Our Team

Paolo's research focuses on understanding the cellular biology of retrotransposons and the consequences of their de-repression and function in normal and disease contexts. Paolo made significant contributions in the study of LINE-1 retrotransposon, the only repetitive element still able to autonomously "jump" within the human genome. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Paolo helped creating Pandemic Response Lab (PRL), a company that performed millions of COVID tests through the use of a novel, automated, high throughput qPCR pipeline developed at NYU ISG and expanded and commercialized by PRL. Outside the lab, Paolo enjoys broadway, classical music, spending time with friends, chocolate and good bakery products.

Manjunatha pursued a PhD in Bioinformatics and Biochemistry at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, where he explored modern protein domain evolution through a synthetic biology approach, designing synthetic protein domains from protein fragments. At the FOM-Institute AMOLF in the Netherlands, he deepened the understanding of evolutionary design principles by studying Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) evolution using synthetic and systems biology approaches. He later expanded GRN research by rewiring cancer hub gene networks at the EMBL-CRG Systems Biology Unit in Barcelona, Spain. Building on this, he developed molecular technologies for therapeutic applications and probing fundamental biological processes at Imperial College London, UK. Currently, at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, he is advancing a technology to induce chromosome-specific mis-segregation, enabling the creation of cancer cell models to study chromosome gains or losses and their therapeutic potential for congenital genetic disorders. Outside the lab, Manjunatha enjoys exploring the creative side of 'night science’, practicing and teaching yoga, experimenting with hydroponics, and birdwatching.

Karan obtained his PhD in Evolutionary Genetics and Microbiology from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali. He has gained international recognition for his pioneering PhD research, particularly for discovering a new natural pathogen (Staphylococcus succinus spp. succinus PK-1) of Drosophila, significantly advancing the understanding of the evolutionary ecology of immunity. Karan's PhD findings have provided fundamental insights into the evolution of tolerance to cold shock in fruit flies, also exploring its consequences for resistance/tolerance to other stressors, such as pathogens. During his postdoc with Prof. Daniel Rifkin, he has uncovered a new dimension in our understanding of extracellular matrix proteins, particularly latent TGFβ binding protein 3 (LTBP3), revealing its role in stem cell differentiation into adipocytes and the early events of metastasis. Currently, he is investigating the genetic etiology of Down syndrome and exploring the relationship between chromosome-specific copy number alterations and tumorigenesis. Outside the lab, he enjoys gardening, making tea, and preparing halva. He also enjoys volunteering at the temple and teaching middle and high school students at City of Science.

Yufeng's research focuses on how chromosome instability in cancer contributes to suppressing cancer immunity. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, taking photographs, and traveling.

Iman earned his M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Flinders University, where he developed a mouse model of Lattice Corneal Dystrophy in the Department of Ophthalmology. He then worked as a Research Associate at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, University of Adelaide, gaining expertise in plant genetics and genomics. In 2023, he completed his Ph.D. with Dr. Quenten Schwarz at the University of South Australia, investigating the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 in neural crest development. His doctoral research provided new insights into how ubiquitin ligases regulate protein homeostasis and was recognized with several honors, including the Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Foundation Award, a Commonwealth Global Award, and the Centre for Cancer Biology Best Student Award. Following his Ph.D., Iman undertook postdoctoral training in pharmacogenetics at the University of South Australia, focusing on glioblastoma and potential therapeutic responses. In 2024, he was awarded Neurosurgical Research Foundation (NRF) grant to support his work. In 2025, Iman joined the Institute for Systems Genetics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Teresa Davoli’s laboratory. His current research explores how aneuploidy drives genomic instability and tumor evolution in brain cancers. Outside of the lab, Iman enjoys playing the piano and Persian musical instruments, running, and working out.

Fabio's research combines computational tools and experimental approaches to study how the tumor genome evolves during cancer progression. He focuses on how DNA copy-number changes develop and are shaped by environmental stress conditions, such as the tumor microenvironment. When not in the lab, he enjoys taking pictures with his analog camera, playing the piano, going to music festivals, and exploring new cities.

Elaine is interested in chromosome-specific aneuploidies and how they lead to cancer immune evasion in solid tumors. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to the movies and watching sports.

