Meet our team!
Elena Ezhkova, PhD
Lab Head
Elena carried out her PhD studies on epigenetics and chromatin in Dr. Bill Tansey’s lab at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (NY, USA). For her postdoctoral studies, she moved to Dr. Elaine Fuchs’s lab at the Rockefeller University (NY, USA), where she learned the skin stem cell system. At Mount Sinai, Dr. Ezhkova's lab is part of the Black Family Stem Cell Institute and the Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology.
Meng-Yen Li, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Meng-Yen received his PhD from the Institute of Biochemistry at National Taiwan University under the supervision by Dr. Guang-Chao Chen. During his PhD, he studied the function and molecular regulation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase in lung cancer. Meng Yen joined the Ezhkova lab in February 2018. In the lab, he is interested in skin cancer.
Pooja Flora, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Pooja received her PhD at University at Albany in Dr. Rangan's lab. She joined the Ezhkova lab in September 2018 and is interested in uncovering how epigenetic regulators control hair follicle stem cell function in the adult skin. Outside of the lab, Pooja is an avid reader and enjoys fantasy fiction. She is also fascinated by true crime podcasts and documentaries.
Radhika Rao, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Radhika did her PhD at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Biology (InStem), Bangalore, India. She joined the lab in September 2021. In the lab, she is interested in mechanisms controlling the development of the skin.
Madison Weber
Graduate Student
Madison earned her BA in biology and philosophical studies from Bard College at Simon's Rock. She joined the lab in December 2019 and is interested in skin cancer. Outside the lab, she enjoys dance, creative writing, and sewing
Meagan Branch
Graduate Student
Meagan received her BS in Biochemistry at Elon University in North Carolina, and after graduation she went on to participate in the NIH’s post-baccalaureate research education program (PREP) at the Medical University of South Carolina. She joined the lab in 2020 and is interested in wound healing. Outside of lab, Meagan enjoys trying new foods and restaurants as well as hanging out with friends.
Eden Teferi
Research Associate
Eden received her BA in Neuroscience & Behavior from Columbia University. She joined the lab in 2021 and is interested in stem cell regulation. Outside the lab, Eden is interested in embroidery and trying new foods.
Maria Mercedes
Graduate Student
Maria received her BA/BS in Spanish Literature and Biology at Brooklyn College (CUNY). She has a master’s degree in Biomedical Science from Drexel University. She joined the lab on Fall 2021 and is interested in epigenetic regulators in epidermal stem cell control. As a first-generation student, she advocates for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in STEM.
Sergei Ezhkov
Laboratory Technician
Sergei joined the lab in April 2016. He is helping with genotyping and lab upkeep.
Alumni
Carmit Bar
PhD Candidate, 2015-2020
Current position: Scientific Associate, IMPRINT Publication Science
Idan Cohen
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014-2019
Current position: Assistant Professor, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
Katherine Dauber
PhD Candidate, 2012-2017
Current position: Senior research coordinator, Northwell Health
Julian Valdes
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2012-2017
Current Position: Assistant professor, UNAM Mx
Carolina Perdigoto
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2012-2016
Current Position: Chief Editor, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Francis Santoriello
Laboratory Manager, 2014-2015
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University
Evan Bardot
Laboratory Manager, 2011-2014
Current Position: Associate Editor, Nature Communications
Jisheng Zhang
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2011-2013
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, China