LAB MEMBERS
If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Nwosu to discuss possible projects and your career plans.
Zeribe Nwosu, Ph.D.
Cornell FIRST Assistant Professor
Role: Principal Investigator
Email: zcnwosu@cornell.edu
I am from the southeastern part of Nigeria. I did my postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan, USA. Prior to that, I obtained a bachelors degree in Medical Laboratory Science (Nigeria), master’s in Biomedical Science (England), and PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Germany). My research interest is to understand how cancer cells acquire nutrients and to determine novel ways to treat cancer patients by blocking the tumor’s ability to consume nutrients. Outside the lab, I like to play football (i.e., soccer in US). I also like to swim and follow political events/current affairs.
I am a Haitian-American from Harlem, New York. I have been engaged in research since high school at Mount Sinai”s Icahn School of Medicine, which has led me to learn I am very interested in cancer research, more specifically drug discovery and therapeutics. I obtained my BA in biological sciences at CUNY Hunter College before joining the Cornell University graduate field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Molecular Biology and Genetics department. Outside the lab, I really just enjoy socializing. I participate in multiple events, love to discuss politics and ongoing trends. I love to also analyze in movies, anime and films as well. I also play tennis.
Chiamaka Ezeh
Role: Graduate Student
Email: cje47@cornell.edu
I am from Nigeria and earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria. I am a PhD student in the graduate field of Genetics, Genomics and Development (GGD), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. I am interested in unraveling the complexities of gene regulation and its role in the onset and progression of life-threatening diseases such as cancer. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms governing gene expression, I aim to pinpoint novel therapeutic targets and contribute to the development of innovative treatments for cancer patients. Outside the lab, I enjoy nature walks and maintaining my personal journal.
Evan Zhou
Role: Research Technician
Email: ejz28@cornell.edu
I am from Loveland, Colorado and obtained my BA in biological sciences with a minor in mathematical biology from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. I am looking forward to helping out in the lab and diving into cancer metabolism research as well as improving my skills in bioinformatics. Outside the lab, I really enjoy climbing and am searching for amateur tennis partners to play with. I also love to read (especially fantasy) and enjoy writing as well.
Linyuhui Zheng
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: lz545@cornell.edu
I am from Fujian in southeast China. I started my undergraduate at Cornell in 2023 as a Biological Science major and expect to graduate in 2027. I hope to later pursue a PhD in the area of cancer biology. Having had past experiences in dealing with cancer patients surrounding me, I hope to discover novel treatments to cure cancer in the future. Outside the lab, I like to hike while listening to music. I also enjoy playing all sorts of sports with my friends.
Rohan Bhasin
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: rb726@cornell.edu
I am from Long Island, New York. I am a junior studying Biology and Society on the pre-med track, graduating in May 2025. I hope to learn more about cancer metabolism. One of my long-term goals is to go to the medical school and ultimately become a doctor. Outside the lab, I am a part of the Red Cross Club and Cornell United Club Soccer team. In my free time, I enjoy working out and playing golf and soccer.
Laiba Shiekh
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: lns59@cornell.edu
I am from Brookline, Massachusetts. I am a sophomore studying Human Biology, Health and Society and expect to graduate in 2026. I hope to go to medical school in the future and eventually pursue an MD/PhD. I am interested in the metabolic pathways of cancer and hope to contribute to developing therapies for cancer patients. Outside the lab, I enjoy dancing, evening bike rides, and listening to different types of music.
Darren Binder
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: dab484@cornell.edu
I am from New York City and I expect to graduate in 2026 as a Biological Sciences major. I am interested in uncovering the mechanisms of cancer metabolism, so that treatments targeting these mechanisms can be developed. After graduating I plan to pursue an MD so that I can continue working in the field of cancer therapeutics. Outside the lab, I enjoy watching and playing soccer.
Matthew Cheung
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: mcc296@cornell.edu
Hello! I am from Brooklyn, New York. I transferred to Cornell in Fall 2023 from Binghamton University and I’m expecting to graduate in Spring 2026. My grandfather sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer, which motivated me to come and do research on this disease with Dr. Nwosu. My career goal is to go to dental school and specialize to become an orthodontist. Outside the lab, I love listening to and making music. I also enjoy playing sports with my friends, especially tennis and soccer.
