Our Lab
Jeremy C Borniger - PI
Jeremy grew up in Washington, DC and then attended Indiana University - Bloomington where he received a bachelor’s degree in biological anthropology. He then completed his PhD in neuroscience at The Ohio State University with Randy Nelson and Courtney DeVries. Following his dissertation on brain-cancer crosstalk controlling sleep/wake states and hepatic metabolism, Jeremy moved to Stanford University to work with Luis de Lecea on the identification of novel circuitry controlling sleep/wake states as well as central control of peripheral immunity. Jeremy’s primary role in the lab is to make sure the lab has an ideal atmosphere for scientific discovery and helping other lab members make the most out of their time in order to achieve their ultimate goals.
Adrian Gomez - Research Associate/Lab Manager
Adrian earned his BS in Psychology from the College of Charleston, and obtained his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of South Carolina where his thesis work focused on how environmental enrichment regulates nicotine-mediated behaviors. As a postdoctoral fellow at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Bruchas, Adrian examined how endogenous opioid systems regulate reward-seeking behaviors as well as engineered novel optofludic devices to dissect the neural circuits in affective behaviors. As a research associate in the Borniger Lab, Adrian is examining how tumors promote sleep alterations via hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin neurons. Outside of the lab, Adrian enjoys training his dog (Stone), playing soccer, and exploring the food scene around Long Island.
Yue (May) Wu - Postdoctoral Fellow
Yue (May) Wu is a postdoctoral fellow at the Borniger laboratory. May earned her MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the Sun Yat-sen University in China and obtained her Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology from the University of Queensland in Australia. During her graduate studies, she worked on screening anti-breast cancer small molecules targeting G-quadruplex structures in the human VEGF regulatory region, and rapid production of pharmaceutical peptides and proteins in cell-free systems. Her project in the Borniger lab is investigating molecular mechanisms of the nervous system-cancer crosstalk and nascent proteomic changes during cancer development. Outside the laboratory, May enjoys playing tennis, practicing jazz dancing, and learning different kinds of musical instruments.
Ankit Tiwari - Postdoctoral Fellow
Ankit is a post-doctoral fellow at the Borniger lab. Ankit earned his M.Sc in Biotechnology from Gauhati University in India and obtained his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in India. Ankit studied role of angiogenic regulator FRG1 in breast and prostate cancer progression during his graduate studies. He is interested in cell biology and worked as research associate at NISER understanding the role of the thermosensitive TRP family of ion channels in T cell function. He also worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain where he was interested in understanding organization of ER exit sites using yeast genetics and synthetic biology approaches. He is currently interested in investigating mechanistic interactions between the brain and tumors leading to impaired neuro-cognitive function. Outside the laboratory Ankit loves playing badminton, reading, and following sporting events and cooking.
Chi Jung (Jeffrey) Hung - Postdoctoral Fellow
Jeffrey is a postdoctoral fellow in the Borniger lab. He earned both his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in neuroscience from Nagoya University, Japan. During his graduate studies, Jeffrey investigated the role of orexin and MCH neurons in the lateral hypothalamus in relation to cataplexy. He later focused on how CRF neurons are involved in circadian rhythms and sleep. He also received a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) postdoctoral fellowship, working in Dr. Ono’s lab at Nagoya University. There, he discovered neural circuits and molecular mechanisms associated with wake-promotion triggered by external environmental stimuli. His current research interests lie in the interactions between the brain and the immune system, particularly how these interactions lead to disruptions in homeostasis, such as sleep and feeding behaviors. Outside the lab, Jeffrey enjoys eating, playing volleyball, basketball, gaming, and traveling.
Nikolas HOlland - CSHL PhD candidate
Nikolas is a graduate student of the School of Biological Sciences at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He grew up in Seattle Washington, and then attended the New York University College of Arts and Sciences where he earned his BS in Neuroscience with High Honors. During his undergraduate studies he assisted in investigating an oncogenic role for alternative splicing of the neurotrophic receptor TrkB. In the Borniger lab, Nikolas seeks to explore the cross-talk between the somatosensory nervous system and cancer. Outside of the laboratory, he has a passion for music, climbing, ultimate frisbee, and soccer.
Mia Lin Amato - CSHL Graduate Student
Mia is a curious girl studying at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s School for Biological Sciences. She was raised in Florida alongside her younger sister with the tenacity and drive to succeed imparted by their mother. This led her to complete her Bachelor of Science from Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College in Cellular Neuroscience with minors in data science and psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she began interning at a lab studying the sleep/wake cycle and longevity of fruit flies and then spent her summer as an URP at CSHL when she studied the transcriptomics of microglia. As a graduate student, Mia now finds her interests in how the nervous system and cancer interact to impact the holistic health of an organism. At CSHL, Mia has also found her place as an outreach chair for DIAS where she is passionate about making science accessible and welcoming to people from all backgrounds. She balances her love for science with other passions such as traveling, reading fiction, spending time with family and friends, and exercising.
Alix Battison -postdoctoral fellow
Alix is a postdoctoral fellow in the Borniger Laboratory. Alix obtained her Ph.D. in Physiology & Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut where she used proximity labeling and mass spectrometry to identify presynaptic proteins mediating cortical interneuron physiology. Following her Ph.D Alix was a post-doc at Yale University where she utilized mass spectrometry and glycoproteomics to identify a role for O-glycans in Alzheimer’s Disease onset and progression. In the Borniger lab, Alix is interested in investigating how glioblastomas alter brain function and physiology at the circuity and protein level. Outside of the lab, Alix is an avid equestrian and is a horseback-riding instructor/trainer. She enjoys spending time helping her clients learn to ride horses as well as riding and training her own horse, Kit Kat.
Leah Boyd - Laboratory Technician
Leah graduated from Duke University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. While at Duke, she served editor-in-chief of The Duke Chronicle, the university’s independent student newspaper, and worked on several research initiatives highlighting how information gaps and hyperpartisanship threaten democratic processes in the United States. She previously served as a research assistant in the Borniger Lab in the summers of 2021 and 2022, where she studied how alternate-day diets affect host responses to breast cancer. As a technician, she hopes to continue exploring the reciprocal relationships between lifestyle factors such as sleep & stress and cancer progression. Leah remains an avid Duke basketball fan and also enjoys volleyball, reality TV shows and the New York Times mini crosswords.
Marina Sherman - Laboratory Technician
Marina is a research technician in the Borniger lab. She obtained her BS in Biology and BA in Psychology from Binghamton University in 2022. She previously worked as a research technician in the Yeh lab at CSHL where she focused on targeted protein degradation drug discovery for cancer associated transcription factors. Her background with cancer biology yields curiosity about the interplay between neuroscience and cancer in the Borniger lab. Outside of science Marina enjoys reading, playing sports, crocheting, and maintaining her language learning streak on Duolingo.
Caryn Koza - Scientific Administrator
Caryn is responsible for all lab matters related to recruitment, service, funding applications, technology, organization, and scheduling.
Alumni
Adrian Berisha - Laboratory Technician
Adrian graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2020. Adrian participated in undergraduate research at the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University where he assisted in investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of Chronic Kidney Disease. His goal in the Borniger lab is to assist in gaining a deeper understanding of the link between the brain and cancer metastasis and identifying potential treatments for patients with cancer.
Melina Ross - 2023 summer research assistant
Melina Ross is a rising sophomore at Emory University majoring in Biological Anthropology and French. She aspires to work in medicine and is passionate about combining allopathic and homeopathic medical practices. In the Borniger lab, Melina seeks to utilize this by exploring factors in cancer patients such as stress, sleep, and their regulation, and how brain-cancer crosstalk in regulating these factors impacts the host. Outside of the laboratory, Melina loves hiking, geurilla art and mystery novels. She is the VP of event planning and outreach for Emory lifestyle medicine. Combining this role with her passion for yoga, she is starting an initiative to teach yoga to children at the local hospital.
Samantha Smith - 2023 summer research assistant
Samantha Smith is a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania studying Biology and Neuroscience and is extremely excited to be joining the Borniger Lab as a research assistant for the summer of 2023. Having spent past summers at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center cultivating her passion for science, Samantha is thrilled to now have this opportunity to learn and contribute in the Borniger Lab. Samantha is particularly interested in exploring brain physiology and how cancer influences brain function in vivo. Outside of her studies, Samantha pole vaults for the D1 varsity track and field team at Penn and enjoys skiing, crochet, and travel.
Helen Sweeney - 2023 summer research assistant
Helen Sweeney is a rising sophomore at UC Santa Barbara currently majoring in biology. She aspires to work in the scientific field and is interested in marine science and how marine bioactive compounds can be applied to biomedical technologies and the development of new drugs. In the Borniger lab, Helen is excited to study the nervous system and methods to target cancer in the context of bioelectronic medicine. Outside of the lab, Helen likes to do anything in the ocean, play sports, travel, and listen to music with friends.
Nikita Francis - Postdoctoral fellow
Nikita Francis is a postdoctoral fellow at the Borniger laboratory. Nikita earned her BS in Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle and obtained her Ph.D. in Integrative Neuroscience from Stony Brook University. As a graduate student, she worked on rodent models of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. She is interested in cancer neuroscience, and her current project is investigating the effects of sleep disruption on cancer progression and anti-tumor immunity. Outside the laboratory, Nikita enjoys spending time with family and friends. Nikita is now a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) at Fresenius Kabi.
