Tuan Leng Tay, Dr. rer. nat.
Group Leader & Principal Investigator
"Everyone who associates with our group should have the time of their lives doing Science. Leveraging on a very supportive research environment, I hope to help each of us achieve our absolute potential. Be fearless and pursue your own unique dreams."
#rigour #quantitative #diversity #readpapers #womeninstem #bloodsweat&tears #eatfood
Scarlet, G.S.P. (2007–2024)
in memoriam
HR Manager, Health Officer, Timekeeper, Security Guard & Spiritual Leader (2019–2024)
"I provide therapy when experiments are challenging. I run outdoor project meetings and soft skill workshops. I attend every lab meeting and teach classes. Free time? What is free time? Grants and papers are written in my sleep."
#realboss #wirschaffeneszusammen #buerohund #maus #wassertrinken
Amritha Manjally, B.Eng. Biotechnology, M.Sc. Neuroscience
PhD Candidate, Neurobiology, BU (From Sep 2021)
Research Assistant, Uni Freiburg (Jun 2020–Mar 2021)
MSc Neuroscience Student, Uni Freiburg (Jul 2019–May 2020)
"I have a Masters degree in Neuroscience from the University of Freiburg. I will be pursuing my graduate studies in the area of neuroimmunology. I am interested in studying microglial cells both in vitro and in vivo in the context of neurodegeneration. I am motivated to acquire new skills in the field of neuroscience, imaging, bioinformatics, and data analysis. In my free time, I love to sketch, paint and draw comic strips for fun."
Ouzéna Bouadi, B.Sc. Biology, M.Sc. Neuroscience
PhD Candidate, Neurobiology, BU (From Sep 2021; expected graduation Aug 2025)
Joint Master of Neuroscience Intern/MS thesis, Uni Freiburg (Feb 2020–Aug 2021)
"After starting my university training in medical school, I received my B.Sc in multidisciplinary biology in 2019 (France/Canada). I joined the Tay Lab during my M.Sc in Neuroscience and majored in neuroimmunology (France/Germany). My research interest concerns glial interactions within the brain. I am currently studying long-term microglial and astrocytic responses to various brain injuries and in different experimental models. In my free time, I like drawing/painting and hiking!"
Danielle Beason
Undergraduate Researcher (UROP), Bachelor Student, Biomedical Engineering, BU (From Sep 2024)
Work-study Programmer, Biomedical Engineering, BU (Sep 2022-May2024)
"I am particularly interested in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and materials science. I hope to one day pass the PE exam for Chemical Engineering! In my free time, I practice yoga and read the extensive Dune series."
Chenkai Yao
Remote Researcher & Programmer (From Jun 2023)
Senior Design Bachelor Student, Biomedical Engineering, BU (Sep 2022-May 2023)
"I’m interested in computational biology, bioinformatics, and clinical devices. I hope to integrate my programming skills and research experience to improve the analysis tools of the lab."
Chenkai graduated from BU in the spring of 2023 and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree at Imperial College London, UK.
Monica Iordanov
Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Neuroscience, BU (From May 2024)
Work-study Lab Administrator, BU (Sep 2023-May 2024)
"I am an undergrad student at BU studying neuroscience with a minor in biology on the pre-health track. I am interested in delving into the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and gaining research and lab experience. In my free time I enjoy swimming, travelling, and hanging out with friends."
Abigail Fowler
PhD Candidate, Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics (GPGG), BU (From May 2024)
Graduate Rotation Student, 1st Year PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS), BU (Jan-Feb 2024)
"I received my BS in Microbiology at Iowa State University with a minor in Global Health. My previous research focused on nerve regeneration utilizing stem cells and biopolymer scaffolds. I am currently interested in the neuroimmune system and its relation to neurodegenerative disease."
Aidan Kieffer
Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Neuroscience, BU (From Dec 2024)
"I have a particular interest in the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in diseases and chronic brain injury. Outside the lab, I’m a member of the BU men’s soccer team. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and teaching myself guitar."
Alumni
Tamara Ritter, B.Sc., M.Sc. Biology
Research Assistant, Uni Freiburg (Mar 2019-Jan 2020)
Tamara started her new full-time position at the CellGenix headquarters in Freiburg in February 2020.
Denis Veil, B.Eng. Industrial Engineer, B.Sc. Computer Science
Research Assistant for Bioinformatics and Programming, Uni Freiburg (Apr 2019–Mar 2021)
"I am interested in everything where technology is involved." Denis has completed his second Bachelor degree in Computer Science with a focus on software development, information retrieval, and bioinformatics. He is currently a full-time civil servant.
Matteo P. Petrich, B.Sc. Biology, M.Sc. Biology
Intern/Research Assistant for Neurosurgery, Uni Freiburg (Nov 2019–Mar 2021)
MSc Biology student, Uni Freiburg (Jun 2020–Mar 2021)
Matteo was promoted to Project Team Leader at PharmaLex in Germany in the fall of 2021.
Patrick Campbell, B.Sc. Physics
MSc Neuroscience student, Uni Freiburg (Oct 2019-Jan 2020)
Vandana Shree Vedartham Srinivasan, B.Tech. Biotechnology
Research Assistant, Uni Freiburg (Jan-Mar 2020)
Vandana has completed the MSc Neuroscience programme at the University of Freiburg and will begin PhD training at the University of Strasbourg in 2022.
