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Meet our team!

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Elena Ezhkova, PhD

Lab Head       

elena.ezhkova@mssm.edu

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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. 

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Meng-Yen Li, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow   (SBDRC Transition-to-Independence Awardee)

meng-yen.li@mssm.edu

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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.

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Pooja Flora, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow   (K99/R00 Awardee)

pooja.flora@mssm.edu

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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.

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Madison Weber

PhD Student     (F31 Awardee)

madison.weber@icahn.mssm.edu

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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 stays busy with sewing, crafts, and creative writing, and she loves to dance!

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Meagan Branch

PhD Student     (F31 Awardee)

meagan.branch@icahn.mssm.edu 

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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. 

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Maria Mercedes

PhD Student   (T32 Awardee)

maria.mercedes@icahn.mssm.edu

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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.

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Nazifa Salsabeel

PhD Student

nazifa.salsabeel@icahn.mssm.edu

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Nazifa received her BS in Biotechnology at The City College of New York (CUNY), then went on to participate in the Research Pipeline Program (ResTep) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She joined the lab in Spring 2024 and is interested in skin cancer. As a first-generation student, she advocates for the Girls Education in Medicine and Science (GEMS) program.

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Jasmine Zhang

PhD Student

jasmine.zhang@icahn.mssm.edu

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​Jasmine received her BS in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University and joined the lab in Spring 2025. Her research interests include skin innervation, neuroimmune crosstalk, and inflammatory skin disorders. She is currently exploring the mechanisms and role of Merkel cells in modulating itch sensation. Outside of the lab, she enjoys taking care of her plant babies, dabbling in the creative arts, and searching for the best foods in the city. 

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Amanda Ackermann

PhD Student

amanda.ackermann@icahn.mssm.edu

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Amanda earned her BS in Biology at Stony Brook University and joined the lab Spring of 2025. She is working on discovering the mechanisms of Merkel Cell Carcinoma tumorigenesis and progression. Amanda is a NY native and enjoys exploring the area in her free time, playing video games, and trying new foods.

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Sergei Ezhkov

Laboratory Technician

sergei.ezhkov@mssm.edu

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Sergei joined the lab in April 2016. He is helping with genotyping and lab upkeep. 

Alumni

Yudong Zhou

Master's Student, 2023-2025

Current Position: PhD Student, Harvard University

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Megha Padubidri

Master's Student, 2023-2025

Current Position: Research Associate, Prashanth Rangan Lab, Mount Sinai 

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Leo Mazur

CEYE High School & Undergraduate Scholar, 2024-2025

Current position: Undergraduate Student, Cornell University

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Tasnim Sumaita

CEYE High School & Undergraduate Scholar, 2022-2023

Current position: Undergraduate Student, Macaulay Honors College, Hunter College

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Alua Zhanuzakova

CEYE High School Scholar, 2022-2024

Current position: Undergraduate Student, Columbia University

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Minh Nguyen

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2017-2023

Current position: Senior Scientist, Erini Papapetrou Lab, Mount Sinai

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Carmit Bar

PhD Candidate, 2015-2020

Current position:​ Associate Scientific Director, VML HEALTH

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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

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Francis Santoriello

Laboratory Manager, 2014-2015

Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University

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Evan Bardot

Laboratory Manager, 2011-2014

Current Position: Senior Editor, Nature Communications

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Jisheng Zhang

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2011-2013 

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, China

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©  Updated June 13, 2025

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