Madhumitha Rangesa (CV)

Laboratory Manager

I completed my Master’s at NYU and have 7 years of research experience in immunology and the human microbiome. As the Yachie Lab Manager, I keep our science running smoothly—from tracking finances to wrangling supplies and supporting students, I make sure the lab has everything it needs to thrive. I’m excited to explore the convergence of immunology and synthetic biology in the future, and to find new ways to bring great science out into the world.

E-mail: madhumitha.rangesaubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: Reading and creative fiction writing

Vishaly Kumaran

Project Manager for the Virtual Lung Project

As a passionate Project Manager/Lead I am enthusiastic about helping scientists and researchers achieve their goals by planning, managing and executing assigned project.

E-mail: vishaly.kumaranubc.ca

Brett Kiyota

Bioinformatics Specialist

I’m currently developing computing frameworks to enable scalable inference of cell lineage trees, as well as the integration and assimilation of many single-cell genomics datasets towards the modelling of the human gene regulatory network.

Project: Cell lineage tracing, Gene regulatory network

E-mail: brett.kiyotaubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: Outdoor activties

Chaehyeon Lee

Bioinformatics Specialist

Recently graduated with a BASc in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in Cellular Bioengineering. Currently working on bioinformatics and computational analyses.

E-mail: chaehyeon.leeubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: Matcha

Nanami Masuyama (CV)

Technical Staff

I'm developing a mammalian cell lineage tracing technology.

Project: Cell lineage tracing

Dayag Sheykhkarimli (CV)

Holmes and NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow

I am passionate about converting biological questions into forms that can be addressed by DNA/RNA sequencing. As a graduate student, I developed sequencing-based methods for massively parallel screening of protein interactions and generated the first dynamic interactomes. Inspired by DNA recording in Yachie lab, I now envision analogous methods to map dynamics of connectomes.

Project: DNA Event Recording

X: @DSheykhkarimli

Hobby or fun fact: I have been collecting my favorite quotes for the past 15 years.

Arman Adel

Ph.D. Student (SBME)

Harnessing genome editing and single-cell transcriptome technologies, I am developing a high-content cell type recording system to record high-resolution differentiation trajectories in genome embedded synthetic DNA memory with the goal of deciphering whole-body cell differentiation trajectories during mammalian development.

Project: Cell lineage tracing, Genetic circuit

E-mail: armanadel96gmail.com

Hobby or fun fact: Playing Soccer/Coaching Soccer/Snowboarding/Music

Sofia Romero (CV)

Ph.D. Student (SBME)

Originally from Mexico, I moved to Vancouver to complete MASc at UBC. I joined the Yachie lab to pursue my PhD, from a past studying honey bees and their microbiome, currently I'm developing methylation sensors to understand the epigenetic phenomena involved in cellular heterogeneity.

Project: Interactome

X: @atenasofia

Hobby or fun fact: 9 times marathon finisher. Love biking and animals.

Ren Takimoto

Ph.D. Student (GSAT)

I completed my master’s degree in Japan studying nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Being fascinated by unique technologies invented in Yachie lab, I decided to pursue my Ph.D. at UBC. I’m currently developing a technology for deciphering heterogeneous cell populations through DNA barcoding and single-cell analysis technologies. My goal is to bring innovations in science.

Project: Genetic circuit, Genome editing

E-mail: renn3264student.ubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: Playing tetris/soccer, watching baseball/snowboarding, and collecting insects

Sean Okawa

Ph.D. Student (SBME)

I completed my bachelors degree at UBC studying epigenetics. After graduating I went to Yachie Lab in Tokyo, but in a twist of fate returned to UBC with Yachie Lab a few years later. I'm passionate about learning and applying cutting-edge synthetic biology technologies particularly to deciphering the "phosphocode."

Project: Genome editing, interactome

Hobby or fun fact: Piano

Yin Liu

Ph.D. Student (SBME)

I am developing a high throughput screening system to asses base editor activities with the aim of expanding the gene editing toolbox.

Project: Genome editing

Sanchit Chopra

Ph.D. Student (SBME)

I'm originally from Calgary, where I majored in chemical engineering. At the Yachie Lab I’m developing new DNA event recording technologies to decipher spatiotemporal differentiation trajectories during mouse and human embryogenesis.

Project: Cell lineage tracing, Genetic circuit, Genome editing

X: @SanchitChopra_

E-mail: emailsanchitchopra.com

Hobby or fun fact: Basketball and brewing beer

Chengyu Ye

Ph.D. Student (SBME)

I am originally from Chengdu and completed my bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University. I have a strong passion for RNA biology, particularly in understanding RNA editing fundamental mechanisms and in developing ways to harness it as a tool to advance scientific research.

Project: RNA editing, clone isolation

E-mail: yecytomhotmail.com

Hobby or fun fact: Camping and Beetles Collections

Herbert Yao (CV)

Ph.D. Student (GSAT)

My research interests are predicated on using modelling and machine learning to decipher and understand various complex biological systems, including transcription regulation, molecular interaction, and metabolism. My current project is the modelling of human gene regulatory network from scRNA-seq data.

Project: Gene Regulatory Network

E-mail: herbert.yaoubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: SSBU and MK8D player; amateur game developer

Sam Khalilitousi (CV)

Master's Student (SBME)

I hold a Bachelor's degree in BME from UBC, where I specialized in cellular bioengineering. I have a strong passion for bioinformatics and machine learning, where I am driven to explore innovative solutions for synthetic biology challenges.

Project: Gene Regulatory Network

E-mail: samktstudent.ubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: Piano, guitar

Madina Kagieva

Master's Student (SBME)

With a background in cancer genetics and synthetic biology, I love exploring novel genetic engineering techniques and the ethics underlying their usage and implementation. Currently, I am working on a mammalian lineage tracing project.

E-mail: madina.kagievaubc.ca

Hobby or fun fact: Pottery, beading and board games (Unsolved Case Files is so fun!)

Diego Perez Hidalgo

Undergraduate Researcher (UBC Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

I am a third-year biochemistry student interested in how science can improve societal progress through synthetic biology and medical innovations, particularly in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In my current work, I am helping develop a technology that isolates clones from heterogeneous cell populations using magnetic field control.

E-mail: perezhidalgodiegogmail.com

Hobby or fun fact: Football, hiking, and running