Our Team

Principle Investigator

Jeremy Katzen, MD

I grew up in Rhode Island, got my BA at Bowdoin College in Maine, and then my MD at the University of Rochester in upstate New York. After a residency at Northwestern in Chicago, we decided we had enough of brutal winters with lake effect snow, and moved to balmy Philadelphia for fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Penn and a postdoc in Michael Beers lab. I see patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) clinically and our lab studies the basic biology of ILD.

When I’m not in lab, I like to rock climb and listen to phish with my wife Sara and my two children.

Senior Scientist

Swarna Bale, PhD

I was raised in a small town of Telangana state, a part of Southern India renowned for its culture. My passion for research sparked during my Master's while working on identifying small molecules as therapeutic targets in cancer. This experience fueled my curiosity and led me to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology from NIPER Hyderabad, where I focused on therapeutic interventions for lung and skin fibrosis. Following my PhD, I moved to the United States for postdoctoral training. My first postdoctoral position concentrated on multi-organ fibrosis, while my second focused on myelofibrosis. Throughout my research journey, I have developed expertise in fibrosis models spanning in-vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo studies within the context of drug discovery. My work has primarily involved investigating therapeutic effects and unraveling novel mechanisms that serve as targets in fibrosis.

In August 2024, I joined Dr. Katzen’s lab to further explore lung biology particularly interested in epithelial cell dysfunction mediated altered cellular signaling that contributes to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.

Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and listening to classic Indian music.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Anit Shah, PhD

I am from a land of Himalayas squeezed by the two giants of Asia, Nepal. After receiving my BS, I pursued my MS in Molecular Biology from Eastern Illinois University, IL. Subsequently, I received my Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Cell Biology) from the University of Iowa, IA. My graduate work connects the missing link between unfolded protein response (UPR), hepatic cell fate, and its contribution to hepatic (hepatocytes) injury. I joined Katzen Lab to explore the UPR in lung epithelial cell dysfunction and its contribution to the development and progression of lung diseases, pulmonary fibrosis. I am exploiting bioinformatics, in-vivo, and ex-vivo genetic models (mice/organoids) and molecular tools to understand lung biology disease phenomena.

Outside the lab, I enjoy soccer, cooking, and exploring nature.

Kentaro Hata, MD/PhD

I grew up in Fukuoka, a southern prefecture in Japan known for its delicious cuisine, especially Tonkotsu Ramen. After working as a respiratory physician for five years, I pursued my Ph.D. at Kyushu University. One of my research projects focused on investigating the role of a specific cell surface molecule in maintaining the stem cell properties of airway basal cells and promoting epithelial repair. My studies on the airway epithelium sparked a strong interest in understanding the mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis—particularly how epithelial injury and abnormal regenerative processes contribute to this disease. This scientific curiosity has been further driven by my clinical experience, where I have witnessed firsthand the poor prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

In October 2025, I joined Dr. Katzen’s lab to explore the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Outside of work, I enjoy reading manga, watching anime, and spending time with my two children.

Research Specialists

Reilly Nakamoto, BS

Born in California and later raised in South Jersey, I studied at Rutgers where I worked on understanding topographical effects on crops. Upon graduating I worked various odd jobs until I found myself at Penn during the pandemic studying the zoonotic potential of SARS-CoV-2, applying various organoid models. After that, I spent some time at Princeton working on the Human Mammalian Brain Atlas (HMBA) where we did a lot of single cell prep in mapping out interneurons that define primates/humans from other mammals. Returning to Penn I found my way to the Katzen lab where I continue to apply what I have learned in the past and seek out new techniques. My core focus at the Katzen lab has been the mouse colony, but I do work on the occasional in-vitro experiment on human lung tissue. Outside of the lab I enjoy reading, biking, trips to the art museum and catching up with friends over a cold one.

Yaniv Tomer, BS

Technically Yaniv is a member of the Beers Lab, but he regularly offers us his expertise on mouse modeling.

Students

Adam Bennett

I grew up in Tampa, Florida along side my two older brothers and golden retriever. We often found ourselves outside or on the water. When the time came, I moved to Philadelphia for my undergrad at Penn. I joined the Katzen Lab my first month of college, and I have never looked back. My goal is to attend medical school in the hopes of becoming a surgeon.

When I’m not concerning myself with the academic requisites of a pre-med, I am hanging out with friends, exploring Philly, and listening to Bad Bunny and/or Billy Joel.

Mira Wedam

I grew up in the suburbs of DC and moved to Philly in 2024 to begin undergrad at Penn. I am studying environmental studies on the pre-med track, and I am excited to dive into the world of research with Katzen Lab! I am fascinated by pulmonology and the intersection between the environment and human health.
When I get a free moment, you can find me at a concert, baking, hiking, or teaching myself a new craft (currently, it's knitting!).