Ye He, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
- Director, Live Imaging and Bioenergetics Facility
- Co-Director, MALDI-TOF MS Imaging Facility
- Research Associate Professor, Neuroscience Initiative
Dr. He received her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics, Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where she studied developmental myelination regulated by transcription factor YY1. She continued her postdoctoral training in Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York where her research focused on the transcriptional and epigenetic control of peripheral myelination. She joined ASRC from the University of California, San Francisco Department of Physiology, where she was an HHMI Research Associate working with Dr.Yuh Nung Jan to investigate the function of ion channels in gentle touch mechano-sensation and brain tumors.
Dr. Ye He’s current research interests are employing advanced imaging techniques including super-resolution live imaging, two-photon imaging, MALDI MS imaging and other interdisciplinary imaging tools to study: 1) dynamic changes at the cellular level and intact organisms; 2) metabolism during development and disease; 3) functional interactions between nanomaterials and biological system.
Office: ASRC 4.232
Phone Number: 212.413.3182
Email: yhe1@gc.cuny.edu
Lele Xu, M.S.
Lele is a second year PhD student from the Biology program at the CUNY Graduate Center. She joined the lab in Summer 2023. Her research focuses on multidisciplinary imaging platform including confocal imaging and MALDI MS imaging coupling with her previous expertise in bioinformatics to study the metabolic regulation in human diseases and functional interaction between nanomaterials and biological systems. Lele’s hobbies include hiking, going to concerts, and playing with her cat, Tiger.
Areej Niaz, B.S.
Areej Niaz recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Biology, specializing in Neuroscience, and a minor in Linguistics. In July 2023, she joined the Ye He Lab as a Research Assistant for the Live Imaging and Bioenergetics Core and the MALDI-TOF MSI Core, simultaneously taking on the role of Lab Manager for the Ye He Lab.
Originally from Islamabad, Pakistan, Areej is a proud hijabi and Pakistani immigrant, eager to represent her unique background. Currently on a gap year, she aspires to attend medical school and deepen her involvement in medical research. In her free time, she enjoys reading fantasy books, planning getaways with friends, watching cricket, and exploring Halal cuisine in New York City and Long Island.
Kelly Veerasammy, B.S.
Kelly Veerasammy is currently a medical student at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She was previously a research assistant working in the Live Imaging & Bioenergetics and Mass Spectrometry joint-facility labs at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), and remains an active member of the lab. She received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Physics from the City College of New York, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Kelly joined the lab of Dr. Ye He in the Neuroscience Initiative at the ASRC in 2018, and has since been working alongside her and Dr. Rinat Abzalimov on a variety of collaborative projects that center on the use of advanced imaging techniques. Specifically, she has extensively trained in methods of MALDI Mass Spectrometry, confocal, EM and super-resolution imaging, and centered her undergraduate thesis around the application of MALDI MSI in biology and biomedical research.
Kelly is interested in the use of advanced imaging in clinical pathology research to aid in disease diagnosis. Outside of research, she enjoys learning and performing various dance styles, and partaking in educational STEM outreach programs.
- Jonas E. Salk Scholarship, CUNY (2022)
- Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science, CUNY (2021)
- Research Honors in Physics, CCNY (2021)
- Sloan Foundation CSURP Award, CUNY (2019)
- Certificate of Recognition of Engagement in ASRC Illumination Space (2018)
- Dean’s List (2017 – 2021)
- Edward I. Koch Fellowship – CCNY Beyond Identity (2017)
- NYS Academic Scholar Award (2017-2021)
- Peter F Vallone Scholarship Award (2017 – 2021)
X. Chen, A. Momin, S. Wanggou, X. Wang, H.-K. Min, W. Dou, Z. Gong, J. Chan, W. Dong, J. J. Fan, Y. Xiong, K. Talipova, H. Zhao, Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, A. Fekete, S. A. Kumar, H. Liu, Q. Yang, J. E. Son, et al. Mechanosensitive Brain Tumor Cells Construct Blood-Tumor Barrier to Mask Chemosensitivity. Neuron, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.007.
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
J. Yin, E. Spillman, E. S. Cheng, J. Short, Y. Chen, J. Lei, M. Gibbs, J. S. Rosenthal, C. Sheng, Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, T. Choetso, R. Abzalimov, B. Wang, C. Han, Y. He, Q. Yuan. Brain-Specific Lipoprotein Receptors Interact with Astrocyte Derived Apolipoprotein and Mediate Neuron-Glia Lipid Shuttling. Nature Communications, 2021, 12 (1), 2408. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22751-7.
