Erica Korb, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Erica Korb runs a lab in the Department of Genetics and is a member of the Penn Epigenetics Institute. Erica received her B.S. from Yale University in Molecular Biology and worked as a research assistant at both Yale and the NIH. She received her PhD from the University of California, San Francisco in neuroscience where she worked with Dr. Steve Finkbeiner. She then went on to the Rockefeller University for her postdoctoral training under Dr. C. David Allis. She has won several awards for her work over the years including the Alfred P. Sloan fellowship, the Klingenstein-Simons young investigator award, the NARSAD young investigator award, the NIH Pathway to Independence Award, and the F32 and F31 Fellowship Awards. Outside of the lab, Erica enjoys playing an eclectic mix of sports including cycling, ultimate Frisbee, and fencing.
Rili Ahmad
Research Specialist
Rili Ahmad received her B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Psychology from George Washington University, and worked with Dr. Hu on molecular mechanism of Atherosclerosis. She then worked in the Laboratory of Neurogenetics at NIA/NIH to study the effects of mutations associated with Parkinson’s disease on protein function. From there she went on to the University of Miami where she studied snRNA biomarkers for early detection of Parkinson’s disease. In the Korb lab she serves as lab manager and does research on chromatin mutations that affect autism. On her free time, Rili has a passion for community service and is an active member of the UPENN community outreach program PENN CARES. She loves to read, hike and has a general love for the outdoors.
Alekh Paranjapye, Ph.D.
Postdoc
Alekh Paranjapye received his B.S. in microbiology with a minor in philosophy from the University of Washington. He then worked at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle as a research assistant before going on to receive his Ph.D. in Genetics and Genome Sciences from Case Western Reserve University under the mentorship of Dr. Ann Harris. There, he applied both bench and computational techniques to study chromatin dynamics and gene regulation in human lung epithelial cells, with additional focus placed on the epigenetics of cystic fibrosis.
Brad Lukasak, Ph.D.
Postdoc
Brad received his B.S. in chemistry in 2016 from the University of Pittsburgh. While there, he worked in the lab of Alex Deiters where he studied conditional activation of small molecules. He was named a Beckman Scholar for this work. He obtained his PhD from Princeton University in the lab of Tom Muir. Over his six years in Princeton, he studied histone serotonylation, characterizing the enzymatic activity of TGM2 using a suite of biochemical methods. In the Korb lab, Brad’s interest in epigenetics continues, shifting his focus to the field of neuroepigenetics. He is particularly interested in using these technologies to understand the molecular basis of behavior and memory. Outside of the lab, Brad’s interest includes watching sports, playing videogames, running, grilling, and spending time with his nieces/nephews.
Jenna Petronglo, Ph.D.
Postdoc
Jenna Petronglo received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Fordham University in 2014. After graduating, she worked as a research assistant at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine where she gained experience in neuroscience research. She joined the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program at Vanderbilt University in 2017 and completed her Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Jim Cassat in 2023. Her dissertation interrogated how inflammation from the host response to Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis (bone infection) influences the bone-resorbing osteoclast to promote bone loss and damage. As a postdoc in the Korb lab, Jenna is excited to apply her immunology background toward studying how epigenetic regulators drive neurological disease. Outside of the lab, she enjoys live music, playing the piano, and getting lost in a great book.
Emily Feierman, Ph.D.
Postdoc
Emily received her B.A. in Neuroscience from Barnard College in 2015. After graduating, she went to the Rockefeller University where she worked as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Sidney Strickland. She joined the Neuroscience Graduate Group here at Penn in 2018 and completed her PhD in the Korb lab in July 2024. In the Korb lab, her work looks at how histone variants in the brain affect everything from cells to behavior. Outside of lab, Emily likes to spend time with her dog Maisie and pet hedgehog Cleo, and is on a quest to master the NYTimes crossword puzzle.
Sean Louzon, B.S.
Graduate Student
Sean received his B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. In the lab, he is interested in aging-related disorders including neurodegeneration and how they relate to the field of epigenetics. Outside of lab, he enjoys going out for all-you-can-eat sushi and playing sports including soccer and volleyball.
Marissa Maroni, B.S.
Graduate Student
Marissa received her B.S. in Biology from Bridgewater State University. She is currently a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Group at Penn. Her research interests are in understanding how epigenetic modifications in the brain impact neuronal function and when altered can lead to disease. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, walking with her dog Linus, and caring for her plants.
Anna Voss, B.S.
Graduate Student
Anna is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Group. She graduated from Emory University in 2022 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a minor in statistics. While at Emory, Anna worked in the lab of Dr. Steven Sloan where she studied neuronally secreted ligands that influence astrocyte development. In the Korb Lab, Anna is interested in studying the influence of histone variants and epigenetic modifications on glial cells and how these factors can impact neuropsychiatric disorders. Outside of lab, Anna loves to row on the Schuylkill River, go record shopping, and watch stand-up comedy.