Bowen Fu
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: bf357@cornell.edu
I am from Beijing, China, but have lived most of my life in New York City. I am a freshman studying Human Biology, Health and Society, expecting to graduate in 2027. I have a personal connection with cancer, having lost several relatives to cancer, so I’ve always been interested in the disease. I hope to help the world better understand the metabolic pathways of cancer and aid in developing more effective treatments so the prognosis of some of the deadliest cancers can be improved. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, going on hikes, ice skating, and listening to different types of music.
Ingrid Tachim
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: ik342@cornell.edu
I am from Miami, Florida, however my parents are from Cameroon in Africa. I am a freshman set to graduate in December 2027. I am currently studying General Biology with a hope to concentrate in Human Nutrition in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. My ultimate goal is to get accepted into medical school in order to become an orthopedic surgeon for the National Basketball Association. Outside the lab, I like hanging out with my friends and playing video games. I do hope to learn more about therapeutic resistance in cancer and ways to overcome it.
Alexander Behram
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: anb87@cornell.edu
I am from Potomac, Maryland. I am majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in mathematics and plan on graduating in 2027. I am on a pre-med track and hope to go to medical school after graduation. I find the mysteries of cancer metabolism fascinating, and it has led me to an interest in contributing to its research in order to ultimately help cancer patients in the future. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing tennis and watching American football.
Rohith Karthik
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: rk722@cornell.edu
I am from West Palm Beach, Florida and I am a freshman studying Global and Public Health Sciences on the pre-med track. Much of my research in high school utilized cancer cells and testing various treatments on lung and prostate cancer cells, and I think the idea of targeting cell metabolism as a mechanism of treating cancer cells is a very interesting idea, and I would love to learn more about cancer metabolism. I hope to go to medical school in the future, and continue doing cancer research. Outside the lab, I am involved with Cornell Red Cross, and GlobeMed and in my free time I enjoy watching basketball, football, and hanging out with my friends.
Ethan Yu
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: ejy34@cornell.edu
I am from Houston, Texas. I am a freshman studying Biological Sciences and expect to graduate in 2027. My passion for combating cancers stems from its impact on numerous family members, driving me to contribute to research efforts in the field. Post-graduation, I aspire to pursue a combined MD/PhD program to further my understanding and ability to make a difference. Outside the lab, I participate in club activities as a committee chair of the American Cancer Society at Cornell and as an officer of the Cornell Coffee Club. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf and exploring the campus.
Maximilian Farma
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: mxf3@cornell.edu
I am from outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am a freshman studying Biological Sciences with a potential minor in Computer Science. Both of my parents specialize in cancer, and my uncle passed away from cancer so I am motivated to perform research to find any potential insights on new therapeutics to help those diagnosed with cancer. I also am fascinated by cell biology and am interested in combining this excitement with my passion to make a difference. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing soccer, spikeball, hanging out with friends, and exploring.
Amina Bilalbegovic
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: adb288@cornell.edu
I am from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am currently a junior studying Biological Sciences with a concentration in Animal Physiology, and a minor in Law & Society. I am on the pre-medical track, with my primary medical specialty of interest being surgical oncology. I am interested in cellular physiology, and discovering new mechanisms by which cancer cells evade therapy. Outside the lab, I work in a local hospital in Ithaca, and enjoy singing – I am a member of the Class Notes, Cornell’s oldest all-gender Acappella group.
Aditya Bakshi
Role: Undergraduate Researcher
Email: ab2429@cornell.edu
I am from Nashua, New Hampshire, and am a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am studying Biology with a concentration in Computational Biology and plan to pursue a minor in Computer Science. I am passionate about using computers to explore biological issues, and am particularly interested in how they can be employed to analyze cancer cell metabolism. Cancer has affected people close to my family, inspiring me to contribute to research in the field. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing tennis and table tennis and spending time with my friends.
PREVIOUS LAB ROTATION GRADUATE STUDENTS
Chiamaka Ezeh (October 30 – December 22, 2023)