Team

Lele Xu, M.S.

(2023 – )

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.

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Areej Niaz, B.S.

(2023 – )

Areej Niaz is currently a medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. She was previously involved with the Ye He lab as a research assistant for the Live Imaging & Bioenergetics and Mass spectrometry cores, and remains an active member of the lab. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Biology, specializing in Neuroscience. She had dedicated a significant portion of her gap year between college and medical school to gain experience in various imaging techniques at the Ye He Lab, with a central focus on MALDI-TOF MSI. Apart from research, she enjoys reading fantasy, planning getaways with friends, watching cricket, and exploring the endless Halal cuisine in NYC.

Jiazhang Chen, Ph.D.

(2024 – )

Jiazhang earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Physics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he focused on the biophysics of neuronal systems. His research involved using advanced technologies such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal microscopy, microfluidic devices, and finite element analysis. In 2024, Jiazhang joined Dr. Ye He’s lab in the Neuroscience Initiative at the ASRC, where he began experimental work involving MALDI and AFM. He applies various biophysical techniques to study neuronal mechanosensation and metabolism, using simulations to bridge theoretical predictions with cellular and neuronal physiology. Jiazhang is passionate about developing innovative research approaches, customizing devices for advanced experimental methods, and integrating interdisciplinary techniques.

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Kelly Veerasammy, B.S.

(2018 – )

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.

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Tiffany Zhong

(2019 – )

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.

Cory Weng

(2021 – )

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.

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Steven Xiang

(2023 – )

Steven was a senior at the Bancroft School in Worcester, Massachusetts when doing research in Ye He lab in 2023. He is currently studying Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He has a passion for biomedical research, and hopes to use his analytical skills in the future to solve pressing problems in medicine.

Peiyang Liu

(2024 – )

Peiyang Liu is an undergraduate student from Boston University majoring in Data Science. With a strong interest in applying data science methods to biomedical and bioinformatics areas, Peiyang joined the lab in the summer of 2024. Since then, Peiyang has contributed to several projects, leveraging coding and data science expertise to help streamline lab processes and uncover deeper insights. Outside of the lab, Peiyang enjoys concerts, films, hiking, and spending time with his lovely cat, Pudding.

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Taybah Alam

(2025 – )

Taybah Alam is a student at Macaulay Honors College/City College of New York, where she is majoring in biochemistry. With a strong passion for research, she is interested in topics of neuroscience imaging, metabolism, and applying research and technology imaging to advance disease diagnosis. She is enthusiastic about studying the role of metabolic regulation in human diseases and MALDI MS imaging to advance research and scientific approaches. She plans to integrate biochemistry and research by leveraging scientific discovery to inform patient-centered medical practices. In her free time, she enjoys planning trips with friends, exploring new cuisines, and listening to music.

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Jehee Nam

(2024 – )

Jehee is a sophomore at Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey. Having a passion for the biomedical sciences and wishing to delve into the research experience, she joined the lab in the summer of 2024. In her free time, she enjoys building Legos and puzzles, going to karaoke, and doing origami.

Mayan Alena Hein

(2021 – 2024)

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.

Malia Morioka

(2022 – 2023)

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.

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Amos (Yuanzhe) Li

(2022 – 2024)

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.

Muniyat Choudhury

(2022 – 2023)

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).

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Shibo Liu, B.S.

(2023 – 2024)

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.

Yuki X. Chen, B.A., MPH

(2018 – 2022)

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.

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Tenzin Choetso, B.S.

(2019 -2022)

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.

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