diseases, and particularly at understanding the genetic underpinnings of pulmonary cyst development. I currently focus on the rare cystic lung disease Birt-Hogg-Dube, as a example of a monogenic interstitial lung disease. I have also become interested in the developmental biology of lung formation and how those pathways might be reactivated during lung injury and repair. I am using induced pluripotent stem cell models to further my study of Birt-Hogg-Dube, and of lung development in general.
Hobbies / Interests:
- Hiking
- Going to the beach
- Raising 3 small children
Nicola Alesi, MD
Instructor in Medicine
Michel Alchoueiry, MD, MS
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education / Training:
- Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon (MSc-Physiology and Physiopathology)
- Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon (MD, Medicine)
Research Interests:
Understanding the pathogenesis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRcc). Developing new mouse models of chRCC that can be used for preclinical and mechanistic studies.
Hobbies / Interests:
- Basketball
- Travel
- History
Pieter Cory, BS
Research Assistant
Samer Salem, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Melissa Daou, MD, MS
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education / Training:
- Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon (MSc- Genetics)
- Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon (MD, Medicine)
Research Interests:
Understanding the pathogenesis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRcc) and mixed Sarcomatoid chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC-S)
Hobbies / Interests:
- Travel
- Outdoor activities (Hiking – Camping …)
William Gibbons, BS, BA
Research Assistant
Mayuri Patel, BS
Research Assistant
Hadi Mansour, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Joelle Chami, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Nadine Mahmoud, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow