Scientific Team
Postdoctoral Fellows
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Ollie G. Dendro, MD, PhD
MD, PhD, Neuroscience University of California, San Francisco BS, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ollie received his PhD in neuroscience where he was instrumental in defining changes in the genetic landscape associated with glial cell differentiation. With this groundbreaking work, Ollie joined the Adams lab to design novel therapeutics that can drive the formation and maturation of oligodendrocytes using unique chemical probes. Outside of lab, Ollie has a penchant for teaching and science outreach. Many have attributed their vastly improved cognitive function and motor dexterity to Ollie's outstanding mentorship. |
Graduate Students
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Atikur Rahman
BSc, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Jashore University of Science & Technology Atik holds a BSc degree in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. His academic journey has laid the groundwork for his current pursuit of a PhD in Pharmacology at CWRU. His research interests span multiple facets of the biomedical sciences. He is particularly focused on Drug discovery, Cancer immunology and Chromatin biology. The goal of his journey in research is to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and contributing to the betterment of society. Beyond the laboratory, Rahman is an avid sports enthusiast with a deep passion for cricket, football, and volleyball. In his downtime, he loves to explore different cities, discovering their unique cultures and histories. |
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David Fan Yan
BA, Chemistry Case Western Reserve University David joined June 2019 as an undergraduate. He graduated in December 2020 and continued to work as a research technician. After he matriculated in the MSTP at CWRU, David committed to joining the Adams lab once again for his dissertation. His research interest is interdisciplinary and lies at the interface of chemistry and biology where he seeks to both develop and apply novel drugs and chemical probes. Prior to joining, he had worked to functionalize Graphene Oxide to encapsulate fluorinated gases as ultrasound contrasting agents. Outside of lab, he greatly enjoys tutoring fellow students in organic chemistry and long distance running. He’s also best friends with Ollie G. Dendro and Eppen D. Tube. |
Research Technicians
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Convoluted abcam Lego Abstract Art
Yi Fan's magnum opus - its delicate unstable equilibrium reflecting the trying times of a graduate career, its inconclusive shape capturing the elusive and ever-evolving nature of a scientific endeavor, its intrinsically indeterminate purpose a foil to the longing for a mission rooted deeply in the human psyche, and its existence a solemn recognition of the $$$$$ forsaken to transcend the limits of humanity - a truly masterful synthesis of a scientist's devotion to the craft of high impact publications. In all seriousness - reach out to Drew if you're interested in chemical biology research across a wide range of medical disciplines! |
Undergraduate Students
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Amanda Farrar
Undergraduate, BS Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University Tentative minors in: Biomolecular engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, and bioethics...because sleep is for the weak. Amanda joined the Adams lab in the fall of 2023. In lab, she is currently being trained and doing her best to help graduate students at the cost of an inordinate number of questions. In lab, she is passionate to learn new skills and concepts from others’ research. Outside of lab, she enjoys reading with cats, walking in the rain, doing homework (which is not enjoyed but rather a necessity), hiking, and exploring cities. Additionally, Yi Fan claims Amanda has a demonstrated record of more artistic talent than the rest of this page combined. |
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Eppen D. Tube
Eppen is a first year undergraduate in materials science and engineering. He is interested in applying his past research experience in polypropylene synthesis to the high-throughput approaches used by the Adams lab. Outside of lab, Eppen is passionate about research marketing and biotech, and his presence is well established within the Genetics Department. |
Alumni
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Yi Fan Chen, PhD
BS, Biological Sciences Cornell University Yi Fan is a student in the MSTP at the CWRU School of Medicine who joined the lab in May 2020. His past research experiences included a mix of cell biology, chemical biology, and synthetic biology. He applies those experiences in the Adams Lab to study disease pathophysiology and drug mechanisms with interdisciplinary techniques using synthetic chemistry and molecular biology. Outside of research, he enjoys reading books on random things, hanging out with friends until sunrise, folding a zoo of paper animals, pretending to be informed on market volatility, and cooking way too much food at once (but most importantly, coming up with theoretical lab members for the Adams lab). |
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Yanqiu Shen, MS
MS, Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine BS. Chemistry, Lehigh University Yanqiu is a master student at the CWRU School of Medicine who joined the lab in Jan 2023. Her research focus on applying high throughout assays to validate structure activity relationships of small molecules. She enjoys utilizing chemical biology tools to examine the biological systems. Based on the experiences in Adams lab, she hopes she can continue pursuing and developing novel chemical biology tools in future programs. Outside of research, she loves doing yoga and playing with her cat, even though she is allergic cats. She has a Siberian cat named as Liam who is a bimetallic boy. |
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Matthew Atala-Pleshinger, PhD
Moved on to: Wave Strategy (Project Manager) PhD, Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine BA, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The College of Wooster Matthew graduated from the BSTP at CWRU and has been part of the Adams lab since December 2018. Currently, his research interest lies in understanding the mechanism of action of drugs and identifying novel targets. His goal is to provide fundamental information for translational medicine. In his free time, he enjoys participating in and watching soccer, baseball, and basketball. |
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Anna Zinsser
Moved on to: Johns Hopkins University, Pharmacology (PhD) BS, Biochemistry Case Western Reserve University Anna is an undergraduate student who joined the lab in July 2021. Her research involves novel drug and target discovery in the treatment of cancer. Her work in the Adams lab allows her to gain valuable research experience in her chosen field of study that will better prepare her for her future schooling and career. Outside of lab, she is a member of the CWRU Track and Field team and enjoys reading and spending time with her new kitten, Butterbean. |