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Nicole Sivetz - CSHL Phd candidate
Nicole received bachelor’s degrees in Molecular Biology and Chemistry from Monmouth University in 2019. As an undergraduate, she developed antisense therapies and inhibitory compounds targeted against epidermal growth factor receptor in the context of glioblastoma multiforme, and interned with the Reproductive Toxicology (2017) and Discovery Genomics & Proteomics (2019) groups of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Nicole is currently pursuing her PhD through CSHL’s program, and moved on from our lab to join Dr. Mikala Egeblad’s group. Nicole enjoys hiking, yoga, and raising awareness for gender parity in STEM as In-House Education Chair of CSHL’s WiSE group.
Leonardo Jared Ramirez Sanchez - CSHL PhD Candidate
Leonardo earned his bachelor’s degree in Genomic Sciences with honors at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 2018. There, he developed algorithms to elucidate the topological properties of gene regulatory networks and worked in synthetic biology. As an undergraduate Leonardo was an intern in Miguel Nicolelis Lab at Duke University, where he studied the difference in the brain activity from normal animals and animal models of neuropsychiatric diseases. In addition, he was a visiting student in Adam Kepecs lab at CSHL, where he studied the neural representation of social reward. Leonardo is currently a PhD candidate in CSHL’s graduate program, and he is focused on research the neural mechanisms underlying behavior. Leonardo loves reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, practicing all kinds of sports, and salsa dancing.
Jessica Kahng - CSHL PHD Student
Jessica Kahng is a first-year graduate student from the School of Biological Sciences at CSHL who rotated through our lab and subsequently joined the Cheadle Lab. Jessica grew up in California and then moved to Pennsylvania to obtain her BA in Biology from Bryn Mawr College. During her undergraduate studies, she engaged in research focused on elaborating the mechanisms of axonal branching and guidance during neuronal development. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with friends and reading graphic novels.
Christopher Catalano - 2021/22 Summer research assistant
Christopher is a rising sophomore at Boston College studying neuroscience and is very excited to be joining the Borniger Lab as a volunteer for the summer of 2021. From 2017-2020, he interned at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center to help young students discover biology and genomics through hands-on learning experiences. Chris is most interested in neuroscience and biology, and is eager to learn about the study of cancer-nervous system interactions at the Borniger Lab. In his free time, Chris enjoyed skateboarding, playing basketball, and spending time with his friends and family.
Emma Davidson - 2021 Summer research assistant
Emma Davidson is a rising senior at The College of Wooster in Ohio studying Neurobiology and is thrilled to be joining the Borniger Lab as a research assistant for the summer of 2021. Emma is most interested in the interactions between circadian system regulation and cancer progression at the cellular and molecular levels. She has previously worked on protein biochemistry research with the West lab at The College of Wooster and hopes to use this perspective to further explore the biochemical mechanisms behind cancer proliferation and intersystem cross-talk in the Borniger lab and in further research endeavors. Outside of her academic life, Emma enjoys training for triathlons and yoga.
Kyle Shutkind - Hofstra Medical Student
Kyle is a medical student at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell interested in the fields of oncology and neurosurgery. Prior to medical school, he attended Duke University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience. While at Duke, his research focused on the biological pathways and risk factors underlying depression in young children. Kyle was drawn to the Borniger Lab for its unique approach to studying the pathophysiology of cancer through its interactions with the nervous system. He is excited to dive into molecular and cellular research that bridges his interests in oncology and neuroscience. Outside of medical school and research, Kyle loves to play basketball and golf.
Jared Rothberg - 2022 Summer Research Assistant
Rising junior at the university of Pittsburgh studying neuroscience. He is interested in the relationship between the dopaminergic system and cancer. In his free time he volunteers as a firefighter and spends time with family and friends.
Taryn Brechbill - Stony Brook University Graduate student
Taryn grew up in Pennsylvania and earned her BS in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 (with the help of Mango, the cat)! Taryn worked with Dr. Claire Cheetham both as an undergraduate researcher and laboratory technician for over three years. She studied the role of Calretinin-expressing interneurons in postnatal neurogenesis and discovered a sensory-dependent reversible loss of function in the output neurons of the mouse olfactory bulb. She began her PhD in 2022 at Stony Brook University and aspires to continue her research in neurobiology and behavioral neuroscience to understand neural circuitry of the brain and its connection to psychopathology and disease. Outside of lab, Taryn enjoys playing tennis with friends and attempting to master recipes from her cookbook collection.