Ilya is a Biology Ph.D. student at MIT and an NSF Graduate Fellow. He obtained his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics at University of Virginia, but switched fields after discovering that living cells are very complex and much more fun to poke at than equations. During his first research experience in biology as part of the Virginia iGEM team, he spearheaded designing and modeling a system for improved wastewater treatment. Later, his research interests led him to work on yeast, first in the Kozminski lab at UVA where he studied oxysterol binding protein homologs (Osh), and later in the Sadhu lab at NIH, where he discovered a novel defense factor against a yeast "killer" toxin. In his free time, he likes to play ping pong and rock climb with friends. He is reachabale at ilyaa[at]mit[dot]edu

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Beatriz was always curious about the human body and how nutrients affect health and disease. She started her undergraduate in nutrition at the University of Campinas, initiating her research experience in the Laboratory of Nutrients and Tissue Repair with Dra. Rodrigues studying the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on wound healing in diabetic condition. In 2019, during her master’s degree, she had an abroad experience at the University of Surrey working with gas chromatography with Dra. Fielding and Dr. Estrada. This experience motivated the Ph.D. graduate with Dr. Rodrigues to investigate the effects of oleic fatty acid on psoriasis. Now she is starting a new experience as a visiting student at the Laboratory of Immunophysiology mentored by Hernandez, and will contribute to ongoing lab projects and explore the new mechanisms related to the immune system in psoriasis, expanding her horizons. Beatriz is excited to learn more about nutrients and immunology, being moved by science. Outside the lab she likes to swim, try new recipes, go to the beach, waterfalls, and stay together with her family. You can contact her at biab1995 [at] hotmail [dot] com

Gabriella is completing her undergraduate education at Arizona State University, with a double major in biochemistry and microbiology. At ASU, she is a student under Dr. Benjamin Bartelle where she pursued projects to resolve and manipulate neuroimmune states using synthetic biology. The focus of Dr. Bartelle’s lab on how microglia contribute to the health and disease of the brain led her to develop an interest in the immune system's role in maintaining homeostasis. After graduating from ASU in 2024, she will take this newfound passion to the Laboratory of Immunophysiology, where she hopes to expand her knowledge of how immune cells regulate tissue physiology. In the future, she hopes to earn a Ph.D. and pursue a career in academia. Outside of the lab, she enjoys listening to her favorite music and podcasts as well as science outreach.

Anika is a MIT Dean of Science Graduate Fellow. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama Anika first moved to New England to attend Brown University. She graduated in 2022 with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology. During her time at Brown, she was part of Dr. Kimberly Mowry’s lab, where she studied the localization and dynamics of prion-like proteins in a novel biomolecular condensate. She is excited to learn and work in the space of immunophysiology, getting to focus on molecular and cellular interactions within the context of tissue development, homeostasis, and disease. Outside of the lab you can find her jogging, reading, hiking, or exploring Boston. You can contact her at ahutton[at]mit[dot]edu

Hernandez Moura Silva received a Masters Degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Brasília in 2008 and a PhD in Immunology from the University of São Paulo School of Medicine in 2011, both in Brazil.
He decided to expand his scientific horizons and moved to New York City to perform his postdoctoral studies under the supervision of Dr. Juan J. Lafaille at the New York University School of Medicine. His postdoctoral work highlighted how perivascular macrophage subpopulations within the white adipose tissue contribute to the maintenance of immune-metabolic homeostasis.
At MIT Biology, Hernandez looks forward to sharing his passion for immunology with scientists from diverse backgrounds.

Hui grew up in Jiangxi Province, China. She completed her PhD at the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, where she conducted research on the functional heterogeneity of skeletal stem cells under the guidance of Dr. Bo Zhou. Currently, she is pursuing her postdoctoral training with a keen interest in exploring mechanisms of how perivascular macrophages regulate tissue homeostasis and initiate disease. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, capturing picturesque moments through photography, reading and playing badminton.

Ndongwa is an undergraduate biology student at Agnes Scott College and a 2024 MSRP-Bio student at MIT. After an excellent research experience in the lab of Dr. Milka Koupenova, where she studied the innate immune response of megakaryocytes during influenza infection, she developed a strong interest in immunology and the mechanisms that underlie human diseases. In the Lab of ImmunoPhysiology, Ndongwa is excited to learn new laboratory techniques and deepen her understanding of macrophage functions beyond immunity. In the future, Ndongwa aspires to lead innovation in the biomedical sciences by translating basic scientific research into clinical applications. Outside of the lab, she enjoys learning foreign languages, listening to music, playing board and card games, and spending time with family and friends. You can contact her at ndongwa@mit.edu

Ana is an undergraduate student at MIT. Upon entering MIT she decided to get hands-on research experience and landed at LIP. She loves learning new experimental techniques and processes as well as the underlying science. She is excited to learn more about how the immune system functions and helps maintain homeostasis. Joining the lab provides her with an opportunity to learn and help others with their experiments. She hopes to pursue an MD-PhD upon graduating MIT. Outside the lab, she enjoys taking naps, reading, and playing video games. You can reach her at anavad [at] mit [dot] edu”

Jill is a K. Lisa Yang Brain-Body Center Graduate Student Fellow. Jill grew up in Connecticut and graduated from NYU in May 2022 with a double major in Biology and Spanish. While she was an undergrad, she completed research in the lab of Dr. Shruti Naik and investigated the differences between the neonatal and adult allergic response. Joining the lab of immunophysiology opens an exciting new chapter for Jill to continue studying immunology in order to better understand the non-canonical functions of immune cells like macrophages. Beyond the lab, she enjoys skateboarding, playing video games, drawing, and spending time with her cat. You can contact her at jillw[at]mit[dot]edu.

Born and raised in Hunan Province, China, Jia moved to Iowa to pursue her passion in biology at the University of Iowa. After a fantastic research experience with Dr. Bin He studying the evolution of stress response in yeast, she was admitted to MIT Biology PhD Program to explore new research fields and meet fantastic people since Aug 2021. Jia is super excited to learn more about immunology and tissue physiology. When not studying, you can find her trying many activities: rock climbing (even though she is afraid of height), swimming (begin to learn in April 2022), running (running a marathon as a lifetime goal), hiking, cooking, watching movies, and trying hard to learn new vocabularies and different cultures. You can contact her at jiazhao[at]mit[dot]edu

Brandon received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences from Westfield State University in 2021. After two stellar years in the lab, in Jan 2024 Brandon is back to his alma mater to become a Physician Assistant.