Current Lab Members
Jonathan Coloff, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Associate Professor
Jon received his B.S. in biology from Iowa State University and his Ph.D in pharmacology from Duke University, where he worked in Jeff Rathmell's lab. Jon then moved to Boston for his postdoctoral work in Joan Brugge's lab at Harvard Medical School. In 2018, Jon relocated to Chicago to start his own group at UIC. Outside of the lab, Jon enjoys watching Iowa State sports and obscure soccer games, riding his bikes, and traveling with his wife and daughters.
KELLY CONGER
Graduate Student
Kelly received her B.S in Cell and Molecular Biology from DePaul University in 2017. She is currently a PhD student in the Coloff Lab, where she focuses on the roles and regulation of amino acid transporters in supporting breast cancer metabolism. When she's not in the lab, Kelly enjoys trying new restaurants around the city, going to museums, and watching stand-up comedy.
PHILIPPA BURNS
Graduate Student
Philippa obtained her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom in 2019. Philippa recently joined the Coloff Lab at UIC as a PhD student, where she is primarily studying the role of nutrient availability on drug response in triple negative breast cancer. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, exploring the city by bike, and other sporting activities including the wonderful British sport of cricket.
VIPIN RAWAT, PH.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Vipin Rawat obtained his BS from Delhi University in Zoology, MS in Biotechnology from All India institute of Medical science in India, and his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Italy. Vipin recently joined the Coloff Lab at UIC for his postdoctoral work, where he is primarily interested in how nutrient levels in culture media can affect the drug responses. Outside of the lab he enjoys traveling and playing sports.
METE OZGURSES
Graduate Student
Mete received his B.S in Molecular Biology and Genetics and his Masters in Molecular and Medical Genetics from Biruni University, Turkey. Upon receiving a Fulbright Ph.D. Grant from Turkey, he enrolled in the GEMS program at UIC. Currently, he is a Ph.D. student in Coloff Lab, where he focuses on lipid metabolism. He likes to explore the city, do sports, and do Latin dances in his free time.
Prarthana Prashanth
Undergraduate Student
Prarthana is an undergraduate student at UIC studying Math and Computer Science on the pre-med track. Prarthana joined the Coloff Lab in November 2021 and is studying the impact of nutrient availability on drug response. Outside of the lab, she enjoys performing Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance), singing in UIC's a cappella team, and traveling with friends and family.
Godwin Sarpey
Undergraduate Student
Godwin is an undergraduate student at UIC studying Biology and is on the pre-med track. His lab work is focused on lipid metabolism and breast tumors and how well they responds to endocrine therapies. In his free time he likes to cook new dishes, enjoy time with family and friends, play tennis (even if he is not exceptional at it) and watching anime.
Former Lab Members
Bo-Hyun Choi, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2018-2020
Bo-Hyun Choi now has her own lab at the Daegu Catholic University in Daegu, South Korea.
Yasir Hasnain
Undergraduate Researcher, 2018-2021
Yasir Hasnain is now a medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford.
Debo Dahunsi
Urban Health Program Fellowship, 2022
Debo Dahunsi is currently an MD/MPH student at UIC.