Tiffany Zhong
Tiffany Zhong is an undergraduate student at Princeton University. She plans to concentrate in neuroscience and earn a certificate in Global Health and Health Policy on the pre-medical track. In the summer of 2019, Tiffany joined Dr. Ye He’s lab as a research student intern from Bronx High School of Science. Since then, she has had the opportunity to work on various imaging projects including analyzing the interaction between nanomaterials and mammalian cells, and profiling lipids in Drosophila brain using MALDI imaging. Tiffany is interested in further exploring the interdisciplinary nature of imaging projects and their ability to bridge the gap between different fields of science. Aside from research, Tiffany enjoys painting, playing badminton, and taking walks around New York City.
- NIH NINDS Summer Intern Program (2022 & 2023)
- Third Prize at Terra NYC STEM Fair, NY (2021)
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
Mayan Alena Hein
Mayan Alena Hein was born to a German mother and an American father in a small village just on the outskirts of Frankfurt, where she grew up surrounded by nature and animals. A traveler at heart, she left Germany to explore the world and live in places like England, Spain, and the Chinese Mountains before finally settling in New York City. She joined Dr. He’s lab in 2021 as part of CSURP program from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). She was engaged in projects to optimize MALDI imaging’s metabolite detection capability. Being awarded the prestigious GUIDE fellowship, Mayan is currently studying in NYU Gallatin School of individualized Study. As a Pre-Med student, she is passionate about becoming a pediatric surgeon. She hopes to one day work for Medicins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) in an effort to make the world a better place. Mayan loves to learn languages so that she can communicate with the people she encounters during her travels.
- Gallatin Undergraduate Initiative for Discovery in Education (GUIDE) Fellowship, NYU (2021-2024)
- Summa Cum Laude from BMCC (Associates in Science) (2022)
- Sloan Foundation CSURP Award, CUNY (2021)
- ANY (New York Chapter) fellow (2021)
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
Cory Weng
Cory Weng is a senior student at the Macaulay Honors College / City College of New York. He is majoring in biochemistry. Joining Dr. He’s lab in Fall 2021, Cory will be working on projects involving advanced imaging. Some of Cory’s hobby interests include playing the piano, photography, and baking.
- Harold Scheraga Honorary Distinction, CCNY (2023)
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Award (2022)
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
Muniyat Choudhury
Muniyat (Muni) Choudhury is a senior at Macaulay Honors College at the City College of New York pursuing a double concentration in Medical Anthropology and Gender Studies on the pre-medical track. She joined Dr. He’s Lab in 2021, and is interested in the application of advanced imaging techniques to medical research. In her free time she enjoys playing the lyre harp, singing, and playing Dungeons & Dragons, (sometimes simultaneously).
- Velay Women Scholars Research Fellowship, CUNY (2022)
- Pinkerton Science Scholar (2020)
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
Malia Morioka
Malia Morioka is a junior at Macaulay Honors College at the City College of New York. She is pursuing a double concentration in neurobiology and visual arts on the pre-medical track. She joined Dr. He’s lab in the summer of 2022 and is focusing on MALDI and confocal imaging. When not at the lab or studying, she enjoys weightlifting, sewing, creating in the ceramics studio, and exploring New York City.
- Velay Women Scholars Research Fellowship, CUNY (2023)
- APIA Nakupuna Scholar (2021)
Pruvost M, Patzig J, Yattah C, Selcen I, Hernandez M, Park HJ, Moyon S, Liu S, Morioka MS, Shopland L, Al-Dalahmah O, Bendl J, Fullard JF, Roussos P, Goldman J, He Y, Dupree JL, Casaccia P. The Stability of the Myelinating Oligodendrocyte Transcriptome is Regulated by the Nuclear Lamina. Cell Rep, 2023, 42(8), 112848. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112848.
Amos (Yuanzhe) Li
Amos is a high school senior who has strong interests in Science and Engineering. He joined the lab in 2022 and has focused on exploring various biomedical imaging techniques. He is interested in working with young children with disabilities and creating technological solutions to aid in improving their quality of life, and hopes to pursue biomedical engineering in the future.
- Developed ArtSci website – where art and science come together to help inspire high schoolers towards STEM related fields
- National Honor Society
- AP Scholar with Distinction 2021-2022
- Davidson scholar
Olivia Yeroushalmi
- Velay Women Scholars Research Fellowship, CUNY (2023)
- Regeneron Science Talent Search Semifinalist (2022)
Steven Xiang
Steven is a senior at the Bancroft School in Worcester, Massachusetts. He has a passion for biomedical research, and hopes to use his analytical skills in the future to solve pressing problems in medicine.
- Developed ArtSci website – where art and science come together to help inspire high schoolers towards STEM related fields
Alumni
Yuki X. Chen, B.A., MPH
Yuki X. Chen is a graduate student at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. She received her undergraduate degree (summa cum laude) from the CUNY Macaulay Honors College at City College of New York in Medical Anthropology in 2021. Since 2018, Yuki has worked on multiple projects involving various imaging techniques including confocal, EM, AFM in Dr. Ye He’s lab in the Neuroscience Initiative at the Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC). She has extensively worked alongside Dr. He and Dr. Rinat Abzalimov in improving MALDI Imaging Mass Spectroscopy techniques to advance biomedical imaging and research.
