Directory - Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund

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Monica S. Guo, Ph.D. HHMI-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Project Title: Quantitative dissection of how genome organization impacts gene expression

Stephanie L. Gupton, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Project Title: Adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics in neuron guidance

Theodore Gurney, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, Berkeley

Project Title: Cell Biology

Kurt E. Gustin, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Stanford University

Project Title: Nucleolin: RNA interaction during poliovirus infection

Jerry C. Guyden, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, Berkeley

Project Title: Microinjection of transforming proteins into chick fibroblast

Mark S. Guyer, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

California Institute of Technology

Project Title: Electron microscope heteroduplex studies of deletion mutants of the F sex factor of E. Coli

Nicola Guzzi, Ph.D. HHMI-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Rockefeller University

Project Title: Mapping the translational landscape of tumor progression and immune evasion

Tumor initiating cells (TIC) have a remarkable ability to evade the immune system, hindering the effect of immunotherapies and fostering tumor relapse. Hence, it is critical to understand the intrinsic mechanisms underlying TIC capacity to escape immune recognition.
My research focuses on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), an aggressive cancer harboring TIC uniquely equipped to escape immunotherapy. Notably, SCC-TIC maintain low protein synthesis and dysregulated metabolism, implicating translational control as a key player in therapy resistance. However, how aberrant translation contributes to tumor progression and immune-evasion remains poorly understood.
Using unique mouse models, and a combination of ribosomal tagging and ribosome profiling I aim to delineate the translational dynamics promoting TIC ability to evade the immune system. If successful, my unbiased approach will delineate new mechanisms driving altered translational control and promoting immune evasion and tumor relapse

Ya Ha, Ph.D. Agouron-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard University

Project Title: Structural studies of a full-length fusion protein

Eric S. Haag, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Project Title: Mechanisms of mating system evolution in nematodes

Martin Haesemeyer, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard University

Project Title: Circuits mediating learning and sensory processing in the context of memory in zebrafish

Christine L. Hagan, Ph.D. Merck-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard Medical School

Project Title: Biochemical studies of the membrane-associated steps in the Wnt signaling pathway

Signaling between cells through the Wnt pathway critically affects cell fates during embryonic development and in disease states, such as cancer. Many of the components of the Wnt pathway have been identified, and it is known that activation of the pathway ultimately leads to the cytoplasmic accumulation of beta-catenin, which then promotes transcription of a set of target genes. However, the molecular mechanism of signal transduction that leads to the increase in beta-catenin is not clear. I propose to identify the specific roles of the upstream components of the pathway in regulating its activity by determining the sequence of protein recruitment, phosphorylation, and oligomerization events that occur on the Wnt membrane receptors in vivo by immunoprecipitation and blue native gel assays. This part of the pathway will then be reconstituted in vitro with purified membrane receptors and cell extracts so that the individual protein binding and phosphorylation steps can be separated by removing or mutating components, and their effect on beta-catenin degradation can be directly assessed. These experiments will thereby elucidate how the different proteins contribute to initiating or modulating the Wnt signal and may identify ways of interfering with the pathway that would be therapeutically useful.

George L. Hagen, Jr., Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard University

Project Title: Growth relationships: correlative studies on the nutrition and biochemistry of aseptically grown plants and plant parts

Maire T. Hakala, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Yale University

Project Title: A study of the biological synthesis of thymine in respect to the introduction of methyl group to its precursor

Aurelia A. Haller, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Project Title: Role of mRNA cap structure in eukaryotic macromolecular syntheses

Stephanie Hamill, Ph.D. Genentech-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Yale University

Project Title: Structural and functional studies of RNA quality control TRAMP4 complex

Jennifer R. Hamilton, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, Berkeley

Project Title: Redesigning lentiviruses to achieve CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering in vivo

CRISPR-Cas genome editing enables control of gene expression in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Although invaluable for experimental studies, translation of these advances into clinical therapeutics requires delivery of CRISPR-Cas proteins and guide RNA to disease-relevant organs in the body. Current in vivo delivery strategies have drawbacks including ineffective delivery to target tissue, prolonged nuclease expression leading to off-target damage, and clearance of edited cells by adaptive immune responses.

