Maria Figetakis

Research Associate

Hi there! I'm a New Yorker through and through, but I moved to Connecticut to attend college and haven't left. I received a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Quinnipiac University. In the Sumigray lab, I am studying epithelial-fibroblast interactions during intestinal development. From this project, I have discovered that I absolutely love villi!

Outside of lab, you can find me attempting to maintain my sourdough starter, watching a Formula One race, or taking a spin class.

Mei Lan Li

Graduate student

Hello! I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I received a B.S. degree in Chemical Biology from University of California, Berkeley. I always find the idea of a stem cell niche, or microenvironment, fascinating! I always wonder how cells in a niche interact with each other and their local environment to orchestrate series of cellular events in a precise manner temporally and spatially. In the Sumigray lab, I am particularly excited to study the mechanisms that drive the formation of intestinal polyposis, in which ectopic growth results in the lining of the intestine. I plan to study how polyp formation affects the functions and physical architecture of intestinal stem cell niches.

Outside of lab, I like to paint with acrylic and pastels. My current goal is to find a way to touch a cat’s paw without getting scratches on my arms. 

Rebecca Lee

Graduate student

I’m a Northeasterner from Massachusetts that can’t stand the cold. I received a B.S. degree in Biology from Duke University where I was first introduced to developmental biology. I find the relationship between morphology and function intriguing! In the Sumigray lab, I am interested in understanding the role of planar cell polarity in shaping the intestines. 

Outside of lab, you can find me attempting to bake (because you can never get enough carbs) and overanalyzing movies. 

Eleanor Zagoren

graduate student

Hi! I grew up in New Jersey and received my bachelor’s degree in biology from Wellesley College. Before grad school, I did endocrinology research, both clinical research and in a hypertension lab. I really enjoy thinking about cell signaling and cell biology within their wider environmental context.

 My interests in the Sumigray lab center around the fate specification of a unique subpopulation of intestinal cells. I plan to study both how these cells arise developmentally and also what their role is in the intestine. In my free time I enjoy yoga, playing the violin, and listening to the same songs over and over.

Jessie Wang

GRaduate student

Hi! I am from Shanghai, China and received a B.S. degree in MCGD from UCLA. My undergraduate research was about X-chromosome inactivation but I am always interested in developmental biology and regeneration! In the Sumigray lab, I am studying factors regulating crypt morphogenesis in the small intestine, including both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms.
Outside of the lab, I love puzzles, fencing, watching fun videos and taking care of my cat!

Lab Alumni

Kali Mahrer, postgraduate associate 2019-2020

Siddhi Advani, postdoctoral associate 2020-2021

Elizabeth McDonald, research assistant 2020-2021