Team
In chronological order
Longzhi Tan
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology
Originally from Wuhan, China, Tan received his S.B. in Physics (minor: Biology) from MIT in 2012, studying evolution with Jeff Gore and Pardis Sabeti. He earned his Ph.D. in Systems Biology from Harvard in 2018, developing high-precision methods for single-cell genomics with Sunney Xie. He uncovered the 3D structure of the human genome in a single cell, revealed unique chromosome organization in the mouse eye and nose, and measured the true mutation spectrum of single neurons in the normal human brain. Tan also attended the Neurobiology course at MBL in 2014, and worked with Ibrahim Cisse at MIT in 2019. As a postdoc in Karl Deisseroth’s lab at Stanford Bioengineering (co-mentor: Howard Chang), Tan discovered major 3D genome transformation in the mouse brain after birth. Tan started his own lab at Stanford Neurobiology in Dec 2022, and discovered evolutionarily conserved 3D genome restructuring over the life spans of both humans and mice. Tan’s awards include PSF MIND (2024), Sanofi iAward (2024), HHMI FHS Finalist (2023), Baxter (2023), BWF CASI (2021), ISFS (2021), Berry (2020), Science & SciLifeLab Grand Prize (2019), HHMI ISRF (2015), and IPhO Gold Medal (2008). Outside of the lab, he enjoys designing holiday cards, t-shirts, and music videos, and is a scientific illustrator.
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, Stanford University, 2022 – Present
Postdoc in Bioengineering (Karl Deisseroth, Howard Chang), Stanford University, 2019 – 2022
Postdoc in Physics (Ibrahim Cisse), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019
Postdoc in Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Sunney Xie), Harvard University, 2018 – 2019
Ph.D. in Systems Biology (Sunney Xie), Harvard University, 2012 – 2018
S.B. in Physics (minor: Biology; Pardis Sabeti, Jeff Gore), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009 – 2012
Freshman in Physics, Peking University, 2008 – 2009
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Bibudha Parasar
Postdoctoral Scholar in Neurobiology
Bibudha received his Dual BS-MS in Chemistry from IISER-Kolkata, India, developing organic synthesis reactions with Prof. Jyotirmayee Dash and dynamic system modeling with Prof. Partho Sarothi Ray. He did his PhD in chemistry and chemical biology from Cornell University with Prof. Pamela V Chang, where he developed technologies to understand and modulate inflammation. He developed two optogenetic probes that can alter inflammatory states in macrophages and naïve T cells on-demand. Additionally, he developed an antibody-free activity-based technology to selectively enrich and identify bacteria from mouse gut expressing an active gut microbial enzyme. He also worked with Prof. Inma Cobos at the Stanford University School of Medicine investigating an interneuron subtype expressing KIT in both human and mouse brain. Currently in the Tan lab, he is developing second generation of Dip-C technologies to understand aging and development of cerebellum in both human and mouse. His hobbies include study and collection of fossils, crystals, minerals, antiquarian books, mint never hinged (MNH) stamps, and uncirculated (UNC) paper money.
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Yunji Seo
MD Student
Yunji is a first year MD student at Stanford School of Medicine from Seoul, South Korea. She received a B.A. in neurobiology and biochemistry and M.S. in chemistry from University of Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, Yunji worked in the Chen-Plotkin lab investigating molecular mechanisms of alpha-synuclein neurodegeneration and genetic risk factors of Parkinson’s disease. At the Tan lab, she is interested in studying the interplays between neuron and glia that are critical to aging, neurodevelopment and pathogenesis. During her free time, she loves making ceramics, exploring plant nurseries and dog-watching at the park.
Jerry Song
MD-PhD Student in Genetics | Co-mentors: Ritchie Chen & Xiaojing Gao
Jerry is a first-year medical student in the Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program and a Lipshultz Fellow in the Sarafan ChEM-H CBI Training program. Jerry was born and raised in Xinzheng, China, before moving to Seattle for middle and high school. Jerry received his B.S. in Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins and studied biochemistry at the University of Oxford. Before coming to Stanford, Jerry has worked on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration at Johns Hopkins, the molecular bases of behavioral neuroscience at the National Institute of Health, and novel methods for gene delivery in the Feng Zhang Lab at the Broad Institute. Outside of the lab, Jerry is usually found either at the beaches of NorCal or in restaurant supply stores preparing for his next dinner party.
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Emma Follman
PhD Student in Neurosciences
Emma is a first-year PhD student in the Neurosciences program. Originally from Garnet Valley, PA, she received her BA in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in May 2022. During her junior year, she worked in the Gama Lab studying the MCL-1 protein in human neural progenitor cells. As a senior, she worked in the Calipari Lab studying the operant parameters that shape reproducible behavioral responses in mice. Emma is interested in topics such as learning, memory consolidation, the hippocampus, and epigenetics. Outside of lab, she is part of the leadership team for Community College Outreach Program (CCOP) and enjoys listening to music, going to concerts, and dancing.
