Montclare Group

October 15, 2022 – Farewell Lunch for James Perez

Jin Kim Montclare, PhD
Jin Kim Montclare, PhDPrincipal Investigator
Jin Kim Montclare, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU. She runs a research group that specializes in synthetic biology with a focus on protein design. As part of inSchool Apps, Jin co-designs and promotes apps, as well as architects their deployment in K-12 and higher education environments.
Nada Haq-Siddiqi
Nada Haq-SiddiqiProvost's Post-Doctoral Fellow
Nada’s background is in Biomedical Engineering, having received her B.S. from Case Western Reserve University, M.S. from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Ph.D. from the City College of New York. Her areas of expertise involve biomaterial development of naturally-derived and synthetic polymeric scaffolds for a variety of tissue engineering applications. Prior to graduate study, she held research positions in industry R&D and clinical trials of investigational biomedical devices. She will be conducting research developing protein-based biomaterial scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery with an emphasis on orthopedic tissue repair.
Dustin Britton
Dustin BrittonPhD Candidate
Dustin received his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota and his Masters in Particle Technology from the University of Delaware where he researched powder rheology. Following he was an engineer for the Chemour’s Company where he did research on ion exchange materials. He is currently a PhD student at New York University Tandon where is interested in biomaterials and drug delivery.
Appy Bhattacharya
Appy BhattacharyaPhD Candidate
Appy received her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from UW-Green Bay and her Master’s degree in the same field from University of Birmingham in the UK, prior to beginning her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology between SUNY Downstate Medical Center and NYU Tandon by virtue of a collaboration between them. Her current research focuses on the development of self-assembling nanobiomaterials to be used as theranostic agents for improving chemotherapeutic drug delivery and for performing cancer diagnosis by positron emission tomography.
Jacob Kronenberg
Jacob KronenbergPhD Candidate
Jacob graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, where he did research on self-assembling amphiphilic copolymers. He’s currently pursuing his PhD in Chemical Engineering at NYU Tandon, where his research interests include protein hydrogels for biomedical applications.
Andrew Wang
Andrew WangMD PhD Candidate
Andrew received his Bachelor’s from the University of California, Berkeley in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where he also received a Master’s in Translational Medicine. He is currently an MD/PhD student at SUNY Downstate pursuing his PhD in Biomedical Engineering. His current research involves using engineered proteins for ocular drug delivery.
Jonathan Sun
Jonathan SunPhD Candidate
Jonathan received his bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan where he designed soft organic materials for optoelectronic devices and carbon capture applications. Stemming from the realization that proteins are high-performance polymers in disguise, his current research as a Chemistry Ph.D. student at NYU Tandon involves developing versatile protein-based biomaterials to support pharmaceutical platforms

Lucas Morales
Lucas Morales MS Student
Lucas received a BS in Biotechnology from SUNY University at Buffalo and is currently pursuing an MS in Biotechnology from NYU Tandon. He is currently working with Appy the development of self-assembling nanobiomaterials to be used as theranostic agents for improving chemotherapeutic drug delivery.”  
Julia Monkovic
Julia Monkovic MS Student
Julia Monkovic received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from New York University where she worked with Dr. Montclare in the design of a protein-lipid complex for siRNA delivery. As a Master’s student studying Chemical Engineering, her current research involves the study of protein fibrils for small molecule binding and the continuation of her previous work in siRNA gene therapy.
Halle Gibson
Halle GibsonMS Student
Halle graduated with her BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida, where she did computational research in protein engineering for insulin and atovaquone. She is currently pursuing her MS in Biomedical Engineering at NYU Tandon.
Jakub Legocki
Jakub LegockiBS MS Student
Jakub is currently an undergraduate pursuing his BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from NYU Tandon. He is working with Farbod on the enhancement and optimization of phosphotriesterase, an enzyme used as an organophosphate pesticide detoxifier, through the use of computational protein design and molecular dynamics simulations.
Cheng Liu
Cheng LiuBS Student/NYU SURP
Cheng is a rising Junior pursuing his BS in Biomolecular Science at NYU Tandon. He is interested in using biomaterials for health applications and is currently working with Dustin on using non-canonical amino acids in hydrogels diagnostic applications.
Maria Kulapurathazhe
Maria KulapurathazheBS MS Student/NYU SURP
Maria is a senior at NYU Tandon studying biomolecular science and journalism. She is interested in the design of biomaterials for therapeutic use and is currently working with Jacob to investigate the wound healing potential of an engineered wet-adhesive protein.
Isha Krishna
Isha KrishnaBS Student/AEOP
Isha is a sophomore studying Biomolecular Science at NYU Tandon and is interested in protein and gene manipulation.
Jessica Wong
Jessica WongBS Student/AEOP
Jessica is a junior pursuing a BS in Biomolecular Science, aspiring to develop biomaterials that will aid in personalized and accessible treatments.
Tony Dong
Tony DongBS Student/URAP
Tony Dong is pursuing a BS in Biomolecular Science at NYU Tandon.
Frances Lee
Frances LeeBS Student/URAP
Frances Lee is a rising junior pursuing a BS in Biomolecular Science and intends to pursue a MS in Biotechnology through the BS/MS program. She is interested in different applications of proteins and is excited to start working and learning in the lab.
Yingxin Xiao
Yingxin XiaoBS Student
Yingxin is a junior pursuing a BS in Biomolecular Science. She is interested in the study of biomaterials in medical applications as well as the degradation of synthetic plastics.
Paul Calderon
Paul CalderonBS Student
Paul Calderon is a junior pursuing a B.S. in chemical and biomolecular engineering at NYU Tandon. His interests are in the various biomedical applications of proteins.

