Lab Members
Rosalind Segal
Principal Investigator
My research lies at the intersection of developmental neurobiology and cancer biology. During brain development, signaling pathways initiated by extracellular growth factors regulate and coordinate proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. Understanding growth factor signaling pathways identifies critical steps in development and differentiation of the brain, the most complex organ. Furthermore such studies enable new therapies for brain disorders, as these pathways are eminently druggable and exhibit extensive signal amplification. Our research focuses both on understanding normal brain development and developing therapies for brain tumors and of diverse neurologic disorders.
In addition to the research in the lab, I am committed to training future scientists and to developing interdisciplinary areas of research. I am the Director of the PhD program in Neuroscience at Harvard and an associate of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies.
When I am not working, I enjoy time with my family (Mike, Rachel and Daniel), running and poetry.
Principal Investigator
My research lies at the intersection of developmental neurobiology and cancer biology. During brain development, signaling pathways initiated by extracellular growth factors regulate and coordinate proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. Understanding growth factor signaling pathways identifies critical steps in development and differentiation of the brain, the most complex organ. Furthermore such studies enable new therapies for brain disorders, as these pathways are eminently druggable and exhibit extensive signal amplification. Our research focuses both on understanding normal brain development and developing therapies for brain tumors and of diverse neurologic disorders.
In addition to the research in the lab, I am committed to training future scientists and to developing interdisciplinary areas of research. I am the Director of the PhD program in Neuroscience at Harvard and an associate of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies.
When I am not working, I enjoy time with my family (Mike, Rachel and Daniel), running and poetry.
Maria Pazyra-Murphy
Lab Manager/Research Scientist
maria_pazyra@dfci.harvard.edu
I am working on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, reading and watching my favorite Boston sports teams with family and friends.
Lab Manager/Research Scientist
maria_pazyra@dfci.harvard.edu
I am working on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, reading and watching my favorite Boston sports teams with family and friends.
Ozge Tasdemir Yilmaz
Post-doctoral Fellow
ozgee_tasdemiryilmaz@dfci.harvard.edu
I am interested in the mechanisms that distinguish peripheral from central axons of DRG neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Outside the lab, I love to design and make jewelry.
Post-doctoral Fellow
ozgee_tasdemiryilmaz@dfci.harvard.edu
I am interested in the mechanisms that distinguish peripheral from central axons of DRG neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Outside the lab, I love to design and make jewelry.
Yusuke Fukuda
Post-doctoral Fellow
yusuke_fukuda@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying the mechanism of how mRNAs that mediate survival of sensory neurons are locally translated in response to target-derived neurotrophins. Outside of lab, I enjoy playing the acoustic guitar and also to be out in nature rock climbing.
Post-doctoral Fellow
yusuke_fukuda@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying the mechanism of how mRNAs that mediate survival of sensory neurons are locally translated in response to target-derived neurotrophins. Outside of lab, I enjoy playing the acoustic guitar and also to be out in nature rock climbing.
Yihang Li
Post-doctoral Fellow
Yihang_Li@hms.harvard.edu
I work on the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, horseback riding and traveling.
Post-doctoral Fellow
Yihang_Li@hms.harvard.edu
I work on the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, horseback riding and traveling.
Christopher Rota
Graduate Student
christopher_rota@dfci.harvard.edu
I study the biology of both high and low grade pediatric gliomas, using sophisticated 3-D cell culture techniques to understand how these tumors interact with their brain micro-environment. When I'm not doing science in the lab, I also enjoy communicating science to the public as an active member of the Harvard Science in the News graduate student group. In my spare time, I love travelling, listening to music of all kinds, and sampling all of the best food Boston has to offer.
Graduate Student
christopher_rota@dfci.harvard.edu
I study the biology of both high and low grade pediatric gliomas, using sophisticated 3-D cell culture techniques to understand how these tumors interact with their brain micro-environment. When I'm not doing science in the lab, I also enjoy communicating science to the public as an active member of the Harvard Science in the News graduate student group. In my spare time, I love travelling, listening to music of all kinds, and sampling all of the best food Boston has to offer.
Grace Hwang
Post-doctoral Fellow
grace_hwang@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying the molecular mechanisms of potential therapeutic targets involved in Shh signaling during oncogenesis. Outside of lab, I enjoy reading, traveling to other countries, and baking sweets.
Post-doctoral Fellow
grace_hwang@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying the molecular mechanisms of potential therapeutic targets involved in Shh signaling during oncogenesis. Outside of lab, I enjoy reading, traveling to other countries, and baking sweets.
Suzanne Cayer
Research Assistant
suzanne.cayer@gmail.com
I manage the mouse colony, perform procedures for in vivo studies, and assist Ozge with her projects. Outside of lab, I love mountaineering, running, and watching the Boston Bruins.
Research Assistant
suzanne.cayer@gmail.com
I manage the mouse colony, perform procedures for in vivo studies, and assist Ozge with her projects. Outside of lab, I love mountaineering, running, and watching the Boston Bruins.