Annastelle Cohen, M.S.
Graduate Student
Annastelle is a PhD student in the CAMB Genetics and Epigenetics program and a T32 trainee. She received her B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from American University, where she was also a NASA DCSGC summer research fellow. In the Korb lab, Annastelle hopes to contribute to the understanding of basic mechanisms underlying neuronal chromatin regulation and their implications in emerging neurodevelopmental disorders. When not at the bench, she enjoys doing the daily “-dle” games (Wordle, Worldle, Tradle, Nerdle), listening to music, playing pool and board games with friends, and eating Spread bagels by the Schuylkill.
Annabel Sangree, B.S.
Graduate Student
Annabel obtained her BA in Biology from Hamilton College in 2018. After graduating, she worked as a research associate at the Broad Institute in the Genetic Perturbation Platform where she optimized CRISPR tools for large scale screens. Annabel became interested in neuroepigenetics through her work studying how mutations in histone H3.3 perturb neurodevelopment. In the Korb lab, she is interested in studying the dynamics of histone variants in the brain. Outside of lab you can find her running, hiking with her dog Cooper, and tending to her sourdough starter.
Camille Quaye
Undergraduate
Camille is currently studying Biochemistry, Neurobiology, and Fine Arts at Penn as part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences, which fosters academic studies and research in biochemistry and physics. Outside of the lab, Camille enjoys watching horror movies, drawing, and playing the piano.
Steven Su
Undergraduate
Steven is studying Biology and Computer Science at the College of Arts & Sciences, with a strong interest in learning about the computational methods applied to life science research. At Penn, Steven is involved in TEDxPenn, where he dedicates to organizing the annual TED talk conference at Penn. He also loves playing & watching soccer and working out.
Alumni
Katherine Lynch
Undergraduate
Katie completed her undergraduate and masters degrees at Penn in 2024. She studied biochemistry as part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences and is now applying to medical school.
Shreya Mehtra
Undergraduate
Shreya completed her undergraduate degree at Penn in 2024. She studied Biology and Health Care Management as part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management, and is currently working at CHOP and applying to medical school.
Roxanne Perez Tremble, B.S.
Postbac
Roxanne Perez Tremble received her B.S. from Temple University in Neuroscience and joined the Korb lab as part of the PennPREP program in 2023-2024. She was then admitted to the Penn CAMB PhD program and stayed on at Penn as a graduate student.
Éloïse L'Her, B.S.
Research Assistant
Éloïse studied Biochemistry at Penn. She was part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences, an integrated science program designed to provide undergraduates with deep engagement in scientific and research experiences. Éloïse joined the Korb Lab as an undergraduate and stayed with the lab after graduating as a research specialist before going to medical school.
Sam Thudium, B.S.
Research Assistant
Sam received his B.S. from the University of California, San Diego in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and worked in the neurobiology department of The Scripps Research Institute as an undergrad. In the Korb lab, he explored the mechanisms behind neurological disorders. After completing his work in the lab, Sam went on to graduate school in Data Science at Penn.
John Kee, B.S.
Research Assistant
John received his B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Vassar College (‘19). In his undergraduate research, he conducted research in Fragile X Syndrome, social behavior, and maternal programming. He is interested in the neurobiological underpinnings of intellectual and developmental disability and pursuing a career in pediatric neurology. After his time in the Korb lab, John went on to medical school at Jefferson University.
Kate Palozola, Ph.D.
Postdoc
Kate Palozola received her B.S. in Biology from Denison University and then worked as a research specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania where she worked with Dr. Ken Zaret. Kate was awarded the 2018 Tom Kadesch Prize from the Genetics Department for excellence in research and leadership during her graduate studies. She then went on to do a postdoc with Dr. Jean Bennett at the Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics. She then did a second postdoc in the Korb lab after which she became a Senior Investigator at Aro Biotherapeutics.
Melissa Barton, M.S.
Masters Student
Melissa received her B.S. in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience from Rochester Institute of Technology. She received her masters degree in the Korb lab, examining epigenetic modifications and how they relate to neurodevelopmental disorders. She is now a Research Associate with Spark Therapeutics.
Kiara Rodriguez
Undergraduate
Kiara was an undergraduate at the University of Puerto Rico - Humacao, majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Chemistry. During her summer internship in the lab, Kiara studied how mutations in epigenetic proteins affect neuronal structure and helped develop computational pipelines to analyze and visualize next-generation sequencing datasets. Kiara now attends graduate school at Penn in the Epigenetics and Genetics PhD program.