My research leverages viral infection strategies to overcome the challenges faced by the in vivo delivery of genome editing tools. In the Doudna laboratory, I am applying my background in engineering enveloped viruses to create the next-generation of CRISPR-Cas delivery vehicles and translate these technologies into therapeutics. By merging virology with bioengineering, I aim to both better understand the cellular response to genome editing and, ultimately, to make genome-based treatments accessible to all people who can benefit.

Ian D. Hamilton, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Princeton University

Project Title: Control of development by protein synthesis in cellular slime molds

Tina Han, Ph.D. Simons Foundation-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, San Francisco

Project Title: Dynamics of RNA granule assembly in temperature synchronization of clock rhythms

I study the role played by TMEM16F, a phospholipid scramblase, in the generation of extracellular vesicles. TMEM16F is a transmembrane protein found in a family of calcium-activated chloride channels (CACCs). Mutations in TMEM16F cause a rare bleeding disorder called Scott Syndrome in which patients are deficient in platelet coagulant activity. Interestingly, 16F and four other members in this family have been implicated as phospholipid scramblases by disrupting plasma membrane asymmetry upon calcium activation. This is presumed to be a prerequisite step in the generation of extracellular vesicles, which are believed to deliver RNA and protein cargo as a form of cell-to-cell communication. It is also unclear whether TMEM16 proteins are themselves scramblases or how the protein might achieve bilateral phospholipid transport.

Chun Han, Ph.D. HHMI-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, San Francisco

Project Title: Identification of the repulsive signals mediating dendritic tiling of class IV Drosophila

Ronald Hancock, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard Medical School

Project Title: Control of enzyme activity in embryonic chick cells

Annie Handler, Ph.D. HHMI-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard Medical School

Project Title: The physical and molecular determinants of touch

John A. Hanover, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

National Institutes of Health

Project Title: Identifying and purifying the alpha2 macroglobulin receptor

Ulla M. Hansen, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Project Title: RNA initiation and processing in adenovirus

Kenneth R. Hanson, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

New York University

Project Title: The enzymic mechanisms involved in metabolic and biosynthetic pathways

Angelika B. Harbauer, Ph.D. HHMI-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Boston Children's Hospital

Project Title: Mechanism for activating the clearance of damaged axonal mitochondria

One crucial pathway that marks damaged mitochondria for removal involves constant mitochondrial import and degradation of the PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), a protein compromised in a hereditary form of Parkinsons disease. My current research focuses on how the PINK1 pathway is activated in the axonal compartment of neurons._x000D_
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Growing up as the daughter of two math and science teachers my curiosity for science was nurtured from the very beginning. I pursued my interest for the workings of the cells in our body by studying Molecular Medicine in Freiburg/Germany, finally joining the lab of Nikolaus Pfanner and Chris Meisinger. During my PhD there I demonstrated that mitochondrial functions such as energy production and metabolite transport could be controlled by phosphorylation of the import pathway for mitochondrial proteins._x000D_
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Having fallen in love with mitochondria, I am continuing my research as a Post-Doc in the lab of Tom Schwarz and am extending my research on protein import towards transport of mitochondria, mitochondrial proteins and RNA in neurons and implication of transport in Parkinsons disease.

Kiah Hardcastle, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard University

Project Title: Investigating how striatum selects and modifies actions across contexts

Understanding how the brain drives natural behavior is a central question in neuroscience. This quest is made particularly difficult by the fact that animal behavior is highly adaptable, thus requiring underlying neural circuits to alter the information they compute or represent depending on the task at hand. In my research, I examine how neurons in the motor pathway represent natural behaviors, and how these representations may change depending on the task the animal must perform. I investigate these questions using a combination of in vivo electrophysiology, machine vision, and computational models.

Ross Hardison, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

California Institute of Technology

Project Title: Chromatin structure

Jeffrey F. Harper, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Carnegie Institution for Science

Project Title: Immunocytology of Xenopus lampbrush chromosomes

Elizabeth Harris, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Stanford University

Project Title: Role of APC multi-protein complex in regulating microtubule function at the membrane

My current research focuses on understanding the relationship between the signaling and cytoskeletal functions of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a ubiquitously expressed tumor suppressor commonly mutated in cancers.