Nabila Jahan
Nabila JahanARISE Student -Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School
Mia Mbom
Mia MbomARISE Student - Brooklyn Technical High School

Post-doctoral Researchers

Dr. Stanley Chu Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder,
Biomaterials Scientist, New Age Meats
Dr. Farbod MahmoudinobarPh.D. in Physics-Biophysics, New Jersey Institute of Technology,
Computational Scientist at Moderna
Dr. Kamia Punia PhD, City University of New York,
Senior Scientist at Chobani
Dr. Priya KatyalPhD, University of Connecticut,
R&D Scientist at Downstream UMass
Dr. MD Shamim RezaPhD, University of Tokyo,
Research Scientist - Protein Engineering at University of Virginia
Dr. Sachin KhapliPhD, Rice University
Assistant Professor at New York University-Abu Dhabi
Dr. Zhiqiang LiuPhD, Jiangnan University
Associate Professor at Institute of Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology
Dr. Natalya VoloshchukPhD, City University of New York
Adjunct Assistant Professor at Rutgers Unviversity
Dr. Mark SchofieldPhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Associate Professor at Haverford College

Graduate Students

Halle GibsonM.S. in Biomedical Engineering 2022
Heather MaoM.S. in Biotechnology 2022
Joseph ThomasPh.D. in Biomedical Engineering 2022 SUNY Downstate,
Biopharma Equity Research Associate
Michael MeletiesPh.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 2022,
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Sihan 'Hannah' JiaM.S. Biotechnology 2021,
PhD Student in Chemical Engineering at Drexel University
Jay Kang M.S., Biomolecular Science candidate,
Associate Scientist at Pfizer
Ashwitha Lakshmi MS, Biotechnology 2021,
Research Associate at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Alara Tuncer MS, Biotechnology Candidate, NYU Tandon School of Engineering
PhD Student in Immunology at University of Toronto
Yao WangPh.D. in Materials Chemistry 2021,
Scientist I, Downstream Process Development at Bristol Myers Squibb
Shengbo GuoMS, Biotechnology 2019, Research Assistant 2020
Xiaole 'Willy' WangMS, Biotechnology 2020
 
