Wellen Lab

Kathryn E. Wellen, PhD
Principal Investigator
 wellenk@upenn.edu
 215-746-8599

I opened my lab at Penn in 2011.  My interest in biomedical research was sparked while I was an undergraduate at the College of William and Mary, where the opportunity to carry out a research project, mentored by Dr. Lizabeth Allison, hooked me on the puzzle-solving aspect of research.  I carried out my PhD thesis work in the lab of Gökhan Hotamisligil, where I studied adipose tissue inflammation and systemic metabolic health.  Towards the end of my graduate work, I became fascinated by the re-emerging field of cancer cell metabolism and joined the lab of Craig Thompson for postdoctoral work.  There I worked on two projects, one focused on the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway in the regulation of growth factor signaling and one in which we demonstrated the sensitivity of histone acetylation to the availability of the metabolite acetyl-CoA. My lab continues to investigate metabolic signaling mechanisms in both cancer and physiology.  We have devoted substantial effort to studying regulation of the enzymes that produce acetyl-CoA and their roles in histone acetylation and lipid metabolism, as well as how such regulation impacts health and disease.  We are also increasingly interested in the interface between systemic metabolism and cancer biology. My goals are to carry out impactful research that advances knowledge in our field and to provide outstanding research training in a supportive and collaborative environment to help lab members grow as scientists and meet their career goals.  When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, dining out, and reading good books.

B.S., Biological Psychology, the College of William and Mary

PhD, Harvard University, School of Public Health

Postdoc, University of Pennsylvania

Current position: Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania

Affiliations: Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism; Penn Epigenetics Institute

Jennifer Pennise
Research Specialist/Lab Manager
 jennifer.pennise@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I joined the lab during Fall 2023 as the lab manager/research specialist while also working jointly as an assistant scientist in the Dr. Nathanial Snyder lab. As a Temple University alumnus with a professional science master’s in Scientific Writing, double bachelor’s majors in Biology and Communication Studies, and an English minor, I hope to further my education by obtaining a graduate degree to pursue medical writing and science journalism. Previously, my research concerned matters of cardiac regeneration and metabolism guided within the Dr. Mohsin Khan lab. Aside from science, my family and I perform in an 80s rock cover group, known as the Pennise Family Band, where we hold concerts at various festivals and private events all over the greater Philadelphia area. 

Pedro Da Costa Pinheiro
Postdoctoral Researcher
 Pedro.DaCostaPinheiro@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am a NCI Postdoctoral fellow and joined the Wellen lab in June 2021 after graduating from the University of Virginia. I came to the US as a Fulbright scholar to attend UVa as a graduate student where I was part of the Kester lab studying sphingolipids in prostate cancer. In the Wellen lab, I am mostly interested in developing new tools to access metabolic changes in different cellular compartments and disease contexts, mainly focusing on ACLY. I will also be exploring the role played by nutrient and metabolite salvage in pancreatic tumorigenesis. Outside of the lab, you can find me exploring Philadelphia and the food scene, running around the trails, reading, cooking, and watching or playing sports.  

Christina Demetriadou
Postdoctoral Researcher
 Christina.demetriadou@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I joined the Wellen lab in February 2022 as a co-mentored Postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Nathaniel Snyder at Temple University. Broadly, my research interests focus on the fascinating link between epigenetics and metabolism in cancer. In the Wellen lab, my project aims to understand the effects of branched-chain amino acid metabolism on nuclear acyl-CoA abundance and histone acylation in pancreatic tumorigenesis. I came to Philly from Nicosia, Cyprus after completing my PhD in the lab of Dr. Antonis Kirmizis at the Univeristy of Cyprus. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy doing zumba, cooking and exploring Philly!

Alison Jaccard
Postdoctoral Researcher
 Alison.Jaccard@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am a Postdoctoral researcher who joined the Wellen lab in September 2023 and who is co-mentored by Dr. Nathaniel Snyder. I came to Philly from Switzerland where I obtained my PhD at the University of Lausanne, in the labs of prof. Pedro Romero and prof. Ping-Chih Ho. I am very interested in the interconnection between immune cell metabolism, their epigenetic landscape and differentiation in physiology and disease. In the Wellen lab, I look forward to studying acyl-CoA metabolism and histone acylation in immune cells. Outside of research, I love cheese, traveling, playing sports, going to restaurants and art exhibitions.

Mike Noji
Graduate Student
 mnoji@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am a Cancer Biology PhD student within the Cell and Molecular Biology graduate group and joined the lab as a co-mentored student with Dr. Zoltan Arany in June 2019. I have a broad interest in cancer metabolism and how manipulation of nutrients and environmental factors can be leveraged as therapeutic targets to treat cancer. My research focuses on branched chain amino acid metabolism in the context of pancreatic cancer. Changes in availability of these nutrients may affect cancer initiation and growth and I am interested in better understanding these mechanisms and finding therapeutic vulnerabilities using the cancer cell’s own metabolism against them. Before joining the lab, I worked as a technician for Dr. Terence Gade at the University of Pennsylvania where I characterized metabolic changes in liver cancer cells exposed to low nutrient conditions, similar to those observed clinically in surviving tumors after standard treatment. Outside of lab, I enjoy participating in sports leagues, reading, biking around the city, and attending music concerts with friends.

