Behind the Scenes

2019

Vivian Yi, MD
Lab Manager

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Vivian Yi, MD
Lab Manager

I received my MD from Fudan University School of Medicine in 1995, Shanghai, China. I have more than 10 years’ experience as a lab manager. My academic training and research experience involves in molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology. After I joined the TCSL, I have expanded my knowledge in immunotherapy and spatial biology. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and planting.
Irina Kulikovskaya M.Sc., MB(ASCP)CM
Lead Molecular Platforms

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Irina Kulikovskaya M.Sc., MB(ASCP)CM
Lead Molecular Platforms

Irina Kulikovskaya holds a M.Sc. and is a certified technologist in Molecular Biology (ASCP). She graduated from Lomonov Moscow State University and then worked in the Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Moscow. She followed this with research on recombinant gene expression at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom and on protein purification and characterization at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She joined the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and TCSL in 2010. Irina has broad expertise in research laboratory techniques including molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and protein chemistry. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, camping, hiking and skiing.
Danuta Jarocha, PhD
Molecular Assays Development Co-Lead

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Danuta Jarocha, PhD
Molecular Assays Development Co-Lead
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Dr. Danuta Jarocha graduated in 1999 from Jagiellonian University, Medical College with a degree in Medical Analytics. Her studies continued at Pomeranian Medical University, where she received a Ph.D. in Medical Biology in 2007. Her graduate work combined clinical work related to hematopoietic stem cells transplantation with academic research. As a post-doctoral fellow and cell based-therapies passionate led by Dr. Marcin Majka at the Jagiellonian University in Poland, Dr. Jarocha work resulted in the development of methodology for the isolation and expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells that contributed to the initiation of multiple, successful, medical experiments and clinical trials in Poland.

In 2014, Dr. Jarocha came to USA to join Dr. Poncz lab at CHOP as a Visiting Scientist to explore the possibilities of using induced pluripotent stem cells as a source to produce donor-independent platelets transfusion units. Between 2019-2021 she spent two years working in a gene therapy group in Dr. Rivella supporting work related to all projects. She successfully combined advanced cell culture methodology with the newest molecular techniques including digital PCR and deep sequencing to develop new assays to perform ALS20 ß-globin clinical vector analysis including the percentage of the full transcript containing lentiviral particles, viral transcriptome sequence identity and transducibility of CD34⁺ clonogenic progenitors. Her short, CRO-based industry experience built a deep understanding of new assay validation processes and requirements.

In 2022, Dr. Jarocha joined the TSCL as Senior Research Investigator to support molecular assay development and molecular group operation. Her high-impact findings have been published in Blood, Blood Advances, Hematologica, Transfusion, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Cell Transplantation, and others.

Outside of work, she enjoys gardening and cooking.
Margaret Patchin, MSc
Sample Coordinator & Cellular Correlatives Lead

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Margaret Patchin, MSc
Sample Coordinator & Cellular Correlatives Lead

Margaret Patchin graduated from Bryn Mawr College with her undergraduate degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry; while at Bryn Mawr, she studied RNA: protein complexes in the lab of Dr. Susan White. Margaret attained her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences for Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine; she studied platelet signaling in the laboratory of Dr. Satya Kunapuli and completed coursework in platelet biology, immunology, and cancer biology. Margaret has also worked in the laboratory of Dr. Brenda Casper at the University of Pennsylvania and at Goeppert, LLC. Outside of work, Margaret enjoys running road races, reading, and following Philadelphia sports teams.
Fang Chen Ph.D.
Lead, Biochemical Platforms

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Fang Chen Ph.D.
Lead, Biochemical Platforms

