Current Lab Members
Jonathan Coloff, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Associate Professor
Co-Leader, UICC Cancer Biology Research Program
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.
PHILIPPA BURNS
Graduate Student
Philippa obtained her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom in 2019. Philippa joined the Coloff Lab at UIC as a PhD student in 2020, where she is primarily studying connections between serine metabolism and mRNA splicing. 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
Medical Student
Prarthana is a medical student at UIC who still finds time to get into the lab and do research. She joined the Coloff Lab in November 2021 as a UIC undergrduate and has spent most of her time studying the impact of nutrient availability on drug response. In 2024 Prarthana received the prestigious Riddle Prize from the UIC Honors College. This award recognizes the top graduating senior regardless of major. 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
Lab Technician
Godwin began working in the Coloff Lab while he was an undergraduate at UIC and has stayed on after graduation. 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.
Purab Pal, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Purab received his MS from the University of Calcutta (India) and his PhD in Molecular Cellular and Systemic Physiology from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (Advisor: Dr. Buck Hales). He joined UIC Physiology as a postdoc in 2020 and received a Susan G. Komen Career Transition Award in 2024 for his work on lipid biology in endocrine therapy-resistance. In his free time, he likes to make music and read non-fiction.
Lina Lietuvninkas
Graduate Student
Lina received her BS from the University of Oklahoma in 2019 and is currently a GEMS PhD student in the Coloff Lab. Her work has been focused on exploring the substrate dynamics of the amino acid transporter, ASCT2, in different breast cancer subtypes. In her free time, she enjoys knitting/crocheting, reading, going to the movies, hanging out with her family, and cuddling with her cat, Friday.
Huiping Zhao
Senior Research Specialist
Huiping graduated from the School of Medicine at Jiangsu University and previously worked at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University. She moved to UIC in 2002 and joined the Coloff lab in 2020. Currently she is a senior research specialist focusing on establishing breast cancer animal models and exploring new therapy strategies that will improve clinical treatments for breast cancer patients. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her pet dog. She likes garden work and exercises also.
AAnshi Vashi
Undergraduate Student
Aanshi is an international undergraduate student at UIC majoring in biological sciences on the pre-med track. Her project is focused on identifying connections between serine metabolism and RNA and DNA repair in cancer cells. Aanshi also assists with the upkeep and maintenance of the lab. In her free time, she likes to travel with friends, explore the city's best restaurants and play sports like basketball.
Fatimah Alani
Visiting Research Specialist
Fatimah earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Benedictine University and her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University. She recently joined the Coloff Lab as a Visiting Research Specialist, where she is focusing on single-cell approaches to uncover mechanisms of endocrine therapy resistance. In her free time, Fatimah enjoys baking, traveling, and reading.
Former Lab Members
KELLY CONGER, Ph.D.
Graduate Student, 2019-2023
Kelly is now working at Alto Neuroscience in Chicago.
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.
