Group Leader

Contact: steven(dot)boeynaems(at)bcm(dot)edu (he/him)

About: Steven gets easily excited about a lot of things, but has a soft spot for biomolecular condensates, tandem repeats, the (aging) brain, cellular stress, and evolution. His main role is making sure the lab’s cookie jar is always stocked. When not in the lab, Steven is probably busy cooking, painting, buying too many shoes, dreaming of Belgian beer and chocolate, or visiting a museum.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Contact: olivia(dot)carmo(at)unimelb(dot)edu(dot)au (she/her)

About: Olivia is interested in biomolecular condensates and their contributions to adaptive responses in living cells. During her Ph.D., she studied protein trafficking in malaria-infected red blood cells under the supervision of Prof. Leann Tilley and Dr. Matthew Dixon at the University of Melbourne. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys visiting art museums, collecting local art, hiking, and comparing the local scenery and almond production unfavorably to that of her home state, California.

Co-mentor: Alex Holehouse

Postdoctoral Fellow

Contact: paulo(dot)onuchic(at)bcm(dot)edu (he/him)

About: Paulo is interested in the stimulus-responsive behavior of disordered proteins and biomolecular condensates. He did his undergraduate work at UC Berkeley and received his Ph.D. in Biophysics at The Scripps Research Institute. In his free time, Paulo enjoys reading Sci-Fi, watching sports, playing music and singing with his family

Postdoctoral Fellow

Contact: ronan(dot)o’connell(at)bcm(dot)edu (he/him)

About: Ronan is passionate about technologies that help make sense of the overwhelming complexity of biology. He carried out his Ph.D. in the lab of Dr. Caleb Bashor at Rice University, where he developed high-throughput experimental platforms to enable data-driven design of synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells. In the Boeynaems lab, Ronan is eager to explore the versatility of biomolecular condensates as key regulators of biological processes and as powerful tools for engineering cellular behavior. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing sports, skiing, being out and about with his dog, and finding new short-lived hobbies.

Grad student (CCB program)

Contact: sophie(dot)taylor(at)bcm(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Sovanny or “Sophie” is interested in the genetic principles that underlie neurodegenerative diseases, promote biophysical changes in condensate formation, and maintain condensate homeostasis in aging. She did her undergraduate work at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill under the supervision of Dr. Wayne Stallaert in Jeremy Purvis’ lab utilizing 4i (iterative, indirect, immunofluorescence imaging) to elucidate the molecular architecture of the cell cycle, with a focus on cellular senescence. She majored in Biology and Medical Anthropology with a minor in Music. Outside of the lab, Sophie enjoys writing and singing music, playing with her Cat, and attending as many live-music events as possible, especially sad music.

Grad student (CCB program)

Contact: pilar(dot)andrade(at)bcm(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Pilar is a graduate student in the Cancer and Cell Biology (CCB) program at Baylor College of Medicine. She is interested in understanding the molecular underpinnings that regulate microglial dynamics during neurodegenerative disease. Before joining the lab, Pilar focused her research on investigating the role of neuron-derived molecular cues on microglia activation during neural circuit development. Pilar earned her B.S in Biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and her M.S. in Immunology from the University of Texas Health Science San Antonio. Outside of the lab, Pilar loves being out and about in the city (going to art shows, concerts, new bars/restaurants) and to spend time with her pets.

Grad student (Neuro program)

Contact: guo(dash)teng(dot)liang(at)bcm(dot)edu (he/him)

About: Guo-Teng is interested in applying synthetic biology approaches to answer how protein behavior is encoded in sequence, and further explore its translational potential in multiple aspects. His research interest is rooted in his undergraduate work at Westlake University, where he studied under the guidance of Dr. Kiryl Piatkevich in the field of protein engineering. His work centered on fluorescent protein and genetic-encoded indicator development. He holds a Bachelor in Applied Biology with Biotechnology with a minor in Fashion and Textiles from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and has a broad range of interests extending beyond science. When not immersed in the lab, Guo-Teng is an avid reader and art explorer, showcasing his dedication to a balanced life.

Grad student (Neuro program)

Contact: manuel.cubillosacosta@bcm.edu (he/him)

About: Manuel (Manny) is excited to learn about microtubule trafficking and motor proteins in the context of neurodegenerative illness. More specifically, he is interested in understanding how cellular trafficking mechanisms and aberrant dynamics can contribute to neurodegenerative disease pathology. Manny earned his B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysical Sciences with a minor in Medicine and Society from the University of Houston in 2021. After graduating, he spent two years working in cGMP/GLP genomics as project manager, where he aided in the development, validation, and routine sample testing of gene therapy vectors. Outside of the lab, Manny loves to learn about music by collecting vinyl records from all genres. You’ll also frequently find him at the snack drawer looking for chocolate almonds.

