People

Nadya Dimitrova, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of MCDB and Genetics

Sc.B. Biochemistry, Brown University

Ph.D. Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University

nadya.dimitrova@yale.edu

Originally from Bulgaria, Nadya graduated with an Sc.B. in Biochemistry from Brown University and received a Ph.D. from Rockefeller University. As a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Tyler Jacks at MIT, she pioneered the development of genetic mouse models to study long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer biology. Nadya is the recipient of the HHMI Predoctoral Fellowship, the Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award, the Damon Runyon Postdoctoral Fellowship Award,  the 2016 Lung Cancer Research Foundation Scientific Merit Award, the 2017 Pew-Stewart Award for Cancer Research, the NIH Merit Award, and the 2020 Lion Heart Award.

Nadya enjoys working at the bench and interacting closely with all members of the lab. Her work is driven by deep curiosity about the biological functions and diverse mechanisms of lncRNAs and aims to develop innovative approaches that would help uncover their mysteries. Her ultimate goal is to help elucidate the contribution of lncRNAs to normal homeostasis and in complex disease states, such as cancer. Outside of the lab, Nadya loves to spend time with her family. Her favorite activities are running, kickboxing, and yoga. 

Postdoctoral Researchers

Leah Plasek Hedge, Ph.D.

Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Virology, Case Western Reserve University

leah.plasekhegde@yale.edu

Leah completed her Ph.D. at Case Western Reserve University, where she studied HIV-induced changes to the protein-coding and lncRNA transcriptome of T cells. In the Dimitrova lab, Leah investigates the roles and mechanisms of cancer-associated lncRNAs.  Leah enjoys cooking, going to concerts, and seeing art exhibits.

Valid Gahramanov, Ph.D.

Ph.D.  in Cancer Biology and Genetics,  University of Ariel, Israel

valid.gahramanov@yale.edu

Valid uses a combination of bioinformatics and wet-lab approaches to investigate the roles of long noncoding RNAs in promoting novel mechanisms of drug resistance in lung cancer.  Outside of lab, Valid enjoys CrossFit, playing the violin and chess, and spending time with family and friends. 

 

Graduate Students

Liz Li

B.A. Biochemistry, Wellesley College

liz.li@yale.edu

Liz is interested in uncovering how lncRNAs control key cellular processes in cancer through epigenetic reprogramming. Outside of the lab, she loves gardening.

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Rahul Gupta

B.A. Biological Sciences and Classical Studies, University of Chicago

r.v.gupta@yale.edu

As an undergraduate, Rahul studied diverse species of non-coding RNAs and helped develop tools and models to better understand their functions. In the Dimitrova lab, Rahul seeks to uncover the mechanisms of how lncRNAs control the flow of genetic information to shape cellular functions and the resulting therapeutic implications. Outside of the lab, he is an editor for the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, and enjoys reading, learning about paleontology, playing the clarinet, building complex LEGO sets, and spending time with family and friends.

Postgraduate Research Assistants

Karliane Delgado Soto

American Cancer Society DIRC Postbac Fellow

karliane.delgado@yale.edu

Undergraduate Students

Pol Berger Romeu, B.S./M.S. candidate, class of 2026

pol.bergerromeu@yale.edu

Pol is studying the roles of lncRNAs in tumor development and aims to identify novel drivers of cancer progression. Outside of the lab, Pol is a board member of the Yale Entrepreneurial Society and enjoys playing soccer with friends. 

Justin Fan, class of 2028

justin.fan@yale.edu

Former Lab Members

Elena Martinez, Ph.D., Ph.D. in Biomedicine, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra; American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow; Current position: Scientist, Biotheryx.

Giuseppe Militello, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D. University of Frankfurt; Current position: Senior Scientist, Mirimus.

Nicolo Mangraviti, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D. University of Maastricht

Ephrath Tesfaye, Graduate Student, Ph.D. 2021; Thesis title: Investigation of long noncoding RNAs in the p53 response to oncogenic stressCurrent position: Scientist, Janssen R&D.

Christiane Olivero, Graduate Student, Ph.D. 2021; Thesis title: Identification and characterization of the p53-regulated long noncoding RNA isoform Pvt1b and its role in stress-specific growth inhibition via Myc repressionCurrent position: AAAS Fellow, NIH Office of Science Policy.

Lauren Winkler, Graduate Student, Ph.D. 2021; Thesis title: Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cis-regulation by the long noncoding RNA lincRNA-p21; Current position: Technical Specialist, McNeill Baur PLLC

Giannis Chiotakakos, Postgraduate Research Assistant, 2023-2024; M.S. University of Athens, Current position: Ph.D. Candidate at DKFZ, Heildelberg.

Clara Liao, Postgraduate Research Assistant, 2017-2019; Current position: Ph.D. Candidate at Yale University, Neuroscience.

Jordan Bendor, Research Assistant 2015-2017; Current position: Poseida Therapeutics

Erin Floyd, Undergraduate Researcher, B.S. Yale University 2025

Kevin Chen, Undergraduate Researcher, B.S./M.S. Yale University 2024

Yoyo Ocho Undergraduate Researcher, B.A. Yale University 2024

Amrita VetticadenUndergraduate Researcher, B.S. Yale University 2023; Current position: Postgraduate Research Technician, Hacochen lab, Broad Institute

Meghan Backoo, Undergraduate Researcher, B.A. Yale University 2023

Sophia Durney, Undergraduate Researcher, B.A. Yale University 2022

Rahul Nagvekar, Undergraduate Researcher, B.S. Yale University 2020; Current position:  Ph.D. Candidate at Stanford University.

Yee Nip, Undergraduate researcher, B.S./M.S. Yale University 2020; Current position: M.D./Ph.D. Candidate UCLA

Isabel Wolfe, Undergraduate Researchers, B.S. Yale University 2018; Current position: M.D. Candidate at Weill Cornell Medical School

Sara Meyers, Undergraduate Reseacher, B.A. Yale University 2017; Current position: M.D. candidate at UNC

Bajram Metjahic, High School Student, 2016; Current position: B.S. Candidate at Carnegie Melon University