Akansha is from Naperville, IL and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Computer Sciences. During college, she was an undergraduate research assistant in Eric Johannsen’s lab at the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, learning about Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) through bioinformatics-based methods development as well as wet-lab experiments. Now, Akansha continues to learn more about cancer biology by analyzing copy number alterations for projects within the NCI’s Genomic Data Analysis Network (GDAN). She also works in Matthew Meyerson’s group, performing genomic analyses to identify and characterize new targets for cancer therapeutics.

Fun Fact: Akansha reads nearly 100 books a year, is always down to try a new art project (though painting might be a lost cause), and considers old Bollywood movies the perfect comfort watch.

Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

Ryan obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, before joining the Beroukhim lab. Here, he studied vulnerabilities of mismatch repair-deficient gliomas. After leaving the Beroukhim Lab, Ryan started pursuing a PhD in Biology at Boston University.

Nick attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and received a BS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a BA in Spanish. At UMass, he developed an interest in research by using molecular biology techniques to elucidate signal transduction pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. At DFCI, Nick worked on optimizing MDM2 inhibition in a window of opportunity trial in GBM, and studied gene dosage compensation mechanisms in amplification-related events pan-cancer. Nick is currently pursuing an MD at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Aaron was born in Pittsburgh, PA, before moving to Colorado to study physics and math at the University Of Denver. At the Broad Institute, Aaron researches low-grade gliomas and the impact of germline variation on genetic dependencies in cancer. In his free time, he like to explore the mountains on foot or snowboard!

Fun fact: Aaron has two spleens

Favorite quote: “I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep” – Robert Frost

Abby is from Eugene, OR and graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in Biological Sciences. During undergrad, she worked at UChicago Medicine as a Clinical Research Assistant, and she is happy to get a chance to explore more of the research side of that at the Beroukhim Lab at Dana-Farber.

Fun facts: Abby loves to play volleyball, she does the NY times spelling bee, wordle, and crossword every day, and she still doesn’t know how to drive (like no clue).

Favorite quote: “Most men would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich, than face the reality of being poor.”

Sophie is an Associate Computational Biologist in the Beroukhim Lab hailing from Groveland, MA. She recently graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Integrative Biology and Earth & Planetary Sciences. Sophie spent her undergraduate years at the Arnold Arboretum researching genetic variation in urban red oak populations. Though she misses the trees, she’s enjoyed transitioning to the world of cancer genomics!

Fun fact: Sophie grew up on a small farm, featuring goats, sheep, chickens, and two miniature horses (which, she learned through experience, one should not try to ride).

Favorite quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ashton received a BS in physics and a BS in biology from The University of Texas at Austin. During his senior year, he conducted independent research simulating transcriptional kinetics at the Institute for Computational Engineering and Science, under the supervision of Dr. William Press. At the Broad Institute, he worked with Dr. Andrew Cherniack and Dr. Rameen Beroukhim to develop software workflows for processing high-throughput screening data from tumors and analyzing somatic copy-number mutation profiles. He is now pursuing a DVM/PhD at the University of Pennsylvania.

Fun fact: In his free time, Ashton enjoys going hiking with his dog, Mama.

Favorite quote: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” –Inscribed on the front of The University of Texas tower

Barbara received her BA and MS from Brandeis University, and her PhD from Brown University, all in Mathematics.  In the Beroukhim Lab, Barbara developed computational tools to detect copy-number alterations in cancers.  After leaving the laboratory, she went on to develop algorithms to understand chromatin interactions at the University of Massachusetts Medical School as a Research Assistant Professor.