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.
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.
Emily joined the Hata Lab in June 2022 after receiving her BA from College of the Holy Cross. At Holy Cross, Emily was a Biology/Chinese double major, and worked in Dr. Alexis Hill’s Drosophila Neurobiology lab. Her work focused on the gene seizure (sei) and how it affects developmental time in Drosophila, along with determining which cell types express sei. In the Hata lab, she is a member of the Model Development Team which seeks to create cell lines and PDX models from patient lung cancer samples. Outside of lab, Emily enjoys doing ballet, playing with her cat, and spending time with friends and family.
Katie joined the Hata lab in December 2021 after earning her BS/MS in Biology from Tufts University. At Tufts, she conducted undergraduate research with Julia Gouvea, studying the learning and teaching practices of Biology at multiple grade levels. Dr. Gouvea’s research investigates how model-based reasoning as a biological practice can support deeper learning for students. In the Hata lab, Katie works with Samar on identifying therapeutic strategies for KRAS NSCLS. Outside of the lab, she enjoys riding her bike and teaching others how to ride at the Bicycle Riding School!
