Sternberg Lab

Dr. Sam sternberg
PRincipal investigator

Sam Sternberg is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Read more here.

Contact Sam: shsternberg[at]gmail.com

Tracy Smith
Lab manager

I’m a scientist with a diverse background spanning research, outreach, and program leadership. Most recently, I directed the education and outreach program for a Center for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, based at the New York Genome Center. My experience includes roles in academia, industry, and biotech—highlighted by my work in the Pepperell lab, where I developed an experimental evolution model to study M. tuberculosis pathogenesis, and in biotech, utilizing CRISPR and nanopore technologies for drug discovery. As lab manager for the Sternberg group, I’m combining my passion for bacteria and CRISPR to advance cutting-edge research. I also love making science accessible through creative methods, helping bring complex topics to a broader audience. Beyond science, I’m an artist. I co-founded a theatre company in Milwaukee and now design  immersive, multisensory experiences focused on smell, sound, and touch. Outside of work, I’m a proud mother, an avid cyclist, and a banging baker.

Contact Tracy: tms.sternberglab[at]gmail.com

DR. Chance Meers
NIH Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a postdoc in the Sternberg Lab. I received my B.A. from Berry College and Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, studying the ability of RNA to template DNA repair. Outside of the lab, I like exploring, hiking, and playing guitar.

Contact Chance: cm4064[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Dr. Diego Gelsinger
Postdoctoral Scientist

I am a biologist with extensive training in microbial ecology and bioinformatics. I received my B.S. in Microbiology with a minor in French at San Francisco State University. I carried out research in the lab of Dr. José de la Torre, where I studied the physiology, metabolism, and ecology of hyperthermophilic ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) from Yellowstone, USA, and Yunan, China. I carried out field work at the foot of the Himalayas in southeastern China to investigate these extreme microbes. I completed my Ph.D. in the lab of Dr. Jocelyne DiRuggiero at Johns Hopkins University. In my Ph.D., I studied the increased resistance to oxidative stress via non-coding RNAs in extremophilic microbial communities from hyperarid climates like the Atacama Desert, Chile. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, backpacking, cooking, brewing beer, and biking.

Contact Diego: drg2165[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Dr. Egill Richard
POSTDOCTORAL SCIENTIST

As a post-doc in the Sternberg lab, I study phage defense systems to provide a better understanding of the origin of immunity in higher eukaryotes. Originally from France, I obtained my B.S. and M.S. degrees in Genetics at the Université Paris Cité before moving to the Institut Pasteur for my Ph.D., where I studied integron cassette dynamics in Prof. Didier Mazel’s team. Apart from science, my passions include photography, cooking, and surfing.

Contact Egill: er2858[at]cumc.columbia.edu

DR. George Lampe
POSTDOCTORAL SCIENTIST

After completing my PhD in the Sternberg lab, I am now a postdoc. Prior to my work at Columbia I was at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where I was a technician in the Massague Lab studying genetic pathways influencing metastasis and latency. I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont, with a B.A. in Molecular Biology and minors in Mathematics and Spanish. I have a passion for uncovering novel methods of robust genetic engineering with CRISPR-Cas systems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy the outdoors by whatever means possible.

Contact George: gdl2108[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Dr. Tanner Wiegand
Bioinformatics Specialist

I’m a bioinformatics specialist in the Sternberg Lab, focused on using computational methods to explore the diversity of mobile genetic elements. After graduating with a B.A. in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard in the Spring of 2014, I coached cross-country skiing for two years in my hometown of Bozeman, Montana. I then joined Blake Wiedenheft’s lab at Montana State University (MSU), where I researched adaptation in the type I-F CRISPR system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, studied the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, and helped develop a Type III CRISPR-based diagnostic tool. I received my Ph.D. from MSU in 2021. When I’m not writing code or scouring genetic databases, I enjoy skiing, running, camping, rafting, and reading.

Contact Tanner: trw2137[at]cumc.columbia.edu

DR. yusuke masuda
visiting scientist

I am a biologist originally from a Japanese pharmaceutical company, where I trained in conceptualizing and leading drug discovery projects. I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nagoya University, where I studied DNA repair, and my Ph.D. from Kyushu University, focusing on pharmacological research in lipid metabolism. I am fascinated by transposable elements and microbial defense systems, which serve as rich reservoirs of biological innovation and hold immense potential for biotechnological applications. At Dr. Sternberg’s lab, I am truly excited to have this dedicated time and opportunity to explore these frontiers of biology. I am eager to uncover “Zero to One” breakthroughs in this uncharted biological jungle—like an Indiana Jones-style quest for hidden treasures! Outside the lab, I enjoy stylish things like fashion and eyewear, watching sports, walking, and exploring New York City.

Contact Yusuke: yusuke.masuda[at]daiichisankyo.com

Edan Mortman
PH.D. student

I was born in the U.S. but raised in Israel. Following a three-year military service, I received a B.Sc. in Biology from Tel Aviv University. As an undergrad, I used computational methods to study the evolutionary genomics of host-pathogen interactions. Currently I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the Genetics and Development program, with an interest in gene editing and tool development. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, baking, and exploring NYC.

Contact Edan: eem2198[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Stephen Tang
M.D./PH.D. STUDENT

I am an M.D./Ph.D. student at Columbia University and doing my thesis work in the Sternberg lab. Originally from Virginia, I graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. Before arriving at Columbia, I worked as a research associate at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute, where I applied genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screening to identify genetic vulnerabilities of prostate cancer. I am interested broadly in the biology of immunity, from phage defense in bacteria to the tumor-immune interface in humans. Outside of the lab, I conduct the CUIMC Symphony Orchestra, play violin and viola, and cook (i.e., do benchwork with edible reagents).

