Current Members
Postdoc & Research Fellow
Muralimohana Rao Singuru (msinguru@umass.edu), Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Singuru obtained his Ph.D. degree from Tunghai University, Taiwan in 2022. Thereafter, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the same university till July 2023. During his doctoral research, Murali designed and synthesized several three-dimensional DNA microstructures for the development of genotoxicant response together with, CRISPR-based sensors. Currently, he works as a postdoctoral researcher in our lab at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His research interests include developing nucleic acid-based sensors for imaging mechanical forces and for studying cell membrane intermolecular interactions.
Graduate Student
Ru Zheng (ruzheng@umass.edu), 6th Year Graduate Student
Ru obtained her B.S. in Chemistry from Shanghai Jiao Tong University where she worked on the delivery of therapeutic proteins via DNA nanostructure-based system. She is currently interested in imaging cellular metabolites with RNA-based sensors. In her free time, she enjoys reading detective novels and cycling.
Zhaolin Xue (zxue@umass.edu), 5th Year Graduate Student
Zhaolin got his B.S. in 2018 from Guangdong University of Technology. Then he went to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and received his M.S. in 2020 majored in materials science and engineering. His research back then was related to plasmonic nanoparticles and SERS. In his spare time, Zhaolin likes playing basketball, snowboarding, hiking, etc.
Lan Mi (lmi@umass.edu), 5th Year Graduate Student
Lan obtained her B.S. in pharmaceutical engineering from Wuhan Institute of Technology, and received her M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China. She used to do research that’s related with nucleic acids, proteins and functional materials for biosensing. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and watching movies.
Sima Khajouei (skhajouei@umass.edu), 3rd Year Graduate Student
Sima obtained her B.S. and M.S. in Genetics and Biochemistry from Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. During her M.S. studies, she focused on designing logic gate-based biosensors using DNA nanotechnology for diagnostics of disease biomarkers. Her current research interest includes multiplexed imaging using fluorogenic RNA aptamers. In her spare time, she likes playing Kalimba, cooking and watching movies.
Priyanka Bhattacharyya (priyankabhat@umass.edu), 3rd Year Graduate Student
Priyanka completed her B.S. from Visva Bharati University and M.S. from Indian Institute of Science, India. For her master’s thesis, Priyanka worked on metallo-supramolecular assemblies and organic imine cages. Her current research focuses on DNA-based force-sensing probes. In her spare time, she likes to watch movies, read books and listen to music.
Hari Priya Sriramakrishnan (hsriramakris@umass.edu), 2nd Year Graduate Student
Hari Priya completed her B.S from DG Vaishnav College, India and M.S from Vellore Institute of Technology. For her master’s thesis, Hari Priya worked on the synthesis and characterization of potential pharmaceutical impurities during the production of a Benzosuberone derivative. She also has 1.6 years of work experience at Biocon-Bristol Myers Squibb R&D center. Currently she is interested in designing DNA imaging probes for various biomedical applications. In her time outside the lab, she likes to listen to music, travel, watch movies and cook.
Yizhan Guo (yizhanguo@umass.edu), 2nd Year Graduate Student
Yizhan is currently a graduate student in the MCB program at UMass. He obtained his B.E. in Food Bioengineering at China Agricultural University. Then he moved to Baltimore, where he completed his M.S. in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University. During the experience of the previous studies, he developed an interest in monitoring cellular events via biochemical and molecular techniques. Based on his research interest, he is trying to dissect cellular processes using nucleic acid probes.
Undergraduate Student
Qinge Liu (liu35q@mtholyoke.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2025)
My name is Qinge Liu and I’m a current rising junior undergraduate student at Mount Holyoke College majored in Chemistry. I played the violin and did fencing since high school. I enjoy reading, listen to music and sleep during my spare time. After college I’m planning on going to graduate school.
Chang “Claire” Yuan (yuan24c@mtholyoke.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2026)
Chang Yuan is an undergraduate student majoring in biological sciences at Mount Holyoke College. Her interest in the chemical and molecular basis of biological processes began during her high school neuroscience studies. She is passionate about designing metabolic pathways in bacterial strains for the mass production of synthetic molecules. When she’s not at work, she would most likely be found in her room enjoying TV shows or movies. After graduation, she plans to obtain a Master of Public Health degree.
Lucy Luong (khanhquynhlu@umass.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2026)
My name is Lucy Luong and currently a junior at UMass Amherst, majoring in Chemistry. During the summer program, I developed an interest in working with the synthesis and characterization of aptamer. When I am free from work, I love watching TV shows and crochet. After graduation, I would like to pursue my studying in the pharmaceutical area.
Jae Le (trannamphuon@umass.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2026)
Jae is currently a junior undergraduate student at UMass Amherst, majoring in Chemistry. She has a big interest in researching the development of cancer cells. In her leisure time, she loves listening to pop music and watching cooking shows. After graduation, she wants to pursue a Master’s program at a medical school.