Grad student (Neuro program)

Contact: nicolasgonzalo.mendezdinamarca@bcm.edu (he/him)

About: Nico is interested in how proteins misfold and induce neurodegeneration. He did his undergraduate at the University of Chile. In his free time he enjoys playing Pokémon, discussing “A song of Ice and Fire” and “Remembrance of Earth’s Past”, learning Japanese and Chinese, and dancing to 2nd and 3rd generation K-pop songs in his mind.

Grad student (Neuro program)

Contact: alexandra(dot)larson(at)bcm(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Alex is interested in the cellular and molecular interactions that lead to neurodegenerative diseases. She grew up in Portland, Oregon and obtained her B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and a minor in Chemistry from Oregon State University. During her summers and two years following her undergrad degree she worked in the lab of Dr. Marc Freeman at Oregon Health and Science University. In the Freeman lab she worked on various genetic screens using Drosophila melanogaster to identify key molecular players in the Wallerian degeneration pathway and astrocyte development and maturation. Here at Baylor College of Medicine she is co-mentored by Dr. Joshua Shulman and working to characterize the role of TDP-43 in central nervous system diseases of aging such as LATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy) and Alzheimer’s Disease. In her free time Alex enjoys taking dance classes, eating good food and playing Just Dance with the rest of her neuroscience cohort.

Co-mentor: Josh Shulman

Lab technician

Contact: caroline(dot)nwandu(at)bcm(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Caroline is fascinated by the body’s immune response system. She is particularly curious about the role of spatial organization and compartmentalization in immune cell functions and how disruptions in these condensates can lead to immune related diseases. Her hobbies include hiking, skydiving, taking long naps, walking with her puppy, roller skating, and painting (by number).

Undergrad student (Rice)

Contact: ahp5(at)rice(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Anya is excited to learn how biomolecular condensates play a role in the progression of human diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Her previous research includes studying novel anticancer drugs for lung and breast cancer at the University of Minnesota. She also studied the progression of aortic aneurysms in surgical patients at the University of California, San Francisco. In her free time, Anya loves doing aerial silks, playing basketball, and baking.

Undergrad student (HCU)

Contact: alavinainiz(at)hbu(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Zahra is interested in how various proteins within the cell phase separate and form condensates with unique microenvironments of their own. From proteins that cement a strand of hair together, to those that help viruses multiply, Zahra is setting out to help decipher the molecular patterns and differences that modify these proteins’ properties. In her previous research, Zahra has worked on data and image analysis, quantification, and interpretation in the context of appendiceal adenocarcinoma. She is a Junior at Houston Christian University majoring in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology. In her free time, Zahra enjoys spending time with her cat and puppy, skateboarding, and painting.

Undergrad student (Rice)

Contact: vo12(at)rice(dot)edu (she/her)

About: Temi is fascinated by the relationship between protein disorder and the emergence of disease. Her particular interest lies in the formation of prion proteins, their impact on healthy proteins, and the subsequent development of plaques that contribute to various diseases, especially neurological disorders. Temi, a junior at Rice University, is pursuing a degree in Biosciences with a concentration in Biochemistry. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano and violin, reading, and watching K-dramas and K-pop.

Undergrad student (Rice)

Contact: kro2(at)rice(dot)edu (he/him)

About: Kamden O'Connor is an undergraduate at Rice University, pursuing degrees in both sports medicine and anthropology. He is fascinated by the cellular pathways that enable resurrection ferns to survive extreme desiccation and is excited to delve deeper into this research. His previous experience includes performing excavations at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, uncovering ancient hominin campsites, tools, and refuse. When he's not in the lab or field, Kamden competes on the Rice Owls Men’s track team, hosts epic Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and is on a mission to consume as much chicken parm as humanly possible.

Come join us!

For application info: see below.

Lab technician

08/2023 - 12/2024

Next: Med school

Undergrad student (Rice)

01/2023 - 05/2024

Next: Clinical intern (TMC)

Medical student (BCM)

01/2023 - 12/2023

Next: Med school (BCM)

Undergrad student (Rice)

01/2023 - 05/2023

Next: Dental school (UCLA)

Visiting Professor

07/24 - 09/24

From: Hayashi lab @ Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Brazil

Visiting Research Associate

07/24 - 08/24

From: Hugo Tapia lab @ California State University Channel Islands, USA

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

04/24

From: Holehouse lab @ Washington University in St. Louis, USA

We are looking for creative postdocs that are eager to dive into basic or translational projects regarding the role of condensates in biology and human disease. We aim to form a truly multidisciplinary and supportive environment where mentees are encouraged to innovate and work on their specific career goals. Come join us!

We are looking for a person with great technical and organizational skills to help run the day-to-day things in the lab. Previous experience with mice or IPSCs is a plus but by no means required.

Are you a student who is exited about getting to the bottom of how protein behavior is linked to disease and function? Are you interested in working with a variety of models and synthetic biology tools? Come join us! Steven promises that the cookie jar will always be stocked.

Note: We unfortunately can only recruit students that are already accepted in a BCM grad/med program.

Looking for a place to learn about an exciting new area of biology and get familiar with lab work? We are welcoming motivated undergrad researchers to join our lab and contribute to a range of projects on human disease.