Gerardo Sequen Rivera, B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Masters Rotation Student, Anatomy & Neurobiology, BU (Feb-May 2022)
Tina Chen
Summer Work-study Intern, Bachelor Student, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BU (Jun-Aug 2022)
Katherine He
RISE BU High School Intern (Jul–Aug 2022)
Zoe Malone
UROP Bachelor Student, Neurobiology, BU (Feb-Dec 2022)
Zoe graduated in the fall of 2022. She is currently a research assistant at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Yuyang (Kevin) Kang
Senior Design Bachelor Student, Computer Engineering, BU (Sep 2022-May 2023)
Kevin graduated in the spring of 2023 and will go to graduate school at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Emily Kraft, B.S. Physiology & Neurobiology and Psychology
Lab Manager/Research Assistant, BUSM (Aug 2022-Jul 2023)
Emily has enrolled in the Anatomy and Neurobiology PhD programme at the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (Fall 2024).
Sofia Guerra
Remote Volunteer Researcher (Aug 2022-Jul 2023)
RISE BU High School Intern (Jul–Aug 2022)
Sofia is on gap year and will begin college at MIT in the fall of 2024. Congratulations, Sofia!
Chaitanya Reddy
RISE BU High School Intern (Jul–Aug 2023)
"I am interested in how inhibiting the Tau protein, while combating neurodegeneration, can affect the stability of microtubules. While at the Tay Lab, I hope to drastically improve my knowledge and use of laboratory techniques. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, cello, and going to the gym."
Chaitan has been accepted by Duke University for 2024! Congratulations, Chaitan!
Ellie Choi
RISE BU High School Intern (Jul–Aug 2023)
"I am interested in meningeal lymphatic vessels and their possible role in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. I’m looking forward to learning new research techniques and gaining valuable experience during my time in the Tay lab. In my free time, I like to sing, play volleyball, and play the cello."
Ellie will be attending Princeton University in 2024! Congratulations, Ellie!
Jonathan Yoshihara
Remote Summer Researcher (Jun-Aug 2023)
Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, BU (Sep 2022-May 2023)
"I am interested in our research on neurodegenerative diseases and I hope to gain practical lab experience. In my free time I like to cook, play the saxophone, and find new shows to watch."
Jon Jon has been hired as a Research Associate at Cedars-Sinai in LA, California (April 2024).
Krupa Sampat
Masters Student, Bioinformatics, BU (Bioinformatics Master Summer Internship Programme, BMSIP, Jun-Aug 2023)
"My interests lie in genomics and computational biology. My hobbies include painting and reading."
Krupa graduated from the Bioinformatics Master programme in the fall of 2023 and is interested in a position in the industry. She holds the position of Bioinformatics Analyst II at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas since February 2024.
Angel Hoo
Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Neuroscience, BU (Sep-Dec 2023)
"I am interested in neurology, psychiatric processes, and studying the relationships of the body with the brain. I hope to further develop my knowledge on lab skills and the brain in my time in the Tay lab. I also love cooking and drawing in my free time."
Kristen Harder, B.Sc. Cell and Molecular Biology
Graduate Rotation Student, 1st Year Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry (MCBB) PhD, BU (Nov 2023-Jan 2024)
"I have a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology from the University of Rhode Island. I am interested in cell and molecular neuroscience and neuroimmunology, especially in the context of stress and neurological and psychiatric disease. In my free time, I like gymnastics, biking, and painting."
Elif Ozsen
Graduate Rotation Student, 1st Year Neurobiology PhD, BU (Nov 2023-Jan 2024)
"I received my BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from Rutgers University in 2022 and I am a current graduate student in Boston University’s Neurobiology Ph.D. program. I am largely interested in investigating the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of how microglia function in both healthy and diseased conditions. Additionally, my goal is to gain more experience in the field of neurotechnology development. In my free time, I love to paint, watch basketball, and go bouldering/rock wall climbing."
Victoria Guarino
Graduate Rotation Student, 1st Year Cell & Molecular Biology PhD, BU (Jan-Mar 2024)
"My research has primarily focused on cardiovascular research, specifically investigating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) induced in rat models through monocrotaline (MCT) administration. Throughout my scientific career, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse array of model organisms, ranging from zebrafish to butterflies, mice, rats, and even the fruit fly. I'm really excited to see where my love for science and my experiences during my rotations will take me in the Cell and Molecular PhD program."
Clifton Johnson III
Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Neurobiology, BU (Jul 2022-May 2024)
"I am interested in translational and clinical neuroscience and improving our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. In my free time I like to work out, play basketball, and watch movies."
Clifton graduated in the spring of 2024 and will take a gap year to acquire more clinical experience before attending medical school.
Jason Zeng
Work-study IT Support & Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Neurobiology, BU (Aug 2022-Aug 2024)
"I am an undergraduate at BU with a concentration in neurobiology and a secondary in computer science. I am interested in the implications of computer science in neurobiology. I hope my time in the Tay Lab allows me to gain practical laboratory and research experience. In my free time I daydream about becoming a chef and I love to go to the gym."
Nyomi Inda
Work-study Undergraduate Researcher, Bachelor Student, Electrical Engineering, BU (Aug 2023-Aug 2024)
"I am studying electrical engineering. I am interested in the crossroad between medicine and engineering, I am specifically interested in concussions research and disorders in the brain. In my free time I read, crotchet, and listen to podcasts."
Nyomi has signed on to kickstart her career with Schneider Electric after her graduation in Spring 2025. Congratulations!!