Yifei WangMS, Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering 2020
Gayathri GopikrishnaMS, Biotechnology candidate 2019, NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Andrew OlsenPhD, Materials Chemistry 2019
Prescient Healthcare Group
Lindsay HillPhD, Biomedical Engineering 2019
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Liming YinPhD, Materials Chemistry 2018
Bristol Meyer Squib
Teeba JihadMS, Biotechnology 2018
Firmenich
Xuan XieMS, Biotechnology 2018
AstraZeneca
Joe FrezzoPhD, Biomedical Engineering 2017
BGB Group
Roni Barak VenturaMS, Biomedical Engineering 2017
New York University
Jeffrey LiuMS, Chemistry 2016
Merck
Albert AgustinusMS, Biotechnology 2016
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Raymond ChenMS, Biomedical Engineering 2016
Saakshi GuptaMS, Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship 2016
Ching Yao YangPhD, Materials Chemistry 2016
Hampton Creek
Nikita SrivastavaMS, Biotechnology 2015
Jasmin HumePhD, Materials Chemistry 2015
Hampton Creek
Haresh MorePhD, Materials Chemistry 2015
Bristol Meyer Squib
Carlo YuviencoPhD, Biomedical Engineering 2014
New York University
Rudy JacquetMS, Biotechnology 2014
Columbia University
Ekta SharmaMS, Bioinformatics 2014
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Apurva BapatMS 2014
Seimens Healthcare
Min DaiPhD, Materials Chemistry 2013
Lee von KraussPhD, Neuroscience 2013
Halo Neuro Inc
Jennifer S. HaghpanahPhD, Materials Chemistry 2012
Columbia University
Kinjal Ramesh MehtaPhD, Biomedical Engineering 2012
Blue Sky Biotech
Susheel K. GunasekarPhD, Biomedical Engineering 2012
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Martin GanttMS 2012
Earthlink
Peter James BakerPhD, Biomedical Engineering 2011
Teva
Dharanikanth SathyanarayanaMS 2011
Lancaster Laboratories
Aayush AgarwalMS 2010
Roselab Bioscience
Mukta AsnaniMS 2010
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, PhD Program
Renata BarradasMS 2010
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Taher DawoodiMS 2010
Pepsico
Yogesh T. GanesansMS 2010
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Chandani LimbadMS 2009
California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
Jaladhi NayakMS 2009
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Åsa RonkvistPhD 2008
Astra Zenica
Sindhuja R. MuskuMS 2008
Novartis
Soumya NandaMS 2008
Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Undergraduate Students

Julia Monkovic BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 2021
Isabel ShonSummer 2019 intern currently pursuing a BS, Biology, SUNY Purchase
Matthew MoultonSummer 2019 MRSEC intern currently pursuing a BS, Chemical Engineering, Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art
Erika Delgado-FukushimaBS, Biomolecular Sciences 2019
Sumayya VawdaBS, Biomolecular Sciences 2017
Cynthia XuBS, Biomolecular Sciences 2016
Kevin ZhangNew York University Polytechnic School of Engineering, BS 2015
Kyle OkinoChaminade University, BS 2016
Grace ChoiSmith College, BS 2015
Ja-Shin (Justine) WuPace University, BS 2015
Michael LupoNew York University Polytechnic School of Engineering, BS 2014
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Jennifer Sun^New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering, BS 2014
Accenture
Heejoo Kim^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2013
New York University Polytechnic Institute
Navjot Singh^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2013
SUNY Downstate Medical School
Daniel ChoiFordham University, BS 2013
World Relief Dupage/Arora
Jinhui Zhao^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2012
SUNY Downstate Medical School
Christopher InoueChaminade University, BS 2012
Rich HwangSUNY Binghamton, BS 2010
SUNY Downstate Medical School
Wendy Hom^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2010
SUNY Stony Brook
Yan Mei Chan^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS+MS Honors Thesis 2009
Pennsylvania State University
David Snydacker^Wesleyan University, BS 2009
Northwestern University
Wah YanNew York University, BS 2012
GfK Bridgehead
Hanna Barra^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2009
New York Blood Center
Eran GevaPolytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2009
Tapad
Mandy Lee^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS Honors Thesis 2008
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Anita Zhu^Polytechnic Institute of New York University, BS+MS Honors Thesis 2008
Revlon
Waqas AhmedPolytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2008
Narissa PuranPolytechnic Institute of New York University, BS 2008
The Medical School for International Health
Logan YuThe Cooper Union, BS 2008
Brooklyn Law School
Cindy MeiSt. Joseph's University, BS 2008
Priscilla PaulThe Cooper Union, BS 2008
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Maksim BeygelmanThe Cooper Union, BS 2008
Tatyana Panchenko^Polytechnic University, BS+MS Honors Thesis 2006
The Rockefeller University
Kunal ShahPolytechnic University, BS Honors Thesis 2006
Colored World
Wan Wen Zhu^Polytechnic University, BS Honors Thesis 2006
Texas A&M University
^ Indicates Undergraduate Student with a Publication

High School Outreach Students

Zuzanna Kowlaski
Jordyn Pierre-Raphael
Lianna FriedmanSenior, Rosyln High School. Summer 2019 NYU GSTEM participant
Shanya SamSophomore, Brooklyn Tech. Summer 2019 NYU ARISE participant

Research Staff

Jameson Marquez Perez
Jeanette Coludro-Rivera