Siavash Moghadami
PhD Student in Chemical and Systems Biology | Co-mentor: Carolyn Bertozzi
Born in Tehran, Iran, Siavash received his B.Sc./M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology (Summa cum laude, Highest Distinction, and Departmental Honors) from the University of California at San Diego in 2022, studying the in-vivo conversion of glial cells into functional neurons using single-cell multi-omics and spatial genomics/transcriptomics with Don W. Cleveland and Bogdan Bintu. While at UCSD, Siavash worked on developing the periodic table of mice brain cell types in a pan-brain fashion using Multiplexed Error Robust Fluorescent In-situ Hybridization (MERFISH) technique. Siavash also conducted research in the laboratory of Joe Gleeson at UCSD, working on molecular and biochemical mechanisms of MBOAT7-linked neurodevelopmental disorders and the contribution of cell-type-specific regulatory elements to autism features using single-cell multi-omics. Upon graduation, Siavash received the Harold C. Urey award for exceptional academic achievement from UCSD. Currently, Siavash is a Ph.D. student in the Biosciences program at the Department of Chemical and Systems Biology. While not in the lab, he enjoys reading books, learning Artificial Intelligence, traveling, cooking, or picking up a new skill.
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Lucas Sosnick
Undergraduate Student in Bioengineering
Lucas is an undergraduate planning to major in bioengineering at Stanford. Previously, Lucas worked with Dr. Philipp Mews at the Nestler Lab, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he studied the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of cocaine addiction in mouse models. Additionally, Lucas has contributed to projects involving molecular docking, including developing chemical analogs of psilocin for the treatment of depression by targeting the 5-HT2A receptor, and creating a novel small molecule inhibitor of Cdc14 in F. Oxysporum to combat Fusarium Wilt. In his free time, Lucas enjoys playing the alto saxophone and performs in a jazz band on campus.
Achuthan Raja Venkatesh
PhD Student in Biophysics | Co-mentor: Alexander R. Dunn
Hailing from Chennai, India, Achuthan received his BS-MS in Biology from IISER Mohali. He remotely worked with Prof. Onn Brandman and Prof. David Weld for his Master's thesis (locally guided by Prof. Purnananda Guptasarma simulating space-dependent diffusivity in cells to probe how it influences transport and compartmentalization. After a brief foray into single-molecule experiments at the Max Planck Institute, Dresden, Germany, he joined the Biophysics Program at Stanford. Out of work, he enjoys figuring out the next song to butcher over karaoke, going down rabbit holes on the internet and debating haircare products.
Evelyn Wong
(Rotation) MD-PhD Student | Co-mentor: Ritchie Chen
Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Evelyn is a first-year in the Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). She completed her B.A. from Harvard University with a major in neuroscience and a minor in Spanish literature. Evelyn received the Herchel Smith Fellowship for her thesis project with Dr. Edward Boyden at the MIT McGovern Institute, developing a next-generation protein sequencing platform. As a Marshall scholar, she earned an MPhil from the Division of Medicine (Neuroscience) at University College London, where she optimized existing neurotechnologies to understand cortical brain function. Evelyn aspires to merge her interests in asylee health and neuroengineering to tackle technical and structural barriers to neuropsychiatric health. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball, taking long walks in the redwoods, and spending time with loved ones.
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Lynette X. Chan
(Rotation) PhD Student in Biophysics
Lynette was born and raised in Walnut, California. She received her B.S. in Chemical-Biological Engineering and Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2024. While at MIT, she worked with Prof. Salil Garg and Prof. Phil Sharp’s labs on regulation of embryonic stem cell states and transcription factor binding; in her senior year, she worked with Prof. Arup Chakraborty’s group on polymer simulations of 3D genome folding. Lynette also spent a summer abroad at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) with Prof. Yongwon Jung's lab where she researched artificial protein condensate design. Outside of lab, Lynette likes playing table tennis, learning languages, and playing certain mobile games.
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Lab Alumni
Jenny Shi
2022–2024: Undergraduate Student in Chemistry
Position after Tan Lab: MPhil Student in Biological Sciences, Cambridge University
Francesca Kim
2022–2023: Master’s Student in Computer Science (Co-mentors: Ritchie Chen & Anshul Kundaje)
Position after Tan Lab: MD Student, Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology (HST)
Cydney P. Wright
2022–2024: Undergraduate Student in Biology (Neurobiology Tract)
Position after Tan Lab: University of Tennessee
Izzi Gengaro
2022: (Rotation) PhD Student in Chemical Engineering (Co-mentor: Xiaojing Gao)
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Stanley Qi, Department of Bioengineering
Stephanie Zhang
2022–2023: Undergraduate Student in Bioengineering and in Architectural Design
Position after Tan Lab: Same as above
Blake Zhou
2022: (Rotation) PhD Student in Neurosciences
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Neurosciences, Laboratory of Ryann Fame, Department of Neurosurgery
Kelli Ann Lynch
2022: (Rotation) PhD Student in Biophysics
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Biophysics, Laboratory of Christine Jacobs-Wagner, Department of Biology
Luis Hernandez
2023: (Rotation) PhD Student in Biology
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Biology, Laboratory of Or Gozani, Department of Biology
Jay X. J. Luo
2023–2024: (Visiting) Undergraduate Student in Neuroscience and in Computational Medicine
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Deven Shah
2023: Undergraduate Student in Biology and in Computer Science
Position after Tan Lab: Same as above
Aidan Wade
2023: (Visiting) Undergraduate Student in Neuroscience, SSRP-Amgen Scholars Program
Position after Tan Lab: Undergraduate Student in Neuroscience, Kent State University
Current: Postbaccalaurate Fellow, National Institute of Mental Health
Brandon Ameglio
2024: (Rotation) PhD Student in Biophysics
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Biophysics, Laboratories of Brian Hie and of Anne Brunet, Department of Chemical Engineering
Crystal I. Stackhouse
2024: (Rotation) PhD Student in Biophysics
Position after Tan Lab: PhD Student in Biophysics, Laboratory of Jody Puglisi, Department of Structural Biology