People

Principal Investigator

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Lab Manager

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Postdoctoral Associates

I completed my Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan. I joined the Khosla Lab in 2021, working on the celiac project using the small molecule probe of the TG2 active site to study the PK/PD in mice. Outside of lab, I enjoy running, hiking, and exploring Natural Parks.

I obtained my B.S. in Chemistry from Xiamen University in 2018. During my graduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, I conducted research in the field of natural product biosynthesis, under the mentorship of Professor Wencewicz. Upon successfully completing my Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2023, I joined the Khosla lab, where my research is focused on unraveling the molecular basis of celiac disease. Outside the lab, I find joy in traveling, hiking, playing the piano, and reading.

I finished my undergraduate study in general chemistry at Shandong Normal University in 2014. Later, I continued to my master’s studies in organic chemistry at Lanzhou University. In 2018,  I moved to Baylor University conducting research under the mentorship of Professor John L. Wood. During my graduate studies, I mainly focused on the total syntheses of natural products. In 2024, I joined the Khosla lab and Cui lab as a joint postdoc. Outside the lab, I like cooking, playing basketball, and watching movies.

I completed my Ph.D. degree under the guidance of prof. Young-Tae Chang in the School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience & engineering program at POSTECH. During my time at POSTECH, my research background relied on the development of fluorescent probes for distinguishing specific immune cell subtypes, along with the elucidation of staining mechanisms. I joined the Khosla lab in 2024. Here, my main focus is studying PKS mechanism, and also antibiotics development. Outside the lab, I like doing yoga, and watching baseball games!

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Graduate Students

Hi! I was born and raised in LA, and stayed closed to home when I did my undergrad at UCLA. While at UCLA, I worked in Yi Tang’s lab in the chemical engineering department. I work on the PKS side of the Khosla lab, both on fundamental understanding of PKSs and also work on some interesting natural products. I’m an avid Lakers and Kpop fan, and I also like board games and superhero movies.

I’m a 3rd year PhD student in the biochemistry department. My studies focus on the protein-protein interactions that regulate the endocytosis of peptide bound Transglutaminase 2 in the presence of Alpha-2 Macroglobulin and its receptor, LRP1. I’m from Lomé, Togo and was raised in Atlanta, GA. I was an Atlanta Posse Scholar, and graduated from Brandeis University in 2020. Outside of the lab, I enjoy designing logos, exploring restaurants, and completing DIY projects.

Hi! I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2021 with a B.S. in chemistry. As an undergraduate, I studied palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis in the Dong lab. As a graduate student in the Khosla lab, I now study the metabolism of acetyl-L-carnitine, an interesting precursor to acetyl-CoA. Outside of lab, I like to drink hot chocolate, run, and I’m learning how to be a better cook!

Hey y’all! I graduated from Caltech with a B.S. in Chemistry and minor in Biology. At Caltech, I studied nuclear pore complex proteins in the Hoelz lab. In the Khosla lab, I am interested in understanding the dynamics of assembly-line polyketide synthases. I was raised in Seattle, so I love a good cup of coffee, but for some reason I don’t own a rain coat. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, skiing and traveling!

I graduated from Seoul National University in 2023 with a B.S. in Chemistry. During my undergraduate studies, I worked on machine-learning models for protein structure, as well as organic synthesis of drug-like molecules and macromolecules. In the Khosla lab, my research focuses on understanding and predicting PKS mechanisms and interactions. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing the flute, drawing, learning yoga, and exploring good restaurants!

I was born and raised outside of Philadelphia but completed my B.S. in Biochemistry at Virginia Tech with undergraduate research experience in organic synthesis and molecular biology. I have a general interest in leveraging chemical biology to better understand and manipulate biological phenomena, and my research in the Khosla Lab will focus on elucidating the critical biochemistry underlying Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab I love playing volleyball, hiking, and trying or cooking new food!

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Undergraduate Researchers

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Former Graduate Students and Postdocs