Dr. Chen studied Biology at Peking University before coming to the US. After 7 years of Ph.D. and postdoctoral training, she joined Merck Research Laboratories as a senior scientist/research fellow and stayed for about 14 years. In 2009, she left Merck and joined cancer biologist Dr. Wafik El-Deiry Lab at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She had to join a few other labs before becoming a member of TCSL in 2013 due to the departure of Dr. El-Deiry from Penn.
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Her project areas range from glycoprotein hormones, nuclear receptor superfamily, obesity, bone biology, and cancer research to engineered T-cell therapy. Her research experiences cover academic research, small molecule/biologics/T cell drug discovery and development, and biomarker identification/validation. She has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with many of the technologies developed for genome research, and post-genomic research, such as primary cDNA library construction and screening, various microarrays, genotyping, and multiplexing. She has extended her expertise into CAR T cell research, such as γ/δ T cell engineering via CRISPR/Cas9/AAV system, T cell profiling via flow cytometry, and procedures optimizing healthy T cell expansion. She has built many assays to support the CAR T clinical development and trials at Penn or other organizations, such as many of the protein assays based on Luminex or various ELISA, long-read sequencing via PacBio/Nanopore to evaluate genomic DNA integrity post gene editing, TCR γ/δ repertoire study via constructing high-quality 5’-RACE library and sequencing via PacBio. She is also strong in new assay establishment/automation and streamlining the workflow and information flow. She has published 16 first-author papers, many co-author papers, and several patents throughout the years in different research fields. She created/taught a course (The Art of Making Modern Medicine, BIOM 503) at Penn for three semesters. She also has many years of experience in recruiting/supervising staff and students.
Rong Xu, MSc
Developmental Flow Cytometry Lead

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Rong Xu, MSc
Developmental Flow Cytometry Lead

Rong currently is a lead of the Flow Cytometry Assay and Technology Development (FCATD) group within TCSL. Her work focuses on the development and validation of flow cytometry-based assays using clinical samples for CAR T cell therapy clinical trials. Specifically, her responsibilities include designing and performing flow cytometry assay (up to 30 colors polychromatic flow cytometry panel), data analysis (Flowjo and FCSE) and interpretation; presenting the data to the project leaders/PIs; overseeing routine flow cytometry activities, proper training of staff in flow cytometry and maintenance of flow cytometers. She joined the TCSL in 2020. Prior to joining TCSL, she worked as a research specialist in the Department of Surgery and the Department of Physiology of the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Outside of work, she enjoys family life, hiking, and reading books.
Liz Kropf, MSc
Spatial Biology Platform Lead

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Liz Kropf, MSc
Spatial Biology Platform Lead

Liz Kropf has worked in the biomedical research field since earning her bachelor’s degree in health science in 2007. She received her master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Thomas Jefferson University in 2020, where she also served as Manager of the Jefferson Stem Cell & Regenerative Neuroscience Center. In this role, she supported neuroscience researchers by reprogramming, propagating, and differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into multiple neuronal lineages.

Following her work at Jefferson, Liz transitioned into the field of AAV gene therapy, focusing on immune responses to AAV vectors. She is the author of a review paper on complement system activation in AAV gene therapy published in Human Gene Therapy.

Outside of work, Liz enjoys working out, cooking, hiking, and reading.
2009

Kathleen Alexander, MRA
QC/Q Lead

Kathleen Alexander, MRA
QC/Q Lead
Tatiana Mikheeva, PhD
Research Specialist

Tatiana Mikheeva, PhD
Research Specialist
Caleb McIntosh, BS
Research Specialist

Caleb McIntosh, BS
Research Specialist
Analyn Sil, BS
Research Specialist

Analyn Sil, BS
Research Specialist
Elina Thai, BS
Research Specialist

2006

Elina Thai, BS
Research Specialist
Andrew Huff, BS
Research Specialist

Andrew Huff, BS
Research Specialist
Yael Day, BA
Research Specialist

Yael Day, BA
Research Specialist
Alan Zheng, BS
Research Specialist

Alan Zheng, BS
Research Specialist
Jin Zhang, MBA
QA/QC Support

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Jin Zhang, MBA
QA/QC Support
Thomas Elia, BS
Research Specialist

Thomas Elia, BS
Research Specialist

Behind the Scenes

Vivian Yi, MD

Irina Kulikovskaya M.Sc., MB(ASCP)CM

Danuta Jarocha, PhD

Margaret Patchin, MSc

Fang Chen Ph.D.

Rong Xu, MSc

Liz Kropf, MSc

Kathleen Alexander, MRA

Tatiana Mikheeva, PhD

Caleb McIntosh, BS

Analyn Sil, BS

Elina Thai, BS

Andrew Huff, BS

Yael Day, BA

Alan Zheng, BS

Jin Zhang, MBA

Thomas Elia, BS