TEAM
Check out our group photos here.
Brandon J. DeKosky
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, MIT Phillip T. and Susan M. Ragon Career Development Chair Core Member, The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Kansas
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Postdoc, Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD
I really enjoy the environment for immunology and biotech research here at Ragon, MIT, and Cambridge, there are so many incredibly talented people to work with and learn from! Outside of the lab I enjoy swimming, soccer, playing jazz piano, and exploring live music around Cambridge and Boston.
Michael Akinyemi
Undergraduate Researcher
UCF Department of Biomedical Sciences
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree, Tallahassee Community College, 2022
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of harnessing biological systems to create innovative research tools and have enjoyed having the opportunity to take part in it firsthand thanks to the MIT Summer Research Program. Outside of the lab I love to ride my bike and dabble in game development.
Evan Bhagat
Research Technician
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
I am interested in antibody discovery/engineering, biotechnology, and immunology related research. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking and exploring Boston.
Yun-Ti Chen
Postdoctoral Fellow
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
Ph.D., Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
I specialize in computational biology, developing new methods for translational research and drug discovery. With extensive experience in structural drug design and interpretable machine learning models, I focus on optimizing antibodies based on computational methods in the DeKosky lab. Outside the lab, I volunteer at charity foundations.
Jihwan Chun
Postdoctoral Fellow
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Biological Sciences, KAIST, South Korea, 2014
Ph.D., Food Science and Biotechnology, SNU, South Korea, 2020
I am working on antibody engineering by integrating molecular approaches and yeast display technique to generate and screen highly potent antibodies to eradicate malaria. I have a strong background in microbiology, especially bacteriophages and pathogenic bacteria. Outside the lab, I love to hang out with my wife and friends, try new recipes, indulge in craft beers/wines/coffees, and go swimming.
Deemah Dabbagh
IBK Postdoctoral Fellow
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard
Ph.D., Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, George Mason University
Msc, Microbiology Georgetown University
Working on enhancing anti-HIV-1 bNAb breadth and potency through mutations and yeast display screening. Outside the lab, I enjoy scenic walks, meditation and music.
Francisco Figueiras
Research Technician
The Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, Harvard
B.A., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boston University
Following my graduation, I have enjoyed having the opportunity to explore the intersection of bioengineering and immunology through antibody engineering and discovery projects. These projects will support my growth as I plan to start applying for PhD programs to start in Fall 2026. Outside of lab I enjoy biking, board games, and exploring the cuisine around Boston.
Camila Tenorio Franca
Research Scientist
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
B.S., Biomedicine, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil
M.Sc., Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco & FIOCRUZ/PE, Brazil
Ph.D., Epidemiology, University of Melbourne & WEHI, Australia
My research is focused on understanding the development and targets of protective humoral immunity, and how this information can be used to inform the development of new & improved vaccines and other therapeutic interventions.
Blythe Irwin
Ph.D. Candidate
MIT Department of Biological Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Bioengineering, University of Washington
Ph.D., Biological Engineering, MIT, 2022-present
I am excited to advance the field of immunotherapeutics through T cell receptor repertoire characterization. My research involves optimizing methods for TCR screening, with a focus on TCRs against cancer antigens. In my free time, I enjoy running, lifting, sailing, and writing.
Shuyan (Shawn) Jin
Ph.D. Candidate
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT)
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2021-present
I am a current graduate student at MIT with interests in antibody discovery and protein engineering. Fun fact – I am often the late night genie that fills the stock for fellow researchers for their daytime experiments.
Shelbe Johnson
Ph.D. Candidate
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2022-present
I am passionate about developing and using new technologies to improve human health across the globe. Outside of the lab, I enjoy working out, watching reality TV shows, and spending time with my family and friends!
Kate Juergens
Ph.D. Student
Harvard Division of Medical Sciences
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Biochemistry, University of Washington
Ph.D., Virology, Harvard University, 2023-present
I am passionate about advancing the field of virology by developing new technologies to gain insight into viral-host immune interactions at scale. In my free time I love cycling. My less important hobbies include cooking, photography, hiking, climbing, and running!
