Kadener Lab
Team
Prof. Sebastian Kadener
Principal Investigator,
MCB and Neuroscience
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Ph.D., The University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Lic. Cs. Biol., The University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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The Nandar Su
Lab Manger and Staff Scientist
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Nandar joined the Kadener lab as their lab manager after completing her B.S in Biology and M.S in Bioinformatics at Juniata College in 2023. She works mainly on maintaining and running the lab, and helps out in projects that need an extra hand. She enjoys reading books and going on trips whenever she is free.
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B.S in Biology, Juniata College
MS in Bioinfomratics, Juniata College
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Dr. Yingshi Peng
Post Doctoral Researcher​
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​Yingshi is a postdoc in the Kadener Lab. He joined in 2024 to study how circRNAs affect aging in Drosophila. Before coming to Brandeis, Yingshi obtained his Ph.D. degree in the lab of Prof. Elizabeth R. Gavis at Princeton University where he studied translational control of maternal transcripts in developing Drosophila oocytes. Outside of lab, he enjoy running, skiing, and photography.
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PhD in Biology, Princeton University
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Dr. Nathan Brownstein
Post Doctoral Researcher​
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Nathan is a postdoc in molecular and cellular biology in Kadener lab. They are originally from southern Connecticut and studied biochemistry and molecular biology at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. Nathan joined Brandeis University and the Kadener lab out of undergrad. Their research focuses on mechanisms underlying post-transcriptional regulation in the Drosophila molecular clock utilizing techniques which include proximity interactome mapping, fluorescent imaging, standard molecular techniques and cell culture. In their spare time Nathan enjoys podcasts, music, and painting miniatures.
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PhD in Molecular Biology, Brandeis University
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Jazmin Morales
Graduate Student, Neuroscience​
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Jazmin, a native of Queens, NYC, is a PhD candidate in the Kadener Lab. Her research focuses on investigating the neuronal localization and function of circMbl, primarily employing FISH, advanced imaging techniques, and transcriptomics. Outside of the lab, Jazmin enjoys reading, exploring diverse cuisines, and attempting to knit.​
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BS in Biotechnology, City college of New York
Michael Canori
Graduate Student, Neuroscience​
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Michael is currently investigating the molecular mechanism of muscleblind in the Drosophila nervous system.​
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BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University
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Shaun (Sayan) Biswas
Graduate Student, Molecular and Cell Biology​
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​Sayan is originally from India where he completed his undergraduate training in Electrical Enginering at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Prior to coming to Brandeis, Sayan worked in the Bangalore Life Science Cluster, India as a research fellow. Sayan is a graduate student in the Molecular and Cell Biology program at Brandeis and he is investigating the role of circRNA in aging and neurodegeneration.
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BE in Electrical Engineering, Jadavpur University, India​
Shruti Jha
Graduate Student, Molecular Cell Biology​
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Shruti Jha is a PhD student in the Kadener and Griffith labs, with a strong passion for cell and molecular biology, particularly RNA biology in neurons. Her research interests are centered around the unique architecture and physiology of neurons, which make the study of dynamic RNA molecules particularly compelling.
Shruti's PhD research focuses on investigating the role of circular RNAs in synaptic function and plasticity, using Drosophila as a model organism. To address her research questions, she utilizes a variety of advanced techniques, including single-molecule imaging, proteomics, sequencing, and behavioral monitoring of the flies.
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B.Sc. in Medical Microbiology, Pokhara University, Nepal
M.Sc. in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Bern, Switzerland
Iris Nava
Graduate Student, Molecular Cell Biology​
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Iris is a PhD student in the Kadener lab, originally from Southern California. She earned her B.S. in biology with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her work in the Kadener lab focuses on the interactions of circRNAs and RNA degradation proteins. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading. ​
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​BS in Biology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas​