Team

Assistant Professor of Molecular Metabolism
jubellacker [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Jessalyn Ubellacker grew up in Lexington, Kentucky where she completed her B.S. and M.P.H degrees (University of Kentucky, 2011). She earned an M.A. in Medical Science (Boston University, 2013) prior to earning her Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Harvard Medical School, 2017). During her doctoral training, she investigated the influence of the microenvironment on breast cancer metastasis in the lab of Dr. Sandra S. McAllister. Jessalyn completed her postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Dr. Sean J. Morrison at the Children’s Research Institute (UT Southwestern, 2021). During her postdoctoral training, she discovered that melanoma cells in lymph nodes experience less oxidative stress and form more metastasis than melanoma cells in the blood. Jessalyn’s work suggests initial metastasis through lymph nodes allows the cells to survive subsequent metastasis through the blood by protecting cancer cells from lipid reactive oxygen species.

Postdoctoral Fellow
mpalma [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Mario is from Concepción, Chile. He completed his bioengineer degree (2014) and his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology degree (2019) from Universidad de Concepción, Chile. During his doctoral training, he investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the nuclear transport of NUAK1, a member of AMPKa-family. Additionally, he identified new functions of NUAK1 directly regulating oxidative stress and Akt signaling. Mario is now interested in the role of the lymph node microenvironment on epigenetic reprogramming of metastatic tumor cells and its consequences in survival and metastasis. Mario enjoys spending time with his family and walking and playing with his dog named Akira.

Postdoctoral Fellow
msabatier [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Marie Sabatier grew up in Toulouse, France where she completed her bachelor in biochemistry and her Master degree in Cancerology (University of Toulouse 3 – Paul Sabatier). Then, she joined the lab of Dr. Jean-Emmanuel Sarry (Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, France) where she earned her PhD in Cancerology (University of Toulouse 3 – Paul Sabatier, 2021). During her doctoral training, she investigated the function of the transcription factor CEBPA in lipid metabolism and response to treatment in acute myeloid leukemia. She showed that CEBPA regulates the balance between lipid biosynthesis and degradation to sustain proliferation and survival of leukemic cells. Marie is now interested in how intratumoral heterogeneity influences how breast cancer cells in the lymph node use lipids to fuel metabolic processes for efficient metastasis. She would do anything for a good meal, especially if it’s sushi!

PhD Candidate
alaniscarmona [at] fas.harvard.edu

Alanis is a PhD student in the BPH program, originally from Chicago, IL. She is interested in metabolic illness and has a background in adipose biology-related research. She went to Bates College in Lewiston, ME where she obtained a degree in Biochemistry, with a minor in Chinese and a concentration in public health. Before joining the BPH PhD program, she was a technician at The University of Chicago looking at the ECM microenvironment and its influence on obesity and T2D. Her time spent at UChicago inspired her to continue research linked to metabolic illness and elucidate new and innovative ways to help not only understand but also contribute to the development of therapeutic options for many. Outside of lab, she enjoys yoga, trying out new coffee shops, and running. She is also a proud dog mom of a tiny yet fierce maltipoo named Charlie.

PhD Candidate (Co-mentor: Dr. Zac Nagel)
midoriflores [at] fas.harvard.edu

Midori is a PhD student in the Biological Sciences in Public Health program. Born and raised in San Antonio, TX, she received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology from St. Mary’s University. She has a robust background in environmental health exposures, from her previous research studies on methylmercury, PFAS, and microplastics and their relations to chronic disease. Currently, she is interested in epigenomic remodeling and genetic instability of cancer cells following various exposures, including those from the extreme environment of space. In her downtime, Midori loves hiking, hunting for fossils and gems, yoga, writing, and stargazing! 

PhD Student
cfraser [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Cam is a PhD student in the BPH program, originally from Medford, MA. He graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in Biology. Before joining the program, he worked as a technician in the laboratories of Anthony Letai at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Kristopher Sarosiek at HSPH primarily researching cancer. He is highly interested in cell death, its role in homeostasis and dysregulation in disease, specifically cancer. His previous projects have involved the developmental regulation of apoptosis in healthy tissues, identifying efficacious treatment regimens in AL amyloidosis, and studying platelet apoptosis. Outside of lab he loves to sail, cook, play just about any sport, and is a parent to one friendly and one not-so-friendly cat.

Research Assistant
milenachaufan [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Milena, or Mili, grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She graduated from Simmons University in 2024 with a Bs. in Biology, with a Chemistry minor. She has worked on molecular biology of development during her undergraduate career, and is eager to work on translational research in the Ubellacker Lab as a Research Assistant I. In her free time, she likes to cook, play tennis, and spend quality time with loved ones.  

Research Assistant
mkaur1 [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Mayher Kaur is a born and raised Chicagoan, where she then graduated from the University of Chicago in 2024, with a BS in Biological Sciences, and a BA in Economics (UChicago, 2024). Her honors thesis interrogated the metabolic plasticity of metastasizing non-small cell lung cancer. At the Ubellacker lab, she is interested in understanding how breast cancer cells in the lymphatic system reprogram lipid metabolism to survive. Outside of the lab, she enjoys bouldering, painting, and drinking coffee!

Visiting Scholar
lmanfroi [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Laura is an MD from Brazil and earned her degree from Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA). She works in collaboration with the Ubellacker Lab and the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Her research focuses on understanding the metabolism of lymphatic metastasis in breast cancer and improving surgical outcomes for patients. Outside of research, Laura enjoys spending time in nature, listening to true crime podcasts, and trying new sports.

PhD Student

Chris is from Westfield, Massachusetts and is a PhD Student in Biological Sciences in Public Health (BPH) in the Department of Environmental Health in Dr. Kristopher Sarosiek’s Lab. Chris’ background is in Environmental Science (BS) and Environmental Health (MS), studying the impacts of developmental toxicity of pollutants such as PFAS and lead (Pb).

PhD Student
amaury_dasseux [at] fas.harvard.edu

Binational, Amaury Dasseux grew up in Toulouse, France where he completed his bachelor’s in biochemistry and pathophysiology from the University of Toulouse 3 Paul-Sabatier. He obtained his master’s in pharmacology and drug discovery from the University of Copenhagen, before working for two years in Dr. Alan Remaley’s Lipoprotein Metabolism Laboratory at the NHLBI. Throughout his time as an NIH fellow, he focused on the study and development of novel treatments for patients suffering from lipid related disorders. He currently holds three different US patent applications and is an author of several journal articles. In his free time, Amaury enjoys hosting dinner parties, skiing and spending time with his family!

PhD Student
lewis_hendrianto [at] fas.harvard.edu

Lewis is a PhD Student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) program who was born in Los Angeles, California. He moved to San Francisco to obtain a B.S. in Molecular Biology with a minor in Biochemistry at the University of San Francisco, studying how intracellular pH influences ovarian stem cell fate at UCSF. Currently, he is interested in cancer metabolism and metastasis, specifically in targeting metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells to combat metastasis. Outside of lab (when he is), he enjoys weightlifting, baking, and watching the Boston Celtics dominate.

Affiliation:
At the Ulab, Lewis is investigating how pancreatic cancer cells rewire metabolic processes to efficiently metastasize.

Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher
luizamnm [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Luiza is from Patos de Minas, Brazil. She earned her B. Sc. in Biotechnology from the Federal University of Pelotas (Brazil) and her master’s degree in molecular and developmental stem cell biology in Germany at the Ruhr-University Bochum. Then, she joined the Dermatology Clinic (University Hospital Essen, Germany) where she completed her PhD in Immunology/Cancer Biology. During her doctoral training, she studied new approaches for the treatment of melanoma patients. In her postdoctoral project Luiza is now elucidating the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells at different steps of the metastatic development by using state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo models. In her free time, Luiza enjoys baking and spending time with family and friends.

Administrative Coordinator
aufox [at] hsph.harvard.edu

Audrey Fox grew up in Buffalo, NY, and completed her bachelor’s degree at Clark University in Worcester, MA, studying film and history. She received her master’s degree in international relations at the Harvard Extension School, where she focused on the role of media literacy education in preventing the online indoctrination of young people into extremist organizations. She also moonlights as a film critic — she is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved member of both the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Boston Online Film Critics Association.