The Principal Investigator
Brian M. Zeglis, Ph.D.
Brian received his B.S. in Chemistry summa cum laude from Yale University in 2004 (Thesis Advisor: Robert H. Crabtree) and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 2009 (Thesis Advisor: Jacqueline K. Barton). After spending 5 years as a post-doctoral fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Advisor: Jason S. Lewis), he started his own lab at Hunter College in January 2015, became a tenured associate professor in September 2019, and was promoted to full professor in August 2022.
When he’s not writing grants and papers or teaching, Brian likes spending time with his wife (Emily), sons (Elliott, Calvin, & Wesley), and dog (Wembley) at their cabin in the Catskills.
The Post-Doctoral Fellows
Outi Keinänen, Ph.D.
NIH k99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award Recipient
Outi received her M.Sc. in radiochemistry from the University of Helsinki in 2011. After working for a couple of years in the radiopharmaceutical industry, she started her Ph.D. studies at the University of Helsinki, ultimately completing her degree in 2018 (Thesis Advisors: Drs. Anu J. Airaksinen and Mirkka Sarparanta). In May 2018, she started a postdoctoral fellowship in the Zeglis lab.
When not in the lab, Outi likes to travel, read, and see friends.
The Graduate Students
Mike Cornejo
Mike graduated from Brooklyn College in 2018 with a B.S. in Chemistry. After spending three years in academic research roles, he is now pursuing a doctoral degree in Chemistry from the Graduate Center at City University of New York. He has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since Fall 2021.
When not in lab, Mike likes to try different cuisine with friends, cook, and watch/play soccer.
Samantha Delaney
NIH F31 Predoctoral Award Recipient
Samantha graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 2019 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and minors in French and Religious Studies. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Biochemistry at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She has been conducting research in the Zeglis laboratory since Spring 2020.
When not in the lab, Samantha enjoys playing basketball, attending Broadway shows, and visiting friends and family at home on Long Island.
Douglas MacPherson
Douglas earned a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2014 and received his M.S. degree in Biotechnology from the City College of New York in 2016. Presently, Douglas is working on his Ph.D. thesis in the Biochemistry program at CUNY. Douglas is a National Science Foundation Fellow through the Center for Interface of Low Dimensional Systems.
When not in the lab, Douglas enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and maintaining physical fitness.
Cindy Rodriguez
Cindy graduated from Hunter College in 2019 with a BA in Chemistry and a minor in Economics. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Chemistry from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. She has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since 2016."
When not in the lab, Cindy likes to draw, cook, and play with her dog.
Samantha Sarrett
Samantha graduated from the University of Washington in 2018 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in mathematics. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the Graduate Center at City University of New York. She has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since Spring 2019.
When not in the lab, Samantha likes to read mystery novels, play video games, and explore New York City with family and friends.
Joni Sebastiano
Joni graduated from Stony Brook University in 2020 with a BS in Biochemistry. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the Graduate Centre at the City University of New York. She has been conducting researxch in the Zeglis Lab since Spring 2022.
When not in lab, Joni likes to draw, sing, and explore New York with her friends.
The Undergraduate Students
Meena Hosny
Meena is a junior at Hunter College majoring in Biochemistry.
When not in lab, Meena enjoys oil painting, exploring New York City, and cooking for family and friends
High School Students