Current Lab Members

Dr. Erle Robertson

Principal Investigator
erle@mail.med.upenn.edu
215-746-0114

Additional Positions

Harry P. Schenk Endowed Chair Professor
Vice-Chair, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (with tenure)
Professor (tenure), Department of Microbiology
Professor (secondary), Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Director, Tumor Virology Training Program
Associate Director, Global Cancer Research, Abramson Cancer Center

Education

B.S. in Microbiology, Howard University
Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Wayne State University
M.S. Honorary Masters, University of Pennsylvania
Post-Doctoral Training: Harvard Medical School & Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dipayan Bose

Research Associate
Dipayan.Bose@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-746-0116

Ph.D. in Biotechnology from CSIR — Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, University of Calcutta, India

I joined the lab of Dr. Erle Robertson on 24th September 2018. In my PhD I have worked on biotherapy against cancer and the immunological aspects associated with it. After my PhD I was eager to shift field to infectious disease and that is why I applied for position at Dr. Robertson’s Lab. I was always fascinated to work in oncogenic viruses and here I got the chance. My project deals with replication initiation of Kaposi Sarcoma associated virus (KSHV) and the 3D landscape of the replication origin. Apart from this I am also involved in the microbiome project where I am looking at the altered metabolic pathways in tumors and the probable involvement of the microbiome. This is a great opportunity for me here to get accustomed with the latest molecular biology techniques. Here I am experiencing a very friendly lab environment with all the other members willing to help. I am especially thankful to Dr. Robertson for all the support and his valuable suggestions regarding the experimental designing, troubleshooting and protocol standardization. To fulfill my long term future goals, I feel the experiences I am gathering from here will be in valuable.

Ranish Kumar Singh

Research Associate
rajsingh@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215 746 0116

Ph.D. in Molecular Cancer Genetics form Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpes virus (KSHV) maintains a lifelong establishment with host and remain in latent phase. In immune-compromised individuals, the KSHV infection has been observed to be associated with several malignancies like Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman disease. KSHV and hypoxia interaction has been known to affect key physiological pathways of both host as well as pathogen. These changes include LANA/vGPCR mediated tumorigenesis as well as RTA mediated induction of lytic replication of KSHV genome. Independent of chosen physiological pathway(s), the KSHV infected cell reprogram its metabolism to meet the required metabolite pool, though the mechanism and the pathways involved in these changes are poorly known. Using high throughput genomic and proteomic approach, we are working to decipher the mechanism behind metabolic reprogramming of KSHV infected cells in hypoxic conditions. Also, KSHV genome behaves very differently with the host genome in several manners especially in hypoxic condition. Hypoxia induces arrest of cell cycle and DNA replication in host DNA while KSHV genome is known to be fired for productive replication. The factors involved in this differential behavior of host and pathogen DNA is not known. Our goal is to understand mechanism and pathways involved in this differential behavior of host and pathogen genome. We are also working to understand if KSHV infection also helps in host DNA replication especially in hypoxic conditions.

Nian Ma

Postdoctoral Fellow
Nian.Ma@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-746-0116

Ph.D. in Pathogenic Microorganisms in 2019, from Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China

After graduating from Wuhan University, I joined the lab of Dr. Robertson in 2020. My PhD program was focused on the inhibitory effect of the drugs on HSV and the related mechanisms of immune regulation. HSV and EBV are both belong to the herpesviridae family. I have a deep interest in investigating the underlying mechanisms of EBV-mediated oncogenesis, as well as host defense in adaptive immunity. Thank Dr. Robertson very much for his support and mentor, I can continue my research at the forefront of field of herpes viruses.

Ramakrishna Vangala

Postdoctoral fellow
RamaKrishna.Vangala@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215 746 0116

Ph.D. in Microbiology from King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India

I joined Dr. Erle Robertson's laboratory on 23^rd June 2023 as a Post Doctoral Fellow. In my Doctoral study, I worked on the Association of genetic mutations with injectable drug resistance and Infectious diseases. So, I want to continue my career in the field of virology and viral-related disease research, which led to getting the chance in Dr. Robertson's laboratory. Here I am working on Viral oncogenesis, especially EBV and KSHV-related oncogenesis. I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Robertson for all his help and guidance. I believe the experiences I am gaining from this will be helpful in achieving my long-term goals.

