Principal Investigator
Sara Buhrlage, Ph.D.
Sara joined the DFCI Cancer Biology and HMS Biomolecular and Cellular Pharmacology faculty in 2015. Prior to making the move to an academic position Sara was a professional track scientist in Dana-Farber's medicinal chemistry core laboratory. In that role she collaborated with cancer biologists and clinicians to pharmacologically validate novel targets of disease in vitro and in vivo and to study mechanisms of disease and drug resistance. Sara received her PhD in organic chemistry from University of Michigan in 2008 under the direction of Professor Anna Mapp then trained for two years in medicinal chemistry at the Broad Institute before moving to DFCI. In addition to pursuing novel strategies for challenging drug targets Sara enjoys playing soccer, cooking and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Sara joined the DFCI Cancer Biology and HMS Biomolecular and Cellular Pharmacology faculty in 2015. Prior to making the move to an academic position Sara was a professional track scientist in Dana-Farber's medicinal chemistry core laboratory. In that role she collaborated with cancer biologists and clinicians to pharmacologically validate novel targets of disease in vitro and in vivo and to study mechanisms of disease and drug resistance. Sara received her PhD in organic chemistry from University of Michigan in 2008 under the direction of Professor Anna Mapp then trained for two years in medicinal chemistry at the Broad Institute before moving to DFCI. In addition to pursuing novel strategies for challenging drug targets Sara enjoys playing soccer, cooking and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Scientists
Jinhua Wang, Ph.D. - Lead Scientist
Jinhua received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Utah State University in 2006 where her project involved development of carbohydrate-based antibacterial and anti-viral agents. As lead scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, she is interested in validating new strategies for the inhibition and degradation of anti-cancer targets by utilizing the tools of synthetic chemistry and cancer biology.
Jinhua received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Utah State University in 2006 where her project involved development of carbohydrate-based antibacterial and anti-viral agents. As lead scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, she is interested in validating new strategies for the inhibition and degradation of anti-cancer targets by utilizing the tools of synthetic chemistry and cancer biology.
Xuetao Shi, Ph.D. - Data Engineer
Xuetao received his Ph.D. in computational chemistry from Wayne State University in 2018 and M.Sc. in computer science from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2022. During his Ph.D. and subsequent postdocs, he modeled chemical reactions and properties for a wide range of inorganic, organic, and high-energy systems using quantum chemistry and molecular mechanics methods. As a scientific data engineer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, he is developing a comprehensive data storage/analysis system for proteomics data. He is also involved in developing novel software and algorithms for mass spectrometry data acquisition and analysis. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, playing the piano and spending time with his family.
Xuetao received his Ph.D. in computational chemistry from Wayne State University in 2018 and M.Sc. in computer science from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2022. During his Ph.D. and subsequent postdocs, he modeled chemical reactions and properties for a wide range of inorganic, organic, and high-energy systems using quantum chemistry and molecular mechanics methods. As a scientific data engineer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, he is developing a comprehensive data storage/analysis system for proteomics data. He is also involved in developing novel software and algorithms for mass spectrometry data acquisition and analysis. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, playing the piano and spending time with his family.
Post-Doctoral Fellows
Wei Pin Teh, Ph.D.
Born and raised in Malaysia, Wei Pin moved to United States in 2012 for his undergraduate studies in Florida. He then moved to Seattle and obtained his doctoral degree from University of Washington-Seattle where he focused on developing new methodologies for constructing C-N bonds. His research focus at Buhrlage lab is on the development of bifunctional small molecules targeting deubiquitinating enzymes. In his free time, Wei Pin enjoys playing volleyball, swimming, video games, and exploring new restaurants.
Born and raised in Malaysia, Wei Pin moved to United States in 2012 for his undergraduate studies in Florida. He then moved to Seattle and obtained his doctoral degree from University of Washington-Seattle where he focused on developing new methodologies for constructing C-N bonds. His research focus at Buhrlage lab is on the development of bifunctional small molecules targeting deubiquitinating enzymes. In his free time, Wei Pin enjoys playing volleyball, swimming, video games, and exploring new restaurants.
Andres F. Salazar-Chaparro, Ph.D.
Born and raised in Colombia, Andres received his pharmacy degree in 2017 before moving to the US in 2018 for his graduate studies. He earned his Ph.D. degree from Purdue university where he focused on developing tools to monitor proteasome activity, and conducting structure activity relationship (SAR) campaigns with small molecule activators of the 20S proteasome. As a postdoc at the Buhrlage lab, his work is oriented towards elucidating the mechanism of action of DUB inhibitors, as well as better understanding the role of these molecular targets in cancer biology. Outside of lab, Andres enjoys cooking, and loves dancing salsa and bachata.
