Chen Lab
Madyson Brown
Postbaccalaureate researcher DCBRM
- Email: bmadyson@wustl.edu
Education:
- B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience, Penn State University.
Project: Impact of mutant forms of CRX on photoreceptor morphology and function.
Fun Fact: I like to spend time with family and friends, outside, and watch movies.
Sun Chi, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Instructor
- Phone: 314-747-4351
- Email: sunchi@wustl.edu
Education:
- B. S. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.
- Ph. D. in Neuroscience, University of Idaho, Idaho.
- Postdoctoral fellow in Chen Lab, WashU
Project: CRX and its cis-regulatory elements in photoreceptor development and maintenance.
Fun fact: I like to play video games and watch football (soccer)!
Isabella Gomes
Research Fellow
- Email: i.gomes@wustl.edu
Education:
-
B.A. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (Infectious Diseases), Princeton University
- M.P.H in Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- M.A., Columbia Journalism School
-
MD Candidate, Class of 2026, WashU
Project: Clinical presentations of CRX Retinopathies
Fun Fact: I've been an ordained minister for 8 years. I have not married anyone yet.
Maya Holman
Research Tech II
- Email: mayah@wustl.edu
Education:
- B.S. DePaul University, where she studied integrative neuroscience, biology, and entrepreneurship.
Project: Rescuing CRX function via AAV-mediated gene therapy.
Fun Fact: I love creating art and selling my work at an independent bookstore in Chicago.
Max Liu
WashU sophomore, Biology major
- Email: liu.max@wustl.edu
Project: Immunohistochemistry of mouse retinal sections.
Fun fact: I like to cook and write my own recipes.
Mingyan (June) Yang, B.S.
Senior Research Technician
- Phone: 314-747-4351
- Email: yangm@wustl.edu
Education:
- B.S. Shandong Sport College, Jinan, P. R. China.
Project: Mouse models of retinal degeneration
Fun fact: I have a hobby of grooming my Yorkshire Terrier. Although many people say I’m not good at it, I firmly believe that my dog looks beautiful no matter how I groom him!
Maggie Yu
WashU junior, Major in Biology and Neuroscience
- Email: maggie.m.yu@wustl.edu
Project: Immunohistochemistry of mouse retinal sections.
Fun Fact: My favorite animal is the red panda!
Xiaodong Zhang, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
- Phone: 314-747-4351
- Email: xzhang26@wustl.edu
Education:
- B.S. Nanjing University, China.
- M.S. University of Louisville, Kentucky.
- Ph.D. University of Louisville, Kentucky.
Project: General transcription factor complexes in photoreceptor gene expression, development and maintenance.
Fun fact: I enjoy gardening in my free time.