Current Personnel
Faculty
Hongjun Song, PhD
Perelman Professor of Neuroscience
shongjun@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Website: Song Lab
Kimberly Christian, PhD
Research Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
kchristi@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Staff
Giana Alepa, BS
Lab Manager
giana.alepa@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I graduated from the University of Delaware with an Honors Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry and Neuroscience. In my free time I enjoy reading and cooking.
Angelina Angelucci, BS
Laboratory Coordinator
Angelina.Angelucci@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I graduated from Temple University in December 2017 with a degree in Biology with Teaching. I manage orders, regulatory compliance, and other administrative tasks to keep the lab running.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Qian Yang, PhD
qian.yang@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I was trained in molecular biology studying translational and transcriptional regulations on gene expression. I am applying my skills to tackle problems in neurological disorders. I am interested in uncovering the underlying mechanisms of mental disorders.
Sang Hoon Kim, PhD
My current research focus is to investigate the functional role of adult neurogenesis in hippocampus. By combining optogenetics with in vivo extracelluar recording, I have been characterizing spatial selectivity and remapping properties of newborn neurons. I am also interested in understanding how the continuous birth and integration of new cohorts of neurons affect the dynamic properties of local circuitry.
Ting Zhao, PhD
I am not only interested in using iPSCs to model neurological disorders, but also interested in employing new techniques for the proteomics study. When I am free, I like watching movies and hiking with my wife. I enjoy life in Philadelphia, where a lot of fancy Chinese restaurants are located.
Vijay Adusumilli, PhD
vijayasubbara.adusumilli@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
A biological feature I (quite literally) associate with is cellular quiescence, a state which can broadly be defined as permissive for cell cycle entry, without being in active growth cycle. While quiescence can be studied in a lot of contexts, neural stem cells achieve, regulate their quiescence, and cell cycle entry in truly unique ways. These mechanisms and the reciprocal effect of the macroenvironment on adult neurogenesis are what I am interested in studying. You might find me talking about these paradigms on hikes, at the pub, while gardening and during improv classes too
Xiaoyan Yu, PhD
xiaoyan.yu.pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am a postdoctoral researcher joining the lab in 2023. My research focuses on how newborn neurons integrate with different cell types and function in local circuitries using in vivo recording and optogenetics. I am also studying the involvement of neurogenesis in neurological diseases.
Xin Wang, PhD
xin.wang@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I did my PhD in Penn State, working on the neuronal conversion of cultured human glioblastoma cells and underlying molecules mechanisms. During my postdoc, I will focus on investigating the patient-derived glioblastoma organoids, which provide a powerful system to capture the diversity of glioblastoma and test different therapeutic strategies at the same time. In my spare time, I like hiking, reading, swimming, and tennis.
Xuan Ming, PhD
xuan.ming@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I joined the lab in the spring of 2022. My projects focus on studying how epigenetic mechanisms regulate neuronal maturation and function. When I am free, I like to chat with my family and friends, and do some sports.
Yan Hong, PhD
yhong31@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am interested in modeling human neurological disorders using iPSC models to unveil the molecular pathways and mechanisms underlying these disorders. In my spare time, I love watching movies with my husband. I also enjoy cooking, which helps me relax and provides a good way to gather around a table with family and friends.
Zhijian Zhang, PhD
zhijian.zhang@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Before joining the lab in 2019, I was experienced in revealing neural circuitry basis for naturalistic behaviors and diseases using viral tools and some other techniques, such as opto-/chemo-genetics, calcium dependent optometry, etc. My long-term goal is to understand circuitry mechanisms underlying neural development to identify an etiology of mental disorders. I may focus on investigating the circuit connections of developing neural stem cells or brain organoids to achieve this goal. My favorite sport is swimming. I believe I'll enjoy my life in Philadelphia.
Hiroyoshi Doi, MD, PhD
Hiroyoshi.Doi@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I joined as a postdoctoral researcher from May 2023. I’ve been dedicated to investigating the mechanisms of anesthesia-induced neurocognitive impairment by focusing “neural stem cell quiescence” and “adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus”. Here, I’m challenging more fundamental questions, such as “molecular dynamics during neuronal development in the mammalian brain” using multi-omics single cell analysis. Now, let's start a new chapter!
