Student Spotlight
Incoming Fall 2025 Cohort
Rahmatullah Alseksek
Email: RahmaKamal@tamu.edu
Education: Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacology concentration) and a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, both from the University of Sharjah (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates)
Research Focus: Cancer Epigenetics, Pharmacology, Drug Resistance Mechanisms, Metastasis
Research Interest/Experience: Driven by a desire to outsmart cancer at its molecular core, I am passionate about understanding how epigenetic changes fuel drug resistance and metastasis in the most aggressive cancer types. I aim to identify key molecular switches that drive these malignant behaviors and explore how targeting them can restore treatment sensitivity. Having worked extensively in pharmacology and cancer biology, I am particularly interested in bridging basic epigenetic discoveries with translational applications. I am also eager to harness innovative technologies such as CRISPR gene editing, single-cell sequencing, and 3D tumor models to dissect these complex regulatory networks. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the development of next-generation epigenetic therapies that not only overcome drug resistance but also prevent cancer relapse and metastasis, offering patients more durable and personalized treatment options.
Fun Facts:
Hobbies:
- Swimming, Traveling and cultural exploration, Snowboarding.
- I often use long walks to untangle research puzzles—some of my best ideas have come while wandering quiet trails or bustling city streets.
- I keep a "research idea notebook" by my bedside because my best hypotheses often come just before I fall asleep
Bingru Feng
Email: bf130@tamu.edu
Education: Master's degree in Bioengineering from Rice University, Bachelors degree in Biotechnology from Shenzhen University (Shenzhen, China)
Research Focus: Gene therapy, Cell therapy, Synthetic biology, Gene & drug delivery, RNA interference
Research Interest/Experience: I am interested in using synthetic biology strategies to deal with different problems, such as developing therapies for diseases, and exploring methods to deliver gene editing tools. In addition, I am willing to develop different molecular tools such as small RNAs and gene circuits to solve problems, mainly for detecting or treating diseases.
Fun Facts:
- Hobbies: Traveling, Exercising, Drawing, Chess, Cooking, Reading books
- Interested in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Hanlu Chen
Email: Chenhanlu@tamu.edu
Education: B.A in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, MPhil in Genetics from the University of Cambridge
Research Focus:
Research Interest/Experience: My research interest lies in dissecting the genetic and molecular controls of regeneration and tumorigenesis. I am especially interested in exploring the intersection of these processes in the context of cell proliferation mechanisms and how the differences therein lead to distinct outcomes for the organism. I am eager to pursue these questions with a focus on clinical applications for human diseases, particularly cancer.
Fun Facts:
- Hobbies: Playing with jigsaw puzzles; watching movies; baking; I have recently started playing tennis
- Pets: Dog (WeiWei)
Yi-Chin Chang
Email: ychang6@tamu.edu
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology
Research Focus: Immuniology, Genomics, Cancer biology
Research Interest/Experience: I am interested in immunology, particularly in studying disease mechanisms and immune responses. My focus is on understanding how the immune system detects and responds to pathogens, the underlying mechanisms of immune regulation, and the role of immune cells in various diseases. In addition to immunology, I am also interested in genomics and cancer biology. My goal is to understand the genetic and molecular basis of cancer, how genetic mutations contribute to tumor development, and how genetic factors interact with the immune system in cancer progression.
Fun Facts:
- I play volleyball
- I have two cats (mocat and Nacho)
Logan Herring
Email: Lherring2001@tamu.edu
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Austin College (Sherman, Texas)
Research Focus: Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery for treatment of Cancer
Research Interest/Experience: I am interested in studying cancer biology, particularly through drug discovery and immunotherapy. Cancer is a complex disease, and developing innovative treatments and preventive measures is crucial for reducing its global burden, prolonging life expectancy, and enhancing the quality of life for millions. My focus is on understanding the biochemical pathways and gene regulation mechanisms involved in cancers. By mapping these extensive pathways, we can identify potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, I am keen on exploring the role of stem cells and multi-potent cells in tissue repair and investigating how gene expression factors influence cell fate choices, which could have significant therapeutic applications.
Fun Facts:
- Hobbies: I like playing sports like pickleball, basketball, and recently have enjoyed volleyball. I also like to read books and critique movies in my free time.
- I am allegic to chocolate
- I won three awards in film contests during my high school education!
Brendan McKee
Email: brmckee@tamu.edu
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida, Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University
Research Focus: Cancer biology, immunotherapy, cellular & nuclear mechanics
Research Interest/Experience: I am interested in studying cancer migration and immune evasion mechanisms to develop effective cancer immunotherapies. Additionally, I would like to explore anti-cancer drug discovery and potential clinical applications of applied science in this regard.
Fun Facts:
- Hobbies: Basketball, cookinh (Italian), strategy/board games
- Pets: Whiskey (German Shepard)
