Education
- Undergraduate: AB, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 2012
- Graduate: 2020, Yale University
Research Summary
In animals, host defense has two modes: antimicrobial programs, which kill pathogens directly; and sickness, a state of altered physiology and behavior that is actively generated by brain-immune system interactions. The lab is interested in (1) how and (2) why infections make us sick – the neuroimmune interactions that lead to sickness, and their impact on host fitness. Our goal is to understand the mechanistic basis of sickness as a host defense strategy.
Awards & Honors
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1985, Stanford University
- Undergraduate: BA, 1980, Biology and Chemistry, College of Creative Studies, University of California Santa Barbara
Research Summary
The Vale lab uses microscopy, along with biochemical and genetic approaches, to peer into the secret lives of cells and understand how they move, divide, transport materials, and process information. The lab has focused for many years on microtubule-based motor proteins, kinesin and dynein, aiming to understand how they generate movement and transport specific cargos inside of cells. The laboratory also has investigated biochemical mechanisms involved in immune cell signaling. A new area of interest is studying how cells adapt to harsh conditions and stressors such as episodes of heat, cold or drought.
Awards
- American Association for Cancer Research, Fellow, 2025
- Royal Society, Foreign Member, 2023
- Gairdner Award in Biomedical Research, 2019
- Shaw Prize in Life Sciences and Medicine, 2017
- Distinguished Scientist of the Marine Biological Laboratory, 2016
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2014
- Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, 2012
- Wiley Prize for Biomedical Sciences, 2012
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2002
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2001
Education
- Graduate: University of California, San Francisco, 2022
- Undergraduate: Computer Science; University of California, Berkeley, 2017
Research Summary
From the moment that a tumor is born, it is evolving across several levels, including at the genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, and microenvironmental levels. The central goal of the Jones Lab is to develop innovative computational and technological approaches to uncover the mechanisms of tumor evolution, with the ultimate aim of identifying new therapeutic targets and creating predictive models to monitor tumor initiation and progression.
Currently, the lab’s research focuses on three interrelated goals: (1) investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the spatiotemporal dynamics of copy-number alterations (particularly extrachromosomal DNA) in cancer populations; (2) developing new computational methods to trace cellular lineages; and (3) elucidating the principles by which tumors are organized over time. To pursue these aims, the lab integrates advances in computation and AI with cutting-edge multi-omic approaches (including single-cell, spatial, and long-read technologies), lineage tracing, and high-resolution imaging. Broadly, they expect that their studies will reveal generalizable rules governing tumor progression and treatment resistance, enable the predictive modeling of tumors, and inspire new approaches to intercept tumor progression.
Awards
- Keynote Speaker at Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Gordon Research Seminar, 2025
- Cancer Grand Challenges Future Leaders Conference Best Talk Awardee, 2024
- NCI K99/R00 Early-Career Pathway to Independence Award, 2024
- UCSF Discovery Fellow, 2019
Education
- PhD, 2024, Evolutionary and Organismic Biology, Harvard University
- MS, 2018, Earth Systems, Stanford University
- B.Sc, 2018, Computer Science, Stanford University
Research Summary
Microbial genomes encode the largest molecular, biochemical, and functional diversity on Earth. We focus on developing machine learning models and experimental approaches to discover and design novel biological functions. We integrate computation with expertise in evolution, ecology, and biochemistry to characterize and harness the functional potential of microbes.
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 2017, University of Washington
- Undergraduate: BS, 2010, Micro/Molecular Biology, Portland State University
Research Summary
Sergey Ovchinnikov uses phylogenetic inference, protein structure prediction/determination, protein design, deep learning, energy-based models, and differentiable programming to tackle evolutionary questions at environmental, organismal, genomic, structural, and molecular scales, with the aim of developing a unified model of protein evolution.
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 2016, Harvard University
- Undergraduate: BS, 2010, Biology, Grambling State University
Research Summary
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death with profound implications in human health and disease. In the context of cancer, the use of ferroptosis inducers to target subpopulations of highly metastatic and therapy-resistant cancer cells has garnered much excitement over the last few years. However, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the full therapeutic potential of ferroptosis, our research focuses on (i) uncovering the molecular factors affecting ferroptosis susceptibility, (ii) studying its impact on the tumor microenvironment, and (iii) developing innovative ways to modulate ferroptosis resistance in vivo. We employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining functional genomics, metabolomics, bioengineering, and a range of in vitro and in vivo models to advance our understanding in this domain and to translate our findings into effective therapies.
Awards
- The Margaret and Herman Sokol Postdoctoral Award, 2022
- Ludwig Center at MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2022
- Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2017
- HHMI International Predoctoral Research Fellowship, 2013
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1995, International School of Advanced Studies
- Undergraduate: BSc, 1991, University of Buenos Aires
Research Summary
B lymphocytes are the fulcrum of our immunological memory, the source of antibodies, and the focus of vaccine development. My lab has investigated how, where, and when B cell responses take shape. In recent years, my group has expanded into preclinical vaccinology, developing cutting-edge humanized mouse models for diseases including malaria, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2.
Awards
- Fellow, Ministero degli Affari Esteri of Italy, 1991-1992
- Fellow, UNIDO-International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 1993-1995
- Fellow, Cancer Research Institute, 1995
- Long Term Postdoctoral Fellowship, European Molecular Biology Organization, 1996-1997
- Project Grant, Arthritis Research Campaign, 1999
- Young Investigator Award, European Molecular Biology Organization, 2004
- The Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, The Royal Society/The Wolfson Foundation, 2009
- Faculty of 1000, 2009
- EMBO Member, European Molecular Biology Organization, 2009
- Fellow, British Academy of Medical Sciences, 2013
- Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2017
- Member, Academia de Ciencias de América Latina (ACAL), 2022