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Ralston Goldfarb
Moved on to: Harvard University, Chemistry & Chemical Biology (PhD) BS, Chemistry Case Western Reserve University Ralston is a 4th year undergraduate student who joined the lab in the fall of 2021. His work focuses on utilizing high throughput screening to find drugs that target lipid pathways in colorectal cancers. He hopes to continue his work in the field of cancer during his PhD. Outside of the lab, Ralston enjoys cooking, reading, and pottery. In the summer, you can find him asleep at Wade Oval Wednesdays. |
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Joel Sax, PhD
Moved on to: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine BA, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology UC Berkeley Joel is a student in the MSTP at the CWRU School of Medicine and joined the lab in May of 2019. His research interests include translational science with an emphasis on biochemistry and chemical biology. The Adams Lab allows him the flexibility in taking a high-throughput screening approach to many biological problems. Beyond research, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and running. |
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Maryam Ghazala
Moved on to: The Ohio State University (PhD) BA, Chemistry and Biochemistry Oberlin College Maryam is a research technician who joined the lab in October 2020. As an undergraduate, she investigated synthetic melanin’s interactions with small molecules, and synthesized novel modulators of melanin formation. Now she’s using high throughput screening assays to test potential therapeutics for Huntington’s Disease. In her leisure time, Maryam likes to pet her car, tell everyone about the strange dream she had last night, and try to spread sayings and words that she invented by repeatedly using them and pretending she didn’t just make them up when people say they haven’t heard them. |
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Samantha Hershman
Moved on to: West Virginia University School of Pharmacy BS, Biology West Virginia University Samantha is a research assistant who joined the lab in August 2020. Her research interests include translational science in the context of neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity. After using zebrafish to study visual neural circuitry development, she now uses high-throughput screening approaches in the Adams Lab to investigate a variety of biological questions. Beyond research, she enjoys exploring nature with her dog, making art, and learning new things. |
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Ramya Srinivasan, PhD
Moved on to: Office of Research and Technology Management, CWRU PhD, University of Vermont MSc, BSc, Chemistry, University of Delhi Ramya is a synthetic chemist who worked on the methodology development of 1-aza-2-azoniaallene salts and applied it towards the total synthesis of ibophyllidine in her PhD. Prior to joining the Adams lab, she was a lecturer for General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses. Outside lab. she enjoys listening to music, trying new food and zentangle (fancy word for doodling). |
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Adrianna Rivera-Leon
Moved on to: University of Minnesota, Medical Scientist Training Program B.Sc., Biology University of Puerto Rico Adrianna is a PREP Scholar who joined the lab in July 2019. While being an undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus she did research on gut regeneration using the sea cucumber as a model system. Now, she's interested in regeneration of the nervous system and oligodendrocyte differentiation. Aside from her work in the lab, she enjoys listening to music and reading. |
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Ryan Friedrich, Ph.D.
Moved on to: Organix Inc. PhD, Chemistry University of Iowa BA, Chemistry University of Minnesota Ryan received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Iowa in 2017. There he expanded a strategy to synthesize chiral 1,5-polyols and applied it to the synthesis of tetrafibricin, a biologically active natural product. He joined the Adams lab in early 2018 and worked on a variety of medicinal chemistry projects as a member of the Small-Molecule Drug Development Core. In his free time he enjoys playing disc golf, watching movies, and trying new foods. |
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Zita Hubler, M.D., Ph.D.
Moved on to: Clinical Pathology Residency, Barnes-Jewish Hospital BS, Bioengineering University of Illinois U-C Zita was a student in the CWRU MSTP who joined the lab in May of 2016 and graduated in 2020. Her research utilized genetic, chemical, and biological tools to investigate the mechanism of action by which small molecules alter stem cell fate decisions. Outside of work, she enjoys training for local distance races, growing plants, and exploring the outdoors. |
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Farrah Gao
Moved on to: Case Western Reserve University BSTP Farrah received a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Statistics. She was a member of the Adams lab from January 2018-May 2020, and she is now pursuing her PhD in the BSTP at CWRU. During her time in the lab she worked on identifying novel targets in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway for enhancing oligodendrocyte differentiation. |
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Matt Thompson
Moved on to: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Matt Thompson received a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.A. in Theatre from Case Western Reserve University. He was a been a member of the Adams Lab team from May 2016-May 2019 where he has sought to identify small molecules capable of reversing Huntington’s Disease progression through restoration of mitochondrial function. |
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Dharmaraja Allimuthu, Ph.D.
Moved on to: IIT Kanpur, Department of Chemistry Ph.D., Organic and Medicinal Chemistry IISER-Pune, India MSc, Chemistry Bharathidasan University, India BSc, Periyar University, India Dharma is from Salem, a small town in Tamilnadu, India. In 2015 he received his Ph.D. from IISER-Pune in the lab of Harinath Chakrapani. During his PhD he worked on synthesis and evaluation of small molecule based reactive oxygen species (ROS) generators as antimicrobial agents. He was in the Adams lab from spring 2015-December 2018. He worked on two projects, (1) identification of high-quality covalent chemical probes from electrophilic small molecules library and (2) understanding the mechanism of action of small molecule therapeutics that enhance oligodendrocyte formation. |