Contact Stephen: st3362[at]cumc.columbia.edu

louie kulber
M.D./PH.D. STUDENT

Contact Louie: [at]cumc.columbia.edu

RIMANTĖ ŽEDAVEINYTė
PH.D. STUDENT

I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the Integrated Program at Columbia University. My scientific journey started in my hometown of Vilnius, Lithuania, where I got my B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry. During these years I’ve studied miniature CRISPR-Cas nucleases and their potential for human genome editing. I am fascinated by the dynamics of the DNA within cells and interested in uncovering the mechanisms employed by mobile genetic elements. In my free time I enjoy going for long walks, stargazing, and chasing squirrels.

Contact Rimantė: rz2610[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Americo Casas Ciniglio
Ph.D. Student

I’m a Ph.D. student in the Genetics & Development program at Columbia University. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Miami with a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and minors in Microbiology & Immunology and Chemistry. As an undergraduate, I worked in Dr. Richard S. Myers’ lab, where I studied interactions between bacteriophage λ viral recombinases and host ATPases in the context of DNA double-strand break repair via homologous recombination. In my Ph.D. work, I have great interest in exploring the fascinating biology behind bacterial-bacteriophage interactions and bacterial defense systems, as well as a broad interest in mobile genetic elements. Outside of work, I am a big basketball/sports fan, and I love to watch movies and drink lots of coffee.

Contact Americo: aac2282[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Asim Khan
Ph.D. Student

I am a first year PhD student with a joint rotation in the Lomvardas and Sternberg labs. I grew up in the Bay Area and received a B.S. in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology from UCLA. After graduating, I studied novel retrons for genome engineering in the Shipman lab. I am excited by the fascinating biology and biotechnological potential of bacterial defense systems, particularly reverse transcriptases. Outside of lab, I enjoy sports, the outdoors, hanging out with friends and generally exploring NYC.

Contact Asim: ak5302[at]columbia.edu

Henry Le
Ph.D. Student

I am a first-year CMBS PhD student interested in systematically studying the evolution of viral-host interactions leveraging both computational and molecular biology. I grew up in Florida and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Vagelos LSM Program with a B.A. in Computational Biology and a B.S. in Economics. As an undergraduate I worked in the Sternberg Lab studying the evolution of CRISPR-Cas proteins, their evolution, and their exaptation by different systems. I also worked in the Shalem Lab at Penn developing new in-situ sequencing techniques for more robust CRISPR-screens. Whenever I find time, I enjoy the ocean, skateboarding, reading, and sleeping.

Contact Henry: hoangcadle[at]gmail.com

John yin
Ph.D. Student

I am a first-year Ph.D. student in the Genetics and Development Program at Columbia University and am currently rotating in the Sternberg lab! I graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering. Previously, I worked with Dr. John Moran at the University of Michigan to investigate the mechanism of retrotransposition of Alu elements. Before working in Dr. Moran’s lab, I also worked with Dr. Joan Curcio at the Wadsworth Center to understand the roles of promoter-dependent regulation of Ty1 retrotransposition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I am broadly interested in the diverse functions mobile genetic elements have been repurposed for in their host genomes. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, playing soccer, and trying new foods in the city!

Contact John: jy3461[at]cumc.columbia.edu

hilina Bekele
Ph.D. student

Contact Hilina: [at]columbia.edu

Josephine Ramirez
Research Associate

I am originally from Minnesota. My undergrad was at MIT, where I received my B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Biology. While there, I worked both in a computational chemical engineering lab (Green Group), as well as a biological engineering lab (the Esvelt lab). I am interested in the incredible diversity of biological pathways, especially antagonistic interactions between organisms, and the potential to understand and engineer these systems. I hope to explore these topics using both experimental and computational methods. In my free time, I love to play music and sing with friends, go long distance running or cycling, and read a wide range of literature.

Contact Josephine: jr4574[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Adriana Palmieri
Research Associate

I am originally from New York, and graduated from Cornell with a B.A. in Chemistry. As an undergrad, I developed polymer synthesis strategies in the Fors Lab and studied food microbiology in the Gibney Lab. I also spent a semester at Beam Therapeutics working on applications of their base-editing technology. I am broadly interested in studying mobile genetic elements and discovering how to harness and further apply biological systems toward medicine and disease. In my free time, you can find me on coffee runs with friends, spending time outdoors, or doing the NYT crossword. 

Contact Adriana: ap4713[at]cumc.columbia.edu

Frances Tsai
Visiting Scholar

I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Bioethics at Columbia University. I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan, and I graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Finance. I also completed the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program at Columbia. I am fascinated by the role of mobile genetic elements in driving evolution and their potential for engineering and therapeutic applications, and I am passionate about communicating science and medicine to the general public. In my free time, I love writing, playing in the Columbia University Orchestra (CUO), listening to live jazz, and analyzing subway performers in New York City.

Contact Frances: fyt2105[at]columbia.edu

Daniel Moon
Undergraduate student

I’m currently a junior studying biochemistry and math at Columbia College. I am interested in both the fundamental science behind mobile genetic elements and also the potential technological applications of such systems for genome engineering and therapeutics. In my free time I enjoy going to the gym, trying new restaurants out in the city, and picking up random hobbies (currently trying to learn how to play poker).

Contact Daniel: ydm2105[at]columbia.edu

Avery Robinson
Undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate studying biomedical engineering at Columbia Engineering. I'm interested in the relationship between transposons and CRISPR, and how insights from their linkage could inform new approaches to genome engineering for complex disease therapeutics. At Columbia I am involved in the Biomedical Engineering Society and the Engineering Recruitment Committee!

Contact Avery: ajr2291[at]columbia.edu