Education: Eckerd College; Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science in Marine Science (Biology)

Research Projects: Novel vectors for therapeutic gene transfer in mice

Research Interest: Molecular biology, biochemistry, natural products, marine biology, aquaculture

Career Ambition: I hope to eventually explore deep-sea habitats in pursuit of novel pharmaceuticals.

Memberships: Phi Beta Kappa, American Chemical Society

Awards & Honors: 2020 NOAA Hollings Scholar, graduated with high honors

mmiller72@meei.harvard.edu

Education Background: B.S. Health Science Studies from Quinnipiac University

Career Ambition: Continue to explore and pursue opportunities in Healthcare Administration

posborn@meei.harvard.edu

Education Background: Masters in Biotechnology (University of Hyderabad, India), Ph.D. in Biotechnology (Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India)

Research Projects: Translational gene therapy approaches to treat retinal degenerative diseases

Research Interest: Molecular mechanisms underlying retinal degenerative diseases, Gene therapy.

Career Ambition: Contribute to the discoveries which improve human health with my research experience

Awards & Honors: Keshav-Rangnath Excellence in Research Award by Indian Institute of Technology Madras for the Best Research Work for the year 2016.

achelluboyina@meei.harvard.edu

Education Background: BS in Agronomy, Zhejiang University, China; PhD in Molecular Biology, UCLA

Research Projects: Capsid engineering of AAV

Research Interest: Delivery method for gene therapy

Career Ambition: Develop translational products to benefit patients

hliu41@meei.harvard.edu

Education: Bachelors and Masters in Biotechnology, Doctoral degree in Synthetic Biology

Research Projects: I am undertaking the existing challenge associated with the manufacturing of AAV vectors by adopting a synthetic biology approach in engineering the key molecular determinants.

Research Interest: Gene Therapy, Synthetic Biology, DNA/RNA therapeutics, Viral vectors development/engineering

Career Ambition: Development of genetic medicines while using the principles of synthetic biology

Awards & Honors: Scholarships for both Masters and Bachelors studies from the respective educational institutions.

jdoshi1@meei.harvard.edu

Education: BSc – Biology, Imperial College London, MSc – Biotechnology, ETH Zurich

Research Project: Engineering AAVs to study hematopoiesis and aging

mflorea@g.harvard.edu

Education: BS in Biological Sciences/Biotech, University of Massachusetts Lowell, RALAT Certified, Certificate in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Boston University

Research Project: Gene Therapy

Research Interest: Gene therapy and drug discovery

Career Ambition: To further my study in Animal Research and Epidemiology

Membership: Member of New England Branch for American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences (NEBAALAS)

reynette_estelien@meei.harvard.edu

Education: B.Sc., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, U. of Miami; ALM, Biotechnology, Harvard Extension School (in progress)

Research Project: Quality Control, Vector Characterization, Nucleic Acid Quantification, Discovery Group

Research Interest: AAV Structure, Virology, Biology of Memory, Personal Medicine

Career Ambition: Ph.D. and long life learning

Membership: ASGCT

julio_sanmiguel@meei.harvard.edu

Education: MS Molecular and Cell Biology, B.Tech Biotechnology

Research Project: Use diverse molecular biology tools to perform cloning

Research Interest: Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology

Career Ambition:

• Short-term: Achieve excellence in practicing my education, skills and expertise in Molecular Biology & Bioanalytical techniques.
• Long-Term: Gain meaningful experience to work for betterment of society.

Awards and Honors:

• Awarded GOLD MEDAL & Merit Scholarship in Biotechnology for consistently outstanding performance, D.Y. Patil University, 2016.
• Accorded prestigious Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), Gov. of India, 2011.
• Won Amul Vidya Bhusan award for academic excellence in science stream, 2011.
• Awarded Certificate of Honor and Memento by current Prime Minister of India, Shree Narendra Modi for participation in National Biodiversity Quiz, 2007

urja_bhatt@meei.harvard.edu

Anil Chekuri, PhD, has been focused on understanding the molecular bases of Inherited Retinal Degenerations (IRDs) and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). He aims to investigate key molecular pathways underlying several forms of retinal dystrophies and development of therapeutic targets to rescue retinal function. His research also focuses on the development of novel Adeno Associated Viral (AAV) vectors with improved retinal tropism and efficacy for therapeutic delivery suitable for translational studies. Dr. Chekuri is currently working to develop gene therapy for various forms of retinal disorders.

achekuri@mgh.harvard.edu