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Elizabeth Petri Henske, MD
Principal Investigator

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

Phone: 857-307-0786

Education / Training:

  • Peking University (PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

Research Interest:

Systems biology of human disease

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

Phone: 857-307-0794

Education / Training:

  • University Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy (MD)

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Cooking
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Travel

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

Education / Training:

  • Bates College (B.S. Biology)

Research Interests:

Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of hyperactive mTORC1 signaling

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Swimming
  • Science fiction literature
  • Weightlifting
  • Disc Golf

Samer Salem, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Education / Training:

  • Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon (MD)

 

Research Interests:

Understanding the role played by mitochondrial dysfunction, UPP1, and the MiT/TFE family in the pathogenesis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC).

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Music
  • Hiking
  • Cooking

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

Education / Training:

  • Boston College – Biology B.S. & Computer Science B.A.

Research Interests:

Characterizing the role and mechanism of TFEB localization in disease pathogenesis.

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Cooking
  • Golf
  • Skiing
  • Crossword puzzles

Mayuri Patel, BS
Research Assistant

Education / Training:

  • University at Buffalo (Bs, Biotechnology)

Research Interests:

Pharmacogenomics and role of AKT in nuclear localization of TFEB during mTORC1 hyperactivity.

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Tide pooling
  • Henna
  • Cooking

Hadi Mansour, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Education / Training:

  • American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (MD, Medicine)

Research Interests:

Understanding the pathogenesis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) through genetic and pharmacological inhibition as well as mechanistic studies.

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Travel
  • Soccer

Joelle Chami, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Education / Training:

  • American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (MD, Medicine)

Research Interests:

  • Pathogenesis and potential therapeutic implications relating to ChRCC

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Travel
  • Reading
  • Paddle boarding
  • Fashion

Nadine Mahmoud, MD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Education / Training:

  • Lebanese University, Faculty of Medicine (MD)

Research Interests:

Exploring the origins and development mechanisms of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC).

Hobbies / Interests:

  • Spending time with family
  • Running
  • Rope Skipping
  • Hiking
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