Maria Vittoria joined the Hata Lab in October 2024 as a visiting Ph.D. student from Roberto Chiarle’s lab at the University of Torino. In Torino, her research focused on identifying new therapeutic strategies for lung cancers harboring the EML4-ALK fusion gene that have become resistant to ALK-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors. She worked on generating in vitro and in vivo models of TKI-resistant ALK+ NSCLCs to test the synergy between small molecule inhibitors of nuclear export and second- and third-generation ALK inhibitors, aiming to overcome resistance and prevent tumor recurrence. At the Hata Lab, Maria Vittoria is interested in delving deeper into the genomic instability that drives acquired drug resistance and promotes the evolution of drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPs) in both EGFR-mutated and ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Outside of the lab, she enjoys exploring the Italian -now American- countryside, reading, and baking.
Melissa joined the Hata Lab in September of 2024 after completing her B.S. in Biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. At UMB, Melissa worked in the Rister lab, researching how vitamin A deprivation affects the structure, function, and development of the retinas of Drosophila melanogaster. Throughout her undergraduate career, she worked as a nurse assistant, was a peer mentor for the Pre-Medical Freshman Success Community, and volunteered at the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers. In the Hata lab, Melissa works with Chendi to investigate tumor resistance in KRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. In the future, she hopes to pursue a medical career in oncology. In her free time, Melissa enjoys reading, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.
Aimee joined the Hata Lab in July of 2024 after receiving her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology. While studying, she completed an internship with the DeKosky Lab at the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard. There, Aimee conducted research on optimizing the lab’s high throughput platform to capture and screen natively paired alpha beta TCRs, then adapted the platform to screen gamma delta TCRs in a collaboration with the Hahn Lab at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Aimee was also on the executive board for the American Cancer Society on Campus at RIT where she helped organize Relay for Life and was invited to the American Cancer Society National Top Performers Conference. In the Hata Lab she will conduct research on the tumor micro-environment in EGFR mutant lung cancers. In the future, she is planning to pursue her PhD and a career in cancer research. Outside of work, Aimee enjoys dance, reading, and baking.
Christina joined the Hata Lab in June of 2024 after completing her BS in Biological Sciences and a minor in Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Vermont. At UVM, Christina worked in the Gotelli lab, researching biological methods to control the increasing population of Emerald Ash Borers. She also engaged in remote neurology research at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, served as Vice President of the UVM Women in STEM Club, participated in an undergraduate research experience, and was a member of the Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society. In the Hata lab, Christina works with Toshio on uncovering acquired resistance to targeted therapies in ALK + lung cancer. She hopes to pursue a career in cancer research and eventually enroll in a PhD program. In her free time, Christina enjoys skiing, art, swimming, and enjoying the company of friends and family.
In April 2024, Takashi became a member of the Hata lab. He received his MD from Tsukuba University, Japan, and has been working as a thoracic surgeon. He developed an interest in cancer biology related to thoracic malignancies while working. His research focused on the tumor microenvironment of NSCLC at the National Cancer Center, Japan, and Toho University in Japan, and he finished his PhD at Toho University under the supervision of Akira Iyoda. He is interested in novel effective therapies that can target oncogenic drivers in thoracic malignancies including malignant pleural mesothelioma, and he began researching.
In 2024, Divya joined Hata Lab after earning her Master’s in Biology from the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Trivandrum, India, and completing her Ph.D. in health sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, under Prof. Etta Livneh. In Prof. Livneh’s lab, she discovered a novel mechanism regulating PKC activity through an upstream ORF-encoded peptide, revealing its significance in cancer therapy. Her study showed a uORF with biological function exhibiting kinase inhibitory activity for the first time. Now at Hata Lab, Divya focuses on understanding the intricate dynamics between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Her research aims to develop better model systems illuminating this interplay and leverage the findings to overcome drug resistance to targeted therapy for EGFR, ALK & KRAS mutant lung cancers. Beyond the lab, Divya enjoys long walks, learning Japanese, and cherishing moments with family and friends. She’s also an enthusiastic dog-lover.
Jamie joined the Hata Lab in February 2024 after completing her BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Washington. While completing her studies, she was a member of the Fuller Lab, where she studied viral pathogenesis and the development of antivirals, vaccines, and immunotherapies. She also was a member of the Iribarren research group, where she worked on developing a urine metabolite test for tuberculosis drug adherence. In the Hata Lab, she is a member of the Model Development Team. Outside of lab, Jamie enjoys hanging out of her cat, watching documentaries, and cooking.
Lauren joined the Hata Lab in August 2023 after completing her B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia. During her time at UVA, Lauren worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for UVA Health and as a scribe for Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. In the Hata Lab, Lauren is part of the Model Development Team and hopes to pursue a career in medicine in the future. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Ishmarie joined the Hata lab in June of 2023 after completing her BS in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida. At USF, she worked in the Davila and Locke labs studying the development of gene-engineered cell therapies targeting cancer cells in preclinical models. In the Hata lab, she works with Jamie studying the development of immunotherapies to treat ALK+ lung cancer. She hopes to later pursue a Ph.D. in immunology. In her free time, Ish likes reading, embroidering, and rowing.
Wafa is a graduate student in the lab within the Biological and Biomedical Sciences(BBS) program at Harvard Medical School. For her undergraduate studies, she attended Mount Holyoke College’19 where she majored in Biochemistry. During this time, she worked in the lab of Craig Woodard and studied the regulatory pathways involved in the developmental processes in Drosophila melanogaster. After college Wafa joined the Hata lab, as a research technician, where she studied the mechanisms of acquired resistance to Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) driven Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
As a Ph.D. student, Wafa aims to combine her diverse research backgrounds to explore mechanisms of tumorigenesis, cancer metastasis, and acquired resistance to leverage this knowledge towards the development of targeted therapies. Outside of science, Wafa is an avid cricket fan and in her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, going out with friends to explore the Boston area, and spending time in nature.
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