Gene Lee
Ph.D. Candidate
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2022-present
I’m interested in antibody and T-cell receptor discovery with applications in cancer treatments, both in the computational and experimental space. I love hiking, crafting (currently on a crocheting bender), working out, and occasionally playing video games.
Sunwoo Lee
Ph.D. Candidate
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, South Korea
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2022-present
I am currently a Ph.D. student at MIT majoring in Chemical Engineering. My research centers on antibody repertoire sequencing from single cells and yeast display for investigating the diversity and functionality of antibodies. My ultimate goal is to create therapeutic antibodies and contribute to advancements in healthcare through my research. Outside the lab, I enjoy swimming, playing badminton, and skiing.
Zixuan (Zi) Liu
Undergraduate Student
MIT Department of Biological Engineering
MIT Department of Biology
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Biological Engineering, MIT, 2025
I’m currently interested in the intersection between immunology/immuno-engineering and oncology, and am excited to help develop new methods for T cell analysis. Outside of lab, I like to watch dramas and go on walks along the Charles.
Valeria Marquez-Pellegrin
Ph.D. Student
MIT Department of Biological Engineering
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Bioengineering, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia (UTEC)
Ph.D., Biological Engineering, MIT, 2023-present
My research focuses on T-cell receptor screening and developing a phage vaccine for targeted immunotherapy. Outside the lab, I enjoy watching TV, playing video games, and following soccer.
Anurag Ramsuman Mishra
Postdoctoral Fellow, Mazumdar-Shaw International Oncology Fellow
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S.-M.S., Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India
Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, India
I received my PhD in Virology and Viral immunology from IIT Indore, India. Science my Ph.D. I am very interested in working with cutting edge high throughput technologies for therapeutic interventions. The Dekosky immune engineering lab provides the prefect opportunity and environment to work on cutting age technological tool for translational biology and study immune response. Currently, my research focuses on the high throughput TCR discovery against the cancer. Outside of lab, I like to cook new dishes for my family and friends. I also like to roam around Cambridge exploring Boston.
Robert Novak
Ph.D. Student
Harvard Department of Immunology
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.A., Physics, Biophysics, and Biochemistry, University of Pennsylvania
M.S., Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania
MPhil, Physics, University of Cambridge
I am interested in applying computational methods to study antigen-immunoreceptor interactions at repertoire-scale. Outside of the lab I like to hike, play soccer, play guitar, and read (especially short stories!).
Xiaoli Pan
Postdoctoral Fellow
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
MIT
The University of Kansas
Bachelor of Medicine, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Southern Medical University, China
M.S., Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, USC
Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Chemistry, KU
My projects mainly focus on mining the natively paired antibody repertoires for antibody discovery and large-scale molecular characterization of adaptive immunity. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, exploring good food, and traveling.
Azady Pirhanov
Research Fellow
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering, KAIST B.S., Biology, KAIST
Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, The University of Connecticut
I am really interested in technology development and immunology and loving my time here in Cambridge. When not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and read everything non-science and non-fiction. One day I also hope to get back to playing volleyball.
Katerina Rincones
Research Technician
The Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, Harvard
B.S., Bioengineering, Northeastern University
My research interests are in T cell therapy and high throughput TCR repertoire capturing and screening. Outside of the lab, I enjoy lifting, reading, and paddle boarding!
Julian Rojo Gallegos
Ph.D. Student
Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology
The Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of New Mexico
Ph.D., Medical Engineering and Medical Physics, MIT, 2023-Present
I am interested in research at the interface of immuno-oncology and engineering. I am currently working on screening technologies to discover cancer immunotherapies. In my free time, I enjoy working out, watching shows, reading, and spending time with friends.
Sarah Sobol
Ph.D. Student
MIT Department of Biological Engineering
The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard
B.S., Chemical Engineering and Biological Sciences, Northwestern University
Ph.D., Biological Engineering, MIT, 2023-present
I am interested in developing and applying technologies to improve the functional capabilities of antibodies to address challenges in human health. Outside of lab, I enjoy singing, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends (especially seeing their pets).
Estin Van Alstine
Research Technician
The Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, Harvard
B.S., Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
I’m currently interested in the ways different facets of human immunity collaborate for an effective immune response to disease. Outside of the lab, I am actively involved in theater tech and enjoy reading and spending time with my cat.
