Brian Brown, PhD
Director, Icahn Genomics Institute
Vice Chair Department of Immunology & Immunotherapy
Professor, Genetics & Genomic Sciences
Professor, Immunology & Immunotherapy
Professor, Dermatology
Brian is the PI of the lab. He did his doctoral studies in Canada and postdoctoral studies in Italy. He has developed a number of novel technologies, including a platform for controlling gene expression, which has led to improvements in experimental treatments for genetic disease, cancer, and viral infection. His lab is working to identify factors that control immunity & tolerance, and translate these findings in to strategies that can be used to direct the immune system in cancer, infectious disease, and inflammation
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Worked ambulance
- Wrote science for a fashion mag in Milan
- Taking lessons to pronounce ‘out’ the American way
Angelo Amabile, PhD
Assistant Professor, Icahn Genomics Institute
Director, RNA Nanoparticle Core
Angelo received his PhD from the San Raffaele University in Milan, Italy. He is an expert in gene engineering and is currently working to develop novel drug-regulated gene expression systems for gene therapy applications.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Climbed Mount Everest.
- Guest on National TV show.
- Bathed in the Ganges River.
Chiara Falcomatà, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Chiara received her PhD from the Technical University of Munich in Germany. Her research focuses on identifying and understanding the molecular determinants controlling the immune and stromal composition of pancreatic tumors.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Won a pie eating contest
- Swam 100 meters in less than a minute
- Grew 2 meter tall chilli plants
Alice Tao, MD
Alice graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College and is currently a Surgical Oncology Research Fellow. In the Brown Lab, she studies the tumor microenvironment of liver metastases in pancreatic cancer
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Has moved apartments every year for the past 12 years.
- Ran the Big Sur Marathon.
- Drinks only decaf coffee
Camillia Azimi, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Camillia obtained her PhD from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) under Dr. Kole Roybal developing CAR Pooling, a novel rapid pooled screen of CAR signaling domains in primary human T cells, and the BAFFR CAR. In her postdoc, she joins the Brown and Merad labs to pursue similarly innovative receptor design for in vivo myeloid cell engineering within cancer contexts.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Has only skydived in Namibia
- Is an avid trombonist
- Can read & write in 3 languages but only speak 1
Chunxi Wang, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Chunxi received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. She joins the Brown and Brody labs in her postdoc. In the Brown lab, she works on using CRISPR screening to identify key genes regulating LNP entry into tumor cells. Outside the lab, she loves visiting vinyl record stores and collecting rare vinyl records.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Has done research in 3 countries in 3 different continents
- Lives with 3 cute chinchillas
- Enjoys the climate in NYC
Gardner Davlin, BSc
Master Student
Gardner is a master's student in Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on studying the role of IL-4 in ovarian cancer treatment resistance.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Has sailed to another countryBio
- Played collegiate level golf
- Avid backgammon enthusiast
Xiao Han, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Xiao earned her Ph.D. in Genetics from Stony Brook University. She studied the immune regulation of cancer dormancy under the mentorship of Dr. Mikala Egeblad, formerly at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and later at Johns Hopkins University. She joined the Brown Lab in 2025 as an NCI F99/K00 Fellow, co-mentored by Dr. Brian Brown and Dr. Miriam Merad. Xiao’s research investigates how cancer-intrinsic mutations and aging-associated factors shape the tumor microenvironment and influence responses to immunotherapy in ovarian and other cancers.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Mom of twin boys
- Completed Ph.D. training across three institutions
- Has conducted research on four types of cancer
Alex Tepper, BSc
MD/PhD Student
Alex is investigating how the interferon gamma pathway influences lung cancer resistance to immunotherapy using highly multiplexed immunophenotyping coupled to Perturb-map. Outside lab he enjoys crashing waves, babbling brooks, and wise trout.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Can hold his breath > 2 minutes. - Has lassoed a shark - Rides horses
Divya Chhamalwan, BSc
Research Associate
Divya is a Research Associate in the lab. She received a Master’s in Biotechnology at NYU. She is the CyCIF master and primarily works with the pancreatic cancer team to understand PDAC tumor microenvironment biology.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- I stole a cow from a farm
- I won a ramen eating competition
- Ate a leech as a kid
Trung Nguyễn
PhD Student
Trung is a PhD student in the Immunology-BMS program. He is co-mentored by Brown and Zamarin labs to develop a novel screening platform for chemokines and cytokines in ovarian cancer. Outside the lab, you can find him traveling to exotic places and photographing strangers on the streets of New York.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Went to 5 countries within 24 hours
- His photograph was featured on National Geographic magazine
- Has 200 pieces of clothes in his closet
Jaime Mateus-Tique, PhD
After many years of entrepreneurship and corporate management, Jaime decided to return to science. His current project focuses on modulating myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Watches Saturday Night Live on Sunday nights
- Started a publicly traded company
- Has produced 11 feature films
Bhavya Singh, BSc, MSc
PhD student
Bhavya received her BSc and MSc from McMaster University in Canada, where she studied bacterial succession in the infant gut microbiome over solid food introduction. In the Brown Lab, she is interested in cytokine-mediated tumor-immune crosstalk, and how these interactions differ in spatially distinct TME niches. Outside of lab, Bhavya enjoys reading, running, and lifting heavy things.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Has lived in over 10 cities.
- Used to have green, purple, blue, and red hair
- Went cliff jumping in Jasper
Sophia Siu, BSc
MD/PhD student
Sophia is an MD/PhD student in the lab working on controlling expression patterns of mRNA LNP and investigating how different cell types affect immunity to the mRNA encoded antigen.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Is allergic to the hand sanitizer at Mt Sinai
- Got stuck in a cold room when the door broke
- Loves starting crosswords puzzle
Filippo Bianchini, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Filippo obtained his PhD from the Università della Svizzera Italiana (Switzerland), where he focused on the discovery and characterization of monoclonal antibodies. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Brown lab, investigating the immune responses induced by mRNA vaccines. His work explores the impact of LNP–antibody conjugation and microRNA targeting sites (miRTs) on vaccine immunogenicity.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- I climbed to the top of Mont Blanc
- I am a Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff rising
- I won a cooking competition making chocolate mousse
Joshua Leinwand, MD, MSE
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Josh received his MD from Yale University. He is a surgical oncologist whose research and clinical focus is on peritoneal carcinomatosis. He joined the Brown lab to study anti-tumor immunity in peritoneal metastases.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Refuses to eat bagels or pizza outside of NYC
- Has lived in 7 different apartments in NYC
- Has performed as a clown
Keyi Wang, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellowy
Keyi received her Ph.D from Rutgers University in the track of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation. Trained as an immunologist, her research focuses on understanding the immune microenvironment and identifying genes controlling resistance in multiple myeloma. Outside of the lab, Keyi enjoys visiting art galleries and painting
Two Truths and a Lie:
- I make amazing Italian food
- I am an excellent driver and once won a car racing game
- I speak three languages fluently.
Jyll Yu
Administrative Assistant
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Hates the smell of win
- Has visited over 10 countries
- Was in her college marching band