Received her bachelor degree in Biological Sciences at Peking University (China) and her PhD degree in Genetics at the University of Chicago. Her undergrad thesis focused on expression and characterization of the Spike protein of SARS-COV virus in insect cells and mammalian cells; her doctoral thesis investigated the role of the small GTPase Rac in the germ line stem cell asymmetric cell division and self-renewal. In the Gelfand lab, Wen is interested to understand how the cytoskeletal components polarize large cells, such as neurons, and oocytes, in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (AKA fruit flies).  

email: a-gelfand@northwestern.edu

email: m-lakonishok@northwestern.edu

Bhuvan obtained Ph.D. in biological sciences in 2016, from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India. Doctoral work is focused on the biochemical and biophysical characterization of the enzyme Lysyl oxidase (LOX). Then moved to the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore in 2017, where he worked as a post-doctoral fellow and studied the anti-angiogenic properties of ADAMTS5 protein. Currently studying the dynamics of vimentin intermediate filament. Towards that, exploring how vimentin filaments interact with other cytoskeletal components such as microtubule, actin, and motor proteins for its dynamics. He enjoys playing with a microscope and taking images.

email: bhuvan@northwestern.edu

I joined the Gelfand lab in June of 2022. I am interested in understanding how microtubules are spatiotemporally regulated during oogenesis using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. I live with two furry family members, Kimchi and Somang, from South Korea. I enjoy cuddling with my dogs, cooking, and reading (non-scientific books) in my free time.

A Chicago native, Shannon earned her B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her undergraduate thesis focused on identifying domains of NOTCH1-collaborating transcription factor Ets1 that are important in T-ALL. Her project in the Gelfand lab aims to elucidate the role of microtubules during tracheal development in Drosophila. When she is not taking care of her flies, Shannon enjoys working out, playing the violin, and sewing.