Wesley B. Marshall

Wes is a research associate in the Sarcoma Lab. He received his BS from Worcester State University and his AS from Quinsigamond Community College. He previously worked as an associate scientist at Curia (formerly LakePharma). He has several years of experience in molecular biotechnology. Outside of work, Wes enjoys hiking, mushroom photography, and spending time with his family.

Vijay Kola, PhD

Vijay is a postdoctoral associate in the Sarcoma Lab. He received his master’s and PhD from the Andhra and Osmania Universities in India. He did his post-doctoral fellowship at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati. His PhD and postdoctoral work focused on using gene editing technologies such as CRISPR and generating mutants in plants to produce high-yield and pest-resistant crops. He has many years of academic and biotech experience as a molecular biologist. He is very passionate about bringing his past expertise in gene editing technologies to cancer research. Recently he had experience working in mouse models for diabetes and liver disease. In his free time, Vijay enjoys gardening in the summer and spending time with family and friends.

Favour Akabogu

Favour is a PhD candidate in the Sarcoma Lab through the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School. She got her BA in Biology at Berea College in Kentucky and worked as a research associate at Vanderbilt University studying the role of Discodain Domain Receptors (DDRs) in the progression of acute kidney injury to kidney fibrosis. She is passionate about healthcare and drug discovery through scientific innovation. Favour loves traveling, dancing, and spending time with family and friends in her free time.

Carrie Shao

Carrie is a medical student at UMass interested in the understanding of diseases and the search for their treatments on the molecular and cellular level. She received a BA from UC Berkeley, has worked as a medical assistant in hematology/oncology, and done clinical research on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. She is also a classically-trained composer whose works have been performed off-Broadway.