Kiran Chunduru

Postdoctoral fellow
SeshasaiKameswaraKiran.Chunduru@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-746-0116

Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

I joined Dr. Erle Robertson’s lab on June 15, 2024. I have completed my master’s degree in Clinical Virology and subsequently focused on immunological and molecular epidemiology aspects of Orientia tsutsugamushi infection during my Ph.D. I am always eager to learn new techniques and improve my skill set. With my background in Virology and my interest in developing my skill set, I have embarked on my postdoctoral journey to study host-viral interactions in gamma herpesviruses. Dr. Robertson has been very supportive in guiding me in designing experiments and standardizing protocols. I am confident that the techniques and mentorship I receive here will contribute to my success as a researcher.

Yuchen Wang

Postdoctoral fellow
Yuchen.Wang@PennMedicine.upenn.edu
215 746 0116

M.D./Ph.D. in Urology from Southern Medical University, China

After graduating from Southern Medical University, where I primarily focused on the clinical pathogenicity of the BK Polyomavirus during my doctoral studies, I joined the Robertson lab in August 2024. I am grateful to Dr. Robertson for providing me with the opportunity to conduct systematic basic and translational research on how EBV and KSHV induce tumorigenesis and progression through metabolic reprogramming and hypoxia in a world-class tumor virus laboratory.

Insani Budiningsih

Postdoctoral Fellow
Insani.Budiningsih@PennMedicine.upenn.edu
215 746 0116

Ph.D. in Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia

I received my Ph.D. in Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, in Surabaya, Indonesia. During my doctoral studies, I worked on an international research project collaboration between the Department of Internal Medicine, Regional General Hospital Dr. Soetomo, Universitas Airlangga, and the Pathology Department of the Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Since my bachelor's degree, I have been involved in clinical studies on the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). My greatest appreciation goes to Dr. Robertson for giving me this tremendous opportunity to study EBV from the basic and fundamental stages of the molecular and cellular aspect. The experiences gained will expand my expertise and help me obtain invaluable knowledge to understand the complexity of how EBV could lead to severe diseases/malignancies in some people.

Atharva Torne

Research specialist
Atharva.Torne@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215 746 0116

MSci in Biotechnology Graduated from The University of Manchester, United Kingdom

I joined the Robertson Lab in August 2023 after receiving an integrated Master of Science (Hons.) degree in Biotechnology from The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. My Master’s research involved combining biochemical assays and live-cell imaging to understand how the knockout of ubiquitin proteases affected the ability of yeast to form proteinaceous assemblies under oxidative stress. I have since pivoted to molecular virology and hope to understand the relationship between the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and transcription factors from the Krüppel-like factor (KLFs) family.

Maggie Rudolph

Research specialist
maggie.rudolph@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215 746 0116

BS in Biochemistry from Susquehanna University

I graduated from Susquehanna University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry. I had the privilege to do undergraduate research on the potential anti-cancer effects of chromeochalcones, and have a paper published on the antioxidant effects of Schiff bases. In my undergraduate research, I worked on synthesizing and designing cancer drugs. After graduating I wanted to work more in the biology field. I am very thankful for this opportunity to learn about tumor virology, expand my knowledge, and improve my lab techniques! I am planning on getting a masters degree or PhD in immunology in the future.

Irina Rabinkov

Staff Assistant
Irina.Rabinkov@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
215-573-8553

B.A. in Fine Arts from Benkoff Art College, Tashkent
Post-Graduate, Certificate in Administrative Office Assistant, Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell

I’ve changed my career and graduated from Montgomery County Community College as a Modern Office Assistant. I have joined the Robertson Lab in September 2017 and I'm happy to be here. The lab has produced important work on Tumor virology in recent years. I'm attracted to the exciting environment at the University of Pennsylvania, and proud to be a part of that. As Staff Assistant I handle everything from administrative support in the lab.