Current Members

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	Forest White Ned C. (1949) and Janet C. (Bemis) Rice Professor of Biological Engineering Ph.D., Florida State University (1997) B.S., Framingham State College (1993) Forest is a professor of biological engineering at MIT, a member of the Koch Institute, and a member of the MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine. He earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Framingham State College, and a doctorate in Analytical Chemistry from Florida State University. Following postdoctoral research with Donald Hunt at the University of Virginia, he joined MDS Proteomics, Inc. as a research scientist working his way up to group leader. Forest joined MIT as an assistant professor in 2003, where he has received several awards including the Mitsui Career Deveopment Professorship (2005-2008) and the Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010.
	Jason Conage-Pough Postdoctoral Associate Ph.D., Emory University (2018) B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2009) Jason’s graduate work focused on understanding mechanisms of dysregulated apoptosis in cancer. Jason’s current focus in the White lab is understanding the adaptive signaling that occurs in cancer cells in response to therapeutic agents. Additionally, he is interested in applying molecular biology tools to better characterize receptor tyrosine kinase signaling.
	Ryuhjin (Angela) Ahn Postdoctoral Associate Ph.D., McGill University (2019) B.Sc., McGill University (2011) Ryuhjin's research focuses on understanding various aspects of tumor-host interaction at the level of signal transduction using proteomics, animal models, and molecular biology approaches.
	Tigist Tamir Postdoctoral Associate Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2019) B.S., The College of William & Mary (2012) Originally from Ethiopia, Tigist has lived in Virginia and North Carolina since moving to the United States. She received her B.S. in Biology and Bio-Mathematics from the College of William and Mary, and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her scientific focus is on identifying the convergence between cancer cell signaling and metabolism. She is applying techniques in proteomics, metabolomics, and computational modeling to study the processes that promote resistance to cancer therapy. Outside of the lab, Tigist enjoys traveling, dancing, martial arts, and the outdoors.
	Sophie Herbst Postdoctoral Associate Ph.D., University of Heidelberg (2020) M.Sc., University of Heidelberg (2016) B.Sc., University of Heidelberg (2013) Originally from Germany, Sophie received her B.Sc and M.Sc in Molecular Biotechnology from Heidelberg University, Germany. Her doctorate in Systems Medicine at the University Hospital Heidelberg focused on understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing patient survival and drug responses in leukemia. She has a strong background in both wet lab work and data sciences. In her current work she is interested in using phosphoproteomics to unravel disease and resistance mechanisms in solid cancers. In her free time she loves climbing, being outdoors and playing the guitar.
	Do Hun (Sean) Kim Ph.D. Candidate, Biological Engineering B.S., Johns Hopkins University (2017) Sean received his bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University where he spent most of the time studying cell and tissue engineering. He is now interested in using mass spectrometry and immunopeptidomic methods to study drug response mechanisms in glioblastoma. Outside of lab, he enjoys working out, swimming, and watching movies.
	Cameron Flower Ph.D. Candidate, Computational and Systems Biology B.S.E., University of Connecticut (2017) Cam studied Biomedical Engineering in his home state at UConn, where he became interested in bioinformatics and systems biology. He now uses phosphoproteomics and computational methods to study how cancer cells adapt and survive kinase inhibitors, with the goal of defining new combination therapies. He also works on developing targeted mass spectrometry methods for precision oncology. Outside the lab, Cam enjoys exploring Cambridge and hiking/skiing the New England slopes.
	Elizabeth Choe Ph.D. Candidate, Biological Engineering B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2013) Elizabeth received her B.S. in Biological Engineering from MIT before spending several years working as a science media producer and educational researcher for MIT Open Learning, the MIT Media Lab's Learning Initiative, National Geographic, NIH, and MIT Undergraduate Admissions. She now uses phosphoproteomics to understand mechanisms of resistance and signatures of treatment in various glioblastoma therapies. Elizabeth enjoys the four M's: movies, memes, music, and Missouri (<-her home state).
	Owen Leddy Ph.D. Candidate, Biological Engineering B.S., University of Chicago (2019) Owen grew up in Los Angeles and studied Biological Chemistry at the University of Chicago. His current research focuses on identifying peptide antigens presented on MHCs by phagocytes infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in order to select targets for the development of effective tuberculosis vaccines. Outside of research, his interests include writing fiction, web app development, and climate justice advocacy.
	Alicia D'Souza Ph.D. Candidate, Medical Engineering and Medical Physics B.S., Stanford University (2019) Originally from Texas, Alicia received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. At MIT, she is interested in using phosphoproteomics and systems biology to study T cell signaling networks to inform cancer immunotherapy. Outside of lab, she enjoys trying out new restaurants, traveling, and practicing with the MIT Triathlon Club.
	Yufei Cui Ph.D. Student, Biological Engineering B.S., Rice University (2021) Yufei received her B.S. in bioengineering from Rice University. Now she is exploring the interaction of tumor with immune cells during immunotherapy treatment using immunopeptidomics and phosphoproteomics approaches. Outside of lab, she enjoys playing volleyball, watching anime and exploring restaurants around the city.