Name	Pre or Post Doc	Start Year	End Year	Current Position
Soohoo, Alex	Pre	2020	2025	Postdoc, Saxton Lab, UC Berkeley
Hernandez Arriaza, Ricardo	Post	2024	2025	Scientist I, Enlaza Therapeutics
Kishore, Shreya	Pre	2021	2025	Senior Scientist, Merck
Besser, Harrison	Pre	2020	2024
Loppinet, Elise	Pre	2018	2024	Postdoc, Genentech
Cogan, Dillon	Post	2019	2023	Professor, University of Southern California
Mashayekh, Siavash	Post	2021	2023	Postdoc, Mischel Lab
Hsu, Jake	Pre	2017	2022	Scientist, Genentech
Privalsky, Tom	Pre	2015	2022	Postdoc, Lewis Lab, Northeastern University
Guzman, Katarina	Pre	2018	2022	Lecturer, Stanford Chemical Engineering Department
Weng, Nielson	Pre	2013	2022	Resident in Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Nivina, Aleks	Post	2017	2022	Scientist, Codexis
Melkonian, Arek	Pre	2013	2021	Resident in Clinical Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Keinle, Maryline (Dong)	Post	2020	2021	Manager, project & research operations, Clear Creek Bio
Stunkard, Lee	Post	2020	2021	Senior Scientist, Cogent Biosciences Inc.
Yuet, Kai	Post	2016	2020	Scientist I at Synthorx – A Sanofi Company
Gupta, Amita	Pre	2015	2020	Life Sciences Specialist, LEK Consulting
Zhuang, Ruize (Ray)	Pre	2015	2020	Scientist, Abbvie (CA)
Palanski, Brad	Pre	2012	2019	Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Erazo, Kevin	Pre	2016	2019	Grad Student, Snyder lab, Stanford
Li, Xiuyuan	Pre	2013	2019	Postdoc, Harvard University
Sankar,Karthik	Pre	2014	2019	Postdoc, MIT; Faculty at Purdue University
Liu, Qi	Post	2017	2019	Scientist, Abbvie
Yi, Michael	Pre	2012	2018	Senior Scientist, Syncopation Life Sciences
El Gamal, Abrahim	Post	2017	2018	Scientist, Abalone Bio in Emeryville
Ostrowski, Matt	Pre	2012	2017	Postdoc, University of Michigan
Liu, Yu-Chen	Post	2015	2017	Senior Scientist at Exelixis
Plugis, Nick	Pre	2012	2016	Principal, Flagship Pioneer
Xiao, Xirui	Pre	2012	2016	Jefferies & Co
Kuo, James	Pre	2012	2016	Infectious Disease Group, Genentech
Robbins, Thomas	Pre	2012	2016	IB Chemistry and Chemistry Teacher at Northfield High School in Denver Colorado
Deans, Richard	Pre	2013	2016	Manager, Finance and Accounting at Aravive, Inc., Morrisville, NC
Hilmer, Andrew	Post	2014	2016	Sr. Manager, Strategic Alliances, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Okesli, Ayse	Post	2014	2016	Scientist I, Biology, Gilead
Yeung, Jessica (Li)	Pre	2014	2016	Manager, Intel Corporation
Goswami, Anwesha	Post	2015	2016	Postdoc, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Dunn, Briana	Pre	2009	2015	Associate Director of Corporate Development, Curie Therapeutics
Lowry, Brian	Pre	2010	2015	Senior Scientist II, Engineering, Abbvie
Zaleta, Kathia	Post	2013	2015	ThermoFisher
Kloeck, Cornelius	Pre	2008	2014	McKinsey, Munich
May, Aaron Elijah	Post	2010	2014	Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Watts, Katharine (Barncastle)	Post	2011	2014	Cal Poly
Edwards, Andrea	Post	2012	2014	Senior Scientist, Inscripta, Inc.
O’Brien, Robert	Post	2012	2014	Research Scientist, Impossible Foods
DiRaimondo, Tommy	Pre	2008	2013	Director of Research, Janux Therapeutics
Jin, Xi	Pre	2007	2012	independent investor, co-founder of a small asset mgmt. company
Holmes, Tracy	Pre	2005	2012	Business Development Manager, Meridian Bioscience
Harvey, Colin	Pre	2006	2012	Head of Biology and Chemistry, Hexagon Bio
Fitzgerald, Jay	Pre	2007	2012	Chief Scientist, Bioenergy Technologies Office, Dept. of Energy
Charkoudian, Louise	Post	2008	2012	Professor, Haverford College
Yu, Xingye	Pre	2008	2012	Solazyme
Wang, Fong Tian	Pre	2007	2012	Research Scientist, Molecular Engineering Laboratory, Singapore
Kapur, Shiven	Pre	2006	2011	Senior Research Scientist, Eli Lilly and Company
Dafik, Laila	Post	2008	2011	Project Management CMC, Regulatory Affairs, at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc
Li, Weiwei	Post	2011	2011	Patent Agent
Liu, Tiangang	Post	2008	2010	Professor, Wuhan University
Szu, Ping-Hui (Grace)	Post	2008	2010	Senior Scientist, CS-Bay Therapeutics, Inc
Lee, Younjoo	Post	2009	2010	Korean Patent Office
Yuzawa, Satoshi	Post	2009	2010	Project Assistant Professor Institute for Advanced Biosciences Keio University
Moron Flores, Belen	Post	2007	2010	Postdoc, Oxford University
Bethune, Michael	Pre	2004	2009	Director of Discovery Research, Syncopation Life Sciences