Yuki is interested in exploring ways in which more advanced imaging can help with clinical medicine to better understand disease pathology and develop treatments. She hopes to become a physician and start medical school in the next two years.
- Dean’s Merit Award for Excellence (2022)
- Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Art, CUNY (2021)
- Audre Lorde Award, CUNY (2021)
- Thomas W. Smith Academic Fellowship (2019)
- The Memorial Scholarship in Social Work, Human Services, Health, or Education (2019)
- The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) (2019)
- Sloan Foundation CSURP Award, CUNY (2019)
- Certificate of Recognition of Engagement in ASRC Illumination Space, CUNY (2018)
- America Needs You (ANY) Fellowship (2018)
- Dean’s List (2018 – 2019)
X. Chen, A. Momin, S. Wanggou, X. Wang, H.-K. Min, W. Dou, Z. Gong, J. Chan, W. Dong, J. J. Fan, Y. Xiong, K. Talipova, H. Zhao, Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, A. Fekete, S. A. Kumar, H. Liu, Q. Yang, J. E. Son, et al. Mechanosensitive Brain Tumor Cells Construct Blood-Tumor Barrier to Mask Chemosensitivity. Neuron, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.007.
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
J. Yin, E. Spillman, E. S. Cheng, J. Short, Y. Chen, J. Lei, M. Gibbs, J. S. Rosenthal, C. Sheng, Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, T. Choetso, R. Abzalimov, B. Wang, C. Han, Y. He, Q. Yuan. Brain-Specific Lipoprotein Receptors Interact with Astrocyte Derived Apolipoprotein and Mediate Neuron-Glia Lipid Shuttling. Nature Communications, 2021, 12 (1), 2408. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22751-7.
K. Veerasammy, Y. X. Chen, S. Sauma, M. Pruvost, D. K. Dansu, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, D. Marechal, P. Casaccia, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Metabolic Profiling Using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE, 2020, No. 166, 62008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/62008.
Alumni
Tenzin Choetso, B.S.
Tenzin Choetso was born in Pokhara, Nepal, and completed her early childhood education there. In her early teenage years, she moved to Mussoorie, India, where she completed general studies for a few years before moving to the US in 2016. She is a 2022 graduate of the City College of New York, where she majored in Biology with a minor in Psychology. She has been a part of Dr. Ye He’s lab since 2019 and has worked on multiple projects focusing on MALDI MS Imaging, amongst other advanced imaging techniques, and data analyses. Having been raised in Nepal and India, where a large amount of the population is still being affected by tuberculosis, Tenzin also holds an interest in exploring further research into TB treatment and prevention in developing countries. Apart from research, she enjoys reading and learning about different cultures.
- The Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep HCOP Academy Program (2020-2022)
- Sloan Foundation CSURP Award, CUNY (2020, declined)
Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, J. Yin, T. Choetso, T. Zhong, M. A. Choudhury, C. Weng, E. Xu, M. A. Hein, R. Abzalimov, Y. He. Sample Preparation for Rapid Lipid Analysis in Drosophila Brain Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2022, No. 185, e63930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/63930.
J. Yin, E. Spillman, E. S. Cheng, J. Short, Y. Chen, J. Lei, M. Gibbs, J. S. Rosenthal, C. Sheng, Y. X. Chen, K. Veerasammy, T. Choetso, R. Abzalimov, B. Wang, C. Han, Y. He, Q. Yuan. Brain-Specific Lipoprotein Receptors Interact with Astrocyte Derived Apolipoprotein and Mediate Neuron-Glia Lipid Shuttling. Nature Communications, 2021, 12 (1), 2408. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22751-7.
Alumni
Shibo Liu, B.S.
Originally from Beijing, China, Shibo received his master degree in biotechnology from University of Pennsylvania. Joining Dr. He’s lab in March 2023, he works as research assistant on both LC-MS experiment and MALDI imaging. In his spare time, Shibo likes learning knowledge about animals, especially dogs, and mice, which is his favorite experiment animal. During the weekends, Shibo also likes traveling by train.
Alumni
Sara Elshaer
CUNY Summer Undergraduate Research Program (2021)
Current Forensic Science Undergraduate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Jessica Baker
High School Summer Intern (2019 – 2020)
Current Behavioral Neuroscience Undergraduate at Northeastern University.
Member of the Ziv Williams Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard.
Alexander Scott-Hansen
High School Summer Intern (2019)
Current Psychology Undergraduate at Middlebury College
Avani Butala
High School Summer Intern (2019-2020)
Student at Herricks High school
Jingyun Qiu, M.S.
Master student Intern (2018)
Current Graduate student at Rutgers University
Rabia Javed
CUNY Summer Undergraduate Research Program (2017)
Current MPA Candidate of Marxe School of Public and International Affair, Baruch College
Lab Activities
