Lab Members

Can Cenik

Principal Investigator

Can enjoys playing the piano and chess for fun. He likes to listen to music and spend time with his wife who is also a faculty member at UT. Here is more information about her research.

• 2012 - 2018, Stanford University, School of Medicine
  Postdoctoral Fellow, Genetics.
  Advisor: Dr. Michael P. Snyder
• 2008-2011, Harvard Medical School
  PhD, Genetics
  Thesis advisor: Dr. Frederick P. Roth
• 2004-2008, Harvard College
  BA, magna cum laude, highest honors, Applied Mathematics.
  Thesis Advisor: Dr. John Wakeley

Shilpa Rao

Research Scientist

Currently, Shilpa is working on identifying novel translation regulators using genome-wide CRISPR screens in humans. Her doctoral study involved understanding translation regulation in the human parasite, Leishmania donovani. She would like to combine the two in future and identify factors that can be used for drug targeting and treat various pathogenesis. In her free time, being with her kids gives Shilpa immense joy.

• 2009 - 2015, Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  PhD Scholar
• 2007 - 2009, Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  M.S. Biotechnology
• 2004 - 2007, Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  B.S.

Vighnesh Ghatpande

Postdoctoral Fellow

Vighnesh is interested in studying the cellular mechanisms of protein translation, particularly in the brain and early development. Outside lab, he enjoys hiking, swimming, and playing board games. He also loves to explore new places and cuisines.

• 2015 - 2022, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India PhD
• 2012 - 2014, Pondicherry University, India M.S. Biotechnology
• 2009 - 2012, Fergusson College, Pune, India B.S. Biotechnology

Ian Hoskins

Graduate Student

Ian is passionate about genomics, statistics, and microbiology. His general research goals involve the application of statistical learning approaches to sequencing data. Outside of work, Ian likes to play acoustic and electric guitar, contend in foosball matches, and exercise throughkickboxing and longboarding. When Ian feels like being less physically active, you’ll find him critically examining political and philosophicaldebates and reading all sorts of nonfiction- from religious history to particle physics. Ian has a “peacemaker” personality and is very laid-back, so don’t be hesitant to say “hi”.

• 2013, University of Colarado at Denver
  B.S. Biology
  Chemistry Minor

Dayea Park

Graduate Student

Dayea is interested in the subjects of genomics, genetics, and epigenetics. She is working on translational regulatory mechanisms in development and its connection to epigenetics. Outside of research, she has an outgoing personality and loves physical activities including traveling, playing tennis, and swimming.

• 2016, Gachon University, South Korea,
  B.S. Biology
• 2018, Seoul National University, South Korea,
  M.S. Crop Genetics

Yue Liu

Graduate Student

Yue is interested in cancer and computational biology. She used to work on how DNA damage response affects cancer metabolism with targeted CRISPR-screen. With both wet and dry lab experience, she is interested in developing bioinformatics applications that benefit bench work. She loves to go hiking and play the violin when she is not working.

• 2011-2014, Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
  M.S. Bioinformatics
• 2007-2011 Shanghai Ocean University,
  B.S. Biotechnology

Uma Paul

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Uma is a biomedical engineering major who is interested in utilizing computational biology to study genetics and translation. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, hiking, and reading.

Charisma Tante

Undergraduate Laboratory Assistant

Charisma is a biochemistry major and Mandarin minor, interested in molecular biology and genetics. Outside of academics, she loves to travel and is a member of the Longhorn Powerlifting Team.

Jonathan Chacko

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jonathan is a computer science major interested in bioinformatics, helping to create interactive front-end visualizations for the lab. His goal is to use software to solve interesting technical challenges, in whatever field they may lie. He has a keen interest in music production and plays piano in his spare time.

Logan Persyn

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Logan is a computer science major in the integrated B.S./M.S. program. He is interested in machine learning and its applications in bioinformatics. His goal is to bridge these two fields of research. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and running.