Meet Our Team!
Faculty
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Read More about Donald O'RourkeDonald O'Rourke
John Templeton, Jr. M.D Professor
Email Donald O'Rourke
Find Dr. O'Rourke on Twitter!
Donald O'Rourke
John Templeton, Jr. M.D Professor
donald.orourke@uphs.upenn.edu
Find Dr. O'Rourke on Twitter!
Dr. Donald O'Rourke is the John Templeton, Jr. M.D. Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Harvard University (Magna Cum Laude) with an A.B. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1983, followed by medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. O'Rourke's residency in Neurosurgery was completed at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is now faculty. Dr. O'Rourke also serves as the Director of the Human Brain Tumor Tissue Bank, having established it in 2001.
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Read More about Zev Binder
Zev Binder
Research Assistant Professor
binderz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Dr. Binder is a Research Assistant Professor, working with Dr. O'Rourke since 2015. He received a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from the University of California at Davis, an M.D. from Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Binder's research focuses on translational GBM research with an emphasis on immuno-oncology. He also works on GBM model development, characterization, and incorporation into the ongoing research. In his spare time, Dr. Binder enjoys playing with his two young daughters and making anything involving chocolate.
Lab Technicians
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Read More about Logan ZhangLogan Zhang
Research Specialist
Logan Zhang
Research Specialist
Logan (B.S. Elizabethtown College) has worked in the O'Rourke Lab since 2015. He is a member of the Neurosurgery Tumor Tissue Bank (NTTB), and is responsible for primary brain tumor tissue processing and banking. He also works with Dr. Binder and Dr. O'Rourke on EGFR-focused projects. In his free time, Logan enjoys cooking and reading.
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Read More about Kelly Hicks
Postdoctoral Researchers
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Read More about Meghan Logun
Meghan Logun
Postdoctoral Researcher
logunm@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Connect with me on Twitter!
Meghan joined the O'Rourke Lab as a postdoctoral researcher in summer 2021 to work on creative delivery approaches for cellular immunotherapies to CNS tumors. She received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Georgia under the mentorship of Lohitash Karumbaiah, Ph.D. exploring the role of extracellular matrix modifications in glioblastoma invasion. When she's not in the lab, Meghan is probably hanging out with her dogs, reading fantasy novels, or spending time outside.
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Read More about Nannan Li
Nannan Li
Postdoctoral Researcher
nannan.li@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Nannan is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. O'Rourke's lab since June 2021. She received her MD as well as her Master's degree in Neurosurgery in China, and is currently studying for her Ph.D as a collaboration between Dr. Yibo Yin and Dr. O'Rourke's labs. Her interests lie in immunotherapy for Glioblastoma.
Medical Students
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Love Osunnuga
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Meghna Bhattacharyya
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Read More about Oliver Tang
Oliver Tang
NREF Medical Student Summer Research Fellow
Undergraduate Students
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Read More about Madeline MandellMadeline Mandell
2020 Penn Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program Fellow
Madeline Mandell
2020 Penn Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program Fellow
Madeline Mandell is a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is studying engineering and business through the M&T dual-degree program. Her research interests lie at the intersection of bioengineering and health care management and policy. She is also very interested in genetics and the applications of new genome editing tools to health and agriculture. Madeline is a recipient of the 2020 Penn Undergraduate Research Mentorship (PURM) Program Fellowship. When not in the lab, she can primarily be found studying in the library. Otherwise, she may also be found shooting photography, running along the Schuylkill River, or throwing toast onto Franklin Field.
Lab Alumni
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Read More about Jiasi "Vicky" ZhangJiasi "Vicky" Zhang
Research Specialist
Jiasi "Vicky" Zhang
Research Specialist
Vicky Zhang just graduated with a BA from Penn, majoring in Biological Basis of Behavior and minoring in Healthcare Management and Chemistry. She hopes to attend medical school and work in a speciality related to neuro-oncology. She is also very interested in research related to the brain, and has previously done research on frontotemporal dementia and in related fields. In the O'Rourke Lab, she hopes to get experience doing research in the field of neuro-oncology. Vicky also volunteers at the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy. In her free time, she likes to cook, play piano, sew, and listen to true-crime podcasts.