I developed curiosity and enthusiasm for science at a young age. My father and I spent many hours performing ¬ìexperiments¬î at home, such as making soap-powered boats to explore the principals of surface tension, and building potato clocks to learn about redox reactions. These experiences sparked my passion for science and led me to pursue a career in research. I went on to receive my B.S. in biology from the University of New Hampshire, and my Ph.D. in biochemistry from Dartmouth Medical School. In addition to research, I enjoy teaching and mentoring young people. Outside of the laboratory I love to garden, cook, and hike with my dog.

John H. Harrison, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard Medical School

Project Title: Metalloenzymes

Gerald W. Hart, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Johns Hopkins University

Project Title: Glycosylation of proteins

Peter J. Harte, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Stanford University

Project Title: Molecular structure and function of genes in Drosophila

Daisuke Hattori, Ph.D. HHMI-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Columbia University

Project Title: The architecture and function of a neural circuit governing behavioral plasticity

Peter V. Hauschka, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of Colorado, Boulder

Project Title: DNA Replication

Craig A. Hauser, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, Berkeley

Project Title: Isolation and characterization of homeo box-containing genes

James J. Havranek, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of Washington

Project Title: Probing the structural role of buried polar residues

Tiffany A. Heanue, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

National Institute for Medical Research

Project Title: GDNF/RET signaling roles in mammalian ENF development

Patrick Hearing, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

State University New York, Stony Brook

Project Title: Isolation of Ad2 mutants

Gary T. Heberlein, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Ghent University

Project Title: Nucleic acid

Ulrike A. Heberlein, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, Berkeley

Project Title: Misexpression of the Drosophila rough gene interferes with normal eye development

Margarete Heck, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Carnegie Institution for Science

Project Title: Multiple replication origins are used during Drosophila chorion gene amplification

Joseph S. Heilig, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, Berkeley

Project Title: Molecular and genetic analysis of the disconnected locus of D. melanogaster

Maxwell G. Heiman, Ph.D. Fidelity-Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Rockefeller University

Project Title: Form and function of glia-neuron interactions

Harold A. Heitzmann, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of California, San Diego

Project Title: Fluorescence mapping of chromosomal genes

Carl G. Hellerqvist, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Johns Hopkins University

Project Title: Glycolipids and glycoproteins of normal and transformed mammalian cells

John D. Helmann, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard Medical School

Project Title: Regulation of transcription by mercuric ion in a marine Bacillus

Ellen J. Henderson, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of Edinburgh

Project Title: DNA polymerase and invitro DNA replication

Mary L. Hendrickson, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

State University New York, Stony Brook

Project Title: Regulation of Smad signaling of the TGF-beta signal transduction pathway by novel Smurf ubiquitin ligases

Jack Henkin, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Harvard University

Project Title: Photoreactive diazo analogs of coenzymes

Whitney S. Henry, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

Whitehead Institute

Project Title: Targeting the EMT program in high grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most aggressive gynecological malignancy for which few targeted therapies exist. The poor prognosis associated with this disease underscores the importance of targeting critical determinants of tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance, which account for the high morbidity rate. Given our lab’s findings that acquisition of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) endows carcinoma cells with enhanced tumor-initiating potential and therapeutic resistance, I propose to identify novel mechanisms to reverse the EMT program by performing a pooled CRISPR/Cas9-based screen using a genome-wide sgRNA library optimized for high target cleavage efficiency. Candidate hits will be functionally characterized to ascertain their role in EMT-associated phenotypes and the mechanism by which their depletion elicits a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). Furthermore, I will investigate the potential translation of these findings for therapeutic utility by evaluating the efficacy of tumor-targeting Layer-by-layer (Lbl) nanoparticles that deliver siRNAs or drugs that induce an MET alone or in combination with platinum-based drugs using clinically relevant HGSOC patient-derived xenograft mouse models and genetically engineered mouse models._x000D_
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Glenn A. Herrick, Ph.D. Jane Coffin Childs Fellow

University of Colorado, Boulder

Project Title: DNA related proteins in the development of the macronucleus