Ehren, Jennifer	Pre	2004	2009	Lecturer, University of Notre Dame
Pinkas, Dan	Pre	2004	2009	Professor, Loyola University Andalucia, Spain
Ridley, Christian	Post	2004	2009	Gingko Bioworks
Vora, Harmit	Pre	2004	2009	Executive Director, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Das, Abhirup	Pre	2005	2009	Associate Director, Research at Tranquis Therapeutics
Forteschi, Mauro	Pre	2008	2008	Graduate student, University of Sassari
Tang, Yinyan	Pre	2002	2008	University of California, San Francisco
Chen, Yu-Chieh (Alice)	Pre	2003	2008	Accelerator Corporation
Lee, Ho Young	Pre	2003	2008	Genentech
Lu, Xuefeng	Post	2006	2008	Qingdao Institute for Bioprocessing and Bioenergy
Siegel, Matthew	Pre	2002	2007	Ardelyx
Schnarr, Nathan	Post	2004	2007	Faculty, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Alekseyev, Viktor	Pre	2001	2006	Staff Scientist, Genencor, Inc.
Lee, Taek Soon	Pre	2001	2006	Lawrence Berkeley Labs
Rude, Mathew	Pre	2001	2006	Amunix
Watts, Eray	Pre	2001	2006	Insitro
Xia, Jiang	Pre	2002	2006	Chinese University of Hong Kong
Gass, Jonathan	Pre	2003	2006	Merck
Mobashery, Niloufar	Post	2003	2006	Global Strategy Lead, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Kim, Chu-Young	Post	2001	2005	Faculty, Univ. of Texas at El Paso
Choi, Kihang	Post	2003	2005	Faculty, Korea University
Tse, Martha Lovato	Post	2003	2005	Director, Group Head Technical Product Management, Pipeline, Genentech
Kumar, Pawan	Pre	1999	2004	VP Technical Operations, Federation Bio
Boddy, Christopher	Post	2001	2004	Faculty, University of Ottawa
Watanabe, Kenji	Post	2001	2004	Professor, University of Shizuoka
Koppisch, Andrew	Post	2002	2004	Faculty, North Arizona University
Tang, Yi	Post	2004	2004	Faculty, University of California, Los Angeles
Piper, Justin	Pre	1999	2004	Cardinal
Shan, Lu	Pre	1999	2004	Denali Therapeutics
Hartung, Ingo	Post	2003	2004	Merck
Li, Qing	Pre	1998	2003
Liou, Grace	Pre	1998	2003	Staff Scientist, NIH
Tsai, Sheryl	Post	1999	2003	Faculty, University of California, Irvine
Wang, Clay	Post	2001	2003	Faculty, University of Southern California
Hans, Marcus	Post	2000	2003	DSM
Kobayashi, Seiji	Post	2000	2003	Faculty, Kitasato University
Hotta, Kinya	Post	2001	2003	Business Manager at Genetech Biotechnology, Pte. Ltd. Singapore
Pfeifer, Blaine	Pre	1997	2002	Faculty, University of Buffalo
Wu, Nicholas	Pre	1998	2002	Clearbridge Investors
Hausch, Felix	Post	2000	2002	Professor, Technical University Darmstadt
Parrot-Smietana, Isabelle	Post	2000	2001	Faculty, University of Montpellier, France
Marti, Thomas	Post	1999	2001	Senior Consultant, EVU Partners AG
Schuetz, Rolf	Post	2000	2001	Staff Scientist, Pentapharm Inc.
Meadows, Eric	Post	1999	2001	VP Scientific Development, Ciox Health
Lau, Janice	Pre	1995	2000	VP Strain Development, Corbion
Tsuji, Stuart	Pre	1995	2000	University of Hawai Cancer Center
Salomon, Arthur	Pre	1996	2000	Brown University
Dreier, Juerg	Post	1997	2000	Basilea
Hu, Zhihao (Karl)	Post	1997	2000	CFO, Aton, Inc., RWC, CA
Pohl, Nicola	Post	1997	2000	Faculty, Indiana University
Chiu, Hsien Tai	Post	1998	2000	Faculty, National Chiao Tung Unviersity
Lombo, Felipe	Post	1998	2000	Faculty, University of Oviedo
Admiraal, Suzanne	Post	1999	2000	Senior Research Lab Specialist, University of Michigan Medical School
Gokhale, Rajesh	Post	1996	1999	Professor, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
Hunziker, Daniel	Post	1997	1999	Sr. Principal Scientist, F. Hoffmann-La Roche
Fujie, Akihiko	Post	1998	1999	Astellas
Burson, Kim	Pre	1996	1998	Denali Therapeutics
Shigeta, Ron	Post	1997	1998	Co-Founder at Biomatica, Founding Partner – Berkeley BioLabs
Zawada, Robert	Pre	1994	1998	Director of Assay Development and Service Projects Manager at BioAssay Systems
Carreras, Christopher	Post	1995	1997	Prolynx
Jacobsen, John	Post	1995	1997	Chief Scientific Officer, DICE Therapeutics
Kao, Camilla	Pre	1992	1997	Hourly Lecturer, Degreed, Lanier Middle School, Houston, TX
Pieper, Rembert	Post	1993	1997	Sr. Principal Scientist, Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Kramer, Peter	Pre	1994	1996	Lead Director, Manufacturing Science and Technology at Hospira
McDaniel, Robert	Pre	1992	1995	Portfolio Program Manager, Guardant Health
Fu, Hong	Post	1993	1995	Sr. Scientist at Kosan Biosciences
Bedford, David	Post	1993	1994	Freelance Writer