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

Sima Khajouei (skhajouei@umass.edu), 4th 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), 4th 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), 3rd 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), 3rd 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.

 

Alison Hecht (alhecht@umass.edu), 2nd Year Graduate Student

Alison obtained her B.S. in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she worked on molecular and macromolecular crowding agent effects on protein-polymer complex coacervates. In her free time, she likes to read, travel, hike, vintage shop, and snowboard.

 

 

Oyeshik Mukherjee (omukherjee@umass.edu), 2nd Year Graduate Student

Oyeshik obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta, India, and his M.S. in Chemistry from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India. During his master’s thesis, he worked on investigating the effects of macromolecular crowding on the stability of proteins using various spectroscopic methods. In his free time, Oyeshik likes watching movies, anime, soccer, and traveling.

 

Ali Ebrahimi Darsinouei (aebrahimidar@umass.edu), 2nd Year Graduate Student

Ali obtained his B.S. in Genetics and M.S. in Biochemistry from Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. During his master’s studies, he focused on developing biosensors using DNA nanotechnology for detecting disease biomarkers. Currently, Ali is pursuing his master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, where his research focuses on advanced imaging techniques using fluorogenic RNA aptamers. In his free time, Ali enjoys playing and watching soccer, reading poetry, and watching movies.

 

Ngoc (Hazel) Le (ngomle@umass.edu), 1st Year Graduate Student

Hazel earned her B.S. (2025) in Chemistry from Vietnam National University, where she researched the extraction and bioconversion of organic natural compounds. During her undergraduate studies, she also completed short internships at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, working on photosynthesis of N-heterocycles, and at York University in Canada on bioanalytical chemistry. In her free time, Hazel enjoys reading, cooking, and hanging out with friends.

 

Undergraduate Student

Jeffrey Chen (jeffreychen@umass.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2027)

My name is Jeffrey Chen and I am an undergraduate sophomore, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am very interested in learning about the intricate details of cellular processes throughout various cell systems. In my free time I love cooking, playing tennis, and working out. After graduation I hope to continue my education in medical school.

 

Joshua Wu (jawu@umass.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2027)

My name is Joshua Wu, and I am currently a junior at UMass Amherst majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. I am fascinated by the complex processes of the human body, including DNA and RNA regulation, metabolism, and hormonal signaling. In my free time, I enjoy playing spikeball and frisbee, and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, I hope to pursue medical school and continue exploring my interest in medicine.

 

Anvita Kalpande (akalpande@umass.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2028)

My name is Anvita Kalpande, and I am a sophomore Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major at UMass Amherst. I became interested in DNA and RNA nanostructures and how they can be applied to improve disease diagnostics. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, hanging out with friends, and getting involved with on-campus clubs. After graduation, I hope to continue my studies at dental school.

 

Riddhi Date (rdate@umass.edu), Undergraduate Student (Class of 2028)

My name is Riddhi Date and I am a junior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pre-vet major at UMass Amherst. I have a strong interest in molecular folding and how we can manipulate structure to improve diagnostic tools. In my free time I like to sing, bake, play soccer, and spend time with my friends. After graduation, I hope to continue my education in veterinary school while also becoming more involved with research.