Ze wishes to use statistics and machine learning methods to explore biomedical science. Since joining the Davoli lab, he has been using machine learning to reveal how interactions between cancer cells and immune cells result in cancer aneuploidies.

Pooja is co-mentored by the Davoli and Holt lab. She is interested in understanding how genome instability influences immune susceptibility during tumor evolution. Outside the lab, Pooja enjoys playing the guitar, live music, museums, and gardening.

Maria is interested in understanding the causes and consequences of specific aneuploidies in blood cancers. Her clinical interests are in pediatric genetics and hematology-oncology. She is also involved in science outreach through the RISE UP and STEP programs for high schoolers at NYU Langone. Outside the lab, Maria enjoys baking, hiking, exploring different cities, and throwing dinner parties.

Helberth is interested in understanding how somatic mutations contribute to disease progression and genome instability. Outside the lab, he enjoys cooking, painting, shopping, and designing his own clothes

Frank is interested in studying genetic drivers of tumor immune evasion. Clinically, he is interested in becoming a future hematologist-oncologist. Frank enjoys traveling and seeing new places, along with playing the piano and weight-lifting at the gym.

Angela is interested in studying the consequences and vulnerabilities associated with aneuploidy using isogenic cell models of aneuploidy and aiming to uncover the molecular mechanisms that confer survival advantages to aneuploid cells in tumor environments, potentially leading to targeted therapeutic strategies. When not in the lab, she enjoys weight lifting, cooking, watching Friends, and gaming.

Clotilde is interested in how aneuploidy affects genomic instability and tumor evolution. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time doing any activity that involves art, such as visiting museums, going to the theater, or watching a ballet. She also likes walking around and exploring new cities, often enjoying something sweet to eat.

Jenny is exploring different aspects of research, and she is specifically investigating cell surface proteins in cells with LINE-1 expression. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing piano and flute, traveling with friends, and horseback riding.

Andy is helping investigate chromosome-specific mis-segregation and creating cancer cell models to study chromosome instability. Andy enjoys play tennis, hiking, and watching movies.

Tommaso is aiding in research regarding aneuploidy's effects on brain tumors, including their accelerated propagation, elongated survival, and function. Outside the lab, Tommaso likes cooking, biking, and is fond of film and enjoys video editing.

Reeya is interested in bridging bench research to public health outcomes. In the lab, she is currently developing lentiviral production skills with the aim of studying gendered cancers in the future. Her previous work has focused on HIV uptake methods in the Bronx, Sexual and Maternal Morbidity and how that affects in-hospital breastfeeding efforts and research around male induced intimate partner violence. In her free time, she likes to knit and crochet and play the piano/sing. She is also a debater for NYU’s Policy Debate team and spends most of her free time talking!

Ammar is interested in using scientific research to improve patient care and health outcomes. He is currently gaining experience in cancer biology and hopes to connect research with clinical practice. He is passionate about improving access to healthcare and patient communication. Ammar enjoys going to concerts, staying active at the gym, and traveling to new places whenever he can. He also likes gaming, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends.

Krusha is interested in exploring how aneuploidy affects cancer progression and the development of tumors. She is passionate about translating these insights into clinical tool, bridging engineering innovation with patient care, improving oncology outcomes. Krusha enjoys doing art such as painting nails, dancing, and playing the piano in her free time. She also enjoys listening to music, playing tennis, and reading a good book.

Rachel is interested in modeling and understanding the role of specific aneuploidies in blood cancers. Rachel enjoys listening to music, watching movies, traveling, and art.

Jason is interested in biomedical research and using it as a tool to help ensure better health outcomes. He is passionate about increasing health equity through higher access to healthcare and health education. He enjoys bike riding, traveling, weight lifting, and sports.

Catalina is interested in exploring how aneuploidy affects cancer progression in different cell types through the development of genomic alterations. She is passionate about conducting research that helps mitigate health disparities and hopes to work in underserved communities in New York. In her spare time, she enjoys the creative arts- painting, dancing, visiting museums, watching theater, and attending musical concertos. She also enjoys traveling and cooking/baking for family and friends.

Arushi is interested in studying how chromosome-specific aneuploidy drives genome instability and influences the progression of brain tumors. In her free time, Arushi enjoys exploring new places, drawing and painting, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.