Lab Members

Kunal Rai, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor

I am curious about how biological systems work and how we can manipulate them for the betterment of human health. I became fascinated with epigenetic regulation during the early years of my Ph.D., and I have since been interested in deciphering the logic behind epigenome organization during development and oncogenesis. While understanding basic mechanisms satisfies my curiosity, I am equally committed to developing efficacious therapies for cancers and other diseases. This ambition has led me to develop and lead an epigenetics-focused translational oncology initiative named the MD Anderson Cancer Center Epigenomics Therapy Initiative (METI). Beyond work, I enjoy spending time with my kids and watching/playing cricket and tennis.

Praveen Barrodia, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Institute of Life Sciences/Manipal University

My research focuses on identifying the mechanism of fasting and how it protects small intestinal epithelial cells (siECs) from high-dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Additionally, I am interested in discovering small molecular inhibitors targeting the Yap1 protein in various cancers.

Biji Chatterjee, B.S., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
B.S., University of Kerala, India
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D., Central University of Kerala, India

My research focuses on investigating the epigenetic regulations of RNA exosome and RNA rixosome complexes in PRC2-dependent MPNST cancer, which is incredibly important for understanding the underlying mechanisms of this type of cancer and potentially identifying novel therapeutic targets. The involvement of RNA surveillance mechanisms in cancer, particularly in the context of PRC2-dependent MPNST, suggests a multifaceted approach to understanding disease progression and potential interventions.

Ryan Denu, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Oncology Fellow
M.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D., Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Internal Medicine Residency, Brigham & Women’s Hospital

I am studying the sarcoma epigenome to try to understand how alterations in chromatin regulators affect sarcoma biology. I am hoping to translate my findings into novel therapeutic approaches to treat patients with sarcomas.

Archit K. Ghosh, B.S., Ph.D. candidate
Graduate Research Assistant
B.S., Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D. Candidate in Genetics and Epigenetics

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Genetics and Epigenetics who is entranced by how the genome folds and why it is the way it is. My primary research interests lie in understanding the functional relevance of higher-order chromatin organization and enhancer dynamics in melanoma metastasis. I employ various high-throughput sequencing technologies (e.g. Hi-C, ChIP-Seq, HiChIP, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq), computational tools, biochemical techniques and diverse CRISPR epigenome editing modalities to uncover how disrupted chromatin dynamics and long-range interactions set the stage for a transcriptional signature conducive to melanoma progression. Outside of science, I enjoy basketball and support my Chicago Bulls.

Preethi Jampala, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), India

I completed my Ph.D. in plant epigenetics at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in India. For my postdoctoral study, I aim to understand the epigenetic communication between cells mediated by extracellular vesicles like exosomes. Exosomes are major players in intracellular communication, as diagnostic markers, targeted therapies and so on. Understanding the epigenetics of this exosome facilitated communication will enhance the field of therapeutics by designing beneficial engineered exosomes.

Yingda (Wayne) Jiang, B.S.
Graduate Research Assistant
B.S., Chinese University of Hong Kong

I study the roles of Kmt2d in multiple tumor types and use a multi-omics approach to understand tumor evolution using genetically engineered mouse models. I also create novel mouse models for lung cancer.

Hey Min Lee
Graduate Research Assistant

(Co-mentored by Dr. Kunal Rai. Primary appointment in GI Medical Oncology - Research under Dr. Scott Kopetz.)

William Padron, B.S.
Senior Research Assistant
B.S., The University of Texas at Austin

I'm studying the role of pH sensitizers in acquired immunotherapy resistant mouse models, as well as looking into the effects of MTAP loss on the epigenetic landscape of cholangiocarcinoma in mice.
 

Ajay Kumar Saw, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India

My primary research interest is to develop new algorithms, codes and pipelines for NGS data analysis. Beyond work, I love running and playing cricket.

Jonathan Schulz, B.S.
M.D./Ph.D. Student
B.S., Southwestern University

I develop, implement and perform analysis of a wide variety of epigenomic data generated within the lab and by our collaborators. I specialize in developing machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, but work with the full spectrum of biostatistical and bioinformatics analysis techniques. My background as an M.D./Ph.D. student helps me to generate and discuss biological hypotheses based on our data. I also use software engineering principles to develop and maintain analysis pipelines that we use to automate complicated but repetitive analyses within the lab.

Anand Singh, M.S., Ph.D.
Research Scientist
M.S., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
Ph.D., National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India

In the Rai Lab, I've developed and conducted CRISPRi screens to investigate the role of noncoding elements, such as enhancers, in driving immune cell exhaustion, specifically CD8+ T cells and NK cells. I have validated their effectiveness in melanoma TILs and endogenous T cells and NK cells in AML. Currently, my focus is on exploring the mechanisms behind the retro-transformation of dysfunctional T cells into a functional state. I am employing cutting-edge NGS, proteomic and cell biology techniques to gain a comprehensive understanding of this process. The ultimate goal is to contribute to our knowledge of immune cell function and potential therapeutic interventions.

Bishal Singh, Dr. rer. nat., Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. rer. Nat., Ph.D., University of Heidelberg in Germany

My research focuses on unraveling the biochemical functions of epigenetic drivers of cancer progression at the subatomic scale. I utilize structural biology techniques such as x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, alongside relevant biochemistry methods. Specifically, I aim to determine the high-resolution structures of key cancer-causing epigenomic regulators and their interacting partners, with the longer-term goal of developing PROTAC-based degrader molecules. This research not only enhances our understanding of cancer biology but also paves the way for licensing small molecules to pharmaceutical companies, thereby accelerating the clinical and commercial translation of our findings.

Manrong Wu
Ph.D. student, Baylor College of Medicine

My research focuses on the identification of extrachromosomal circular DNA during cancer cell evolution and epigenetic drivers that drive cancer progression and help patient stratification.

Jiah Yang, M.S., Ph.D. candidate
Graduate Research Assistant
M.S., MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Ph.D. Candidate in Genetics and Epigenetics

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Genetic and Epigenetics program at the  MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. My research focuses on two primary areas of interest: (1) The targeted modulation of histone remodelers to elucidate epigenomic alterations, particularly aiming to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint therapy in melanoma; and (2) The exploration of epigenomic interplay between tumor cells and their neighboring microenvironment, with a specific focus on establishing an anti-tumorigenic milieu.

Zhao Zheng
Graduate Research Assistant

I mainly work on single cell RNA and ATAC analysis from different tumor samples with statistical backgrounds. Presently, I am working on analyzing KMT2D mutations within melanoma mouse models, as well as starting to delve into patients’ clinical data about leiomyosarcoma. I look forward to further training from the METI group and discovering more inspirations by combining biostatistics and bioinformatics towards advancing cancer therapeutics.