People

Brianna received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with an emphasis in Cellular Engineering from the University of Iowa in 2022. Her undergraduate research focused on the use of extracellular matrices to develop a simple platform for advanced imaging modalities such as confocal and TIRF microscopy to study the functionality and morphology of human islets. She also developed methods for quantitative image analysis in both 2D and 3D to study lipid droplets, insulin trafficking, mitochondrial morphology, and cell type recognition. She joined the Provenzano lab as a PhD student in 2022 where she is co-advised by Dr. David K. Wood. Her graduate research focuses on T cell migration and adaptation within different mechanical environments to improve tumor infiltration. In her free time, Brianna enjoys spending time with her dog Rooney, swimming, and gardening.

Chris is an accomplished research scientist with a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has extensive experience in translational cancer immunology, having led research efforts that resulted in the launch of multiple clinical trials for advanced prostate cancer. His work as co-PI on a Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Award fostered key collaborations and led to a funded NIH P01 project and a Team Science Award from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. Currently, as a Researcher 6 at the Provenzano Lab, Chris is expanding his expertise in multiphoton microscopy to better understand the tumor microenvironment. His focus is on developing the next generation of CAR-T cell therapies to combat pancreatic cancer. Outside of his professional endeavors, Chris enjoys family time, video games, and culinary pursuits with outdoor grilling and smoking.

Guhan received his B.S and M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) and is currently a PhD candidate at University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN). His thesis aims to elucidate the biologically and mechanically complex tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and how these variables affect therapeutic T cell migration and infiltration with advanced imaging techniques such as multiphoton laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and polychromatic polarization microscopy. Multidimensional data are analyzed with novel computer vision and machine learning algorithms to reveal the dynamic interplay between T cells and the TME. He also enjoys many things outside research – national parks, classical music, photography, Star Wars, and running.

Hongrong “Demi” Zhang (she/her) graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2019 with a B.S in Biomedical Engineering (BME) and received her M.S in BME from the University of Minnesota in 2021. Demi has worked on understanding the influence of aging on Osteoarthritis-related gene expression during her undergraduate study, and her results were presented in the 12th International Conference of the International Society for Hyaluronan Sciences. For her master’s study, Demi investigated the dynamic behavior of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment using two-photon excitation microscopy and live tumor-slices. Her current research focuses on determining the mechanisms of engineered T cells migratory behaviors to maximize T cell infiltration and movement in the tumor microenvironment to elicit better therapeutic outcomes. Demi is also an active member of the Science for All outreach program that aims to educate middle schoolers on the scientific methods in STEM fields using hands-on, hypothesis-drive experiments. Outside the lab, Demi enjoys hiking, especially in the national parks with Guhan, road trips, watching movies, and hanging out with her two beautiful kitties. 

Co-Advisor: Dr. David K. Wood

Maggie joined the Provenzano lab in 2020-2021 as a Ph.D. student and is co-advised by Dr. David K. Wood in the Biomedical Engineering Department after completing her B.S. in Bioengineering at the University of California, Riverside. Her undergraduate research focused on Hedgehog and Hippo signaling in the gastrointestinal microenvironment. Currently, she is researching how breast cancer dormancy is influenced by macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. She was awarded the Creating Inclusive Cohorts Fellowship at the University of Minnesota when beginning her graduate studies and is highly passionate about DEI initiatives in BME and STEM. Outside of research, Maggie loves to experiment with recipes, visit cafes, relax with video games, and watch cat videos.

Priya received her B. Tech in Biotechnology from the National Institute of Technology Calicut, India, in 2021. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted extensive research with a motive to eliminate Candida auris infections through a drug repurposing approach, using methionine synthase as a novel antifungal target. Additionally, she possesses a wide range of experience working in cancer-centric forums and effectively communicates oncological sciences through her writings. In 2022, she joined the Provenzano Lab as a PhD student, where her current focus centers around developing unique CAR engineering strategies with an emphasis on elucidating T cell migration mechanisms. Outside of her research endeavors, she finds joy in sketching, traveling, and exploring new adventure sports.   

Roberto holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Valladolid (Spain) and a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of California San Diego. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University, and joined the Provenzano lab in 2020 as a postdoctoral fellow. His primary research interests lie in the intersection of biophysics, cancer and immunology. His ongoing research efforts aim to potentiate antitumor immunotherapy efficacy against solid tumors by seeking novel strategies to enhance T cell infiltration and migration within the tumor microenvironment. Outside the research lab, Roberto enjoys reading, performing high-intensity physical training and playing basketball.

Salena spent three years at the University of Minnesota Genomics Center (UMGC), where she was the Lead RT-qPCR Senior Processor. While at UMGC, Salena was crucial to the processing and management of over 60,000 COVID-19 tests, and contributed greatly in genotyping and microarray work.

At the Provenzano Lab, Salena assists in mouse colony management, including genotyping, ultrasounds, and necroscopy, and is involved in numerous pancreatic tumor studies. She is also involved in a variety of other key roles, including tissue culture maintenance and evaluating tumor cells via flow cytometry. Salena’s long-term research goal is to develop into an independent researcher and take on her own projects within the Provenzano Lab. Salena enjoys going to concerts, researching fashion and makeup trends, exploring new foods, and hanging out with friends.

I received my PhD in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences from Oklahoma State University. Before joining our group, my study in the Hormel Institute was to apply a novel method on breast cancer models for tracing tumor cell migration in mouse organs during metastasis. I developed the method in Lillehei Heart Institute to trace cell migration in the heart and skeletal muscles based on the secretion and assembly of mCherry - collagen I fusion protein in vivo. The idea was a result of my early studies in the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill for the roles of PECAM-1 in inflammatory signaling and extracellular matrix assembly in vascular diseases. My current studies include the generation of engineered T cells that are able to enter tumor tissues efficiently and deeply in Dr. Moriarity lab, and  tracing cell migration in animal cancer models based on the secretion and assembly of fluorescence protein tagged collagens in our group. The long term goal is to develop effective cell therapies for cancer treatment.

Favorite things: tomatoes, swimming, programming, Do-It-Yourself projects, my family and friends. Co-advisor: Branden Moriarity