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Read More about Thilan Tudor
Thilan Tudor
Guggenheim Summer Research Fellow
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Read More about Emily JohnsEmily Johns
Drexel Co-op Student
Emily Johns
Drexel Co-op Student
Emily Johns is a rising pre-junior at Drexel University pursuing a BS in Chemistry and a minor is biology. She hopes to attend graduate school to study environmental chemistry to better understand the interaction between humans and the planet and how chemistry can be used to create a greener, more environmentally sustainable world. Although she has not yet decided what career she would ultimately like to pursue, she knows that whatever it may be, she wants to be able to help the people around her. Emily is currently involved in a biology laboratory at Drexel, where she is researching the social interactions between wasps. In her free time, Emily enjoys volunteering, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
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Sungminn Bae
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Read More about Yibo YinYibo Yin
Post-doctoral researcher
Yibo Yin
Post-doctoral researcher
Dr. Yin was a Postdoc Fellow in Dr. O’Rourke’s Lab, skilled in molecular biology and immuno-oncology. His focus was in developing improved chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)-T cells for adoptive immunotherapy of malignant gliomas.
Dr. Yin has returned to his clinical training in Harbin, China, where he is focused on starting his own lab in functional neurosurgery.
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Read More about Julia OleksakJulia Oleksak
Drexel Co-op Undergraduate Student
Julia Oleksak
Drexel Co-op Undergraduate Student
Julia Oleksak is a rising senior at Drexel University, studying biology. She hopes to attend graduate school to research cancer biology. Julia is also a hospice volunteer; she spends time with Alzheimer's patients and their family members. When not in the lab, she enjoys biking and reading.
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Read More about Joe DurginJoe Durgin
Masters of Translational Research
Joe Durgin
Masters of Translational Research
Joe Durgin is a medical student at Penn, in the O'Rourke lab starting in 2019. He is pursuing the combined MD-MTR degree. He graduated from Bowdoin College with a focus in mathematics and healthcare economics. He has worked in the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at Penn for two years, with an interest in overcoming immunosuppressive mechanisms in glioblastoma. In his free time he likes photography and enjoying the outdoors.
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Read More about Nazaf ShowkatNazaf Showkat
Drexel CO-Op
Nazaf Showkat
Drexel CO-Op
Nazaf Showkat is a junior at Drexel University, where she is studying Biological Sciences with a minor in Bioinformatics. She is interested in a career in medicine, specifically in the field of neurology. However, she also hopes to attend graduate school to research cancer biology. Nazaf is the Community Outreach Chair for Drexel American Medical Women’s Association as well as a Community Ambassador for the Drexel Community Wellness HUB. In her free time, she enjoys fulfilling her North-Indian Hindustani Classical Music degree and dancing.
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Read More about Jeff GuistwhiteJeff Guistwhite
GBM TCE Project Manager
Jeff Guistwhite
GBM TCE Project Manager
Jeff Guistwhite is the first Project Manager for the GBM TCE Project, starting January 2, 2019. He is also responsible for budget oversight of all funding sources under Dr. O'Rourke. Jeff has worked in the power and gas business for the past 32 years and is experiencing a welcome change in career paths. Jeff has an MBA from Drexel University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Jeff is an avide sports fan and enjoys most anything outdoors, including the beach. Jeff lives in Chester Springs, PA and has 2 sons (the older one is a pilot and the younger one is a student at Georgia Tech).
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Read More about Leila HaddadLeila Haddad
Drexel Co-op
Leila Haddad
Drexel Co-op
Leila Haddad is a junior at Drexel University, where she is studying Biological Sciences with a minor in Art History. She hopes to attend medical school, where she could pursue her interest in reconstructive surgery and gender reassignment. When she's not studying for her next exam, she can be found spending time with friends or at one of her favorite art museums. Her hobbies include singing, playing piano, and trying out new restaurants.
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Read More about Devneet KainthDevneet Kainth
Drexel Co-op Undergraduate
Devneet Kainth
Drexel Co-op Undergraduate
Devneet is a Biological Sciences major at Drexel University, with a minor in Public Health. She is interested in a career in medicine after graduation, however she also hopes to take part in international philanthropic work and research associated with these fields. She volunteers with several international and local organizations that work to promote sustainable development and fight for health rights internationally and locally. She enjoys working in the tumor tissue bank and learning about research occurring within the field of medicine. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out and catching up with friends while watching movies, eating food or just relaxing.
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Read More about Radhika ThokalaRadhika Thokala
Postdoctoral Researcher
Radhika Thokala
Postdoctoral Researcher
Radhika Thokala was a post doctoral fellow in Dr. O'Rourke’s lab from August 2017 to 2020. She received her PhD in Immunology from the laboratory of Laurence J.N. Cooper, M.D., Ph.D. in the Division of Pediatrics at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her interests and long term goal is to develop more effective immune based treatments with focus on Genetic modification of T cells through Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) for treating patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
