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
Mark (Wei-Siang) Kao, Ph.D.
Mark earned his B.S. in Chemistry from National Taiwan Normal University in 2014. His undergraduate research, supervised by Dr. Jiann Tsuen Lin and Dr. Ming-Chang P. Yeh, focused on the synthesis of small molecule optical materials. Afterward, he worked as a research assistant working on DNA repairing mechanism studies in the Department of Chemistry at National Taiwan University under the supervision of Dr. Hung-Wen Li. Mark then pursued his PhD in Chemistry at Stony Brook University, where he earned his PhD degree in 2023 under the guidance of his thesis advisor, Scott T. Laughlin (Thesis Title: Developing and Optimizing Light-Activatable Cyclopropene-Based Bioorthogonal Substrates for Bioimaging). In December 2023, he joined the Zeglis lab as a postdoctoral researcher.
Outside of the lab, Mark enjoys traveling, reading, watching movies, cycling, playing tennis, and snowboarding.
The Graduate Students
Mike Cornejo
NanoBioNYC Doctoral Scholar
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.
Gina Dehlavi
Gina earned her BS in Biotechnology in 2021 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Since Fall 2023, she has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab.
Outside the lab, Gina enjoys dancing, cooking, and hanging out with friends.
Camilla Grimaldi
Camilla graduated from Hofstra University in 2022 with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Mathematics. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since Spring 2023.
When not in the lab, Camilla likes to play tennis, root for the Mets, and spend time with her family, friends, and dog.
Mayuresh Mane
Mayuresh M. Mane holds a clinical medicine degree from India. Before joining the PhD Program in Biology at the City University of New York, he has had extensive research experience while working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He has been an integral part of the research team at the Zeglis Lab since Fall 2023.
Beyond his scientific endeavors, Mayuresh also explores his creative side through sketching, writing, reading, and exploring the diverse culture that New York City has on offer.
Zach Samuels
Zach graduated from Stony Brook University in 2017 with a B.S. in chemistry. After working as a research technician at Memorial Sloan Kettering, he is now pursuing his doctoral degree in chemistry at the CUNY Graduate Center. Zach has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since the Spring of 2023.
When not in lab, Zach likes to read, try new food, and hang out with friends.
Joni Sebastiano
Tow Foundation Doctoral Scholar
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 research in the Zeglis Lab since Spring 2022.
When not in lab, Joni likes to draw, sing, and explore New York with her friends.
Ava Stoddard
Ava graduated from Appalachian State University in 2023 with a BS in Biology. They are currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Biology from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. They have been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since Fall 2024.
When not in lab, Ava likes to read, sew, and hang out in their neighborhood park.
The Post-Baccalaureate Students
Sugar Galka
Sugar graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2023 with a BS in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. She has been conducting research in the Zeglis Lab since August 2024.
When not in lab, Sugar likes to hike, read, and listen to music.
The Undergraduate Students
Judah Farkas
Judah is a sophomore in the Macaulay Honors Program at Hunter College, majoring in Biochemistry.
When he’s not in the lab, Judah enjoys playing basketball, playing electric guitar, and exploring New York City with friends.
Lena Hamouche
Lena is a Junior in Hunter College majoring in Biology.
When not in Lab, Lena likes to travel, learn new languages, and hang out with friends in the city.
Julia Lalla
Julia is a sophomore part of the Macaulay Honors Program at Hunter College, majoring in Biology.
When not in lab, Julia enjoys baking, cooking, reading, and exploring the city with family and friends.
Shane McGlone
Shane is a junior Macaulay Honors student at Hunter College majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in legal studies.
Outside of the lab, he loves to find a new recipe to cook and play the guitar.
Evelyn Roizen
Evelyn is a junior Macaulay Honors student and McNulty scholar at Hunter College majoring in Biology.
When not in the lab, Evelyn enjoys reading, playing tennis, walking dogs, and trying new cuisines in New York City.
Emilia Strugala
Emilia is a freshman part of the Macaulay Honors Program at Hunter College majoring in Biochemistry.
When not in the lab, Emilia enjoys embroidering, playing video games, and listening to music.