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/Senior 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/Senior 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.
Elizabeth Silagi
Post-doctoral Fellow
elizabeth_silagi@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying the distinct landscape of neurotrophin-induced mRNA trafficking/translation in the axons of sensory and motor neurons. Outside of the lab, you can find me at local music venues, thrifting/antiquing, or explaining why fighting is not the answer to my 3 rescued cats.
Post-doctoral Fellow
elizabeth_silagi@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying the distinct landscape of neurotrophin-induced mRNA trafficking/translation in the axons of sensory and motor neurons. Outside of the lab, you can find me at local music venues, thrifting/antiquing, or explaining why fighting is not the answer to my 3 rescued cats.
Chelsey LeBlang
Post-doctoral Fellow
chelseyj_leblang@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying mechanisms of axonal degeneration across several neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, to identify and validate potential targets for pharmacologic intervention. Outside of the lab I enjoy yoga, true crime documentaries, and learning new languages.
Post-doctoral Fellow
chelseyj_leblang@dfci.harvard.edu
I am studying mechanisms of axonal degeneration across several neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, to identify and validate potential targets for pharmacologic intervention. Outside of the lab I enjoy yoga, true crime documentaries, and learning new languages.
Joy Franco
Post-doctoral Fellow
joya_franco@dfci.harvard.edu
My research is focused on understanding the origins and impacts of calcium dysregulation in age-related sensory neuropathies. As a co-mentored postdoctoral research fellow in both the Segal and the Goodrich Labs in the Department of Neurobiology of Harvard Medical School, I am applying our current understanding of axonal degeneration in dorsal root ganglion neurons to the spiral ganglion neurons of the cochlea. Through this collaborative research we hope to uncover the cellular mechanisms that both protect sensory neurons from repeated damage and identify therapeutic targets for age-related hearing loss. Outside of my time in lab I am a competitive cyclist primarily focused on dirt-related disciplines such as cyclocross, cross-country mountain biking, and gravel.
Post-doctoral Fellow
joya_franco@dfci.harvard.edu
My research is focused on understanding the origins and impacts of calcium dysregulation in age-related sensory neuropathies. As a co-mentored postdoctoral research fellow in both the Segal and the Goodrich Labs in the Department of Neurobiology of Harvard Medical School, I am applying our current understanding of axonal degeneration in dorsal root ganglion neurons to the spiral ganglion neurons of the cochlea. Through this collaborative research we hope to uncover the cellular mechanisms that both protect sensory neurons from repeated damage and identify therapeutic targets for age-related hearing loss. Outside of my time in lab I am a competitive cyclist primarily focused on dirt-related disciplines such as cyclocross, cross-country mountain biking, and gravel.
Ezechukwu Nduka
Research Technician
ezechukwuj_nduka@dfci.harvard.edu
I am currently studying the mechanisms of mRNA-cargo sorting between the peripheral and central axons of the dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. Outside of the lab, you can find me in the gym, trying to find new places to eat in Boston, watching Netflix, reading up on African history, or playing video games with my friends.
Research Technician
ezechukwuj_nduka@dfci.harvard.edu
I am currently studying the mechanisms of mRNA-cargo sorting between the peripheral and central axons of the dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. Outside of the lab, you can find me in the gym, trying to find new places to eat in Boston, watching Netflix, reading up on African history, or playing video games with my friends.
Srestha Dasgupta
Post-doctoral Fellow
srestha_dasgupta@dfci.harvard.edu
I study the mechanisms underlying Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) using methodologies that can address their relevance to human CIPN, with an overarching aim to contribute towards cancer therapy research that balances treatment efficacy with life quality. I am a neurobiologist by training specialized in neurodegenerative disorders, with a background in cell & molecular biology, biotechnology, and human physiology. In my leisure time I enjoy music, baking, painting, swimming and catching up with my loved ones.
Post-doctoral Fellow
srestha_dasgupta@dfci.harvard.edu
I study the mechanisms underlying Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) using methodologies that can address their relevance to human CIPN, with an overarching aim to contribute towards cancer therapy research that balances treatment efficacy with life quality. I am a neurobiologist by training specialized in neurodegenerative disorders, with a background in cell & molecular biology, biotechnology, and human physiology. In my leisure time I enjoy music, baking, painting, swimming and catching up with my loved ones.
Jiachen Sun
Post-doctoral Fellow
Jiachen_sun@dfci.harvard.edu
I am currently studying the mechanisms behind axon degeneration in the context of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), with a primary emphasis on the Sarm1 signaling pathway. Beyond my work in the lab, I have a passion for reading, baking, discovering new culinary experiences at various restaurants, and beginner-level hiking.
Post-doctoral Fellow
Jiachen_sun@dfci.harvard.edu
I am currently studying the mechanisms behind axon degeneration in the context of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), with a primary emphasis on the Sarm1 signaling pathway. Beyond my work in the lab, I have a passion for reading, baking, discovering new culinary experiences at various restaurants, and beginner-level hiking.