Laura Pinheiro
Graduate Student
 laurapin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am a Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics PhD student and joined the lab in March 2020. I have a broad interest in cancer metabolism, and more specifically how nutrition can impact disease progression. I took special interest in the Wellen Lab because of the work on Acetyl-CoA as an important metabolite linking catabolic and anabolic pathways with epigenetics and signaling, especially in the context of tumorigenesis. Pancreatic cancer leverages metabolism to enhance cancer cell proliferation under nutrient stress conditions. My project aims to elucidate how differences in nutrient availability, in part through diet, can lead to epigenetic changes that contribute to this cancer progression. Metabolic alterations in response to nutrient availability may elucidate a unique therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, cooking, traveling, and exploring Philly!

Julianna Supplee
Graduate Student
 suju@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I joined the Wellen lab in the summer of 2020 as a PhD student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics program. I am also co-mentored in the Marmorstein lab. I have interests in biochemistry as well as metabolism and clinical research, which is what ultimately led me to pursue a project in both labs. My project involves studying the splice isoforms of ACLY and how these isoforms vary structurally, functionally, and biologically, in hopes that this knowledge could lead to new therapeutics. Outside the lab, I play the cello in the Penn Med Symphony Orchestra and enjoy going to concerts, museums, comedy shows, bars, and restaurants around Philly! I also like hiking in warmer months and ice skating at Penn's ice rink in cooler months (although I am not very good at it).

Phuong Nguyen
Graduate Student
 phnyuyen@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am a PhD student in the Penn Neuroscience Graduate Group. I came to Penn after completing a BS/MS program at Drexel University with research evaluating the therapeutic potential of manipulating Sonic Hedgehog signaling in Alzheimer's disease. My broad research interest lies in the area of how the central nervous system responds to pathological insults at the molecular level. In the Wellen lab, my project focuses on understanding the relationship between altered acetate metabolism and brain aging in mice. When not in lab, I enjoy doing zumba, going to concerts and spending time with friends at new restaurants or at the dog park by the Schuylkill River.

Prateek Sharma
MD-PhD Student
 Prateek.Sharma@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am an MD-PhD student in the Cancer Biology program within the Cell and Molecular Biology graduate group. I joined the lab as a co-mentored student with Dr. Christoph Thaiss in January 2022. My scientific interests include cancer biology, cell metabolism, and the microbiome. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how cancer adapts to changing metabolic environments and nutrient states, how the microbiome influences cancer biology, and how these insights can be leveraged to develop and enhance cancer therapeutics. My research focuses on understanding how dietary and microbiota-derived metabolites influence tumorigenesis and cancer progression through various anabolic and catabolic pathways as well as through epigenetic alteration of gene expression. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, cooking, photography, and rock climbing!

Nina Kuprasertkul
MD-PhD Student
 Napasorn.Kuprasertkul@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

I am an MD-PhD student in the Genetics and Epigenetics Program at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, with a B.S. from Duke University. I joined the Wellen Lab as a co-mentored student with Dr. Brian C. Capell in December 2021. I am broadly interested in studying the role of epigenetic modifiers in epidermal metabolism, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. Specifically, my research is focused on how lipid peroxide species play a role in influencing cell fate and how lipid signaling pathways might be leveraged for novel therapies in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Outside of research, I enjoy exploring Philly restaurants, traveling, reading, and rock climbing!

Mia Shiue
Undergraduate Researcher
 Miashiue@sas.upenn.edu

I am a Penn undergraduate student majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Science, Technology, & Society. I joined the Wellen lab in September 2021, under the guidance of graduate student Phuong Nguyen. Together, we have been studying the effects of ACLY knockout on lipid metabolsim, with an emphasis in the skin. My project is focused on the interplay between skin and systemic lipid metabolism. In the future, I plan on going to medical school. Outside of lab, I enjoy going to museums, exploring Philly, and trying new restaurants.

Kevin Guo
Undergraduate Researcher
 Kevinguo@sas.upenn.edu

I am a Penn undergraduate student majoring in biology with a concentration in Mechanisms of Diseases. I joined the Wellen lab in September 2022 under the guidance of graduate student Mike Noji. Together, we have been studying the effects of DBT knockout on branched-chain amino acid metabolism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. I plan on doing an independent study project that is related to this research. I am currently thinking about applying to medical school. In my free time, I enjoy working out, hanging out with friends, and watching good movies, with my favorite being Shawshank Redemption.

Alex Boyko
Undergraduate Researcher
 Aboyko@sas.upenn.edu

I am a Penn undergraduate student planning to major in either neuroscience or biology. I joined the Wellen lab in December 2023 under the guidance of MD-PhD student Prateek Sharma. Together, we have been studying the effects of diet on glucose homeostasis through the microbiome and host metabolism. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in medicine while also continuing research. If I’m not in lab, you might find me running along the Schuylkill or around campus as part of Penn Cross Country and Track.