Born and raised in Colombia, Andres received his pharmacy degree in 2017 before moving to the US in 2018 for his graduate studies. He earned his Ph.D. degree from Purdue university where he focused on developing tools to monitor proteasome activity, and conducting structure activity relationship (SAR) campaigns with small molecule activators of the 20S proteasome. As a postdoc at the Buhrlage lab, his work is oriented towards elucidating the mechanism of action of DUB inhibitors, as well as better understanding the role of these molecular targets in cancer biology. Outside of lab, Andres enjoys cooking, and loves dancing salsa and bachata.
Michael Darnowski, Ph.D.
Born in Schomberg, Ontario, Canada, Mike received his PhD from the University of Ottawa under the supervision of Christopher Boddy. In graduate school he worked on the total synthesis and medicinal chemistry of antibiotic compounds. In the Buhrlage lab his research focuses on developing and optimizing small molecular inhibitors of deubiquitinating enzymes. When not in the lab, Mike enjoys riding his bike and watching sports.
Born in Schomberg, Ontario, Canada, Mike received his PhD from the University of Ottawa under the supervision of Christopher Boddy. In graduate school he worked on the total synthesis and medicinal chemistry of antibiotic compounds. In the Buhrlage lab his research focuses on developing and optimizing small molecular inhibitors of deubiquitinating enzymes. When not in the lab, Mike enjoys riding his bike and watching sports.
Graduate Students
Ariana Bratt, M.D.
Ariana is a graduate student in the Chemical Biology PhD program at Harvard. She received her BS in chemistry from Rice University and MD from UCSF. Her research interests include chemical biology and cancer biology.
Ariana is a graduate student in the Chemical Biology PhD program at Harvard. She received her BS in chemistry from Rice University and MD from UCSF. Her research interests include chemical biology and cancer biology.
Binita Shah
Binita is a student in the BIological and Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at Harvard. She is joint with the Fischer Lab, also at DFCI. She grew up in Long Island, New York and obtianed her B.A. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2019. Her research interests include structural biology and structure-based drug discovery. During her spare time, Binita enjoys exploring Boston, traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Binita is a student in the BIological and Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at Harvard. She is joint with the Fischer Lab, also at DFCI. She grew up in Long Island, New York and obtianed her B.A. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2019. Her research interests include structural biology and structure-based drug discovery. During her spare time, Binita enjoys exploring Boston, traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Nicholas Girardi
Nick grew up in Pound Ridge, NY and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020 with a degree in Biochemistry. He is a graduate student in Harvard’s Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program and a joint student with the Marto Lab. His research interests include using mass spectrometry to aid development of small molecule DUB recruiters. Outside of lab he enjoys reading and long distance running.
Nick grew up in Pound Ridge, NY and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020 with a degree in Biochemistry. He is a graduate student in Harvard’s Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program and a joint student with the Marto Lab. His research interests include using mass spectrometry to aid development of small molecule DUB recruiters. Outside of lab he enjoys reading and long distance running.
Isabella Jaen Maisonet
Isabella is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the Harvard Chemical Biology PhD program. She grew up in Kansas but her family is originally from Panama and Puerto Rico. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020. Her research interests include organic synthesis, small molecule probe development, and therapeutic discovery. In her spare time, Isabella enjoys yoga, cooking for friends, and salsa dancing.
Isabella is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the Harvard Chemical Biology PhD program. She grew up in Kansas but her family is originally from Panama and Puerto Rico. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020. Her research interests include organic synthesis, small molecule probe development, and therapeutic discovery. In her spare time, Isabella enjoys yoga, cooking for friends, and salsa dancing.
Gracyn Mose
Gracyn is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the Harvard Chemical Biology PhD program. She grew up in the small town of Hancock, NH. She earned her B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Vermont where she did her undergraduate thesis with Dr. Rob Hondal. Her research interests include cancer biology, protein biochemistry, and drug design. In her spare time, Gracyn enjoys playing soccer, biking/running around Boston, and spending time with her cat, Philo.
Gracyn is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the Harvard Chemical Biology PhD program. She grew up in the small town of Hancock, NH. She earned her B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Vermont where she did her undergraduate thesis with Dr. Rob Hondal. Her research interests include cancer biology, protein biochemistry, and drug design. In her spare time, Gracyn enjoys playing soccer, biking/running around Boston, and spending time with her cat, Philo.