Thawani Lab
Team
Dr. Akanksha Thawani
Principal Investigator
I am an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Read more here.
Email: at4137[at]columbia.edu
Dr. Francisco Tenjo-Castaño
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Thawani lab. I received my PhD from the University of Copenhagen, where I studied CRISPR-associated transposons in Guillermo Montoya’s group. My current research focuses on retrotransposons, exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying their mobilization and their potential applications as gene editors.
Email: ft2657[at]cumc.columbia.edu
Dr. Hemant Goswami
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Thawani lab. I received my PhD from Florida State University and Van Andel Institute working on CRISPR-Cas systems with Dr. Hong Li. I am interested in all things retrotransposons and structural biology.
Email: hg2793[at]cumc.columbia.edu
Ashley Heng
Research Associate
I am a Research Technician in the Thawani lab. I am interested in genome engineering and the biology of retrotransposons, particularly how mobile genetic elements influence genome regulation. I enjoy contributing to collaborative, discovery-driven research and supporting the development of new experimental approaches.
Email: ah4523[at]cumc.columbia.edu
Reese Nagy
Visiting Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate intern in the Thawani lab. I am currently studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Belmont University. I am interested in learning how retrotransposons work and exploring the research process and field.
Email: rn2683[at]columbia.edu
You!