Nadeem Murtaza, PhD
Nadeem.Murtaza@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I did my PhD studying neurodevelopmental disorders using both mouse and human iPSC models combined with proteomic techniques to understand the shared mechanisms between NDD risk genes. During my time as a postdoc here, I aim to continue studying the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurological disorders by using human brain organoids to partially recapitulate the microenvironment and neural circuitry of the human brain. When not in the lab I like to spend my time cooking new recipes, cycling to new places, camping when possible, and more recently amateur star gazing.
Weifan Dong, PhD
weifan.dong@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am interested in cancer neuroscience, but I am open to other fascinating scientific topics, too. Outside of the lab, I like hiking and trekking, cooking, and playing table tennis and video games.
Yicheng Wu, MD, PhD
yicheng.wu@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am a postdoc researcher joining the lab in 2024. I am using omics and imaging approaches to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural stem cell behaviors in different contexts.
I am now looking for motivated undergrad/rotation PhD students who are interested in an exciting project to study neural stem cell biology of mouse postnatal development. This project will include animal handling, tissue processing, histology and single cell transcriptomics. Please contact me directly if you are interested.
Junsong Yuan, PhD
junsong.yuan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I joined the lab in October 2024, focusing on developing and applying cutting-edge omics sequencing technologies to explore the 3D genome structure and alternative splicing during neurodevelopment. My research also examines the impact of disease-associated mutations on chromatin interactions and genome architecture, particularly in the context of neurological disorders. Beyond my experimental work, I have a keen interest in the advancements of other fields, including artificial intelligence and psychology.
Yuka Kasahara, PhD
Yuka.Kasahara@PennMedicine.upenn.edu
I joined the lab in the winter of 2024 as a postdoctoral researcher. My primary focus in research is on brain plasticity and disease. I am investigating how the activity of newborn neurons is regulated through local interaction and its dysfunction contributes to pathological conditions using in vivo extracellular recording combined with optogenetic manipulation. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, watching movies, and light yoga.
Lyu (Luke) Zhou, PhD
lyu.zhou@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am a PostDoc who joined the lab in 2025. I graduated from Tsinghua University with a PhD degree in Life Sciences. My expertise is in tissue engineering and biomechanics, and I am trying to use these techniques to reconstruct folding structure in brain organoids. In my spare time, I like to play video games on Switch.
Graduate Students
Angela Bongiovanni, BS
PhD Student - Neuroscience Graduate Group
angela.bongiovanni@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Ronni Kurzion, BA
PhD Student - Neuroscience Graduate Group
ronni.kurzion@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am interested in the formation of neural networks in organoids. I would also like to investigate the mechanisms underlying disorders that arise from deviations in network formation. In my free time, I like to read, play piano, and hike.
Yusha Sun, BS
MD/PhD Student - Neuroscience Graduate Group
yusha.sun@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am interested in studying the molecular heterogeneity and microenvironment of glioblastoma, combining single-cell genomics and circuit neuroscience. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, badminton, and playing the piano.
Kristen Park, BS
MD/PhD Student- Neuroscience Graduate Group
Kristen.park@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor's in Neuroscience. I am interested in studying how glioblastoma cells can hijack neural circuitry and the functional consequences of this interaction. Outside of lab, I enjoy watching films, going to orchestra concerts, and hanging out with my cat, Sprout.
Leo Claure, BS
PhD Student- Cell and Molecular Biology
leo.claure@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I am a student in the Cell and Molecular Biology program, and I started Fall 2023. Finding a way to best mimic brain development excites me. Outside of lab I enjoy playing basketball, spending with my friends, and trying new food.
Yao (Harriet) Fu, BS
PhD Student- Graduate Student
yaofu@sas.upenn.edu
I am passionate about advancing the field of immunotherapy, specifically focusing on CAR T-cell therapy for glioblastoma and its enhancement through the bystander effect. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, swimming, baking, and watching movies.
Marissa Coppin, BS
marissa.coppin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
I graduated from University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor’s in Neuroscience, with experience studying aberrant neurogenesis in epilepsy. I am now interested in the interplay between glioblastoma and hippocampal circuitry dysfunction. Outside the lab, I have interests in entrepreneurship, both within science and beyond, where I hope to turn my hobby of “coffee shop hopping” into owning my own coffee shop.